Self-adjusting clutch actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11512745-B2
Application number	US-201917256436-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2019
Priority date	Jun 28, 2018
Publication date	Nov 29, 2022
Grant date	Nov 29, 2022

Abstract

A self-adjusting clutch actuator includes a transmission element displaceable in a displacement direction; and a compensation mechanism having a piston displaceable in the displacement direction of the transmission element. The compensation mechanism allows a first relative displacement (X) of the transmission element relative to the piston in the displacement direction when there is no actuating force in the clutch actuator, and blocks the first relative displacement (X) when an actuating force is introduced into the clutch actuator by bringing a frictional element (4) into contact with a counter-element. The frictional element (4) is designed for a second relative displacement (Y) relative to the counter-element when the first relative displacement (X) is not blocked by the compensation mechanism (22). A translatory mechanism provided between the transmission element (1) and the piston (2) is designed to cause the second relative movement (Y), by the first relative displacement (X) relative to the counter-element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A self-adjusting clutch actuator, comprising:
a transmission element configured for displacement in a displacement direction;
a compensation mechanism having a piston configured for displacement in the displacement direction, the compensation mechanism being configured to enable a first relative displacement of the transmission element in the displacement direction relative to the piston if no actuating force is introduced into the clutch actuator, and to block the first relative displacement in the displacement direction if an actuating force is introduced into the clutch actuator by a first friction element brought into contact in a frictionally locking manner with a mating element, the first friction element being configured to carry out a second relative movement with respect to the mating element if the first relative displacement is not blocked by the compensation mechanism; and
a transmission mechanism arranged between the transmission element and the piston, the transmission mechanism being configured to cause the second relative movement by way of the first relative displacement in the displacement direction of the transmission element relative to the mating element,
wherein
the first friction element has a fixed connection to the transmission element in the direction of the second relative movement, and
the compensation mechanism is configured to bring at least two faces of the first friction element into contact with the mating element directly, via at least one intermediate element, or both directly and via the at least one intermediate element.

2. The self-adjusting clutch actuator of claim 1 , wherein
the piston is the mating element.

3. The self-adjusting clutch actuator of claim 1 , wherein
the piston is configured as a basket, and
the first friction element is arranged within the basket.

4. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the second relative movement of the first friction element relative to the mating element is less than or equal to the first relative displacement in the displacement direction of the transmission element relative to the piston.

5. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:
an activation element having a clamping element configured to bring the first friction element into a frictionally locking connection with the mating element, further elements or both the mating element and the further elements, when the clutch actuator is loaded with the actuating force.

6. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 5 , wherein
the clamping element is a floating piston in the piston.

7. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 6 , wherein
the transmission mechanism between the transmission element and the piston includes a transmission thread by which the transmission element and the piston are in contact with one another.

8. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one second friction element connected fixedly to the piston in the direction of the second relative movement, the at least one second friction element being configured to be brought into contact with the first friction element connected to the transmission element fixedly in the direction of the second relative movement.

9. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 5 , wherein
the clamping element is configured to be loaded with the actuating force, or
in addition to the activation element, the piston is configured to be loaded with the actuating force.

10. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 9 ,
the actuating force is applied mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, magnetically, or a combination of at least two of mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, electrically, magnetically.

11. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising:
a spring element configured to load the clamping element away from the first friction element.

12. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claims 4 , further comprising:
a housing configured to cooperate with the piston to define a pressure space, the pressure space being configured to receive pressure from a pressure source to generate the actuating force to be applied to the clamping element or to the piston the clamping element.

13. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising:
a stop arranged in the housing against such that the piston bears against the stop in the end stop position of the piston,
wherein the piston is arranged in the housing and is displaceable in the displacement direction.

14. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one further first friction element connected to the transmission element fixedly in the direction of the second relative movement, the at least one further first friction element being configured to be brought into contact with at least one friction element which is connected to the piston fixedly in the direction of the second relative movement, with the mating element, or with both the at least one friction element which is connected to the piston fixedly in the direction of the second relative movement and the mating element.

15. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 14 , wherein
the friction elements are arranged in an alternating manner in the displacement direction, and
the mating element and the clamping element flank the friction elements.

16. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a spring element configured to load the transmission element with a force counter to the force of a diaphragm spring of the clutch if the actuating force is not introduced into the clutch actuator.

17. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 16 , wherein
the spring element is supported directly or via intermediate elements between the transmission element and the piston, and
the spring element is configured as a cup or spiral spring or an elastic ring element with a hollow rectangular profile.

18. The self-adjusting clutch actuator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the second relative movement is a rotational movement, a translational movement, or a movement with a rotational component and a translational component.

Assignees

• Knorr Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge Gmbh

Inventors

• Schaller Sebastian

Classifications

• F16D25/087

  the clutch being actuated by the fluid-actuated member via a diaphragm spring or an equivalent array of levers (F16D25/085, F16D25/086 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16D25/082 Primary

  the line of action of the fluid-actuated members co-inciding with the axis of rotation · CPC title

• F16D13/752 Primary

  the adjusting device being located in the actuating mechanism arranged outside the clutch (adjusting "Bowden" mechanisms F16C1/22) · CPC title

• F16D2121/04

  acting on a piston-type actuator, e.g. for liquid pressure · CPC title

• F16D2125/06

  Pistons · CPC title