Gkn Viscodrive Gmbh

Gkn Driveline International Gmbh

Georg Kwoka

Adrian Chludek

Bernd Bender

A drive assembly for the driveline of a motor vehicle with an axle which can be driven when required. The drive assembly includes a drive and a multi-plate coupling. The drive comprises a drive housing with a sleeve-shaped projection in which a drive input shaft is rotatably supported. The multi-plate coupling which is rotatably supported in a coupling housing connected to the drive housing comprises a coupling input part for introducing torque and a coupling output part connected to the drive input shaft in a rotationally fast way. The multi-plate coupling is arranged coaxially on the outside relative to the sleeve-shaped projection and partially axially covers the latter.

Compact drive assembly with multi-plate coupling

The invention relates to a controllable viscous coupling for generating a locking effect between two coupling parts rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis, more particularly for the driveline of a motor vehicle. The viscous coupling comprises a first coupling part, a second coupling part, wherein the first and the second coupling part form a sealed annular chamber. First plates are connected to the first coupling part in a rotationally fast way and second plates are connectable to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way, as well as controllable connecting means to allow switching between an open position in which the second plates are freely rotatable relative to the second coupling part, and a closed position in which the second plates are connected to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way.

Controllable viscous coupling

The invention relates to a controllable viscous coupling for generating a locking effect between two coupling parts rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis, more particularly for the driveline of a motor vehicle. This viscous coupling comprises a first coupling part, a second coupling part, wherein the first and the second coupling part form a sealed annular chamber. First plates are connectable to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way. Controllable connecting apparatus allow switching between an open position in which the second plates are freely rotatable relative to the second coupling part and a closed position in which the second plates are connected to the second coupling part in a rotationally fast way.

A viscous coupling comprising two parts which form an annular chamber which is filled with a highly viscous fluid and in which first coupling plates are connected to the first one of the parts for rotation therewith and second coupling plates are connectable to the second one of the parts which are arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction. The second coupling plates are arranged so as to alternate with clamping rings in the second one of the parts , which clamping rings , in turn, are connected to the second one of the parts for rotation therewith. A first axial adjusting device acts in an axial direction on the second coupling plates and on the clamping rings and locks the same relative to one another and to the second one of the parts . A brake assembly for the setting ring comprises a second viscous coupling having a second annular chamber which is filled with a highly viscous fluid and in which third coupling plates are connected to the setting ring for rotation therewith. Fourth coupling plates are connectable to the other one of the two parts and are arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction. The fourth coupling plates are arranged so as to alternate with second clamping rings on one of the parts, which clamping rings , in turn, are connected for rotation with one of the parts; and have a second axial adjusting device for the setting ring of the brake assembly.

Viscous coupling

A viscous coupling having two rotatable parts in the form of a hub and a housing for the transmission of torque between the rotatable parts caused by a positive speed differential between the rotatable parts, which are supported inside one another, which are rotatable relative to one another around a common longitudinal axis, and which form an annular chamber which is filled with a highly viscous fluid and in which first coupling plates non-rotatably connected to the first one of the two rotatable parts, e.g. the hub, and second coupling plates non-rotatably connected to the second one of the rotatable parts, e.g. the housing, are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction. There is provided a freewheeling assembly comprising two rings which, if torque flows in a first direction at a positive speed differential between the first rotatable part and the second rotatable part, has a locking effect in both directions of rotation of the two rings at least above a relative rotational acceleration, and which, if torque flows in a second direction at a negative speed differential between the first and second rotatable parts, has an unlocking effect in both directions of relative rotation of said first and second rotatable parts, the freewheeling assembly is effective between a selected one of the first and second rotatable parts and a plate carrier which carries at least part of the coupling plates of the selected one of the first and second rotatable parts.

Viscous coupling with symmetric freewheeling assembly

A viscous coupling for lockingly connecting two parts which are rotatable relative to one another, having the following characteristics: a first coupling part is provided in the form of a rotational housing; a second coupling part is provided in the form of a hub; the first coupling part and the second coupling part are arranged so as to be rotatable relative to one another and, while being positioned co-axially inside one another, together form a sealed annular chamber; inside the chamber, there are arranged axially-alternating first coupling plates in the shape of annular discs with means for providing a non-rotatable connection with the first coupling part, and second coupling plates in the shape of annular discs with means for providing a non-rotatable connection with the second coupling part; otherwise, the annular chamber is at least partially filled with a viscous fluid; the coupling plates, in their entirety, are divided into at least two functionally different sets of coupling plates each of which set comprises first and second coupling plates and forms separated axial regions positioned one behind the other; at least one set of coupling plates is provided with means allowing the first or the second coupling plates to be controllably connected to, or separated from, the respective coupling part.

Apparatus and method for controllable viscous coupling

A viscous coupling comprising two parts which are supported inside one another, which are rotatable around a common longitudinal axis and which form an annular chamber which is filled with a highly viscous medium and in which there are arranged inner plates which are non-rotatably connected to the inner one of the parts and form a set of inner plates, as well as outer plates which are non-rotatably connected to the outer one of the parts and form a set of outer plates, said inner plates and outer plates being arranged so as to alternate in the longitudinal direction for the purpose of generating a coupling effect between the two parts when the latter rotate relative to one another, wherein a partial set of one of the sets of inner plates and outer plates is directly carried by a sleeve which is connected to the part of the coupling which carries said set of inner plates or outer plates in such a way that it can be uncoupled.

Differential-speed-dependent automatic coupling with reduction switching means

An automatic coupling has two parts supported inside one another, and which are rotatable around a common longitudinal axis. The parts form an annular chamber. An annular piston axially divides the annular chamber into two compartments. The annular piston is connected to one of the parts in a rotationally fast and axially movable way and there is formed a shear channel which extends helically relative to the longitudinal axis. The shear channel connects the two compartments separated by the annular piston to one another. The end faces of the annular chamber are formed by the other one of the parts, with the annular piston being able to support itself on the end faces of the annular chamber while generating braking forces.

Differential-speed-dependent coupling

A differential drive has a differential carrier rotatably drivably supported around an axis in a drive housing. Two axle shaft gears are arranged in coaxial bores while being supported around the axis so as to be rotatable relative to the differential carrier. A plurality of differential gears are rotatably supported in axis-parallel cylindrical pockets in the differential carrier and rotate with the differential carrier. A first group of differential gears engage one of the axle shaft gears and a second group of differential gears engage the other one of the axle shaft gears. The axle shaft gears and the differential gears are designed as helical gears. The differential gears, on their tooth heads, rotate in the pockets, and the differential carrier has a central portion with the bores for the axle shaft gears and the pockets for the differential gears. Two cover parts axially close the bores and the pockets. In the central portion, there are provided continuous axis-parallel oil return bores which, by means of connecting grooves in the end faces of the central portion and/or in the inner faces of the cover parts are connected to the open ends of the pockets emerging at the respective end face.

Mechanical locking differential

A differential drive having a controllable locking device is loaded by a differential-speed-dependent actuating device. A rotatingly drivable differential carrier is supported in a drive housing and is provided with axle shaft bevel gears which are co-axially arranged therein and which are connectable by insertable axle shaft journals. A plurality of differential bevel gears are rotatably arranged on radial journals in the housing and each engage both axle shaft gears, with the axes of the journals of the differential bevel gears being positioned in a central plane of the differential carrier. A multi-plate coupling unit for locking purposes is arranged co-axially in the differential carrier relative to the central plane on a first side of the unit and with a pump unit for actuating purposes being arranged co-axially in the differential carrier relative to the central plane on a second side of the unit.

Differential drive

The invention relates to a coupling unit having a viscous coupling A and a friction coupling B. The coupling housing 29 of the friction coupling B is connected to the input and the hub 12 of the viscous coupling A to the output. Between the end face of the housing 17 of the viscous coupling A and the end face of the pressure plate 28 of the friction coupling B there are provided setting means 27 in the form of ramps. Up to a predetermined torque value, the torque is transmitted from the coupling housing 29 to the hub 12, i.e. it is transmitted only by the viscous coupling A to the hub 12 and the plug-in shaft connected thereto, and after the predetermined torque has been exceeded, torque is additionally transmitted by the friction coupling B via the coupling hub 48 to the plug-in shaft also connected to the latter. By associating the setting means with the end faces at the housing 17 and pressure plate 28 it is ensured that when using such coupling units in motor vehicles for at least partially blocking the functions of an axle differential, it is possible to obtain characteristic curves for blocking purposes of the most varied type because the setting means are provided with long rotational paths for being converted into axial setting movements.

Coupling unit having at least one viscous coupling and one friction

The invention relates to a driving device for a roller shutter 1. For driving the roller shutter 1 into the open position there is provided a motor 8 with a drive 7 and a chain drive 5 which acts on the bearing shaft 3 of the roller 2 winding up the roller shutter 1. When using such shutters 1 as fire-resistant shutters 1, they must be transferable into the closed position under the influence of their dead weight, i.e. without involving any external energy. To allow the closing movement to proceed in a controlled way, the viscous coupling 10 constitutes a braking element whose housing is held non-rotatably and whose coupling hub is rotatably connected to the bearing shaft 3. The viscous coupling 10 is designed in such a way that in the rotational direction corresponding to moving the shutter into the open position, it generates practically no counter moment, whereas in the rotational movement resulting from moving the shutter 1 into the closed position, it generates a braking moment, allowing the shutter 1 to move into the closed position in a damped way. In this way it is possible to provide a simply designed driving device which is automatically adjusted to the respective direction and conditions of movement.

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Georg Kwoka