WO2017198792A1

WO2017198792A1 - A powertrain unit having a bolt holder

Info

Publication number: WO2017198792A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/062039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Caglar IMER
Original assignee: Valeo Otomotiv Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
Priority date: 2016-05-18
Filing date: 2017-05-18
Publication date: 2017-11-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a powertrain unit (10) having a first plate (20) and a second plate (30) where a pre-calculated distance is provided in between, and connected to a crank shaft (70) by means of a bolt (60) passing through a bolt passage opening (21) provided on the first plate (20) and entering into an assembly opening (31) provided on the second plate (30), particularly in vehicles having internal combustion engine. As an improvement, the subject matter powertrain unit (10) is characterized in that in order to provide fixation of the bolt (60) in the bolt passage opening (21) until an additional force is exerted; at least one bolt holder (50), positioned in the bolt passage opening (21), comprises at least one body (51) having at least one center opening (58), and at least one lower flexible arm (53) and at least one upper flexible arm (52) extending from an inner wall (512) of said body (51) facing the center opening (58) towards a center axis (x) of the center opening (58).

Description

SPECIFICATION

A POWERTRAIN UNIT HAVING A BOLT HOLDER TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a powertrain unit positioned between the engine shaft and the gear box in vehicles having internal combustion engine. PRIOR ART

In internal combustion engines, the movement, applied from the crank shaft of the engine, is transferred to the gear box by using a powertrain unit. At the same time, said powertrain unit also dampens the vibrations which may occur as a result of the fluctuations occurring in the engine torque. The powertrain unit has at least two plates where springs are positioned in between. The connection of the powertrain unit to the crank shaft is realized by using bolts. Said bolts pass through the openings provided on one of the plates and they provide fixation of the other plate to the crank shaft. Thus, the connection of the powertrain unit to the crank shaft is provided.

It is possible that the bolt is stuck in the gap between the plates in an undesired manner at said connection type. In other words, the bolts can be stuck between the plates instead of entering into the assembly gap. At the same time, this may lead to damaging of the bolt threads and they may become useless.

In order to solve the mentioned problems, a metal plate is disclosed in the application with publication number W01 1 124805. Said metal plate has protrusions extending inwards the openings through which the bolts pass, and these protrusions grab the bolt through the head part thereof and try to fix it.

As a result, because of all of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a powertrain unit, for eliminating the above mentioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field. The main object of the present invention is to provide a powertrain unit whose assembly is facilitated. In order to realize all of the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention is a powertrain unit having a first plate and a second plate where a pre-calculated distance is provided in between, and connected to a crank shaft by means of a bolt passing through a bolt passage opening provided on the first plate and entering into an assembly opening provided on the second plate, particularly in vehicles having internal combustion engine. Accordingly, the subject matter powertrain unit is characterized in that in order to provide fixation of the bolt in the bolt passage opening until an additional force is exerted; at least one bolt holder, positioned in the bolt passage opening, comprises at least one body having at least one center opening, and at least one lower flexible arm and at least one upper flexible arm extending from an inner wall of said body facing the center opening towards a center axis of the center opening. Thus, the bolts, which will be used for the assembly of the powertrain unit, are fixed in the bolt passage opening. During this fixation, since the bolts are held in the assembly axis, the assembly of the powertrain unit is facilitated. Moreover, since the bolt is kept fixed, the tightening of the bolt between the first plate and the second plate is prevented. Thus, deformation of the bolt is prevented.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the lower flexible arm and the upper flexible arm is greater than the bolt head height. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pluralities of lower flexible arms are provided successively such that there is a gap in between.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pluralities of upper flexible arms are provided successively such that there is a gap in between.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one upper assembly extension is provided extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall of the body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one lower assembly extension, extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall of the body, is provided at a distance, which is equal to the thickness of the first plate, with respect to said upper assembly extension. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one metal filling is provided inside the body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bolt holder is made of an elastomeric material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pluralities of bolt holders are provided such that there is one each bolt holder at each bolt passage opening and at least one bridge is provided which connects the bolt holders to each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first plate is a secondary flywheel of a dual mass flywheel and the second plate is a primary flywheel of the dual mass flywheel.

An other object of the invention is also a powertrain unit having a first plate and a second plate; the second plate having an assembly opening and the powertrain unit comprising a bolt for assembling the powertrain unit to a host element of a drive train of a vehicle through the assembly opening of the second plate; the first plate having a bolt passage opening facing the assembly opening,

characterized in that the powertrain unit comprises at least one bolt holder, the bolt holder comprising :

- at least one body inserted in the bolt passage opening and having at least one central cavity,

- at least one lower flexible obstacle in a first side of the central cavity located towards the assembly opening,

- at least one upper flexible obstacle in an opposite side of the central cavity, the upper flexible obstacle and lower flexible obstacle facing the central cavity in order to hold a head of the bolt in the central cavity before the fixation, with the bolt, of the powertrain unit to the host element of the drive train of the vehicle. The central cavity, or center opening, defines a space where the bolt head can be housed and holded.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central cavity of the bolt holder is delimited in one side by the lower flexible obstacle and in the opposite side by the upper flexible obstacle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the central cavity of the bolt holder is axially delimited in one side by the lower flexible obstacle and in the opposite side by the upper flexible obstacle so that the bolt head can be holded axially between the lower flexible and the upper flexible obstacle, the axial direction being parallel to the axis of assembly of the powetrain unit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first plate and second plate are rotatable relative to each other around an axis of rotation of the powertrain unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper flexible obastacle and lower flexible obstacle extend from an inner wall of said body in radial inward manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper flexible obstacle comprises at least one upper flexible arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower flexible obstacle comprises at least one lower flexible arm.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper flexible arms and/or lower flexible arms extend towards a central axis (x) of the central cavity. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pre-calculated distance is provided between, the first plate and second plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bolt is dimensioned so that an extremity of bolt opposite to the bolt head is able to enter into the assembly opening provided on the second plate while the bolt head is holded in the bolt holder. Thus, the bolt is ready to be fixed to the host element of the drive train.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the host element is a crankshaft, particularly in vehicles having internal combustion engine.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the distance between the lower flexible obstacle and the upper flexible obstacle is greater than the bolt head height. The height of the bolt head is measured in the direction of the axis of the bolt. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pluralities of lower flexible arms are provided successively such that there is a gap in between. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, pluralities of upper flexible arms are provided successively such that there is a gap in between.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one upper assembly extension is provided extending in a radial outward manner from the body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper assembly extension can contact the first plate in a side opposite to second plate. In a preferred embodiment, the upper assembly extension is extending from an outer wall of the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper assembly extension is extending in the plane of the upper flexible arms.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one lower assembly extension is provided extending in a radial outward manner from the body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower assembly extension can contact the first plate in a side towards the second plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower assembly extension is extending from an outer wall of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the lower assembly extension is extending in the plane of the lower flexible arms.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower assembly extension is flexible. In a preferred embodiment, the lower assembly extension and/or the upper assembly extension are annular extensions.

In an other embodiment of the invention, the upper flexible obstacle and/or the lower flexible obstacle are flexible annular obstacles.

In a preferred embodiment, the first plate is tightened between the lower assembly extension and the upper assembly extension. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one lower assembly extension, extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall of the body, is provided at a distance, which is equal to the thickness of the first plate, with respect to said upper assembly extension.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one metal filling is provided inside the body.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body is cylindrical.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bolt holder is overmolded around the metal filling of the body.

These additional features of this other object are of course applicable to the main object of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , a representative isometric view of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 2a, a representative cross sectional view of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 2b, a representative detailed view of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 3, a representative cross sectional view of a representative bolt holder of the subject matter powertrain unit is given. In Figure 4a, a representative cross sectional view of a possible embodiment of the subject matter powertrain unit is given. In Figure 4b, a representative detailed view of the cross section illustrated in Figure 4a is given.

In Figure 5a, a representative cross sectional view of a possible embodiment of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 5b, a representative detailed view of the cross section illustrated in Figure 5a is given.

In Figure 6a, a representative cross sectional view of a possible embodiment of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 6b, a representative detailed view of the cross section illustrated in Figure 6a is given. In Figure 7a, a representative upper isometric view of a representative bolt holder of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 7b, a representative lower isometric view of a representative bolt holder of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 8, the view of an alternative embodiment of a representative bolt holder of the subject matter powertrain unit is given.

In Figure 9, the view of the alternative bolt holder embodiment, illustrated in Figure 8, on the powertrain unit is given.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Powertrain unit

20 First plate

21 Bolt passage opening

21 1 Side surface 22 First plate outer face

23 First plate inner face

30 Second plate

31 Assembly opening

32 Second plate outer face

33 Second plate inner face

40 Dampening elements

50 Bolt holder

51 Body

51 1 Metal filling

512 Inner wall

513 Outer wall

52 Upper flexible arm

521 Upper opening

53 Lower flexible arm

531 Lower opening

54 Inner housing

55 Upper assembly extension

56 Lower assembly extension

57 Outer housing

58 Center opening

59 Bridge

60 Bolt

61 Bolt head

62 Thread portion

63 Bolt end

70 Crank shaft

71 Shaft connection housing

A Assembly axis

X Center axis

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter powertrain unit (10) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable. As can be seen in Figure 1 and 2a, the subject matter powertrain unit (10) has at least one first plate (20) and at least one second plate (30). Dampening elements (40) are positioned between said first plate (20) and said second plate (30). Thus, there is a pre-calculated distance between the first plate (20) and the second plate (30). The powertrain unit (10) is connected to the crank shaft (70) by using bolts (60). Accordingly, the bolt (60) passes through at least one bolt passage opening (21 ) provided on the first plate (20) and provides the connection of the second plate (30) to the crank shaft (70). Said bolt passage opening (21 ) is provided at a size through which the bolt (60) can pass. There is at least one assembly opening (31 ) provided on the second plate (30). Said assembly opening (31 ) is preferably provided in a concentric manner with the bolt passage opening (21 ) provided on the first plate (20). The bolt (60), passed through the assembly opening (31 ) provided on the second plate (30), enters into a shaft connection housing (71 ) provided on the crank shaft (70). As can be seen in Figure 2b, there is at least one bolt holder (50) positioned into the bolt passage opening (21 ) provided on the first plate (20). As can be seen in Figure 3, said bolt holder (50) preferably has a cylindrical body (51 ). There is a center opening (58) provided at the inner side of the bolt holder (50). An outer wall (513) of the body (51 ) at least partially stops onto a side surface (21 1 ) of the bolt passage opening (21 ). There is at least one upper flexible arm (52) and at least one lower flexible arm (53) extending from the inner wall (512) of the body (51 ) towards a center axis (x) of the bolt holder (50). Said upper flexible arms (52) are preferebly provided plurally. The upper flexible arms (52) are arranged such that there is a gap in between. The upper flexible arms (52) are preferably provided at the side of the body (51 ) which is close to a first plate outer face (22) of the first plate (20). The upper flexible arms (52) are provided at a length such that there is a pre-calculated distance between the ends of said arms (52). Thus, a circular upper opening (521 ) is formed between the ends of the upper flexible arms (52).

Said lower flexible arms (53) are preferably provided plurally. The lower flexible arms (53) are arranged such that there is a gap in between. The lower flexible arms (53) extend towards the center axis (x) of the body (31 ). The lower flexible arms (53) are provided at a length such that a pre-calculated distance is provided in between. Thus, a circular lower opening (531 ) occurs between the ends of the lower flexible arms (53). Said lower opening (531 ) is preferably provided at a size such that a thread portion (62) of the bolt (60) can pass through and such that the bolt head (61 ) is prevented from passing therethrough. There is a pre-calculated distance between the upper flexible arms (52) and the lower flexible arms (53). Thus, the upper flexible arms (52), the lower flexible arms (53) and the inner wall

(512) of the body (51 ) define an inner housing (54). In accordance with said structure, the inner housing (54) is provided in cylinder form. The distance between the upper flexible arms (52) and the lower flexible arms (53) is determined in accordance with the bolt head (61 ) size of the bolt (60).

There is at least one upper assembly extension (55) extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall (513) of the body (51 ). Said upper assembly extension (55) is preferably provided in the vicinity of an edge of the body (51 ). When the bolt holder (50) is placed to the bolt passage opening (21 ), the upper assembly extension (55) seats onto the first plate outer face (22). Thus, the bolt holder (50) is prevented from passing through the bolt passage opening (21 ) and passing to the other side of the first plate (20). In a possible embodiment of the present invention seen in Figure 2b, there is at least one lower assembly extension (56) extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall

(513) of the body (51 ). Said lower assembly extension (56) is preferably provided in the vicinity of one end of the body (51 ). The lower assembly extension (56) is rested onto a first plate inner face (23) of the first plate (20). In accordance with said embodiment, the lower assembly extension (56), the upper assembly extension (55) and the outer wall (513) of the body (51 ) define an outer housing (57). Thus, the bolt holder (50) is fixed in the bolt passage opening (21 ).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention seen in Figure 4a and 4b, the body (51 ) is fixed to the bolt passage opening (21 ) in a snap-fit manner. Thus, the assembly of the bolt holder (50) to the bolt passage opening (21 ) is facilitated.

In possible embodiments of the present invention seen in Figure 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, at least one metal filling (51 1 ) is provided inside the body (51 ). Thus, the resistance of the body (51 ) is increased. Moreover, the bolt holder (50) is positioned to the bolt passage opening (21 ) in a more rigid manner.

The bolt holder (50) is made of an elastomer material. The bolt holder (50) can be made of plastic or rubber material. Thus, it becomes possible to tighten and downsize the bolt holder (50) and to fix the bolt holder (50) to the bolt passage opening (21 ) by the user. For example, the bolt holder is overmolded around the metal filling of the body. The usage of the bolt holder (50) is realized as follows. The bolt (60) is pressed and fixed to the bolt passage opening (21 ). After the bolt holder (50) is fixed, the bolt (60) is inserted into the center opening (58). While the bolt (60) is inserted into the center opening (21 ), first of all, the bolt end (63) is inserted therein. While the bolt (60) is tried to be fixed to the center opening (58), the upper flexible arms (52) are bended into the inner housing (54) and greatens the upper opening (521 ) and allows passage of the bolt (60). When the bolt (60) is substantially pressed, the bolt head (61 ) passes through the upper opening (521 ) and enters into the inner housing (54). Meanwhile, the thread portion (62) passes through the lower opening (531 ) and extends towards the assembly opening (31 ) provided on the second plate (30). When the bolt head (61 ) is placed to the inner housing (54), the bolt (60) is fixed inside the bolt holder (50) when the exerted pressure force is eliminated. The upper flexible arms (52) and the lower flexible arms (53) of the bolt holder (50) prevent the bolt (60) from removing from the bolt passage opening (21 ). The upper flexible arms (52) prevent the bolt (60) from removing from the inner housing (54). The lower flexible arms (53) prevent the bolt (60) from further advancing towards the second plate (30) as long as no further force is exerted onto the bolt (60).

When the bolt (60) is placed into the bolt holder (50), it becomes ready for assembly. In other words, when the bolt (60) is positioned inside the bolt holder (50), it is kept in the assembly axis (a). When the assembly of the powertrain unit (10) is to be realized, the bolt head (61 ) exits the inner housing (54) when the operator presses the bolt head (61 ), and the bolt end (63) enters into the shaft connection housing (71 ) of the crank shaft (70). Thus, assembly is realized in a practical manner.

Since the bolts (60) are placed into the bolt holders (50), it becomes possible to stock the powertrain unit (10) together with the bolts (60) and to transport the powertrain unit (10). In other words, formation of separate stocking cost for the bolts (60) and separate stocking cost for the powertrain unit (10) is prevented.

Moreover, when the bolt (60) is placed into the bolt holder (50), the bolt end (63) is prevented from removing outwardly from the second plate outer face (32) of the second plate (30). By means of this, during transportation or prior to assembly, the bolt end (61 ) and the thread portion (62) of the bolt (60) are prevented from being damaged as a result of hitting.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen in Figure 8 and 9, the bolt holders (50) can be connected to each other by means of at least one each bridges (59) extending in between. Thus, the integration and the assembly of the bolt holders (50) become possible.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed Claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention. For example, an elastomere flexible annular obstacle can be used instead of upper flexible arms or upper flexible arms.

Claims

A powertrain unit (10) having a first plate (20) and a second plate (30) where a pre- calculated distance is provided in between, and connected to a crank shaft (70) by means of a bolt (60) passing through a bolt passage opening (21 ) provided on the first plate (20) and entering into an assembly opening (31 ) provided on the second plate (30), particularly in vehicles having internal combustion engine, characterized in that in order to provide fixation of the bolt (60) in the bolt passage opening (21 ) until an additional force is exerted; at least one bolt holder (50), positioned in the bolt passage opening (21 ), comprises at least one body (51 ) having at least one center opening (58), and at least one lower flexible arm (53) and at least one upper flexible arm (52) extending from an inner wall (512) of said body (51 ) facing the center opening (58) towards a center axis (x) of the center opening (58).

A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the distance between the lower flexible arm (53) and the upper flexible arm (52) is greater than the bolt head (61 ) height.

A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein pluralities of lower flexible arms (53) are provided successively such that there is a gap in between.

A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein pluralities of upper flexible arms (52) are provided successively such that there is a gap in between.

A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one upper assembly extension (55) is provided extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall (513) of the body (51 ).

A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 5, wherein at least one lower assembly extension (56), extending in a radial outward manner from the outer wall (513) of the body (51 ), is provided at a distance, which is equal to the thickness of the first plate (20), with respect to said upper assembly extension (55).

A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one metal filling (51 1 ) provided inside the body (51 ).

8. A powertrain unit (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the bolt holder (50) is made of an elastomeric material.

9. A powertrain unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein pluralities of bolt holders (50) are provided such that there is one each bolt holder

(50) at each bolt passage opening (21 ) and at least one bridge (59) is provided which connects the bolt holders (50) to each other.

10. A powertrain unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plate (20) is a secondary flywheel of a dual mass flywheel and the second plate (30) is a primary flywheel of the dual mass flywheel.