Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, Ag.

Zf Friedrichshafen Ag

Herbert Simon

Franz Muller

Erwin Baur

Jurgen Pohlenz

Hubert Lehle

Hubert Sailer

Friedrich J Ehrlinger

Peter Dziuba

Helmut Konrad

Edwin Baur

Multi-disk clutch connected downstream of a power split transmission consisting of a double clutch whose individual clutches rotate in opposite directions, the rotational-speed dependent axial forces being compensated on the shift piston, and has a valve which releases or blocks the flow of coolant to the disks and a return spring with an increasing spring characteristic line for calibrating the clutch.

Multi-disk clutch in a power split transmission

Gear change box with multiple steps

Multi-stage speed-change gear

In a mechanism for driving motor vehicles having a synchromesh gearbox with a friction clutch for each of two power branches with at least four power shiftable speeds and consecutive speeds are alternatively present on each one of the two power branches. Each friction clutch is a wet disc clutch with its inner discs having continuous radial grooves for a cooling oil flow supplied from a bore in a shaft. A switch piston shuts off the flow of cooling oil when the friction clutch is disengaged or almost completely disengaged. A prestressed cup spring in a compensating cylinder serves as a strong return spring thereby accelerating disengagement or delaying engagement of the friction clutch. Corrugated spring rings, axially situated between the inner discs and radially within the outer discs, serve as additional return springs. The wet clutch operates as a dry clutch and only has a low torque when it is disengaged. A large flow of cooling oil flows to the friction clutch and cools it as it engages and when it is engaged. The wet friction clutch replaces a conventional dry friction clutch, especially when starting up the motor vehicle.

Vehicle driving mechanism having a synchromesh gearbox with an

Powershift gearbox/transmission

In a power take-off a spring engages a hydraulically actuated clutch-activating pressure plate to force the same into a neutral position. In one embodiment of the invention a hydraulically operated spring-loaded piston for arresting the rotational motion of an output shaft engages the pressure plate upon shifting thereof into its neutral position and consequent uncoupling of the output shaft from an input or drive shaft. In another embodiment of the invention an annular friction disk slidably connected or splined to the output shaft for stopping the same is clamped between a brake housing and a hydraulically actuated piston. The pistons automatically retract under the action of respective springs upon shut-off of the vehicle engine driving the input shaft and energizing the hydraulic system actuating the plates and the pistons, whereby the angular position of the output shaft may be manually adjusted.

Power take-off

Growing community of inventors

Friedrichshafen, Germany

Herbert Simon