Driveline clutch module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018209486-A1
Application number	US-201615744862-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 8, 2016
Priority date	Jul 24, 2015
Publication date	Jul 26, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A clutch module for a powertrain of a motor vehicle, comprises a clutch housing with connection elements; a drive shaft which is rotatably mounted in the clutch housing about a rotational axis by means of a shaft bearing, wherein an outer end portion of the drive shaft lies outside of the clutch housing, and an inner end portion of the drive shaft lies within the clutch housing; a constant velocity joint, a joint outer part of the constant velocity joint being arranged as least partly within the clutch housing and being rotatably mounted in the clutch housing about the rotational axis by means of a joint bearing; and a controllable clutch which is arrange din the clutch housing and which is designed to optionally separate or connect the drive shaft and the joint outer part in order to transmit a torque. A drive assembly can comprise such a clutch module.

First claim

1 .- 15 . (canceled)

16 . A clutch module, for a driveline of a motor vehicle, comprising:
a clutch housing which comprises connecting elements for being connected to a transmission housing; a driveshaft rotatably supported in the clutch housing around a rotational axis by a shaft bearing, wherein an outer end portion of the driveshaft is positioned outside the clutch housing and an inner end portion of the driveshaft is arranged inside the clutch housing; a constant velocity joint having an outer joint part, an inner joint part, and torque transmitting elements that are arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part for transmitting torque, wherein the outer joint part is at least partially arranged inside the clutch housing and is rotatably supported around the rotational axis by a joint bearing in a joint bearing portion of the clutch housing and comprises a cavity, wherein at least one of the joint bearing portion and of the joint bearing at least partially axially overlaps with the cavity of the outer joint part; and a controllable clutch that is arranged in the clutch housing and configured to optionally drivingly connect or disconnect the driveshaft and the outer joint part.

17 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein the clutch comprises a first clutch part that is connected to the second end portion of the driveshaft, a second clutch part that is connected to the outer joint part, and an axially movable coupling element for drivingly connecting the first clutch part and the second clutch part.

18 . Clutch module according to claim 17 ,
wherein the first clutch part and the second clutch part each comprise a greatest outer diameter that is greater than a pitch circle diameter of the torque transmitting elements of the constant velocity joint.

19 . Clutch module according to claim 17 ,
wherein a greatest head diameter of the second clutch part is smaller than an inner bearing seat diameter of the joint bearing.

20 . Clutch module according to claim 17 ,
wherein the coupling element is configured as a sliding muff that is connected to one of the first and the second clutch parts in a rotationally fixed and axially movable way and, by being axially displaced, can be made to engage the other one of the first and the second clutch part in a rotationally fixed way.

21 . Clutch module according to claim 17 ,
wherein an actuator is provided for displacing the coupling element, wherein the actuator comprises an axially movable piston rod, wherein a shift-fork is provided that is fixed to the piston rod and engages an annular groove of the coupling element for transmitting an axial movement of the piston rod to the coupling element.

22 . Clutch element according to claim 21 ,
wherein the actuator is configured in the form of an electro-magnetic actuator, wherein the displacement of the coupling element is effected by magnetic forces.

23 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein the clutch housing comprises a centering face for centering the clutch housing relative to the transmission housing, wherein the centering face is arranged in an axial overlapping region with the shaft bearing.

24 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein a smallest opening diameter of the joint bearing portion is greater than a greatest outer diameter of the outer joint part.

25 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein the clutch housing comprises a shaft bearing portion in which the shaft bearing is arranged, wherein a smallest opening diameter of the shaft bearing portion is smaller than a greatest outer diameter of the driveshaft.

26 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein a radial bearing is provided between the outer joint part and the driveshaft by which the outer joint part and the driveshaft are rotatably supported relative to one another.

27 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein a joint sealing ring is sealingly arranged between an outer face of the outer joint part and an inner face of the clutch housing and seals the clutch housing outwardly, wherein the joint sealing ring at least partially axially overlaps with the cavity of the outer joint part.

28 . Clutch module according to claim 16 ,
wherein the greatest axial length of the outer joint part is smaller than the greatest axial length of the driveshaft.

29 . A drive assembly with a differential gearing and a clutch module,
wherein the clutch module comprises a clutch housing which comprises connecting elements for being connected to a transmission housing; a driveshaft which is rotatably supported in the clutch housing around a rotational axis by a shaft bearing, wherein an outer end portion of the driveshaft is positioned outside the clutch housing and an inner end portion of the driveshaft is arranged inside the clutch housing; a constant velocity joint having an outer joint part, an inner joint part and torque transmitting elements that are arranged between the outer joint part and the inner joint part for transmitting torque, wherein the outer joint part is at least partially arranged inside the clutch housing and is rotatably supported around the rotational axis by a joint bearing in a joint bearing portion of the clutch housing and comprises a cavity, wherein at least one of the joint bearing portion and of the joint bearing at least partially axially overlaps with the cavity of the outer joint part; and a controllable clutch that is arranged in the clutch housing and configured to optionally drivingly connect or disconnect the driveshaft and the outer joint part; wherein the differential gearing comprises a transmission housing, a differential carrier that is rotatably supported in the transmission housing around a rotational axis and is rotatingly drivable by a drive gear, and a differential gear set with two output gears, wherein the clutch housing of the clutch module is connected to the transmission housing of the differential gearing by the connecting elements, wherein the outer end portion of the driveshaft is connected to one of the two output gears of the differential gearing in a rotationally fixed way.

30 . Drive assembly according to claim 29 ,
wherein the clutch housing and the transmission housing are centered relative to one another by a centering assembly.

Assignees

• Gkn Automotive Ltd

Inventors

• Haupt Jan
• Abbenhaus Mortiz

Classifications

• F16H48/08

  comprising bevel gears · CPC title

• F16H57/037

  Gearboxes for accommodating differential gearings (rotating cases for differential gearings F16H48/40) · CPC title

• F16H57/025

  Support of gearboxes, e.g. torque arms, or attachment to other devices · CPC title

• F16D47/02

  of which at least one is a coupling · CPC title

• F16D2023/141

  characterised by using a fork; Details of forks · CPC title