FR2854218A1 - Clutching and declutching control device for flywheel, has friction lining to establish and remove link between inertial masses, where one mass is mounted in opposite/free of rotation during clutched/ declutched position - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a friction lining (127) to establish and remove link between inertial masses (3, 13) in a clutched and declutched position, respectively. The inertial mass (13) is mounted in a rotation that is opposite to the inertial mass (3), which is rotated with a crankshaft (7) around an axis (9), during the clutched position. The inertial mass (13) is mounted in free of rotation during the declutched position.

Description

FLYWHEEL DEVICE.

  The invention relates to a flywheel device comprising several masses of inertia linked together in a particular way to improve the functioning of the engine.

  Such flywheels mounted on vehicles fitted with thermal engines, in particular internal combustion engines, are known to limit the harmful effects of the vibrations which emanate from these engines, in particular at idling or in the starting phase of vehicles.

  High inertia is essential to ensure smooth idling or starting, substantially without jolts or significant vibrations.

  The purpose of flywheels, in particular those of the aforementioned type, is to ensure this inertia effect by storing energy in the explosion phases of the motors and by restoring it in the compression phases.

  Among the known flywheel devices, there is known in particular that disclosed in FR-2 722 551 o the device comprises a first mass of inertia connected to a drive device and a second mass of inertia linked to the first mass of inertia via a connecting device to establish a friction connection between the first and second masses of inertia.

  In this document, the connecting device 30 belongs to a damping system enclosing at least one damper by means of which it is possible to establish said friction link between the first and second inertia masses, with the aim of promoting an operation of the flywheel without risk of deterioration at the resonant rotation speed of the masses.

  The considerations of the present invention are other.

  Thus, as much as the usefulness of flywheels, in particular for smoothing vibrations or jolts at idle or in starting phase is considered to be effective, as much as a flywheel with constant inertia can store too much energy beyond of the idle speed or of the start-up phase, penalizing the engine revs and risking overconsumption of fuel.

  In this regard, it can be noted that on a manual gearbox when the first gear is engaged, one kilogram of mass on the periphery of a current current flywheel is equivalent to approximately 80 15 kilogram of mass on board the vehicle. However, the flywheel masses of inertia are masses to be restarted in rotation at each relevant operating phase of the engine.

  This can represent between 10 and 15% or even 20%, 20 of the fuel consumption used to move the vehicle.

  Optimizing the operation of the flywheel both during the idling or starting phases as when the vehicle is traveling at a stabilized speed, improving the efficiency, promoting a reduction in fuel consumption are goals targeted within the framework of the present invention.

  One solution proposed consists in that - the friction connection device between the first and second inertia masses comprises clutch / declutching means acting to establish, in a engaged position, or to remove, in a disengaged position, said connection between these first and second inertia masses, and the second inertia mass is rotatably mounted with the drive means, in the engaged position of the clutch / declutching means, and mounted substantially free of rotation with respect to screw of this drive means in the disengaged state, thus making it possible to evolve between a high state of inertia in the engaged position and a reduced state of inertia in the disengaged position.

  By separating the second mass of inertia (or auxiliary mass of inertia) from the first mass of inertia (or main mass of inertia connected to the drive device, typically the crankshaft in an internal combustion engine), it it will be possible to reduce the mass of the flywheel driven in rotation in certain engine speed ranges, in particular (if desired) when the vehicle 15 is traveling at a fairly high stabilized speed, while ensuring regular rotation at idle or in starting by increasing the mass of this flywheel, since at higher speed an increase in mass and therefore of inertia effect induces a loss of engine efficiency. In steady state, for example at the last gear ratio, one can also choose to favor comfort, silence and reduction of vibrations while remaining engaged.

  With the solution described, it is therefore possible to refine the performance of the motor by limiting the energy losses when the operating phase of the motor does not require the use of the maximum inertia effect, and in particular the inclines are favored. fast diet.

  In a first embodiment illustrated below, provision is made for the second inertia mass to be connected to the first inertia mass exclusively by means of the clutch means, regardless of whether it is a connection direct or indirect link. One could however consider, in the context of the use of a third mass of inertia as provided below, the advantage of connecting the first mass of inertia to the third mass of inertia via a torsion damper, (thus indirectly linking the first and second mass of inertia, in the engaged state of the system).

  It may also be noted that to promote the absorption of jolts and vibrations, in particular during the idling phase, it is advisable that the flywheel device of the invention also comprises such a third mass 10 of inertia therefore linked to the first and / or to the second inertial mass by means of at least one torsion damper and which is thus adapted to perform a limited rotation with respect to said first and / or second mass (s) of inertia.

  For optimized operating efficiency and ease of construction and assembly, it is furthermore advised that, in particular for mounting the third mass on the second, the torsion damper comprises a torsion spring and that the third inertia mass has a substantially U-shaped section and locally overlaps the torsion spring.

  Again for ease of assembly and for a protective effect on the members contained therein, it is also advisable that the first mass of flywheel is presented as a cage in which the second mass of inertia is enclosed. and the clutch / disengage means.

  If a third mass of inertia is provided, it is also advised that it be placed in the cage.

  A further object which the invention seeks to achieve relates to the assurance that the flywheel device makes it possible in all circumstances in particular to ensure regular idling without excessive vibration, that is to say then gives an effect of maximum inertia.

  For this, an additional characteristic of the invention advantageously provides: - that the clutch / declutching means comprise a lining system interposed between the first and second masses of inertia to create said friction connection, in the engaged position of the clutch / declutching means, and that, naturally, the lining system is biased towards its position where it creates the connection 10 between the first and second inertia masses, under the effect of a return system.

  Thus, when it is not specifically biased towards the disengaged position, the packing system links the first and second inertia masses, so that the flywheel device is naturally in a state of maximum inertia. to filter or smooth the torsional vibrations emanating from the motor.

  Different types of clutches or means for controlling the clutch lining can be envisaged.

  One can thus possibly envisage a hydraulic system, or even a fully electronic control.

  For the sake of efficiency, it is however advisable in the invention: that the second mass of inertia is made of magnetizable material, and that the clutch / disengage means comprise an electromagnetic control acting on the second mass of inertia to move it away from the first, in the disengaged position.

  In this hypothesis, and in relation to what has been indicated before, it is then further advised that in the disengaged position, the electromagnetic control 35 releases the second mass of inertia from its magnetic attraction, this second mass of inertia then being naturally stressed towards the engaged position, under the effect of the return system.

  Once again for the sake of efficiency, simplification of the technical solution and reliability, it is further advised that the return system comprises elastic washers bearing on one side on a shoulder of the first mass of inertia and, on the other hand, on a bearing mounted on the second inertia mass.

  A problem also taken into account in the invention concerns the assurance that in the disengaged position the second mass of inertia, which is typically driven in a translational movement with respect to the first mass of inertia to evolve between the positions 15 engaged and disengaged, will not be rotated with the first mass of inertia.

  To avoid such a risk, a solution proposed in the invention consists in that the flywheel device further comprises a stop which limits the amplitude of translation of the second mass of inertia with respect to the first mass of inertia. , between the engaged and disengaged positions.

  Yet another problem dealt with in the context of the invention relates to the manner of ensuring the electrical supply necessary for the control of the clutch / disengage means.

  A reliable, efficient and appropriate solution for the conditions of realization of motor vehicles consists in providing remote control means of the clutch / disengage means to move into the engaged or disengaged position according to the engine speed, the control means to distance preferably comprising a receiving antenna fixed to the first mass of inertia.

  An additional problem taken into account concerns the way of passing at the appropriate moments from the engaged position to the disengaged position, or vice versa.

  A solution which is once again reliable, efficient and adapted to the context requiring internal combustion engines for motor vehicles, consists in advising that the clutch / declutching means are linked to an electrical supply comprising magnets fixed on the crankcase and coils mounted opposite the first mass of inertia.

  A detailed description of the invention will

  now be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of nonlimiting example and in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic half view in axial section of a flywheel device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged, local view, taken in the direction of arrow II in FIG. i (the so-called "main" clutch system has not been reproduced); - Figure 3 is a schematic view in axial section, similar to Figure 1, of another embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV in Figure 3.

  The flywheel device i illustrated in FIG. I comprises a primary disc, or first mass of inertia 3, connected in a separable manner, at 5, to the crankshaft 7 of a drive device not shown, for example a motor internal combustion.

  In FIG. 1, the axis 9 represents the axis of rotation of the crankshaft around which the flywheel device 1 rotates, only one half view of this device being represented perpendicular to the axis 35 9, the other half view possibly be constructed by symmetry with respect to this axis.

  In 11, the starter is very roughly shown diagrammatically, or more precisely a starter ring gear suitably fixed on the flywheel 1, and more precisely in this case on the primary disc 3.

  It will now be noted that the toothed crown 11 can be fixed to the primary disc 3 by shrinking, screwing or welding, without leaving any degree of freedom to the crown, according to a conventional rule in terms of gearing.

  Alternatively, however, an assembly (already described) can be provided in which the crown is able to withstand a number of starts of the order of at least 200,000 or even 250,000 or 300,000, while significantly reducing if possible the previously known noise level, this effect being achieved by giving the start-up crown a certain flexibility and a certain possibility of deformation concerning in particular the zone of the crown carrying the teeth relative to the zone of the crown fixed on the surface primary disk device 3.

  Fixed on the outer periphery of the primary disc 3, the start-up ring It ensures the rotation of the device.

  In accordance with an important characteristic of the invention, the flywheel device does not comprise a single "monoblock" mass of inertia: the first mass of inertia 3 is in fact separably linked to a second mass of inertia 13 , by means of a clutch / disengage device identified as a whole 15.

  While the first mass of inertia 3 rotates with the crankshaft around the axis 9, without degree of freedom, the second mass of inertia (or auxiliary disc 35) 13 is advantageously mounted insane in rotation with respect to of the first inertia mass 3 therefore vis-à-vis the crankshaft 7, (at least in the disengaged position of the clutch / declutching device 15).

  Thus, it will be possible to change between a maximum state of inertia, when the second mass 5 of inertia 13 is engaged on the first mass of inertia 3 and a minimum state of inertia in the disengaged state, the second inertia mass 13 advantageously then being practically not subjected to rotation about the crankshaft (with near friction on a bearing 17, as will be seen below).

  To take advantage of such a "dual-mass" controlled oscillation system, the advantages of which are already known, the second mass of inertia 13 is preferably connected radially, towards its outer periphery, to a third mass of inertia 19 , via a damping system 21 which acts as a torsional damper. Thus, the third mass of inertia 19 can perform a limited rotation with respect to the mass 13 in the plane of rotation of the latter, on either side of an equilibrium position, by being recalled towards this position , during the rotation of the second mass of inertia around the axis 9, by a return device which here comprises a double coil wound spring.

  In the example illustrated, the third mass of inertia 19 has a section substantially "U" so as to reserve an internal channel 25 provided with a narrowed neck 27 at the place of its internal radial opening and o passes the spring of twist 23, so as to allow the aforementioned limited damping beat.

  To obtain the best inertia effect, the third inertia mass 19 and the damping system 21 are arranged towards the outer radial periphery 35 of the second inertia mass 13.

  For ease of assembly, design and protection, the primary disc 3 illustrated is presented as a cage which contains the second and third inertia masses 13, 19, as well as the clutch / disengage device 5 and the means free bearing 17, in particular.

  Typically, the free rotation means 17 consists of a bearing connection which may include roller bearings interposed between an inner radial surface 10 of support 3a of the first inertia mass 3 and an also radial inner surface of stop 13a of the second mass of inertia 13.

  To produce the clutch / disengage means 15, an electromagnetic clutch device 15 has been chosen in the illustrated version comprising a clutch lining 125 interposed between two lateral surfaces of the first inertia mass 3 and the second respectively inertial mass 13 and an electromagnetic type control device identified as a whole 127. This choice requires that at least locally the second inertial mass 13 comprise a magnetizable material thus making it possible to engage or disengage by the intermediate of the lining 125, by displacement in translation of the mass 13 relative to the mass 3, 25 along the axis 29 parallel to the axis 9.

  The electromagnetic control device 127 comprises, in the embodiment, a fixed core 131 which extends along the axis 29, between the zone of the lateral surface of the mass 13 opposite to that where the lining 125 is located and the lateral surface opposite the mass 3.

  The core 131 is surrounded by a system of coils 133 arranged in a disk around it, in such a way that under the effect of an electric current, the coil 133 induces an attraction of the second mass 13 by the fixed core 131 , thus removing this mass from mass 3 and placing the system in its disengaged state.

  When it is not so stressed by the attraction of the core 131, the auxiliary disc 13 is preferably naturally stressed in its engaged position with the disc 3, under the effect of the return system 35 which is also enclosed in the inside the cage 3.

  In the example illustrated, this return system comprises a series of elastic washers 39 mounted 10 naturally inclined on one side in abutment on a shoulder 37 of the cage 3 and bearing on the other against a bearing (in this case a roller bearing) 41 linked to the second mass of inertia 13, next to the aforementioned bearing 17 mounted perpendicular to the bearing 41 15 concerned, taking into account the respectively radial and transverse effects provided by these bearings.

  Inside the cage 3, there is also against the washers 39 a stop 43 constituted by a vertical washer wedged against the shoulder 37 and 20 limiting the movement of the washers 39, therefore the displacement in translation of the mass 13 towards the nucleus 131.

  The function of the stop 43 is to avoid that in the disengaged position, the second mass of inertia 13 may have a tendency to cooperate with the core 131 which would otherwise risk inadvertently driving it in rotation.

  The tensioning of the core / windings assembly, and therefore the passage into the engaged position 30 of the inertia masses 3, 13, is in this case ensured by a remote control identified as a whole 47 comprising a transmitter 49 arranged in a appropriate place of the vehicle and a receiver 51, in this case a radio antenna connected by an electric cable 54 to the electronic box 45 housed in the cage 3.

  The antenna 51 can project slightly from the external radial wall of the cage 3.

  An on-board computer (not shown) of the vehicle determines the power on / off sequences of the electronic unit 45 and therefore of the core / winding assembly advantageously as a function of the engine speed.

  The electrical supply of the means 27 and 45, or even of the antenna 51, could be provided by a rotary manifold mounted on the crankshaft. However, a solution of the inverted alternator type has been preferred here comprising a series of magnets arranged on the inner periphery of the motor housing 53 (stator) and fixed to it. In the local view of FIG. 2, we thus see three magnets north (N) / south (S) 57, 55, 59 arranged in front of coils, such as 61 and 63, mounted in rotation with the cage 3, on its outer radial wall 65.

  The coils are thus traversed by an electric current 20 passing in front of the magnets of the stator 53, during the rotation of the primary disc 3.

  In FIG. 1, the presence, shown diagrammatically at 67, of the gearbox clutch mounted rotating around the axis 9 and of which a lining 25 69 is linked to an external lateral wall of the cage 3 will be noted.

  We will now briefly present the operation of the flywheel device 1 which has just been presented.

  First assume that the affected engine (internal combustion engine) is running at idle.

  In this case, the on-board computer commands to leave the core 131 / coils 133 assembly in the inactive state so that the core does not attract the second mass of inertia 13 towards it. The elastic washers 39 which rotate with the primary disc 3 therefore bias along the axis 29 the mass 13 in the engaged position with the first mass of inertia 3. The flywheel then has its maximum inertia, since the masses 3 and 13 are coupled , the third damped mass 19 then fully playing its role of smoothing vibrations.

  This operating regime can be established not only at idle and starting, but at other established engine speeds, to increase silence, driving comfort and reduce vibrations.

  However, during engine speed changes (for example from 1,500 or 2,000 revolutions per minute during acceleration in first gear, following a stop) and more generally when maximum inertia is not useful, the remote control 47 then activates the assembly 15 core / coils of the control means 27 so that the magnet 31 attracts towards it, along the axis 29, the second inertia mass 13, thus placing it in its disengaged state vis- against ground 3.

  In this state, the stop 43 prevents, however, that the core 131 replaces the lining 125 to unexpectedly drive this mass 13, without however of course preventing it from turning mad on the bearings 17.

  When the on-board computer breaks the energization of the core 131 / coils 133 assembly, the clutch device 15 is again placed naturally in its engaged state, under the effect of the washers 39.

  Finally, it will be noted that if the third mass 30 of inertia 19 was connected to the first mass 3 via a spring damping system for an effect comparable to that obtained between the masses 13 and 19, it would then be possible obtain a damped inertia effect both in the engaged and disengaged state of the means 35 15.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the same reference numbers have been kept for the elements identical to those described above for the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

  In this new embodiment, the flywheel device 101 comprises a first mass of inertia 3 which can be identical to that described above, and a second mass of inertia 113 10 which is secured by default, by the clutch 15, to the first mass 3.

  This second mass 113 can be disengaged via the electromagnetic control device 127 described above.

  The second inertia mass 113 is mounted on the first inertia mass 3 by means of the elements already described above for the inertia mass 13.

  In the present embodiment, the third mass of inertia 119, the cross section of which has a general shape of U whose opening is directed towards the axis 9, is mounted by means of a damping system 121 which acts as a torsional damper on two arms 120 fixed to the first mass of inertia 3 and extending substantially radially outwards to support the springs 121 and the third mass of inertia 119.

  The means of command and control of the second mass 113 and the operating modes of the second and third inertia masses 113 and 119 are identical to those described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and many modifications and modifications can be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention.

  It is thus possible, for example, to provide a hydraulic control for disengaging the second mass 13, 113 in place of the electromagnetic device described above, using for this purpose, in any known manner 5, the oil pressure supplied by the engine oil pump, or any other known mode of clutch and declutch control.

  Any other known means can also be used to supply the electrical energy 10 necessary for actuating the clutch and declutching device, and to control the clutching and declutching operations of the second mass 13, 113.

Claims (11)

  1. A flywheel device comprising a first mass of inertia (3) connected to a drive device (7) and a second mass of inertia (13, 5 113) linked to the first mass of inertia by intermediate of a connection device (15) adapted to establish a friction connection between the first and second inertia masses, characterized in that: the connection device comprises clutch / disengage means (25,27) acting to establish, in a engaged position, or to remove, in a disengaged position, said connection between the first and second inertia masses (3; 13, 113), - and the second inertia mass (13, 113) is 15 rotatably mounted with the drive means (7), in the engaged position of the clutch / disengage means, and mounted substantially free of rotation with respect to this drive means in the disengaged state, thus allowing to evolve between a state of inertia 20 high in the engaged position and a é reduced state of inertia in the disengaged position.   2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises a third mass of inertia (19, 119) linked to the first and / or to the second mass of inertia by means of at least a torsion damper (21, 121) and which is thus adapted to perform a limited rotation relative to the first and / or to the second mass of inertia (3; 13, 113).   3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the torsion damper comprises a torsion spring (23) and the third inertia mass (19) has a substantially U-shaped section and locally overlaps the torsion spring.   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first inertia mass (3) is in the form of a cage in which the second inertia mass and the clutch / disengaging means (15) are enclosed. .   5. Device according to any one of   previous claims characterized in that:   the clutch / declutching means comprise a lining system (125) interposed between the first and second inertia masses to create said friction connection, in the engaged position of the clutch / declutching means, and - naturally, the packing system is biased towards its position where it creates the connection between the first and second masses of inertia, under the effect of a return system (35).   6. Device according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that:   the second inertia mass (13, 113) is made of magnetizable material, and the clutch / disengage means comprise an electromagnetic control (127) acting on the second inertia mass to move it away from the first, by disengaged position.   7. Device according to claims 5 and 6,   characterized in that in the disengaged position, the electromagnetic control (127) releases the second mass of inertia from its magnetic attraction, this second mass of inertia (13, 113) then being naturally biased towards the engaged position, under the effect of the reminder system (35).   8. Device according to any one of claims 5 or 7, characterized in that the return system comprises elastic washers (37) bearing on one side on a shoulder (39) of the first inertia mass (3 ) and, on the other hand, on a bearing 35 (41) mounted on the second inertia mass.   9. Device according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that:   - The second mass of inertia (13, 113) is mounted movable in translation relative to the first mass of inertia (3), to move between the positions engaged with the first mass of inertia and disengaged, and - the the device further comprises a stop (43) which limits the amplitude of translation of the second mass of inertia with respect to the first mass of inertia, between the engaged and disengaged positions.   10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means (47) for remote control of the clutch / disengage means (125, 127) to move into the engaged or disengaged position. depending on an engine speed, the remote control means preferably comprising a receiving antenna (51) fixed to the first inertia mass (3).   11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clutch / disengage means (125, 127) are linked to an electrical supply (53; 55, 61 ...) to operate, this electrical supply comprising 25 magnets (55, 57, 59) fixed to the motor housing (53) and coils (61, 63, 65) mounted opposite the first inertia mass (3).