Gkn Automotive Ag

Gkn Viscodrive Gmbh

Michael H&ouml;ck

A coupling for controllably transmitting torque, having a first coupling member and a second coupling member&mdash;especially a shaft and a coupling housing&mdash;which are supported so as to be rotatable relative to one another; the coupling comprises a friction coupling and a viscous coupling switched in parallel; the friction coupling comprises two sets of friction plates and the viscous coupling comprises two VC plate carriers; the sets of friction plates of the friction coupling are each connected in a rotationally fast way to the first and the second coupling member and axially loadable by an adjusting device, and a first VC plate carrier of the viscous coupling is permanently connected in a rotationally fast way to the first one of the coupling members, and a second VC plate carrier of the viscous coupling is disconnectably connected to the second coupling member, with an axial adjusting device connecting and disconnecting the second VC plate carrier of the viscous coupling in a friction locking way and closing and releasing the sets of friction plates of the friction coupling.

Controllable coupling

A mechanical clutch with two elements (,) which, for the purpose of positively engaging one another, are provided with opposed end toothings which are adapted to one another, the first element (,) being rotatably mounted and axially supported, the second element (,) also being rotatably mounted and axially supported, and further being axially blocked in a first position for the purpose of being non-rotatably engaged with the first element (,), and being axially moveable into a position in which it is freely rotatably and disengaged from the first element (,), with a device for selectively axially blocking the second element (,), the clutch further comprising: a cavity system whose shape is variable and which is filled with a magneto-rheological fluid; a displacing member which can be moved between a first position and a second position, which delimits the cavity system and which is connected to the second element (,); and an electro-magnet (,) which can magnetize at least part of the magneto-rheological fluid for shape-setting purposes.

Growing community of inventors

Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany

Michael Höck

Growing community of inventors

Neunkirchen-Seelscheid, Germany

Michael H&ouml;ck

Michael Höck