Magnetic clutch with an axis of rotation for actuating a disconnect clutch

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12365232-B2
Application number	US-202017774156-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 28, 2020
Priority date	Nov 28, 2019
Publication date	Jul 22, 2025
Grant date	Jul 22, 2025

Abstract

A magnetic clutch for actuating a disconnect clutch includes an axis of rotation, an axially fixed stator, an axially movable armature, a torque-axial force converter unit with an armature side and a bearing side, and a rotary brake. The axially movable armature is axially retainable on the stator by a magnetic force from a power supply. The torque-axial force converter unit acts in an antagonistic manner to the magnetic force to hold the armature at an axial distance from the stator. The rotary brake is for effecting a rotational speed difference between the armature side and the bearing side. Other aspects of the disclosure include a disconnect clutch for an internal combustion engine in a hybrid drive train, a hybrid drive train, and a method for controlled closing of the disconnect clutch.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A magnetic clutch for actuating a disconnect clutch, comprising:
an axis of rotation;
an axially fixed stator;
an axially movable armature, axially retainable on the stator by a magnetic force from a power supply;
a torque-axial force converter unit comprising:
an armature side; and
a bearing side, the torque-axial force converter unit acting opposed to the magnetic force to hold the armature at an axial distance from the stator; and

a rotary brake for effecting a rotational speed difference between the armature side and the bearing side.

2. The magnetic clutch of claim 1 , wherein the rotary brake comprises a looped belt.

3. The magnetic clutch of claim 2 wherein the looped belt is frictionally connectable directly to the armature in a torque-transmitting manner.

4. A disconnect clutch for an internal combustion engine in a hybrid drive train, comprising:
a main clutch for separable transmission of a predetermined target torque;
the magnetic clutch of claim 1 for controllable transmission of a pilot torque for the main clutch; and
a ramp system for converting the pilot torque into an axial actuation force, wherein the main clutch is closable by means of the axial actuation force.

5. The disconnect clutch of claim 4 , wherein the main clutch comprises a friction stack designed as a plate stack.

6. The disconnect clutch of claim 5 wherein the ramp system is a pressing means acting directly on the plate stack.

7. The disconnect clutch of claim 4 , wherein the main clutch comprises a friction stack designed as a multi-disk stack.

8. The disconnect clutch of claim 7 wherein the ramp system is a pressing means acting directly on the multi-disk stack.

9. The disconnect clutch of claim 4 , wherein the main clutch comprises a friction stack designed as a single-disk stack.

10. The disconnect clutch of claim 9 further comprising an actuating spring arranged between the ramp system and the single-disk stack.

11. A hybrid drive train, comprising:
an internal combustion engine comprising an internal combustion engine shaft;
an electric drive machine comprising a rotor shaft;
a transmission for transmitting a torque from the internal combustion engine shaft or the rotor shaft to a drive wheel; and
the disconnect clutch of claim 4 arranged between the rotor shaft and the internal combustion engine shaft, wherein the internal combustion engine can be started by the electric drive machine via the disconnect clutch.

12. A motor vehicle, comprising:
a drive wheel for propelling the motor vehicle; and
the hybrid drive train of claim 11 arranged to supply the torque to the drive wheel to propel the motor vehicle.

13. A method for controlled closing of the disconnect clutch of claim 4 , comprising:
closing the rotary brake to effect a relative rotation between the armature side and the bearing side and an axial movement of the torque-axial force converter unit;
supplying power to the magnetic clutch to generate the magnetic force; and
opening the rotary brake and holding the armature on the stator with the magnetic force.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of supplying power to the magnetic clutch is started after an axial gap between the armature and the stator has been completely closed by the axial movement of the torque-axial force converter unit.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the magnetic force can be adjusted between a purely holding minimum force and a maximum force corresponding to the predetermined target torque to operate the main clutch with slippage.

Assignees

• Schaeffler Technologies Ag

Inventors

• Raber Christoph
• Finkenzeller Marc
• Huber Patrick
• Bohnen Jens
• Melischko Dominic

Classifications

• F16D2023/123

  Clutch actuation by cams, ramps or ball-screw mechanisms · CPC title

• F16D48/06

  Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure · CPC title

• F16D27/115 Primary

  with more than two discs, e.g. multiple lamellae · CPC title

• F16D23/12

  Mechanical clutch-actuating mechanisms arranged outside the clutch as such (specific for combined clutches F16D21/00; mechanisms specific for synchronisation F16D23/02) · CPC title

• F16D13/52

  Clutches with multiple lamellae {; Clutches in which three or more axially moveable members are fixed alternately to the shafts to be coupled and are pressed from one side towards an axially-located member (F16D13/385 takes precedence)} · CPC title