Controllable coupling

US6431337B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• GKN Automotive Limited · DE

Inventors

• Michael Hock · Münstermaifeld, DE
• Klaus Mätzschker · Neunkirchen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 22, 2000
• Grant date: Aug 13, 2002
• Expiry date: Sep 22, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16D47/06
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A coupling for controllably transmitting torque, having a first coupling member and a second coupling member—especially a shaft and a coupling housing—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.