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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
CLUTCH-SHAFT FOR QUICK EXCHANGE OF CLUTCH EQUIPMENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2004/098836
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The object of the invention is a clutch-shaft for quick exchange of clutch equipment of motor vehicles, which makes possible the exchange of parts of clutch equipment without dismantling the engine and gearbox in a way, that instead of the common input gear-shaft a telescopic clutch-shaft is built in, and a splined shaft of said telescopic clutch-shaft can be shifted lengthwise on a drive shaft. The clutch-shaft according to the invention (5) consists of a drive shaft (7) joining a gearbox, connecting a clutch disc (3) and a gearbox (16) as well as a splined shaft (6) prestressed by a pressure spring (11) joining the drive shaft (7) telescopically, said splined shaft (6) joins furthermore the clutch disc (3), which is characterized by that, the drive shaft (7) has a lengthwise inside hollow or opening and a lengthwise tension element (13) is connected to the splined shaft (6) joining the clutch disc (3), said lengthwise tension element (13) is run in the inner part of the drive shaft (7) with hollow inside, and said lengthwise tension element (13) is led out of the drive shaft (7) by a guiding bore (15) placed on the side of the drive shaft (7) next to the gearbox (16).

Inventors:
SCHUELT ANTAL (HU)
Application Number:
PCT/HU2004/000048
Publication Date:
November 18, 2004
Filing Date:
May 07, 2004
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SCHUELT ANTAL (HU)
International Classes:
B25B27/00; F16D13/58; (IPC1-7): B25B27/00; F16D13/58
Foreign References:
FR2710956A11995-04-14
US5295291A1994-03-22
US4735298A1988-04-05
US3982614A1976-09-28
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Varga, Tamás Péter (Budapest, HU)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS
1. Clutchshaft for quick exchange of clutch equipment of motor vehicles, said clutchshaft (5) consists of a drive shaft (7) joining a gearbox, connecting a clutch disc (3) and a gearbox (16) as well as a splined shaft (6) prestressed by a pressure spring (11) joining the drive shaft (7) telescopically, said splined shaft (6) joins furthermore the clutch disc (3), characterized by that, the drive shaft (7) has a lengthwise inside hollow or opening and a lengthwise tension element (13) is connected to the splined shaft (6) joining the clutch disc (3), said lengthwise tension element (13) is run in the inner part of the drive shaft (7) with hollow inside, and said lengthwise tension element (13) is led out of the drive shaft (7) by a guiding bore (15) placed on the side of the drive shaft (7) next to the gearbox (16).
2. Clutchshaft according to claim 1 characterized by that, the guiding bore (15) is of archtype, preferably quarter or halfarch shape.
3. Clutchshaft according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by that, a ring (14) is fastened to the lengthwise tension element (13).
4. Clutchshaft according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterized by that, the lengthwise tension element (13) is a wire, in given case a steel wire or steel cable in given case bowden, or plastic fibre, of complex of twisted plastic fibres.
5. Clutchshaft according to any of claims 1 to 4 characterized by that, the splined shaft (6) is located and guided on the outer part of the drive shaft (7) and is led on the external rib (9) of the drive shaft (7) furthermore the splined shaft (6) is provided with an ribbed internal part (8) in its inside as well, and the external rib (10) of the drive shaft (7) joins the ribbed internal part (8) of the splined shaft (6).
6. Clutchshaft according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterized by that, the splined shaft (6) is located and guided in the inside of the drive shaft (7), furthermore the drive shaft (7) is provided with ribbed internal part (10), and the ribbed internal part (10) of the drive shaft (7) joins the external rib (8) of the splined shaft (6).
7. Clutchshaft according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterized by that, the material of the drive shaft (7) and that of the splined shaft (6) is steel.
Description:
Clutch-shaft for quick exchange of clutch equipment The object of the invention is a clutch-shaft for quick exchange of clutch equipment of motor vehicles, which makes possible the exchange of parts of clutch equipment without dismantling the engine and gearbox in a way, that instead of the common input gear-shaft a telescopic clutch-shaft is built in, and a splined shaft of said telescopic clutch-shaft can be shifted lengthwise on a drive shaft.

It is well known, that the equipment of the clutch-shaft, the clutch disc, the withdrawal section, the withdrawal bearing, and the flywheel are damaged during ordinary use and are bound to be exchanged. This procedure is very labor- intensive, as the gearbox of. the vehicle and at certain types even the engine must be dismantled to get access to the exchange of worn-out spare parts. (See furthermore e. g. Ternai : The Car, Technical Publishers 1974).

Patent description US 6 658 340 makes known a method for setting the transfer function of the clutch equipment in the state of the art. WO 03/089264 international publication makes known a method and a device for controlling of clutch equipment through the brake system.

FR 2 710 956 patent description makes known a compact removable clutch unit, which is built of a clutch-shaft of telescopic structure. The clutch-shaft described in it consists of two parts, which join each other telescopically and are pre- tensioned by a spring. In case of exchange of the clutch equipment the telescopically joined parts are pushed into each other, so the old clutch disc can be removed, respectively the new clutch disc can be put in. After having positioned the new clutch disc the telescopic shaft is pushed back into the basic position by the spring. The disadvantage of this solution is, that a tool is required for the application, therefore it is complicated, it does not make the exchange of the clutch-shaft any easier, because the equipment moving the clutch must be removed.

The deficiency of the solution in the state of art is, that the equipment of the clutch-shaft can be exchanged with difficulty, with the use of additional aids.

We aimed to find a solution, which eliminates the faults and deficiencies of the solution in the state of art and makes possible the exchange of clutch disc, withdrawal section, withdrawal bearing, and flywheel within a short time.

Working out the solution according to the invention we realized, that it is possible to exchange the parts of the clutch equipment without dismantling the engine and gearbox within a short time with applying a special clutch shaft.

The inventon is a clutch-shaft for quick exchange of clutch equipment of motor vehicles, said clutch-shaft consists of a drive shaft joining a gearbox, connecting a clutch disc and a gearbox as well as a splined shaft prestressed by a pressure spring joining the drive shaft telescopically, said splined shaft joins furthermore the clutch disc, which is characterized by, that the drive shaft has a lengthwise inside hollow or opening and a lengthwise tension element is connected to the splined shaft joining the clutch disc, said lengthwise tension element is run in the inner part of the drive shaft with hollow inside, and said lengthwise tension element is led out of the drive shaft by a guiding bore placed on the side of the drive shaft next to the gearbox.

In a preferred embodiment of the solution according the invention the guiding bore is of arch-type, preferably quarter or half-arch shape.

In another preferred embodiment of the solution according the invention a ring is fastened to the lengthwise tension element.

In a further preferred embodiment of the solution according the invention the lengthwise tension element is a wire, in given case a steel wire or steel cable in given case bowden, or plastic fibre, of complex of twisted plastic fibres.

In a further preferred embodiment of the solution according the invention the splined shaft is located and guided on the outer part of the drive shaft and is led on the external rib of the drive shaft furthermore the splined shaft is provided with an ribbed internal part in its inside as well, and the external rib of the drive shaft joins the ribbed internal part of the splined shaft.

In a further preferred embodiment of the solution according the invention the splined shaft is located and guided in the inside of the drive shaft, furthermore the drive shaft is provided with ribbed internal part, and the ribbed internal part of the drive shaft joins the external rib of the splined shaft.

In a further preferred embodiment of the solution according the invention the material of the drive shaft and that of the splined shaft is steel.

The solution according to the invention is set forth by the following Figures: Figure 1 shows one of the preferable applications of the clutch shaft 5 according to the invention in side view in section in an external state.

Figure 2 shows one of the preferable applications of the clutch shaft 5 according to the invention as Fig 1 in side view in section in an internal state.

Figure 3 shows another preferable application of the clutch shaft 5 according to the invention in side view in section in an external state.

Figure 4 shows another preferable application of the clutch-shaft 5 as in Fig 3 in side view in section in an internal state.

Figure 5 shows the clutch-shaft 5 according to the invention and the crankshaft 20 in a separated state.

Figure 6 shows the clutch-shaft 5 according to the invention and the crankshaft 20 in a fastened state.

Figure 7 shows the clutch disc 3 in view.

Figure 8 shows the engine 1, the clutch equipment, furthermore the arrangement of the gearbox 16 in a closed fastened state of the clutch-shaft 5.

Figure 9 shows the engine 1, the clutch equipment, furthermore the arrangement of the gearbox 16 in an unfastened state of the clutch-shaft 5.

Figure 1 shows one of the preferable applications of the clutch shaft 5 according to the invention in side view in section in an external state. In this application the inside of the splined shaft 6 joins telescopically the inside of the drive shaft 7. In the figure the drive shaft 7 and the splined shaft 6 placed inside the drive shaft 7 can be seen. The external rib 9 of the splined shaft 6 joins the rib 10 of the drive shaft 7. Furthermore the pressure spring 11, the lengthwise tension element 13 with the fastener 12 as well as the ring 14 at the end of the lengthwise tension element 13 and the guiding bore 15 formed in the drive shaft 7 can be seen in the figure. As it can be seen in the figure, the drive shaft 7 has a lengthwise inner hollow or opening, in which the lengthwise tension element 13 joining the splined shaft 6 is run. The lengthwise tension element 13 is led out from the drive shaft 7 through the guiding bore 15 formed on the side of the drive shaft 7 where the gearbox 16 is placed.

In the basic state the splined shaft 6 is pushed out of the inside of drive shaft 7 by the power of pressure spring 11, and it keeps the splined shaft 6 in this state. In this position the splined shaft 6 and the withdrawal section 4 join the central opening of the clutch disc 3 in a fastened state. The centralizing stud 19 at the end of the splined shaft 6 leaning against bearing 21 of crankshft 20 in fastened state ensures, that this state could be kept during operation.

Figure 2 shows one of the preferable applications of the clutch shaft 5 according to the invention as Fig 1 in side view in section in an internal state. Drive shaft 7, with splined shaft 6 inside, inner drive shaft rib 10 as well as pressure spring 11, lengthwise tension element 13 with the fastener 12 and ring 14 at the end as well as guiding bore 15 can be seen in this figure. The splined shaft 6 is drawn in the inside of the drive shaft 7 against the pressure spring 11 with the help of the lengthwise tension element 13. The splined shaft 6 can be kept in internal state with the help of ring 14 joining the end of lengthwise tension element 13. In this position the splined shaft 6 draws out of the central opening of the withdrawal section 4 and clutch disc 3, so the clutch structure can be easily removed.

Figure 3 shows another preferable application of the clutch shaft 5 according to the invention in side view in section in an external state. In this application the splined shaft 6 telescopically joins the outer rib 10 of the drive shaft 7 from outside. In the figure drive shaft 7 and the splined shaft 6 can be seen in an external state. In the figure it can be furthermore seen the drive shaft rib 10 joining the ribbed internal part 8 of the splined shaft 6, furthermore the external rib 9 of the splined shaft 6 as well as the fastener 12 of the lengthwise tension element 13 and the ring 14 as well as the guiding bore 15. The pressure spring 11 ensures the external state of the splined shaft 6.

As it can be seen in Fig 3 the drive shaft 7 has a lengthwise inner hollow or opening, in which the lengthwise tension element 13 joining the splined shaft 6 is run. The lengthwise tension element 13 is run from the drive shaft 7 through the guiding bore 15 formed on the side of the drive shaft 7 where the gearbox 16 is located. Keeping the given state during operation is ensured by the centralizing stud 19 at the end of the splined shaft 6 resting on the bearing 21 of the crankshaft 20.

Figure 4 shows another preferable application of the clutch-shaft 5 as in Fig 3 in side view in section in an internal state. In the figure the drive shaft 7 and the splined shaft 6 can be seen in state drawn in to each other. In the figure the external rib 10 of the drive shaft 7 joining the ribbed internal part 8 of the splined shaft 6, furthermore the external rib 9 of the splined shaft 6 as well as the fastener 12 of the lengthwise tension element 13 and the ring 14 as well as the guiding bore 15 can be seen. The splined shaft 6 is drawn on the surface of the drive shaft 7 against the power of the pressure spring 11 with the help of the lengthwise tension element 13. In this drawn in state the splined shaft 6 can be kept with the ring 14 joining the end of the lengthwise tension element 13. In this state the splined shaft 6 runs out of the central opening of the withdrawal section 4 and the central opening of the clutch disc 3 and this way the clutch structure can be easily removed.

Figure 5 shows the clutch-shaft 5 according to the invention and the crankshaft 20 in a separated state from each other. Figure 5 shows the clutch-shaft 5 which is positioned on the same axis with the crankshaft 20. The flywheel 2 joins the crankshaft 20 and the withdrawal section 4 of the clutch structure is fixed with screws 17. In the centre of crankshaft 20 in the middle rib bore 18 is placed the bearing 21. In this state in conformity with Fig 2 the splined shaft 6 of the clutch- shaft 5 is drawn into the drive shaft 7.

Figure 6 shows the clutch-shaft 5 according to the invention and the crankshaft 20 in a fastened state. This time in accordance with Fig 1 the splined shaft 6 of the clutch-shaft 5 is pushed out of the drive shaft 7. In this state in built-in state the splined shaft 6 joins the central opening of withdrawal section 4 and clutch disc 3.

The centralizing stud 19 at the end of the splined shaft 6 resting on the 21 bearing of the crankshaft 20 in fastened state ensures keeping of this state while in operation.

According to figures 5 and 6 in case of exchanging the clutch disc the splined shaft 6 is drawn back from the inside of the clutch disc 3 with the help of the lengthwise tension element 13, then after having sufficiently removed the withdrawal section 4 the clutch disc 3 is exchanged. Then the withdrawal section 4 is put back, but before fixing it with a screw, the splined shaft 6 is released.

During this procedure the splined shaft 6 goes through the ribbed internal part part of the clutch disc 3 and the centralizing stud 19 at the end of the splined shaft 6 rests in the bore of the bearing 21 at the end of the crankshaft 20. It positions the splined shaft 6 in radial direction and supports it lengthwise. The procedure is the same if realisations according to figures 3,4 are used, as the definite external or internal joining of the drive shaft 7 and the splined shaft 6 does not influence the operation of the structure.

Figure 7 shows the clutch disc 3 in view with the ribbed internal part 22 formed in the middle. Furthermore the ferodo 23 part on the outer rim of the clutch disc 3 can be seen in the figure as well.

Figure 8 shows the engine 1, the clutch equipment, furthermore the arrangement of the gearbox 16 in a closed fastened state of the clutch-shaft 5. The engine 1, the flywheel 2 joining it, the clutch disc 3 and the withdrawal section 4 can be seen in the figure. The clutch-shaft 5 joining the gearbox 16 with the clutch disc 3 is built of two main parts the drive, shaft 7 and the splined shaft 6, which are connected telescopically. As it can be seen in the figure this case the splined shaft 6 is in external state and the lengthwise tension element 13 is completely drawn into the drive shaft 7.

Figure 9 shows the engine 1, the clutch equipment, furthermore the arrangement of the gearbox 16 in an unfastened state of the clutch-shaft 5. The engine 1, the flywheel 2 joining it, the clutch disc 3 and the withdrawal section 4 can be seen in the figure. The two main parts of the clutch-shaft 5 the drive shaft 7 and the splined shaft 6 sconnecting the gearbox 16 and the clutch disc 3 are slipped into each other, in unfastened state, which makes possible the exchange of the clutch equipment.

In a preferable application of the solution according to the invention in case of exchanging or repairing the clutch equipment the screws 17 fixing the withdrawal section 4 to the flywheel 2 are undone, then the ring 14 is pulled until stop, which causes the splined shaft 6 to go on the drive shaft 7 respectively into the drive shaft 7 through the lengthwise tension element 13 and the fastener 12, so the clutch shaft 5 becomes unfastened.

This way the worn-out parts of the clutch structure, such as clutch disc 3, withdrawal section 4 as well as the withdrawal bearing can be easily removed.

When putting back the new spare parts, the ring 14 is pulled until stop and the new spare parts are put back to their place and the ring 14 is released. Then the pressure spring 11 pushes back the splined shaft 6 into closed, fastened state, then the screws 17 of the withdrawal section 4 are fixed.

In a definite application of the solution according to the invention the material of the clutch-shaft is steel, the splined shaft 6 and the drive shaft 7 are made of the same material, preferably of steel. The other parts of the solution are made of ordinary materials and methods. The guiding bore 15 is of arch-type, preferably quarter or half-arch shape. The lengthwise tension element 13, in given case steel wire or steel cable in given case bowden, or plastic fibre, of complex of twisted plastic fibres.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is, that it is not necessary to dismantle the gearbox and in certain cases the engine of motor vehicles, for the exchange of the clutch equipment. The clutch-shaft according to the invention passes the torque of the engine to the gearbox in closed, fastened state, but it becomes unfastened due to the lengthwise shift of the splined shaft making possible the exchange of the clutch equipment. This way the clutch equipment can be exchanged without undoing the unity of the engine and gearbox. Compared with other well-known solutions it is not required to apply a special tool and removal of the whole clutch equipment is not necessary.