Frusto-conical dual clutch
View Patent ↗A dual clutch having a flywheel comprising an inner conical surface and an outer conical surface, a first clutch comprising a first contact member that is axially movable along an axis relative to first and second transmission-side input shafts for engaging a first conical clutch disc connected to a first input shaft with the inner conical surface of the flywheel, a second clutch comprising a second contact member that is axially movable along the axis relative to the first and second transmission-side input shafts for engaging a second conical clutch disk connected to a second input shaft with the outer conical surface of the flywheel, a mounting means connected to a clutch housing of the dual clutch or to a transmission housing of a motor vehicle transmission, and, actuation means for moving the first clutch and/or the second clutch along the axis.
1. A dual clutch assembly for engaging an engine with a first or second transmission input shaft comprising:
a flywheel comprising an inner conical surface and an outer conical surface;
a first clutch comprising:
a first conical clutch disc arranged for connection to said first transmission input shaft; and,
a first contact member slidable along an axis relative to said first and second input shafts for engaging said first conical clutch disc with said flywheel inner conical surface; and,
a second clutch comprising:
a second conical clutch disc arranged for connection to said second transmission input-shaft; and,
a second contact member slidable along said axis for engaging said second conical clutch disc with said flywheel outer conical surface.
2. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 1 , wherein said first contact member and said second contact member form a frusto-conical member.
3. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 2 , wherein said frusto-conical member has an approximate cone angle of 50 degrees.
4. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 2 , wherein said frusto-conical member has an approximate cone angle in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.
5. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 2 , wherein said first contact member and said second contact member are substantially covered with a friction lining and between said second contact member and said flywheel.
6. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 1 , wherein an actuation means is an electric motor.
7. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 1 , wherein an actuation means is a hydraulic motor.
8. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 1 , wherein said first conical clutch disc and said second conical clutch disc are operatively arranged to engage said flywheel.
9. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 8 , wherein said first conical clutch disc and said second conical clutch disk are non-rotatably engaged with said first transmission input shaft and said second transmission input shaft via a splined shaft.
10. The dual clutch assembly recited in claim 8 , wherein said first conical clutch disc and said second conical clutch disk are non-rotatably engaged with said first transmission input shaft and said second transmission input shaft via a welded shaft.
11. A dual clutch assembly for engaging an engine with a first or second transmission input-shaft comprising:
a flywheel comprising an inner conical surface and an outer conical surface;
a first clutch comprising:
a first conical clutch disc arranged for connection to said first transmission input shaft; and,
a first contact member slidable along an axis relative to said first and second input shafts for engaging said first conical clutch disc with said flywheel inner conical surface; and,
a second clutch comprising:
a second conical clutch disc arranged for connection to said second transmission input shaft; and,
a second contact member slidable along said axis for engaging said second conical clutch disc with said flywheel outer conical surface; and,
an actuator operatively arranged to move said first clutch and said second clutch along said axis.