Patent Abstract:
A coolant distribution device for a wet-running clutch device and comprising several coolant distribution surfaces along which coolant is conveyed outwards in the radial direction. In order to increase the service lifetime of a wet-running clutch device the coolant distribution surfaces are implemented so that the coolant conveyed outwards in the radial direction has different axial coolant spray-off points and/or coolant spray-off devices.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2006 003 923.8, filed Jan. 26, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a coolant distribution device for a wet-running clutch device and comprising several coolant distribution surfaces along which coolant is conveyed outwards in the radial direction. The invention furthermore relates to a wet-running clutch device with friction units on the driving side and the driven side, where the friction units are formed of a plurality of friction partners alternating in layers in the axial direction on the driving side and the driven side, where the friction partners can be pressed against one another in the axial direction to produce a frictional engagement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is a general object of the invention to increase the service lifetime of a wet-running clutch device, such as is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,953. 
         [0004]    The object is realized in a coolant distribution device for a wet-running clutch device with several coolant distribution surfaces along which coolant is conveyed outwards in the radial direction by the fact that the coolant distribution surfaces are implemented so that the coolant conveyed outwards in the radial direction has different axial coolant spray-off points and/or coolant spray-off devices. Through the configuration, according to the invention, of the coolant distribution surfaces the coolant can be conveyed in a targeted manner to different axial positions. Thereby, providing different clutch lining elements with coolant in a defined manner is made possible. 
         [0005]    In a preferred embodiment, the coolant distribution device includes coolant distribution surfaces on ramps which, on the outside in the radial direction, have, as seen in the circumferential direction, different slopes. Due to the centrifugal force acting during operation, the coolant is conveyed outwards in the radial direction to the clutch lining elements. Due to the different slope angles of the ramps the coolant sprays off at different axial positions and in different directions at the radially outer edges of the ramps. 
         [0006]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the coolant distribution surfaces are bounded by ribs. At a rotary speed the coolant comes into contact with the ribs, which preferably run helically from the interior outwards, and is thereby affected in its radial acceleration and direction of flight. 
         [0007]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the coolant distribution device comprises a coolant distribution element which essentially has the shape of an annular disk and on which the coolant distribution surfaces are provided. Preferably, the coolant distribution element comprises a plane annular surface on the inside in the radial direction, from which the coolant distribution surfaces extend outwards. 
         [0008]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the coolant distribution device comprises a drive sleeve. The drive sleeve serves preferably to connect the coolant distribution device in the manner of a drive to a coolant pump which is driven via the coolant distribution device. 
         [0009]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the drive sleeve comprises coupling elements. The coupling elements preferably serve to connect the drive sleeve in the manner of a drive to a drive element of a coolant pump, which is driven via the coolant distribution device. 
         [0010]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the coolant distribution device comprises a receiving plate. Preferably, the coolant distribution element is fastened to the receiving plate on the inside in the radial direction. 
         [0011]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the receiving plate comprises coupling elements on the outside in the radial direction. The coupling elements preferably serve to connect the coolant distribution device, in such a manner that it cannot turn, to a clutch part, in particular a lamella carrier, where the clutch part or lamella carrier is in turn driven at the rotary speed of the motor. 
         [0012]    In an additional preferred embodiment, the coolant distribution surfaces have a sharp edge on the outside in the radial direction. Thereby, an uncompromised spraying off of the coolant at the coolant spray-off points is ensured. Preferably, the edge has a radius which is less than 0.5 mm. 
         [0013]    In a wet-running clutch device with friction units on the driving side and the driven side, where the friction units are formed from a plurality of friction partners alternating in layers in the axial direction on the driving side and the driven side, where the friction partners can be pressed against one another in the axial direction to produce a frictional engagement, the above-stated objective is realized by a coolant distribution device described in the introduction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Further advantages, features, and details of the invention follow from the following description, in which various embodiment examples are described in detail with reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective representation of a coolant distribution device according to the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective sectional representation of the coolant distribution device from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a three-part coolant distribution device, as represented in perspective in  FIG. 1 , in exploded representation; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a section of a coolant distribution device from  FIG. 3  in perspective representation; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a two-part coolant distribution device, as represented in perspective in  FIG. 1 , in exploded representation; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a section of a coolant distribution device from  FIG. 5  in perspective representation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a torque transmission device with a coolant distribution device, as represented in  FIGS. 1 to 6  in various views and embodiment examples, in half section; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a view of a longitudinal section through the coolant distribution device represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective representation of the coolant distribution device represented in  FIG. 8 ; and, 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates five different variants of a coolant distribution device with different geometries. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2  a coolant distribution device  1  is represented in perspective in different views. The coolant distribution device  1  serves to distribute the coolant. The coolant is preferably oil, which is used in a wet-running clutch device to cool friction lamellas. The coolant distribution device  1  according to the invention is thus also designated as an oil distributor. The coolant distribution device  1  comprises a receiving plate  2  which essentially has the shape of an annular disk  3 . Teeth  5 ,  6 , and  7 , which are coupling elements, project, in the radial direction, outwards from the annular disk  3 . A collar  9  is bent radially inwards from the annular disk  3 . In the collar  9  a plurality of through-openings  11 ,  12  is provided, which make possible the passage of coolant in the radial direction. The collar  9  turns into a fastening flange  14 , which comprises several through-holes  16 ,  17 . The through-holes  16 ,  17  serve for the guiding through of fastening elements  19  with whose aid a coolant distribution element  20  is fastened to the receiving plate  2 . 
         [0026]    The coolant distribution element  20  comprises a plurality of coolant distribution surfaces  21  to  23 , which are distributed uniformly over the circumference. The coolant distribution surfaces  21  to  23  are each bounded by two ribs  25 ,  26 ;  26 ,  27 ;  27 ,  28 . Moreover, the coolant distribution surfaces  21  to  23  are surfaces of ramps which project, in the radial direction, outwards from a plane annular disk surface  30  and have different slopes. On the inside in the radial direction a drive sleeve  32  is mounted on the annular disk surface  30 . The drive sleeve  32  has essentially the shape of a circular cylindrical shell on which two coupling elements  34 ,  35  are formed so as to be diametrically opposite one another. The receiving plate  2 , the coolant distribution element  20 , and the drive sleeve  32  can be connected to one another as one piece. However, instead of this, the parts can also be formed separately and fastened to one another with the aid of additional fastening elements such as screws or rivets. It is also possible to connect the individual parts to one another by a material lock, e.g., by welding. 
         [0027]    In  FIGS. 3 and 4  a coolant distribution device according to the invention is represented which is a three-part combination consisting of a receiving plate  2 , coolant distribution element  20 , and a drive sleeve  32 . The coolant distribution element  20  is molded from plastic and can be fastened to the receiving plate  2  by snap-on connecting elements or a bayonet catch. Alternatively, the coolant distribution element  20  can also be fastened to the receiving plate  2  with the aid of screws  36  which are plugged into the coolant distribution element  20  via through-holes  38 . The drive sleeve  32  and the receiving plate  2  are two separate sheet metal parts. 
         [0028]    In  FIGS. 5 and 6  it is shown that the receiving plate  2  and the coolant distribution element  20  can also be combined as one part in a sheet metal part  40 . The sheet metal part  40  can, for example, be made from sheet metal by stamping and re-forming. The drive sleeve  32  also formed as a sheet metal part can be fastened to the coolant distribution element  20  with the aid of (not represented) riveted bolts. For this purpose the drive sleeve  32  comprises a fastening flange  41  with through-holes  42 . During assembly, the through-holes  42  of the fastening flange  41  are to be brought to cover additional through-holes  43  which are provided in the annular disk surface  30 . In  FIG. 6  it is furthermore indicated that the ribs  44  are made to stand out by re-forming of the original sheet metal. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 7  a part of a drive train  51  of a motor vehicle is represented. A wet-running double clutch  56  in the lamellar mode of construction is disposed between a gear mechanism  55  and a drive unit  53 , in particular an internal combustion engine from which a drive shaft  54  projects. Between the drive unit  53  and the double clutch  56  a rotary oscillation damping device  58  is connected. The rotary oscillation damping device  58  is a double-mass flywheel. 
         [0030]    The drive shaft  54  of the internal combustion engine  53  is connected, via screw connections and in such a manner that it is fixed, to an input part of the rotary oscillation damping device  58 . The input part of the rotary oscillation damping device  58  is coupled, with the interposition of coil springs, to an output part of the rotary oscillation damping device  58 . The output part of the rotary oscillation damping device  58  is in turn connected, in such a manner that it cannot turn and via a connecting part with an integrated hub part, to an input part  64  of the double clutch  56 . The clutch input part  64  is connected as one piece to an outer lamella carrier  66  of a first lamellar clutch arrangement  67 . An inner lamella carrier  69  of the first lamellar clutch arrangement  67  is disposed, in the radial direction, within the outer lamella carrier  66 . The inner lamella carrier  69  is fastened, on the inside in the radial direction, to a hub part  71  which is connected, via a toothing and in such a manner that it cannot turn, to a first gear mechanism input shaft  73 . 
         [0031]    The outer lamella carrier  66  of the first lamellar clutch arrangement  67  is connected, via a clutch part  68  and in such a manner that it cannot turn, to an outer lamella carrier  70  of a second lamellar clutch arrangement  72 . An inner lamella carrier  74  of the second lamellar clutch arrangement  72  is disposed, in the radial direction, within the outer lamella carrier  70  and said inner lamella carrier is connected, on the inside in the radial direction and in such a manner that it is fixed, to a hub part  75 . The hub part  75  is connected, via a toothing and in such a manner that it cannot turn, to a second gear mechanism input shaft  76  which is formed as a hollow shaft. In the second gear mechanism shaft  76  the first gear mechanism shaft  73  is disposed in such a manner that it can turn. The two lamellar clutch arrangements  67  and  72  are actuated via actuating levers  77  and  78  whose radially inner ends are supported on actuation bearings. The actuation bearings are actuated in the axial direction with the aid of actuating pistons. 
         [0032]    The actuation force of the actuating lever  78  is transmitted via a pressure piece  81  to a lamella  82  of the lamellar clutch arrangement  72 . In the axial direction, between the pressure piece  81  and the lamella  82 , a receiving plate  2  of a coolant distribution device  1  is, as is represented in the  FIGS. 1 to 6  in various forms of embodiment, suspended in the outer lamella carrier  70 . The outer lamella carrier  70 , which is connected, in such a manner that it cannot turn, to the outer lamella carrier  66 , is connected in the manner of a drive to the crankshaft  54 . Thus, the receiving plate  2  is turned during the operation of the internal combustion engine  53  at the rotary speed of the motor. The coolant distribution element  20  of the coolant distribution device  1  is disposed, in the radial direction, within the through-openings  86 , which make possible the passage of coolant in the radial direction through the inner lamella carrier  74 . The drive sleeve  32  of the coolant distribution device  1  is connected to a pump drive tube  84 , which, in turn, is connected, in such a manner that it cannot turn, to a drive pinion of a (not represented) coolant pump. 
         [0033]    In the wet-running double clutch  56  a special coolant, in particular a special coolant oil, is used in order to dissipate the friction heat arising during the operation of the lamellar clutch arrangements  67  and  72 . To cool the friction linings the coolant oil in each case flows through between a steel lamella and a friction lamella, where a temperature change occurs. Through grooves in the friction linings the coolant oil is conducted outwards in the radial direction. In this way the coolant oil is conducted outwards in the radial direction through both lamellar clutch arrangements  67  and  72 . Subsequently, the coolant oil is mixed with oil in a gear mechanism sump. From there it is then pumped to the cooler and then once again into the clutch. In order to supply the lining grooves uniformly with coolant oil, the coolant oil is conveyed via the special geometry of the coolant distribution surfaces to different axial positions. Due to the centrifugal force occurring during operation the coolant oil is ejected outwards in the radial direction onto the clutch linings where it can enter the lining grooves. 
         [0034]    In  FIGS. 8 and 9  it is indicated by an arrow  90  that the coolant oil conveyed by the coolant oil pump reaches, from the interior of the drive sleeve  32  and through the drive sleeve  32 , the plane annular disk surface  30 . Through the centrifugal force caused by the rotary speed of the motor the volume flow conveyed by the coolant oil pump is distributed uniformly on the coolant distribution surfaces  21  to  23 , which are formed on the ramps. In so doing, the coolant is accelerated in addition by the ribs  25  to  28  and, at the end of the ramp, sprays off outwards in the radial direction predefined by the different ramp slope angles. Via the number of ramps the amount of coolant oil for a coating can be adjusted. Particularly heavily loaded friction linings can thus be cooled preferentially. The coolant oil spraying off at the end of the ramp is indicated by arrows  91  to  94 . In  FIGS. 8 and 9  one sees that the coolant oil sprays off of the different ramps in different axial directions and different tangential directions. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 10  it is indicated that the coolant distribution element can have different ramp geometries  101  to  105 . The direction of rotation in the clockwise sense is indicated in each case by an arrow  100 . The greater the number of ramps is, the more uniformly the individual lining planes can be supplied. However, with too many ramps there is the danger that the oil is made turbulent in an undesirable manner. An uncompromised spraying off of the coolant oil in the predefined direction is made possible by a sharp edge. The corresponding radius is less than 0.5 mm. In  101  it is indicated that the ribs can extend exactly in the radial direction. In  102  it is indicated that the ribs can also extend in the tangential direction. In  103  it is indicated that the ribs each have the form of circular arcs which are disposed in the form of a spiral. In  104  and  105  it is indicated that the ribs can also consist of straight parts combined with circular arcs. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Coolant distribution device 
           2  Receiving plate 
           3  Annular disk 
           5  Coupling element 
           6  Coupling element 
           7  Coupling element 
           9  Collar 
           11  Through-opening 
           12  Through-opening 
           14  Fastening flange 
           16  Through-hole 
           17  Through-hole 
           19  Fastening element 
           20  Coolant distribution element 
           21  Coolant distribution surfaces 
           22  Coolant distribution surfaces 
           23  Coolant distribution surfaces 
           25  Rib 
           26  Rib 
           27  Rib 
           28  Rib 
           30  Annular surface 
           32  Drive sleeve 
           34  Coupling element 
           35  Coupling element 
           36  Screws 
           38  Through-hole 
           40  Sheet metal part 
           41  Fastening flange 
           42  Through-hole 
           43  Through-hole 
           44  Rib 
           51  Drive train 
           53  Drive unit 
           54  Crankshaft 
           55  Gear mechanism 
           56  Double clutch 
           58  Rotary oscillation damping device 
           64  Coupling input part 
           66  Outer lamella carrier 
           67  First lamellar clutch arrangement 
           68  Coupling part 
           69  Inner lamella carrier 
           70  Outer lamella carrier 
           71  Hub part 
           72  Second lamella clutch arrangement 
           73  Gear mechanism input shaft 
           74  Inner lamella carrier 
           75  Hub part 
           76  Gear mechanism input shaft 
           77  Actuation lever 
           78  Actuation lever 
           81  Pressure piece 
           82  Lamella 
           84  Pump drive tube 
           86  Through-opening 
           90  Arrow 
           91  Arrow 
           92  Arrow 
           93  Arrow 
           94  Arrow 
           100  Arrow 
           101  Coolant distribution element 
           102  Coolant distribution element 
           103  Coolant distribution element 
           104  Coolant distribution element 
           105  Coolant distribution element

Technology Classification (CPC): 5