Spring package with stamped and bent supporting ring
The present invention relates to a spring package ( 2 ) for use in a clutch and/or in a transmission, comprising a first supporting ring ( 4 ), a second supporting ring ( 6 ) which is arranged spaced apart (parallel) from the first supporting ring ( 4 ) in the axial direction, and a plurality of coil springs ( 8 ) arranged between the first supporting ring ( 4 ) and the second supporting ring ( 6 ) in distributed manner across the circumference thereof, wherein at least one of the supporting rings ( 4, 6 ) is formed from a sheet-metal strip ( 22 ) which is stamped and then bent into a ring shape and the ends of which are permanently connected to each other. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for producing a supporting ring ( 4, 6 ) for a spring package ( 2 ) according to the invention, comprising the following steps: stamping a sheet-metal strip ( 22 ) of predetermined length (l) and predetermined width (b), introducing spring holders ( 10; 68 ), introducing impressions on a longitudinal edge ( 26 ) of the sheet-metal strip ( 22 ) while forming a ring shape; and connecting the two axial ends.
1. A spring package ( 2 ) for use in a clutch and/or in a transmission, comprising:
supporting rings ( 4 ; 6 ) including a first supporting ring ( 4 ) and a second supporting ring ( 6 ) which is arranged axially spaced apart from the first supporting ring ( 4 ), and
a plurality of coil springs ( 8 ) arranged between the first supporting ring ( 4 ) and the second supporting ring ( 6 ) in a distributed manner across the circumference thereof,
wherein both supporting rings ( 4 ; 6 ) comprise a stamped and bent sheet-metal strip ( 22 ) having a ring shape and have ends that are permanently connected to each other, respectively;
wherein the ends of the stamped and bent sheet metal strip ( 22 ) are welded together, glued, clinched or otherwise permanently connected to each other;
wherein both supporting rings ( 4 ; 6 ) have recesses distributed across the circumference thereof;
wherein both supporting rings ( 4 ; 6 ) have an ring inner side ( 16 ) and an ring outer side ( 44 ), respectively, and the ring inner side ( 16 ) has a circumferential edge ( 52 ) projecting in an axial direction of the spring package ( 2 ); and
wherein the recesses are formed as one or more of first recesses ( 46 ) without tabs provided at the ring outer side ( 44 ) and open towards the ring outer side ( 44 ), and second recesses ( 48 ) at the ring inner side ( 16 ) having a closed contour and forming a connecting web ( 50 ).
2. The spring package ( 2 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the supporting rings ( 4 ; 6 ) has spring holders distributed across its circumference for positioning one each of the coil springs ( 8 ).
3. The spring package ( 2 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the spring holders are formed as substantially circular openings ( 10 ) having a projecting circumferential edge ( 14 ), or as cup-shaped protrusions.
4. The spring package ( 2 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second recesses ( 46 , 48 ) are arranged between two circular openings ( 10 ) each.