DE102021207134A1 - Torque transmission device for transmitting a torque from an input shaft to an output shaft arranged coaxially to the input shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

Torque transmission device (1) for transmitting a torque from an input shaft (2) to an output shaft (3) arranged coaxially to the input shaft (2), with a clutch device (4) connecting the input shaft (2) and the output shaft (3) at least temporarily in a torque-transmitting manner , wherein- the clutch device (4) comprises a connecting means (5) which is mounted so as to be axially movable relative to the input shaft (2) and which-- in a first operating state of the clutch device (4), the connecting means (5) can be moved or moved into an engaged position (6). in order to transmit a torque between the input shaft (2) and the output shaft (3) and-- in a further operating state the clutch device (4) can be moved or moved into a disengaged position (7) in order to prevent any torque between the input shaft (2) and the transmission shaft, wherein the connecting means (5) is associated with an actuator (17) coupled switching element (8), welc hes is set up to move the connecting means (5) into the engaged position (6) and into the disengaged position (7), the switching element (8) being formed at least in sections, in particular completely, from an elastic material or an elastic material structure, in particular such that due to the elastic behavior of the switching element (8), an axial spring movement of the connecting means (5) generated by prestressing can be executed.

Description

The invention relates to a torque transmission device for transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft arranged coaxially with the input shaft, in particular a torque transmission device of a vehicle for changing the number of driven axles of the vehicle.

Corresponding torque transmission devices are basically known from the prior art. It is known, for example, to transmit a torque generated by an internal combustion engine or an electric machine via a torque transmission device to a (wheel) axle of a vehicle that is to be driven. So e.g. B. be given the opportunity in a vehicle to operate this between a two-wheel drive mode (2WD) with an actively driven wheel axle and a four-wheel drive mode (4WD) with two actively driven wheel axles or drive shafts. The second wheel axle can be switched on and off by a switchable torque transmission device. During the bringing together of the input and output shafts of the torque transmission device and thus during the bringing together of gear teeth provided for torque transmission, an undesired blocking position can occur due to the exposed tooth surfaces colliding or a so-called tooth-on-tooth position. In order to avoid this undesired state, an intervention in the relative rotational movement of the input and output shafts can take place, which influences the relative tooth position. This leads to a delayed engagement and thus to a delayed establishment of the torque-transmitting connection.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a torque transmission device for transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft arranged coaxially to the input shaft, which, in particular with regard to a simple and cost-effective measure, enables a torque-transmitting connection to be connected and/or released quickly and reliably .

The object is achieved by a torque transmission device according to claim 1, by a transmission according to claim 13 and by a method according to claim 15. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the torque transmission device.

The invention relates to a torque transmission device for transmitting a torque from an input shaft to an output shaft arranged coaxially to the input shaft, with a clutch device which at least temporarily connects the input shaft and the output shaft in a torque-transmitting manner. The clutch device includes a connecting means that is mounted so that it can move axially with respect to the input shaft. In a first operating state of the clutch device, the connecting means can be moved or moved into an engaged position in order to transmit torque between the input shaft and the output shaft, and in a further operating state of the clutch device can be moved or moved into a disengaged position in order to transmit no torque between the input shaft and the transmission shaft transferred to. The connecting means is assigned a switching element which is coupled to an actuator and is set up to move the connecting means into the engaged position and into the disengaged position. The switching element is at least partially, in particular completely, made of an elastic material or an elastic material structure, in particular such that due to the elastic behavior of the switching element, an axial movement generated by prestressing, preferably a spring movement, of the connecting means can be carried out.

This movement or spring movement can act on the connecting means due to the prestressing of the switching element in such a way that the connecting means can be guided into the engaged position gently or under a defined compressive force that is additionally applied or reduced to the actual switching movement initiated by the actuator. So it is possible that due to the z. B. axial, pressure force of the connecting means and its toothed areas against toothed sections of the input shaft prevents a so-called "tooth on tooth" position or can be bridged or compensated for during a further feed movement of the switching element initiated on the actuator side in the direction of the input shaft or in the direction of the engaged position. In other words, the actuator can continue to move despite the presence of a “tooth on tooth” position and prestresses the shifting element as a result of the elastic deformation or deflection of the shifting element. After the "tooth on tooth" position has been resolved by the differential speed of the input shaft and the connecting means, the shifting element relaxes and the connecting means moves further towards the engaged position, so that the power flow or torque transmission between the connecting means and the input shaft is established. The contact pressure of the connecting means on the input shaft can be increased starting from a "tooth on tooth" position during a relative rotary movement of the input shaft to the connecting means and as soon as a "tooth-to-tooth gap" position is present by means of the progressive relative rotary movement between the input shaft and the connecting means, the axial feed movement to attain the engagement position is carried out, in particular quickly. Overall, any loss of switching dynamics can be prevented with the elastic switching element.

Because the shifting element itself is made of an elastic material and/or comprises an elastic material structure, it can be achieved that the contact pressure mentioned for canceling or bridging a tooth-on-tooth position can be realized without additional components. Alternatively, in addition to the elastic switching element, an additional separate spring element can be provided in the power flow path between the actuator and the connecting means, so that the resilient or prestressed feed movement of the connecting means to the input shaft is partly due to a prestressing effect of the separate spring element and partly, in particular predominantly, due to a prestressing effect of the Switching element takes place.

It is possible for the switching element to engage directly with the connecting means. In this way, the switching element can be in direct contact with the component, which comes into direct and torque-transmitting contact with the input shaft. The connecting means is preferably designed as a one-piece component which comes into direct contact both with the input shaft and with the output shaft, the switching element preferably also making direct contact with this component forming the connecting means.

It is possible for the input shaft and the output shaft to be mounted such that they can rotate in relation to one another via a corresponding bearing means. The output shaft can engage at least in sections in a receiving space of the input shaft and be supported there via a bearing means, in particular designed as a roller or ball bearing.

It is possible for the switching element to be mounted in such a way that it executes a switching movement, which takes place on a movement path that is linear at least in sections. In this case, the linear movement path can be aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the input and/or output shaft and/or to the axis of rotation of the connecting means. In other words, the shifting element can perform a parallel displacement along the axis of rotation of the input and/or output shaft and/or the axis of rotation of the connecting means in the course of the shifting movement. The shifting element can be mounted, for example, by means of a mounting element, in particular a mounting rod, which is linear at least in sections, preferably predominantly, particularly preferably completely. Here, the switching element can be mounted in a linearly movable manner. In particular, the linear movement of the switching element can take place due to the introduction of a force initiated by an actuator.

The switching element can, for example, engage at least in sections in a receiving recess, in particular in a receiving recess designed as an annular groove, of the coupling device, with contact of the switching element with a first wall of the receiving recess of the coupling device moving the connecting means or being movable into the engaged position and contact of the Switching element with a second wall of the receiving recess of the coupling device, the connecting means is moved into the disengaged position or is movable. The two walls of the receiving recess can be aligned parallel to one another. The switching element can also alternately come into contact with one or the other wall of the receiving recess in order to bring about a targeted movement of at least part of the coupling device, in particular the connecting means. Alternatively, it is possible for the shifting element to have a receiving recess in which a prominence or an engagement area of a component of the clutch device is received in such a way that the input and/or output shaft and/or the Rotational axis of the connecting means taking place movement, a movement of the connecting means can take place selectively or alternately in the engaged position and / or disengaged position.

It is also possible that both the switching element and the component part of the coupling device, in particular the connecting means or a transmission means interposed between the switching element and the connecting means, have a protrusion and a recess which engage in the respective recess and protrusion of the respective connection partner or these record, tape.

In an advantageous development, it can be provided that the receiving recess is formed in or on the connecting means and/or the receiving recess is formed in or on a transmission means, in particular a movably mounted transmission means designed as a transmission sleeve. In other words, the shifting element can be in direct contact (a) with the connection means, which is used for a torque-transmitting connection between the input and output shafts, or (b) with a transmission means, with the transmission means acting as a separate and separate from the connection means relative to the connecting means movably mounted component can be formed. For example, the transmission means is mounted axially movable directly in or on the connecting means. It can be provided that the transmission means is at least temporarily, in particular always, connected to the connecting means in a torque-transmitting manner. In other words, the transmission means is secured against rotation with the connecting means, in particular so that it can move axially. For example, the transmission means can be designed as a transmission sleeve, which is aligned coaxially with the connection means and is preferably mounted so that it can move relative to the connection means along the axis of rotation of the input and/or output shaft and/or along the axis of rotation of the connection means.

The connecting means can, for example, have an input interface for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means to the input shaft during the engaged position, the input interface of the connecting means being arranged or formed on a surface oriented or running perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the connecting means. It is possible for a main extension plane of an input interface of the connecting means for the temporary torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means to the input shaft to run essentially perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the connecting means, i. H. e.g. B. that the main extension plane of the input interface with the rotation axis of the connecting means has an angle of 70° to 110°, preferably 80° to 100°, particularly preferably 85° to 95°, most preferably 90°.

The connecting means can have an output interface for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means to the output shaft during the engaged position, the output interface being arranged or formed on a parallel (i.e. parallel to the axial course) aligned surface. In other words, the outlet interface can be arranged or formed on a peripheral surface of a substantially cylindrical and/or conical section of the connecting means. It is possible for the main extension plane of the input interface for connecting the connecting means to the input shaft and the axis of rotation of the connecting means to enclose an angle in the range from 40° to 140°, preferably from 60° to 120°, particularly preferably from 75° to 105° .

The switching element can, for example, be connected directly or indirectly to the actuator via a toothed rack section for transmitting an actuating movement on the actuator side to the switching element. The switching element preferably has a toothed rack section which is formed in one piece thereon. The toothed rack section can be designed as a rectilinear engagement area provided with engagement teeth, which meshes with a pinion or gearwheel arranged or formed on the actuator side or is in a movement-transmitting connection. In the present case, for example, it is possible for a rotary movement on the actuator side to be converted into a linear movement of the switching element via a rack and pinion connection. The switching element can be designed, for example, as a primary or formed component; in particular, the switching element is designed as a cast part, with the toothed rack section being designed in one piece or integrally on the switching element.

A targeted elasticity of the switching element, in particular that varies depending on the area, can be achieved by correspondingly adapting a lever length of the arm body of the connecting means and/or a design of the connection of the connecting means to its bearing element facing the actuator.

The switching element can, for example, comprise a base body and an arm body facing the connecting means, i.e. closer to the connecting means in the direction of force action, wherein at least the arm body has an elastic section made of an elastic material or an elastic material structure in sections, in particular completely. The base body and the arm body can be made of the same material, ie made of the same material or produced in the same shaping manufacturing process. So the switching element z. B. be formed entirely of aluminum or steel. Alternatively, the switching element can be in built form, with at least the base body and the arm body each being produced as separate components and being connected to one another in the course of an assembly step to form the switching element. The switching element can be designed as a hybrid component, for example, with different materials (e.g. plastic and metal, in particular steel or aluminum) being used to form the switching element. The switching element can also be made, at least in sections, from a fiber-reinforced material, esp special, at least in sections, be designed as a carbon fiber reinforced component.

It is possible that only the arm body has an elastic behavior with respect to the axial spring effect of the switching element generated by prestressing or the axial spring movement of the connecting means generated by prestressing. So e.g. B. the base body has a rigid material or component behavior and the arm body has an at least partially elastic material or component behavior.

In an exemplary embodiment, the switching element can have different physical and/or chemical properties depending on the area, in particular a different rigidity behavior depending on the area. Preferably (a) a first area of the switching element is made of a first material and a further area of the switching element is made of a material different from the first material and/or (b) a first area of the switching element is subjected to a first thermal and/or mechanical, in particular superficial , machining process and a further area of the switching element have not been subjected to any thermal and/or mechanical machining process or have been subjected to a further thermal and/or mechanical machining process that differs from the first thermal or mechanical machining process, in order to obtain different physical and/or chemical properties depending on the area, preferably a different spring behavior depending on the area, of the switching element. The different component or material behavior of the switching element can include, for example, its spring behavior (eg spring constant) or its rigidity. For this purpose z. B. a post-treatment process of a switching element that has already been at least essentially produced in its shape, so that after the manufacturing process that at least essentially gives the shape or determines the target shape of the component, a targeted influencing of the material or component properties is carried out. It is thus possible, for example, for the teeth for engaging with a pinion which faces the actuator or is arranged closer to the actuator in the force-acting chain to be formed by a hardening process, for example by inductive hardening.

The arm body can thus extend essentially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the input and/or output shaft or the connecting means, with the arm body having a softer or more elastic component property than the toothed section of the switching element, this being achieved, for example, by a thermal treatment process that acts in a targeted, area-dependent manner can. So e.g. B. in the case of a switching element made of steel, an area-dependent thermal hardening process or a process that increases the rigidity can be carried out after it has been shaped. Alternatively or additionally, at least one section of the switching element can be subjected to an induction hardening process.

The direct contact area of the switching element to the connecting means can also have a low-friction material and/or a friction-reducing geometry, e.g. B. the contact area of the switching element for touching the connecting means is made of plastic and/or has a convex shape or a crowned or bulging shape, so that due to (a) the pairing of materials: plastic (switching element-side contact surface) and metal (connecting means-side contact surface ) and/or (b) due to the geometric shape, a small contact surface or a selective contact area leads to an overall low friction between the switching element and the connecting means. The switching element-side contact surface for contact with the connecting means or a transmission means can preferably be arranged or formed on an end area of the switching element; in particular, this end area is opposite a further end area facing or associated with the actuator.

The elastic material and/or the elastic material structure of the switching element, in particular of the arm body of the switching element, can be designed in such a way that the switching element has a non-linear spring behavior. For example, the connecting means has an increasing force-to-displacement ratio, so that an increasing amount of force is required for progressive elastic deformation or for covering a progressive elastic path of a section of the switching element.

The elastic material and/or the elastic material structure of the switching element, in particular of the arm body of the switching element, can be designed, for example, in such a way that it has a spring behavior that differs depending on the direction. So e.g. B. the force-to-displacement ratio to effect movement to a disengaged position of the lanyard is higher than the force-to-displacement ratio to effect movement to an engaged position of the lanyard. The connecting means, in particular the arm body of the switching element, can preferably have a rigidity that is dependent on the direction of movement. In this case, the rigidity during a movement in the direction of the non-engagement position is higher than the rigidity in the direction of the engagement position. As a result, moving out quickly and precisely (due to the higher rigidity) of the Ver Binding means and thus a corresponding release of the torque-transmitting connection can be achieved from the input shaft. On the other hand, a lower rigidity of the switching element can be provided for bringing the connecting means into the engaged position, so that a prestressing force (due to the elastic behavior) and thus a gentler bringing into engagement or bringing the teeth of the connecting means and the input shaft to be brought together into the engaged position is achieved for the engaging movement will.

The base body can include a linear guide area, for example. A longitudinal axis of the linear guide area of the base body can, for. B. parallel to the axis of rotation of the connecting means and / or the input and output shaft. The linear guide area can also have a rectilinear course. The linear guide area can be designed as a recess, preferably as an at least predominantly enclosed recess, particularly preferably as a completely enclosed recess of the switching element, in particular of the base body. For example, a rod-shaped bearing means can be guided in the recess, which ensures the longitudinal mobility of the switching element along a line parallel to the axis of rotation of the connecting means and/or the input and output shaft.

The arm body can, for example, comprise at least one rotary bearing area for the rotatable mounting and at the same time for the axial transmission of force to a connecting means or transmission means that is connected or in contact with the arm body. Here, the rotational bearing area of the arm body can protrude, at least in sections, into a recess in the connecting means and/or the transmission means. Alternatively or additionally, the rotational bearing area of the arm body can comprise a recess which accommodates a prominence of the connecting means or the transmission means.

The connecting means can have, for example, an output interface for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means to the output shaft and a transmission interface for the force-transmitting connection of the connecting means to the shifting element, the output interface and the transmission interface being formed on surfaces of the connecting means aligned parallel to one another. The connecting means can preferably be designed as a one-piece component, with the surface forming the output interface and the surface forming the transmission interface being located on opposite surface sections in a sectional view. So the connecting means z. B. have a hollow cylindrical shape, wherein the transmission interface is formed on an outer surface of the connecting means forming the circumference and the output interface is formed as the lateral surface of the connecting means that delimits the cavity and is therefore on the inside.

In a further optional embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the connecting means (a) an input interface for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means to the input shaft and (b) an output interface for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means with the output shaft and (c) a transmission interface for force-transmitting Connection of the connecting means having the switching element, wherein the input interface and the output interface and the transmission interface are each integrally formed on the connecting means. In other words, the connecting piece is designed as a one-piece component, on the surface of which the input interface and the output interface and the transmission interface are formed or formed at least in sections, in particular completely. In this way, a torque transmission device comprising few components can be achieved, since a large number of the interface functions and the spring function are achieved by a one-piece connecting means.

In addition to the torque transmission device, the invention relates to a transmission for a vehicle, comprising a torque transmission device described herein. The torque transmission device of the vehicle transmission can, for example, be used or set up to change the number of driven axles of the vehicle. The operating mode of the vehicle can be switched from 2-wheel drive (2WD) to 4-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive by appropriate activation of the actuator. For this purpose, a torque-transmitting connection of the input shaft and the output shaft is connected or released by means of the shifting element driven by the actuator. Alternatively or in addition to switching a drive mode from 2-wheel drive to all-wheel drive, the torque transmission device can also be used to switch from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive or vice versa.

The invention also relates to a method for avoiding and/or eliminating a locking state of a torque transmission device, with a torque transmission described herein device is used. Consequently, the method can be used, for example, to switch a driving mode between at least two of the following types of drive: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive or a different configuration of driven and non-driven vehicle axles. In this case, this switchover can be made possible quickly and while avoiding and/or eliminating a blocking state (tooth-on-tooth position) in an interface to an input and/or output shaft.

All advantages, details, designs and/or features of the torque transmission device according to the invention can be applied to the transmission according to the invention and/or to the method according to the invention and vice versa.

• 1 eine perspektivische Prinzipdarstellung einer Drehmomentübertragungsvorrichtung in Nichteingriffsposition gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Drehmomentübertragungsvorrichtung gemäß 1 in Eingriffsposition;
• 3 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer Drehmomentübertragungsvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments in the drawings. It shows:

• 1 a perspective schematic representation of a torque transmission device in the disengaged position according to an embodiment;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of the torque transmission device according to 1 in engaged position;
• 3 a schematic sectional view of a torque transmission device according to an embodiment.

The figures show a torque transmission device 1 for transmitting a torque from an input shaft 2 to an output shaft 3 arranged coaxially to the input shaft 2. The input shaft 2 and the output shaft 3 are at least temporarily connected or can be connected in a torque-transmitting manner via a clutch device 4. The clutch device 4 comprises a connecting means 5 which is mounted so that it can move axially with respect to the input shaft 2 and, in particular, also with respect to the output shaft 3 and which, in a first operating state of the clutch device 4, moves the connecting means 5 into an engaged position 6 (cf. 2 ) is moved to transmit torque between the input shaft 2 and the output shaft 3 via the connecting means 5. Here - as in the in 2 embodiment shown face teeth of the connecting means 5 and the input shaft mesh. In a further operating state of the clutch device 4 (cf. 1 ) the axially movably mounted connecting means 5 is in a disengaged position 7 or is moved into this position in order not to transmit any torque between the input shaft 2 and the output shaft 3, since the (face) teeth of the input shaft 2 and connecting means 5 are disengaged were brought. According to the exemplary embodiment shown, this is implemented in such a way that moving the connecting means 5 away from the input shaft 2 releases or cancels a torque-transmitting engagement of teeth, cf. 1 .

The connecting means 5 is assigned a switching element 8 which is coupled to an actuator 17 and is set up to move the connecting means 5 into the engaged position 6 and into the disengaged position 7 as required or alternately. The switching element 8 is in this case formed at least in sections, in particular completely, from an elastic material or an elastic material structure. The switching element 8 is preferably made of an elastic material or an elastic (material) structure in such a way that due to the elastic behavior of the switching element 8 an axial spring movement of the connecting means 5 generated by prestressing can be carried out. The spring movement is at least essentially, in particular exclusively, aligned parallel to the engagement and/or disengagement movement of the connecting means 5 for reaching the engaged position 6 and/or the disengaged position 7 . In other words, the movement of the connecting means 5 into the engaged position 6 and/or the disengaged position 7 is supported by means of the spring movement or by means of the at least temporarily effective prestressing force, or this prestressing force acts as a driving or initiating and/or inhibiting or retarding force Part of the shifting movement of at least a partial area of the connecting means 5.

Due to the predominance of the prestressing force generated by the connecting means 5 at least in certain situations (e.g. "tooth on tooth" position), this can be used for faster and/or defined engagement and/or disengagement of the connecting means 5 with the input or output shaft 6, 7 are used. This can be implemented, for example, with a small number of components, since, for example, a transmission means 10 provided in addition to the connecting means 5 can be omitted, cf. 3 . Such an embodiment also simplifies the assembly of the torque transmission device 1.

The switching element 8 can engage directly with the connecting means 5 . In other words, the switching element 8, which is designed to be elastic at least in sections, is in direct contact with the connecting means 5, cf. 3 .

The switching element 8 can, for example, be mounted in such a way that it executes a switching movement, which takes place in the form of a parallel displacement along a movement path 19 that is linear at least in sections. The linear path of movement 19 is preferably aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 18 of the input and/or output shaft 3 . The movement of the shifting element 8 can result in a parallel displacement of the shifting element 8 along the linear movement path 19 of the shifting element 8; in particular, the parallel displacement of the shifting element 8 can also take place along the axis of rotation 18 of the input and/or output shaft 3.

The switching element 8 can engage, for example, at least in sections, in a receiving recess 9, in particular in a receiving recess 9 designed as an annular groove, of the coupling device 4, with contact between the switching element 8 and a first wall 20 of the receiving recess 9 of the coupling device 4 moving the connecting means 5 into the engaged position 6 is moved and by contact of the switching element 8 with a second wall 21 of the receiving recess 9 of the coupling device 4 the connecting means 5 is moved into the disengaged position 7 .

The receiving recess 9 of the coupling device 4 can be formed (a) in or on the connecting means 5 and/or (b) in or on a transmission means 10 that can be moved axially to the connecting means 5 and is designed in particular as a transmission sleeve. In this case, the connecting means 5 forms the element or the component which comes into direct engagement with the input shaft 2 . The transmission means 10, on the other hand, forms part of the clutch device 4, which is located between the switching element 9 and the connecting means 5 locally and/or in the direction of action. The transmission means 10 forms a separate component from the connecting means 5, with a movement of the transmission means 10 leading directly (e.g. through direct contact) or indirectly (e.g. through the interposition of an intermediate means, not shown) to a movement of the connecting means 5.

The connecting means 5 can have an input interface 11 for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 to the input shaft 2 during the engaged position 6 , the input interface 11 being arranged or formed on a surface oriented perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 12 of the connecting means 5 . The connecting means 5 can have an output interface 13 for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 to the output shaft 3 during the engaged position 6 , the output interface 13 being arranged or formed on a surface aligned parallel to the axis of rotation 12 of the connecting means 5 . Alternatively or additionally, the output interface 13 can be aligned or formed parallel to a transmission interface 16 which forms a direct contact area of the connecting means 5 with the switching element 8 .

The switching element 8 can, for example, comprise a base body 14 and an arm body 15 facing the connecting means 5, wherein at least, preferably exclusively, the arm body 15 has an elastic section made of an elastic material or an elastic material structure in sections, in particular completely.

The switching element 8 can, for example, have different physical and/or chemical properties depending on the area; (a) a first area of the switching element 8 is preferably made of a first material and a further area of the switching element 8 is made of a material that differs from the first material and/or ( b) a first area of the switching element 8 has been subjected to a first thermal and/or mechanical, in particular superficial, machining process and a further area of the switching element 8 has been subjected to no thermal and/or mechanical machining process or to a further thermal and/or mechanical machining process that differs from the first thermal or mechanical machining process . The thermal and/or mechanical processing processes lead to the achievement of different physical and/or chemical properties depending on the area. In this case, a different spring behavior of the switching element 8 depending on the area can preferably be achieved.

It is possible for the elastic material and/or the elastic material structure of the switching element 8, in particular of the arm body 15 of the switching element 8, to be designed in such a way that the switching element 8 has a non-linear spring behavior at least in sections, in particular completely. The switching element 8 preferably has an increasing force-to-travel ratio, i. This means that with progressive, in particular elastic, deformation (path of a sub-area under consideration of the shifting element during the application of force) of the shifting element, the effort or amount of force required for this increases.

The elastic material and/or the elastic material structure of the switching element 8, in particular of the arm body 15 of the connecting means 5, can be designed in such a way that this has a rich has different suspension behavior depending on the device. The force-to-displacement ratio or the rigidity of the switching element for executing a movement into a non-engagement position 7 of the connecting means 5 is preferably higher than the force-to-displacement ratio or the rigidity for executing a movement into an engaged position 6 of the lanyard 5.

The connecting means 5 can have, for example, (a) an output interface 13 for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 to the output shaft 3 and (b) a transmission interface 16 for the force-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 to the shifting element 8, with the output interface 13 and the transmission interface 16 being connected in parallel mutually aligned surfaces of the connecting means 5 are formed.

The connecting means 5 can, for example, have (a) an input interface 11 for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 to the input shaft 2 and (b) an output interface 13 for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 to the output shaft 3 and (c) a transmission interface 16 for the force-transmitting connection of the connecting means 5 with the switching element 8, wherein the input interface 11 and the output interface 13 and the transmission interface 16 are each formed in one piece on the connecting means 5, cf. 3 .

Furthermore, the invention relates to a transmission of a vehicle, comprising a torque transmission device 1 according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the torque transmission device 1 is preferably set up to change the number of driven axles of the vehicle. The invention can also include a method for avoiding and/or eliminating a locking state of a torque transmission device 1, wherein a torque transmission device 1 according to one of the preceding claims is used.

reference list

1

torque transmission device

2

input shaft

3

output shaft

4

coupling device

5

lanyard

6

engagement position

7

disengaged position

8th

switching element

9

recording recess

10

means of transmission

11

input interface

12

axis of rotation of 5

13

output interface

14

base body of 8

15

Arm body from 8

16

transmission interface

17

actuator

18

Axis of rotation of 2, 3

19

trajectory

20

first wall of 9

21

further wall of 9

Claims (15)

Torque transmission device (1) for transmitting a torque from an input shaft (2) to an output shaft (3) arranged coaxially to the input shaft (2), with a clutch device (4) connecting the input shaft (2) and the output shaft (3) at least temporarily in a torque-transmitting manner , in which - the coupling device (4) comprises a connecting means (5) which is mounted so as to be axially movable in relation to the input shaft (2). - In a first operating state of the clutch device (4), the connecting means (5) can be moved or moved into an engaged position (6) in order to transmit torque between the input shaft (2) and the output shaft (3) and -- in a further operating state of the clutch device (4) can be moved or moved into a non-engaged position (7) in order not to transmit any torque between the input shaft (2) and the transmission shaft, the connecting means (5) being connected to an actuator (17) coupled switch element (8) which is set up to move the connecting means (5) into the engaged position (6) and into the disengaged position (7), the switch element (8) being made at least in sections, in particular completely, of an elastic material or an elastic material structure is formed, in particular such that due to the elastic behavior of the switching element (8), an axial spring movement of the connecting means (5) generated by prestressing can be carried out. Torque transmission device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the switching element (8) is directly in engagement with the connecting means (5). Torque transmission device (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the switching element (8) is mounted in such a way that it executes a switching movement which takes place on a movement path that is linear at least in sections, in particular the linear movement path is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the input and/or output shaft (3). Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching element (8) engages at least in sections in a receiving recess (9), in particular in a receiving recess (9) designed as an annular groove, of the clutch device (4), with contact of the switching element (8) with a first wall of the receiving recess (9) of the coupling device (4), the connecting means (5) is moved into the engaged position (6) and by contact of the switching element (8) with a second wall of the receiving recess (9) of the Coupling device (4) the connecting means (5) is moved into the disengaged position (7). Torque transmission device (1) after claim 4 , characterized in that the receiving recess (9) is formed - in or on the connecting means (5) and/or - in or on a transmission means (10) which can be moved axially to the connecting means (5) and is in particular designed as a transmission sleeve. Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (5) has an input interface (11) for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the input shaft (2) during the engaged position (6), the input interface ( 11) is arranged or formed on a surface aligned perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (12) of the connecting means (5). Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (5) has an output interface (13) for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the output shaft (3) during the engaged position (6), the output interface ( 13) is arranged or formed on a surface aligned parallel to the axis of rotation (12) of the connecting means (5). Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching element (8) comprises a base body (14) and an arm body (15) facing the connecting means (5), wherein at least, preferably exclusively, the arm body (15) has a has an elastic section that is formed in sections, in particular completely, from an elastic material or an elastic material structure. Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shifting element (8) has different physical and/or chemical properties depending on the area, preferably - a first area of the shifting element (8) made of a first material and a further area of the shifting element (8) formed from a material different from the first material and/or - a first region of the switching element (8) undergoes a first thermal and/or mechanical, in particular superficial, machining process and a further region of the switching element (8) has no or a further, been subjected to thermal and/or mechanical processing processes that differ from the first thermal or mechanical processing process, in order to obtain different physical and/or chemical properties depending on the area, preferably a different spring behavior depending on the area, of the switching element (8th). Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic material and/or the elastic material structure of the switching element (8), in particular of the arm body (15) of the switching element (8), is designed in such a way that the switching element (8 ) has a non-linear spring behavior, the switching element (8) preferably has an increasing force-to-travel ratio. Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic material and/or the elastic material structure of the switching element (8), in particular of the arm body of the connecting means (5), is designed in such a way that it has a direction-dependent different spring behavior, the force-to-displacement ratio for executing a movement into a non-engagement position (7) of the connecting means (5) is preferably higher than the force-to-displacement ratio for executing a movement into an engaged position (6) of the connecting means (5) . Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (5) - an output interface (13) for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the output shaft (3) and - a transmission interface (16) for the force-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the shifting element (8), the output interface (13) and the transmission interface (16) is formed on surfaces of the connecting means (5) which are aligned parallel to one another. Torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (5) - an input interface (11) for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the input shaft (2) and - an output interface (13) for the torque-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the output shaft (3) and - a transmission interface (16) for force-transmitting connection of the connecting means (5) to the switching element (8), wherein the input interface (11) and the output interface (13) and the transmission interface (16 ) are each formed in one piece on the connecting means (5). Transmission of a vehicle, comprising a torque transmission device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the torque transmission device (1) is preferably arranged to change the number of driven axles of the vehicle. Method for avoiding and/or removing a locking state of a torque transmission device (1), wherein a torque transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims is used.

Images