CN110709617A - Central separator with radially inner sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a central decoupler (1) having a (CSC) housing (2) in which a piston (3) is arranged in an axially longitudinally displaceable manner as a function of hydraulic pressure in order to displace a decoupling bearing (5) and thereby disengage or engage a clutch (16), wherein at least one magnet (6) is fastened to the piston (3) and can be used for position determination by means of a sensor (7), wherein the sensor (7) is connected to an electrical conductor (8), wherein the sensor (7) is arranged radially inside the annular piston (3). The invention further relates to a clutch housing (21) having a main body, at which a radially inwardly directed bearing cover (20) is mounted, wherein the central decoupler (1) is fixed at the bearing cover (20) by a retaining member (9) facing the bearing cover.

Description

Central separator with radially inner sensors

Technical Field

The invention relates to a central decoupler/Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) having a (CSC) housing in which a piston is arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the axial direction as a function of hydraulic pressure in order to displace a decoupling bearing and thereby disengage or engage a clutch, wherein at least one magnet is fastened to the piston, which magnet can be used for position determination by means of a sensor, in particular when the magnet is detected by the sensor, wherein the sensor is connected to an electrical conductor in order to transmit pulses to an evaluation unit.

Background

Slave cylinders configured as central decouplers and corresponding decoupling systems are already known from the prior art. Thus, for example, EP 2205883B 1 discloses a slave cylinder which is embodied as a CSC, in particular for a hydraulic system of a motor vehicle, and which has a housing in which a piston is arranged so as to be axially displaceable in a pressure chamber between two end positions, wherein the pressure chamber is sealed by sealing elements having two different diameters, and the piston is functionally connected by means of a control rod to a release bearing which is preloaded by means of at least one energy accumulator arranged in the pressure chamber. In this case, it has been found in particular that the sealing element with the larger diameter is fixed in the axial direction by a ring magnet for determining the position or the stroke length of the piston.

In this known solution, a module flange between the transmission and the internal combustion engine is mounted at the clutch housing section. The basic object of the invention is to be able to be used in a parallel-shaft hybrid system and in as many drive-transmission combinations as possible. It is also particularly desirable that such a combination of location identification via CSC should be operational.

However, the most common situation to date is the coaxial hybrid system. For this reason, almost standard parts are usually used for CSCs and clutches. Standard sensors are also used, which are typically mounted radially outside the CSC. However, there are some variants of use in which there is little installation space in the axial direction. In this region of use, therefore, the installation space available in the axial direction is very limited. There is even an application case where even 24mm of axial construction space for the entire CSC is not available. At this time, a conventional arrangement scheme may not be used.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a cost-effective and efficient solution for position detection in a split system for a parallel-shaft hybrid drive system with as many drive-transmission combinations as possible.

According to the invention, for such a central separator, the above technical problem is solved thereby: the sensor is disposed radially inward of the annular piston. In particular, small/short installation spaces can thus be used particularly well when the bearing is constructed completely around the CSC/central separator. At this time, the length of the bearing is almost the length of the CSC. Instead of the traditional arrangement, an intelligent alternative solution can now be used.

Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are set forth in detail below.

Therefore, it is advantageous that the sensor is fixed at the inner circumferential surface of the housing. In this way, assembly can be completed at a very early point in time, and a subassembly is produced which can then be mounted together on the clutch housing, in particular the bearing cover. Thus, even in extreme cases, the assembly time is reduced while the construction space is well utilized.

The compactness is also assisted if the electrical conductors of the sensor are guided along the inner circumferential surface of the central decoupler housing and/or along between the clutch housing section (for example the bearing cover) and the end side of the central decoupler housing facing the clutch housing section.

It has been proven that the electrical conductor is configured as a conductor circuit or as a wire/cable. If conductor circuits are used, the axial installation space can be used particularly well, while in the case of wires/cables, standard components which are cost-effective can be used.

If the electrical conductor is embedded in the holding means, on the one hand, the assembly can be simplified and, on the other hand, the electrical conductor can be prevented from coming into contact with the fluid in the surrounding area.

Advantageously, the holding means has a sensor housing which is connected to a line adapter which is designed separately from the sensor housing. At this point, the assembly can be divided into many steps, which makes the process flow simple.

It is also expedient for the line adapter to have a holding section which is intended for a form-fitting and/or force-fitting fixing at the housing. The fixing is made easier by the fixing without tools.

A particularly cost-effective clamping solution can be achieved in this case simply if the holding section is designed as a holding hook and/or acts/engages in a recess adapted thereto in/at the (CSC) housing.

It is also advantageous if the line adapter has at least one centering projection which engages in a hole in the adjacent end face of the (CSC) housing which is adapted to this as far as possible.

The invention also relates to a clutch housing, in particular a hybrid module housing, having a main body, at which a radially inwardly directed bearing cover/lid is mounted, wherein, according to the invention, the clutch housing is improved in that: a central separator of the type preferably according to the invention is fixed at the support cover with a holding means facing the support cover. Whereby the holding means containing/enclosing/surrounding the electrical conductor is mounted between the end face of the (CSC) housing and the surface of the support cover facing the central separator.

Thus, in other words, the solution is to arrange the sensors at the inner diameter of the central separator/CSC. Various improvements are likewise advantageous for this purpose. The magnet is thus held in its angular position in order to achieve an accurate measurement result. The CSC stop is also to be implemented in such a way that formation, pivoting braking and simple assembly are ensured. This is achieved by the present invention. The invention also makes it possible to thread the sensor with its contacts below the CSC, i.e., on the side facing the support cover, the connection of the components being ensured in such a way that no corrosion or bridging occurs at the contact points.

Thus, the sensor is arranged inside the CSC. The conductor circuit is exposed under the CSC. The conductor circuit/electrical conductor and the sensor are soldered at the exposed portion, wherein a resin is then filled into the sensor housing and/or onto the line adapter, so that the electrical conductor is surrounded by the resin. Resin filling is performed after the conductor and the sensor are welded. The resin receives a clamping function to connect the conductor circuit and the sensor housing while performing sealing. In this case, holes of different sizes, for example holes formed in the sensor housing or introduced subsequently by means of drilling, are present in the line adapter, which prevent the two components from loosening from one another. The components are then centered entirely outside the housing, for example through holes/eyelets, and are also held here at the CSC housing.

The line adapter has a pressing rib on the underside facing the support cover in order to ensure a defined position of the sensor. The line adapter has a circumferential flange which acts to some extent as a sealing/overlap seal, so that the sensor can be cast with resin and the two parts connected there. The piston itself should of course be prevented from rotating. The electrical conductor can be configured as a conductor circuit, which can also be replaced by a wire/cable in case of emergency or in other application situations. If a conductor circuit is used, the plug-in structure is pushed on the outside of the end remote from the sensor. The plug-in connection can be adapted specifically to the application or can be constructed from standard components.

In the field of separating clutches actuated by a central separator, a solution is therefore proposed, in particular in parallel-shaft operating systems. The axial installation space is saved or used particularly efficiently. According to the invention, the sensor of the central separator is mounted at the inner diameter of the CSC, i.e. radially (and axially) inside the CSC. Conductor circuits or lines for connecting the electronics units are arranged radially inside the CSC. Additionally, in a CSC, inertial release bearings are arranged radially outward of the rest of the CSC. The release bearing, the release clutch and the sensor have substantially the same axial position.

Drawings

The invention is further explained below with the aid of the drawing. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a detail of a longitudinal section through a hybrid module with a partially shown clutch housing/hybrid module housing and a central decoupler/CSC according to the invention fixed at the housing,

fig. 2 shows a holding means which is combined with a central separator into a sub-assembly unit, in which holding means an electrical conductor is coupled with a sensor which is designed for detecting two magnets in a piston, wherein the sub-assembly unit is only partially shown in a longitudinal sectional view,

figure 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of only a portion of the line adapter of the holding member of figure 2,

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the holding means of fig. 2, with two sections, namely the sensor housing and the line adapter,

FIG. 5 shows a partial view of the region V of FIG. 4 in the region of the sealing geometry at the end of the line adapter facing the sensor housing, and

fig. 6 shows a bottom view, i.e. a view of the side of the holding element close to the clutch housing or the bearing cover of the clutch housing, on which side pressing ribs are provided on the holding element, which ribs are used for tolerance compensation.

The drawings are merely schematic and are provided for understanding the present invention. Like elements are provided with like reference numerals.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1, a central separator 1 according to the invention is shown, which has a (CSC) housing 2. The (CSC) housing 2 accommodates a piston 3 which is arranged in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a pressure chamber 4. The release bearing 5 is moved by the piston when the piston moves axially.

There are two magnets 6 at the piston 3. They can be detected by the sensor 7. The sensor 7 is connected to an electrical conductor 8.

It should be mentioned that only half of the central separator (CSC/concentric slave cylinder) 1 is shown. It is therefore clear that the piston 3 is of annular design.

The sensor 7 is fixed/mounted together with a holding member 9 (see fig. 3) at the inner circumferential surface 10 of the central separator 1.

A spring 12 is present between the release bearing 5 and the outer circumferential surface 11 in the radial direction.

Obviously, the release bearing 5 is placed very far radially outwards, even outside the spring 12. This makes particularly efficient use of the axial installation space possible. In other words, the central separator 1 is of extremely flat construction, i.e. small in the axial direction. An inner bearing shell 13, i.e. an inner ring 13, of the release bearing 5 for supporting is coupled to the piston 3, while an outer bearing shell 14, i.e. an outer ring 14, is coupled to a pressure cup 15 for actuating the clutch 16. The present invention relates to a multi-disk or multi-plate clutch. In particular, it relates to a "normally closed" clutch, so that a disconnection is produced or caused when the piston 3 is actuated. Of course, rolling elements 17 are present between the outer ring 14 and the inner ring 13.

It can also be seen that the pressure cup 15 extends through the extension of the inner clutch plate carrier 18, wherein an endless pulling element 19, for example a chain, acts on the radially outer end.

Fig. 2 shows the mounting of the holding means 9 on a support cover 20, which is a separate section of the clutch housing/hybrid module housing 21 (see fig. 1). The central separator 1 forms with its housing 2 a pressure chamber 4 in which a piston 3 can move. Here, the seal portion 22 is used. The magnet 6 in the recess, which is fixed there at the piston 3, is detected by a sensor 7. The signal of the sensor 7 is then fed to an electrical conductor 8. For this purpose, the sensor 7 is joined at a connecting point 23 by a weld 24. The holding means 9 here essentially consists of two components, namely a line adapter 25 and a sensor housing 26.

Fig. 3 also shows the line adapter 25 in a larger view, so that a larger view of its coupling point 27 is visible, wherein the coupling point 27 is designed to establish a connection to the sensor housing 26 (see fig. 2). The coupling site 27 is in particular designed as a collar 28, wherein the collar 28 engages into an open end 29 (see fig. 2) of the sensor housing 26.

Returning to fig. 3, it is shown here how the flange 28 engages into the open end 29 of the sensor housing 26 and at the same time provides a stop 30. In the flange 28 there is a flange through hole 31 which is aligned with a sensor housing blind hole 32 as can be seen in fig. 5. At this point, as shown in fig. 4, the sensor 7 is protected from contact with a fluid, for example oil or a hydraulic medium, if a sealing compound 33, in particular of the epoxy type, is introduced into a cavity 34 in the sensor housing 26.

Returning to fig. 3, it should be mentioned that the centering projection 35, as shown in fig. 2, engages in a hole 36 adapted thereto. At the side of the line adapter 25, two opposing retaining means 37 are also formed, which are formed with retaining hooks 38 facing one another. The retaining hook 38 snaps over a plate section 39 of the housing 2 of the central separator 1 (see fig. 2). The centering projections 35 are essentially exactly centered between the retaining hooks 38, but can also be arranged exactly centered.

Returning to the flange 28, it should be mentioned that it serves as a sealing structure. In this case, the electrical conductor 8 is designed as a conductor circuit 40. This is clearly shown in particular in fig. 4 and 5.

With regard to fig. 6, it should be noted that the pressing rib 41 is present here on the underside 42, i.e. on the side of the line adapter 25 facing away from the central separator 1. The crush ribs 41 run equidistant and parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the line adapter 25. They have a tapering profile, in particular a triangular profile.

With regard to fig. 5, it should also be noted that the flange through bore 31 has a smaller diameter relative to the sensor housing blind bore 32. The diameter is particularly small by 40% to 60%.

List of reference numerals

1 Central separator/CSC

2 CSC shell

3 piston

4 pressure chamber

5 Release bearing

6 magnet

7 sensor

8 electric conductor

9 holding member

10 inner peripheral surface of center separator

11 outer peripheral surface

12 spring

13 inner bearing shell/inner ring

14 outer bearing shell/outer ring

15 pressure cup

16 clutch

17 rolling element

18 inner clutch plate support

19 circulation traction piece

20 support cover

21 Clutch housing/hybrid Module housing

22 sealing part

23 attachment site

24 welding site

25 line adapter

26 sensor housing

27 coupling site

28 Flange

29 open end of sensor housing

30 stop part

31 flange through hole

32 sensor shell blind hole

33 sealing material

34 hollow cavity

35 centering projection

36 holes

37 holding member

38 holding hook

39 plate section

40 conductor circuit

41 crush rib

42 lower side

Claims (10)

1. Central decoupler (1) having a (CSC) housing (2) in which a piston (3) is arranged in an axially longitudinally displaceable manner as a function of hydraulic pressure in order to displace a decoupling bearing (5) and thereby disconnect or engage a clutch (16), wherein at least one magnet (6) is fixed to the piston (3) and can be used for position determination by means of a sensor (7), wherein the sensor (7) is connected to an electrical conductor (8), characterized in that the sensor (7) is arranged radially inside the annular piston (3).

2. A central separator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (7) is fixed at the inner circumferential surface (10) of the housing (2).

3. Central separator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the electrical conductor (8) is guided from the sensor (7) along the inner circumferential surface (10) of the housing (2) and/or along between a clutch housing section and the end side facing the clutch housing section.

4. A central separator (1) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the electrical conductor (8) is configured as a conductor circuit (40) or wire.

5. Central separator (1) according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the electrical conductor (8) is embedded in a holding means (9).

6. Central separator (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining means (9) have a sensor housing (26) which is connected with a line adapter (25).

7. Central splitter (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the line adapters (25) have a holding section which is prepared for a form-fitting and/or force-fitting fixing at the housing (2).

8. Central separator (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the retaining section is designed as a retaining hook (38) and/or engages into a recess adapted thereto in/at the housing (2).

9. Central splitter (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the line adapters (25) have centering projections (35) which engage into holes (36) in the end face of the housing (2).

10. Clutch housing (21) having a main body at which a radially inwardly directed bearing cover (20) is mounted, characterized in that the central decoupler (1) is fixed at the bearing cover (20) with a retaining member (9) facing the bearing cover.

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