DE102011112472B4 - Composite clutch hub or two-component clutch hub - Google Patents

Abstract

A composite clutch hub (40) comprising, in combination: an inner sleeve (42, 42 ') having a periphery and defining an aperture (46); characterized in that a plurality of fingers (54, 102) extend radially away from the periphery of (42, 42 '); the inner sleeve (42, 42 ') is made of a heavy, high strength material and the aperture (46) includes a plurality of keyways (48); and an outer bell (64, 68) made of a lighter, less solid material is cast in position on the inner sleeve (42, 42 ') and has a circumference comprising a plurality of serrations (72) ,

Description

area

The present disclosure relates to a composite clutch hub according to the preamble of claim 1 and a two-component clutch hub according to the preamble of claim 8, as known from DE 84 33 502 U1 is known.

background

The information in this section provides background information only with respect to the present disclosure and may or may not represent the state of the art.

Many relatively large rotating components in powertrains and transmissions include an inner member or smaller diameter portion subject to high torques and stresses, and an outer member or larger diameter portion / is subjected to lower torques and stresses. While this fact was recognized a long time ago, the related reaction in manufacturing was to make the part of simple manufacture from one material only. Depending on the sophistication of the manufacturing process, for. As pressing or casting, the material could be made thinner in the outer region with a larger diameter.

As weight and material savings became increasingly important as design criteria, more attention was paid to this fact. One solution has been to make the inner component with a smaller diameter of a relatively strong, heavy and high strength material such. B. steel, while the outer component with a larger diameter of a relatively lighter and less strong material such. B. aluminum is made. While this approach was an improvement over prior art designs in terms of strength and weight considerations, it presented the additional problem of how to join or fasten the two components together.

Several mounting models have been developed. A first included that the two components are riveted or bolted together. Of course, this not only included additional components and a mounting method, but also required precise control of the assembly process. A second approach involved a serrated interference fit between the components. This required the components to include additional material adjacent the press-fit joint to support and withstand the press-fit stresses. Additional material around the joint was also necessary to insure proper handling of one component on the other during press fit assembly.

A steel / aluminum weld was also proposed at the joint. First, this approach requires additional material adjacent the joint to withstand and disperse the welding heat. In addition, the application of sufficient heat to weld the steel without melting or causing damage to the aluminum poses a considerable challenge to the process. Finally, a crown joint has been proposed which, however, typically involves little longitudinal play, adding additional material the connection for the crown teeth, and to ensure proper guidance during assembly required.

In view of the above, it is apparent that improvements in the means and method for assembling powertrain and power transmission components with inner and outer members are desirable.

Summary

The present invention contemplates a composite, i. H. Two-component, two-material clutch hub or housing with an inner sleeve made of a heavy, high-strength material before and around which an outer element or bell of a lighter, less solid material is cast. The sleeve typically includes a splined opening received on one or two complementary splined shaft (s) and a plurality of radially oriented fingers or bumps or a discontinuous flange around which the outer element or bell is molded. The outer member or bell is splined to the friction plates of a clutch or other component. The high strength material is preferred, although not essential, steel, and the lighter element is preferred, although not essential, an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, the sleeve can be a high strength aluminum alloy such. A metal matrix composite (MMC) and the outer member or bell may be a less strong other aluminum alloy.

The two-component clutch hub of the present invention thus provides reduced weight, mass and moment of inertia and improved performance by providing the higher strength and higher weight material in the prior art The inner region is arranged with higher voltage and higher torque and the lighter, less solid material is placed in the outer region with lower voltage and lower torque. In addition, the invention provides an improved positive locking method and means for mounting the two components.

It will be appreciated that while the invention is described in connection with a clutch assembly and a transmission, the invention has numerous uses, and its attendant advantages can be exploited when combined with a wide variety of powertrain and transmission components, both in automotive engineering also non-vehicle technology, is used.

Thus, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub or housing made of two different materials.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub having an inner sleeve made of a higher strength material and an outer member or bell of a less solid material molded around the inner sleeve.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub having an inner sleeve made of a heavier material and an outer member or bell of a lighter weight material molded around the inner sleeve.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub having an inner sleeve made of a heavier, higher strength material and an outer member or bell of a lighter weight, less solid material cast around the inner sleeve.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub having an inner sleeve defining a splined aperture.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub having an outer member or bell having serrations adapted to engage plates of a friction clutch.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a clutch hub having an inner sleeve made of steel or similar relatively high strength material and an outer member or bell made of aluminum or brass made of a similar lighter, less solid material and cast around the inner sleeve.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a power transmission component having an inner member made of a higher strength material and an outer member of a less solid material molded around the inner member.

Other aspects, advantages, and uses will become apparent from the description provided herein.

drawings

1 is a schematic sectional view of a clutch hub according to the present invention and associated components within a transmission;

2 Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a coupling sleeve according to the present invention; and

3 Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative configuration of a coupling sleeve according to the present invention.

Detailed description

With reference to 1 Fig. 13 is a portion of an automotive automatic transmission incorporating the present invention, illustrated by the reference numeral 10 designated. The automatic transmission 10 includes a typically cast metal housing 12 with various openings, flanges, ports, shoulders and the like (not illustrated), which are the internal components of the automatic transmission 10 pick up, fix, carry and protect. Among these internal components are a first planetary gear arrangement 14 with a first sun gear 16 at a first stub shaft 18 is attached, which a first wedge or outer serration set 22 having. The automatic transmission 10 also includes a second planetary gear arrangement 24 with a second sun gear 26 at a second stub shaft 28 which has a second wedge or outer spline set 32 having. The first and the second planetary gear arrangement 14 and 24 are conventional and include in addition to the sun gears 16 and 26 respective planet carrier, many planet gears and ring gears (all not illustrated).

Referring now to the 1 and 2 couples a clutch hub 40 according to the present invention, the first and the second serration set 22 and 32 on the first and the second wave 18 respectively. 28 and is engaged. The clutch hub 40 is a two-component assembly and includes an inner sleeve 42 with a cylindrical body 44 , which has an axial passage opening 46 defined by an internal or keyway set 48 , which is complementary to the wedge sets 22 and 32 on the stumps 18 and 28 is, is limited or defined. The inner sleeve 42 also includes an integral circular ring 52 , the cylindrical body 44 preferably surrounds at its axial center. A variety of radial fingers or humps 54 extends from the outer edge of the annulus 52 path. It was found that between eight and twelve equally spaced fingers or bumps around the circumference 54 are sufficient and expedient, although the actual number used depends on the size of the fingers or bumps 54 , the size (of the diameter) of the inner sleeve 42 , their torque load and other engineering and design variables may be larger or smaller.

On the inner sleeve 42 becomes an outer element after the production thereof 62 cast in position. The outer element 62 may be bell-shaped (or "L") -shaped in cross-section, as in FIG 1 illustrates, or it may, for. B. T-shaped or of any other shape or design, as dictated by the transmission or power transmission components to which it is assigned, and their placement. The outer element 62 is molded in position and includes a radially extending portion 64 with an inner area of increased thickness or a yoke 66 that with your fingers or humps 54 the inner sleeve 42 engaged and receives this.

As in 2 illustrated, point the fingers or bumps 54 preferably, though not necessarily, outer surfaces 58 on, which are torn, compressed or irregular, what the bond between these and the outer element 62 improved.

Coming back to 1 includes the outer element 62 also an axially extending section 68 , the wedges or external serrations 72 on its outer surface 74 includes. The wedges or outer serrations 72 are to keyways or internal serrations 76 on a plurality of spaced first or smaller friction plates or discs 78 comprising a portion of a friction clutch set assembly 80 form, complement and engage. With the variety of first friction plates or discs 78 is a variety of second or larger friction plates or discs 82 , the wedges or external serrations 84 comprising complementary fixed keyway or internal serrations 86 engaged, nested. The fixed keyways or internal serrations 86 can be an integral component of the case 12 or may be a portion of an assembly attached or attached thereto.

The friction clutch set arrangement 80 also includes reaction elements 88 and a stop 92 that is either a section of the case 12 may be or may be a snap ring or similar component (not illustrated) in the housing 12 is installed. A hydraulic or electrical actuator 96 acts on the friction clutch set assembly 80 via an actuator plate assembly 98 a to the plates or slices 78 and 82 squeeze and selectively torque from the stub shafts 18 and 28 via the clutch hub 40 and to the case 12 transferred to.

Referring now to 3 is an alternative embodiment of the fingers or cusps 54 an inner sleeve 42 ' illustrated.

The alternative configuration is in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs or ridges 102 on which a discontinuous flange 104 create or form. Again, the surfaces can 106 the ribs or webs 102 torn, compressed or irregular to the bond between them and the molded outer element 62 to improve.

The ones in the inner sleeves 42 and 42 ' as well as in the outer element 62 The materials used may be changed, but generally are generally the heavier, stronger material, typically a metal, the inner sleeve 42 forms, while a lighter, less strong material, typically a metal, around the inner sleeve 42 is poured around and the outer element 62 forms. The inner sleeves 42 and 42 ' can z. B. made of steel, which is forged and machined and arranged in a tool (not illustrated). Then the outer element becomes 62 from an aluminum alloy such. B. A380 or A390 around the inner sleeve 42 or 42 ' poured around and then machined. This approach has the advantage that the hardness casting offset between the stub shafts 18 and 28 and the inner sleeves 42 and 42 ' is minimized. Alternatively, the inner sleeves 42 and 42 ' cast from an aluminum-silicon carbide-metal matrix composite (MMC) and the outer element 62 is cast from the same or similar aluminum alloys mentioned immediately above and then machined. As a further alternative, the inner sleeve 42 be formed of metal powder. It will be understood that materials and metals other than those just mentioned having the properties listed at the beginning of this paragraph are also suitable for use in the present invention.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and modifications which do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such modifications are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

Composite clutch hub ( 40 ), comprising in combination: an inner sleeve ( 42 . 42 ' ), which has a circumference and an opening ( 46 ) Are defined; characterized in that the scope of the ( 42 . 42 ' ) a variety of fingers ( 54 . 102 ) extends radially away; the inner sleeve ( 42 . 42 ' ) is made of a heavy, high-strength material and the opening ( 46 ) a plurality of keyways ( 48 ); and that an outer bell ( 64 . 68 ), which is made of a lighter, less solid material, on the inner sleeve ( 42 . 42 ' ) is cast in position and has a circumference that has a plurality of serrations ( 72 ). A composite clutch hub according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of splines ( 48 ) with a pair of aligned and juxtaposed waves ( 18 . 28 ), the complementary serrations ( 22 . 32 ), is engaged and these coupled. A composite clutch hub according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of serrations ( 72 ) with friction plates ( 78 ) is engaged by a clutch. The composite clutch hub of claim 1, wherein the high strength material is steel and the less solid material is an aluminum alloy. The composite clutch hub of claim 1, wherein the high strength material is an aluminum alloy metal matrix composite and the less solid material is another aluminum alloy. A composite clutch hub according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers ( 54 . 102 ) a discontinuous flange ( 104 ). Composite coupling hub according to claim 1, wherein the outer bell ( 64 . 68 ) a radially oriented portion ( 64 ) extending with an axially extending portion (FIG. 68 ) united. Two-component clutch hub ( 40 ) comprising in combination: an inner component ( 42 . 42 ), which has a passage opening ( 46 ) and defines a scope, and an outer component ( 62 ); characterized in that the inner component ( 42 . 42 ' ) is made of a high-strength material, wherein the passage opening ( 46 ) of the inner component ( 42 . 42 ' ) a plurality of keyways ( 48 ) and the extent of the inner component ( 42 . 42 ' ) a variety of fingers ( 54 . 102 ); and that the outer component ( 62 ) is made of a less solid material, the outer component ( 62 ) on the inner component ( 42 . 42 ' ) is cast in position and has a circumference from which a plurality of serrations ( 72 ) extends radially away. A two-component clutch hub according to claim 8, wherein the outer component ( 62 ) around the circumference of the inner component ( 42 . 42 ' ) is poured around in position. A two-component clutch hub according to claim 8, wherein the outer component ( 62 ) on the multiplicity of fingers ( 54 . 102 ) of the inner component ( 42 . 42 ' ) is poured into position.

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