WO2017220661A1

WO2017220661A1 - A transmission mechanism having flexible flywheel

Info

Publication number: WO2017220661A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/065252
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emre GÜRAN; Ercan AKSOY; Paolo Viola
Original assignee: Valeo Otomotiv Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S.
Priority date: 2016-06-22
Filing date: 2017-06-21
Publication date: 2017-12-28
Also published as: CN210013977U

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transmission mechanism (10) having a torque limiter (20) in order to provide transfer of the movement, received from the crank shaft of the engine, to the transmission units in vehicles having hybrid engine. As an improvement for the vibrations in a bending direction, the subject matter transmission mechanism (10) comprises at least one flexible flywheel (30) provided between the torque limiter (20) and the crank shaft.

Description

SPECIFICATION

A TRANSMISSION MECHANISM HAVING FLEXIBLE FLYWHEEL TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to transmission mechanisms positioned between the engine and the transmission units in hybrid vehicles. PRIOR ART

In hybrid vehicles, a transmission mechanism is positioned between the engine and the transmission units. Said transmission mechanism basically comprises a torque limiter and a flywheel connected to the torque limiter. Moreover, there may also be a geared plate connected to the flywheel.

The transmission module disclosed in application WO2016009122 is notably for a motor vehicle drive train, consist of a rigid flywheel, a torque limiter slipping in order to not transmit irregular torque levels, a vibration damper in order to dampen vibrations and pendulum. In this document, the rigid flywheel is assembled to the crank shaft. A pendulum mechanism is connected to a vibration damper and a torque limiter. This torque limiter and pendulum assembly is fixed to the rigid flywheel by means of bolts. Thus, the rigid flywheel provides a torque transmission mechanism which has better dampening ability thanks to the vibration damper and pendulum mechanism arrangement. In this invention, a solution for reducing the vibrations in bending direction has not been presented. The system has rigid behavior against the vibrations in this direction.

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 transmission mechanism, 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 transmission mechanism whose weight, noise and the occupied volume are reduced. 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 transmission mechanism having a torque limiter in order to provide transfer of the movement, received from the crank shaft of the engine, to the transmission units in vehicles having hybrid engine. Accordingly, at least one flexible flywheel is provided between the torque limiter and the crank shaft. Thus, the transmission mechanism provides reduction of the engine noises of the vehicle thanks to the flexible flywheel used. Thanks to the flexible flywheel, the vibrations at the crank shaft side are reduced. Moreover, the transmission mechanism is provided to resonate at a lower revolution, and the vehicle vibrations are reduced. Thanks to the usage of the flexible flywheel, the thickness and the weight of the flywheel are reduced when compared with the prior art. Thus, a transmission mechanism is obtained which is lighter and which occupies less space when compared with the prior art. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible flywheel comprises at least one flexible plate connected to the crank shaft.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible flywheel comprises at least one inertia plate connected to the flexible plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inertia plate is provided in the form of a circular frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one support plate is positioned at the section of the flexible plate connected to the crank shaft. Thus, the resistance of the section of the flexible plate connected to the crank shaft is increased.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one connection element in order to provide connection of the flexible plate and the inertia plate in a detachable manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible flywheel is configured in a manner connecting to the torque limiter in a detachable manner. Thus, when a failure occurs in the torque limiter, it can be removed, repaired or changed in an independent manner from the flexible flywheel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one assembly element in order to provide connection of the flexible flywheel to the crank shaft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible flywheel comprises at least one geared plate. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the geared plate is provided between the inertia plate and the flexible plate or on the face of the flexible plate facing the crank shaft.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible plate is mounted between the geared plate and the inertia plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the geared plate, the flexible plate and the inertia plate are riveted together with the same rivets.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the geared plate is placed into a channel provided on the inertia plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one pendulum mechanism which is connected to the torque limiter. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pendulum mechanism is provided between flexible flywheel and a vibration damper section of the torque limiter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the torque limiter has friction members adapted to slip when the torque transmitted is greater than a predeterminated torque, the pendulum having oscillating masses being arranged axially between the flexible flywheel and the friction members of torque limiter, so that the flexible plate, the oscillating masses of pendulum and the friction members overlap axially.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the geared plate, the flexible plate and the inertia plate are riveted together with the same rivets.

An other object of the invention is also a transmission mechanism for transmiting a torque between an engine and an transmission unit of a vehicle, in particular an hybrid vehicle, comprising :

- a flywheel which can be coupled to a crankshaft of the engine of the vehicle,

- a torque limiter which can be coupled to the flywheel and transmit the torque from the flywheel to the transmission unit. wherein the flywheel comprises one flexible plate which can be coupled to the crankshaft and one inertia plate connected to the flexible plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the inertia plate is provided in the form of a circular frame.

In a preferred embodiment, one support plate is positioned at the section of the flexible plate connected to the crank shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible plate and the inertia plate are coupled with one connection element.

In a preferred embodiment, the flywheel is connected to the torque limiter in a detachable manner, for example with bolts or screws. In a preferred embodiment, the transmission mechanism comprises at least one assembly element in order to provide connection of the flywheel to the crankshaft, for example bolts, or screws.

In a preferred embodiment, the flywheel comprises at least one starting gear.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible plate is mounted between the geared plate and the inertia plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the geared plate, the flexible plate and the inertia plate are riveted together with the same rivets.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission mechanism at least one pendulum mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment, the transmission mechanism comprises a hub, the hub being arranged to transmit the torque from the torque limiter to the transmission unit, the hub being able to transmit the torque to a shaft of the transmission unit, for example with cooperating teethes.

In a preferred embodiment, a damper unit transmit the torque from the torque limiter to the hub.

In a preferred embodiment, the pendulum has oscillating masses mounted on a support which is coupled to the hub In a preferred embodiment, the pendulum oscillating masses are arranged axially between the flexible flywheel and the damper unit or between the flexible flywheel and the torque limiter.

In a preferred embodiment, the torque limiter has friction members adapted to slip when the torque transmitted is greater than a predeterminated torque, the pendulum oscillating masses being arranged axially between the flexible flywheel and the friction members of torque limiter, so that the flexible plate, the oscillating masses of pendulum and the friction members overlap axially.

In a preferred embodiment, the oscillating masses are arranged radially outside of the assembly element which provide connection of the flywheel to the crankshaft, for example radially outside the screw heads. The space occupied by the oscillating masses is located radially outside of the space dedicated to receive the screw heads of the screws which couple the flywheel to the crank shaft. In other words, the assembly element which provide connection of the flywheel to the crankshaft and the oscillating masses of the pendulum overlap radially.

Thus, the axial dimensions of the assembly is very good (not cumbersome).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 a, a representative upper isometric view of the subject matter transmission mechanism is given. In Figure 1 b, a representative lower isometric view of the subject matter transmission mechanism is given.

In Figure 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, the representative cross sectional views of the possible exemplary embodiments of the subject matter transmission mechanism are given.

REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 Transmission mechanism

20 Torque limiter

21 Vibration damper

30 Flexible flywheel

31 Flexible plate

32 Inertia plate

321 Channel

33 Geared plate/ starting gear

34 Support plate

35 Connection element

36 Assembly element 40 Pendulum mechanism

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter transmission mechanism (10) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

The word "radially" has to be understood in reference with the axis of rotation of the flywheel. The subject matter transmission mechanism (10) basically comprises a torque limiter (20) and a flexible flywheel (30).

Flexible flywheel is connected to the crank shaft of the internal combustion engine. The torque limiter (20) is provided in circular form, and it is connected to the vibration damper from the inner diameter thereof and it is connected to the transmission units of the vehicle, having hybrid motor, from the vibration dampening center. The torque limiter is connected to the flexible flywheel (30) from the vicinity of the outer wall. When the torque, obtained in the engine, exceeds a predetermined value, the torque limiter (20) prevents the excessive torque from being transferred to the transmission units.

In an embodiment, there is a pendulum mechanism (40) connected to the vibration dampening (21 ) section of the torque limiter (20) or to the transmission unit. Said pendulum mechanism (40) is preferably positioned between the flexible flywheel (30) and the vibration damper (21 ). Thanks to the pendulum mechanism (40), the vibration isolation capability of the transmission mechanism (10) is improved. The flexible flywheel (30) basically comprises a flexible plate (31 ) and an inertia plate (32). The flexible plate (31 ) is provided in the form of a circular disc. The flexible plate (31 ) is made of spring material and it is produced at a thinner form than the flywheels of the prior art. The inertia plate (32) is provided in the form of a circular frame. The inertia plate (32) is preferably positioned in the vicinity of the outer wall of the flexible plate (31 ). The inertia plate (32) and the flexible plate (35) are connected to each other by means of connection elements (35). Bolt or rivet is used as said connection element (35).

An embodiment with bolts (35) is shown on the figure 2c. The bolt head is in the engine side of the inertia plate in order to clamp easily the torque limiter against the inertial plate.

An embodiment with rivets (35) is shown on the figure 2d A counterbore provided in the torque limiter side of the inertia plate makes possible to embed the rivet head in order to clamp the torque limiter against the inertial plate. The flexible plate (31 ) is connected to the crank shaft of the engine from the vicinity of the center thereof. The connection of the flexible plate (31 ) to the crank shaft is provided by the assembly elements (36). The assembly element (36) is preferably bolt. At the section where the flexible plate (31 ) is connected to the crank shaft, there is at least one support plate (34). The support plate (34) can be provided on the face of the flexible plate (31 ) facing the crank shaft or on the opposite face thereof or on both of said faces. Thanks to the support plate (34), at the section where the flexible plate (31 ) is connected to the crank shaft, the thickness thereof is increased and the strength of the flexible plate (31 ) is increased.

In a possible application of the present invention, moreover, a geared plate (33) can be provided on the flexible flywheel (30). The geared plate (33) is provided in the form of a circular frame and there are teeth on the outer wall thereof. The geared plate (33) can be provided between the flexible plate (31 ) and the inertia plate (32) (fig 2e), or the flexible plate (31 ) can be provided between the inertia plate (32) and the geared plate (33) (fig 2f). The assembly of the geared plate (33) is realized by means of the connection elements (35) which connect the inertia plate (32) and the flexible plate (31 ) to each other (fig 2f). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the geared plate (33) can be fixed onto a channel (321 ) provided on the inertia plate (32) (fig 2e).

As shown In figure 2f, the flexible plate (31 ) can be mounted between the geared plate (or starting gear (33) and the inertia plate (32). The fixation of the geared plate can be done easily by riveting together the geared plate (33), the flexible plate (31 ) and the inertia plate (32) with the same rivets.

For the assembly of the subject matter transmission mechanism (10) to the vehicle, first of all, the flexible flywheel (30) is connected to the crank shaft by means of assembly elements (36). Afterwards, the torque limiter (20) is connected to the flexible flywheel (30) by means of bolt-like fixation elements.

The transmission mechanism (10) provides the reduction of the engine noises of the vehicle thanks to the used flexible flywheel (30). Thanks to the flexible flywheel (30), vibrations occurring on the transmission unit side are reduced. Moreover, the transmission mechanism (10) resonates at a lower revolution therefore the vibrations of the vehicle are reduced.

Thanks to the usage of the flexible flywheel (30), the thickness and weight of the flywheel are reduced when compared with the prior art. Thus, a transmission mechanism (10) is obtained which is lighter and which occupies less space when compared with the prior art.

As shown in the figures, pendulum has oscillating masses which can be arranged radially inside the inertia plate (32).

The masses of the pendulum can be implemented axially between the flywheel and the friction surfaces of the torque limiter without to extend in a significant way the axial length of the assembly (torque limiter, vibration damper and flywheel). Thus the axial dimensions of the assembly are such that in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, there is radial overlapping between the assembly elements which fix the flexible flywheel (20) to the crank shaft and the masses of the pendulum (40). In other word, the transmission mechanism can be dimensioned such that the space dedicated to receive a part of the assembly elements which provide connection of the flexible flywheel (20), for example bolt heads, is just radially inside oscillating masses of the pendulum. In an other embodiment shown in the figure 3, the pendulum has a support realised with two plates (42, 43) : a radially inner plate (42) and a radially outer plate (43). The radially inner plate(42) is fitted to the hub (41 ) for example by welding, and the radially outer plate (43) supports the oscillating masses (45). Rivets (44) are used for the assembly of the radially inner plate (42) and the radially outer plate (43). The radially outer plate is arranged against the flywheel side of the radially inner plate in order to offset the pendulum masses towards flexible plate. Thus the pendulum masses are closed to the flexible plate. A space is available radially inside of the radially outer plate of the support of the pendulum. This space can be used for the bolt heads of the bolts used to fix the flexible flywheel to the crank shaft. Thus, the pendulum masses can be axially offset with respect to the hub and located radially ouside of these bolt heads. Consequently, with the low axial thickness of the flexible plate, the axial packaging of the assembly is good. An elastomere layer 48 can be tightened between the radially inner plate and the radially outer plate, around the rivets, to absorb vibrations.

Thanks to the assembly type of the transmission mechanism (10), the maintenance costs are reduced. Accordingly, in case there is a failure on the torque limiter (20), the torque limiter (20) can be easily separated from the flexible flywheel (30) and it can be repaired or changed easily.

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.

Claims

A transmission mechanism (10) having a torque limiter (20) in order to provide transfer of the movement, received from the crank shaft of the engine, to the transmission units in vehicles having hybrid engine; characterized by comprising at least one flexible flywheel (30) provided between the torque limiter (20) and the crank shaft.

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible flywheel (30) comprises at least one flexible plate (31 ) connected to the crank shaft.

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 2, wherein the flexible flywheel (30) comprises at least one inertia plate (32) connected to the flexible plate (31 ).

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 3, wherein the inertia plate (32) is provided in the form of a circular frame.

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 2, further comprising at least one support plate (34) is positioned at the section of the flexible plate (31 ) connected to the crank shaft.

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 3, further comprising at least one connection element (35) in order to provide connection of the flexible plate (31 ) and the inertia plate (32) in a detachable manner.

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible flywheel (20) is configured to be connectable to the torque limiter in a detachable manner.

A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one assembly element (36) in order to provide connection of the flexible flywheel (20) to the crank shaft.

9. A transmission mechanism (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible flywheel (20) comprises at least one geared plate (33).

10. A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 9, wherein the geared plate (33) is provided between the inertia plate (32) and the flexible plate (31 ) or on the face of the flexible plate (31 ) facing the crank shaft.

11. A transmission mechanism (10) according to claims 9 or 10 in combination with one of the claims 2 to 6, wherein the geared plate (33), the flexible plate (31 ) and the inertia plate (32) being riveted together with the same rivets.

12. A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the flexible plate (31 ) is mounted between the geared plate (33) and the inertia plate (32).

13. A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 9, wherein the geared plate (33) is placed into a channel (321 ) provided on the inertia plate (32).

14. A transmission mechanism (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one pendulum mechanism (40) connected to the torque limiter (20).

15. A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 14, wherein the torque limiter has friction members adapted to slip when the torque transmitted is greater than a predeterminated torque, the pendulum having oscillating masses being arranged axially between the flexible flywheel and the friction members of torque limiter so that the flexible plate, the oscillating masses of pendulum and the friction members overlap axially.

16. A transmission mechanism (10) according to claim 14 and 8, the pendulum having oscillating masses being arranged radially outside of the assembly element which provide connection of the flexible flywheel (20) to the crank shaft so that the oscillating masses and the assembly element overlap radially.