FR3056045B1 - TORQUE TRANSMISSION DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH A RADIO-IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for transmitting torque of a shaft (2) leading to a driven shaft (3), in particular for a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one radio identification transponder (4) fixed on a component (6, 7 ) of the device (1).

Description

The invention relates to torque transmission devices, including clutches, dual-flywheel dampers, vibration dampers, clutch actuators and gearboxes.

Torque transmission devices are devices which, although having wearing parts, have a fairly long service life. Some of their components even have an unlimited life span.

Thus, a clutch conventionally comprises a reaction plate (integral with a driving shaft), an axially movable pressure plate and a friction disk mounted between said reaction and pressure plates. The movement of the pressure plate is controlled by a diaphragm carried by a cover, itself controlled by a clutch abutment.

The reaction plate and the cover are components having, in normal use, an unlimited life, or at least much longer than the average life of the vehicle equipped with the clutch.

However, it is customary, when the wear parts of a transmission device reach the end of their life, replace a block this transmission device.

The components with unlimited life could be recycled by being integrated in a refurbished transmission device (for example to equip a second-hand vehicle).

However, the personnel involved (after-sales services, equipment manufacturers, garage owners or even manufacturers) are reluctant to carry out such recycling, because, apart from a possible reference engraved on the component, they generally do not know anything about it (especially its manufacturer, date of manufacture, date of first registration) and may therefore, in the absence of guarantees, consider it risky to recirculate a component whose traceability is non-existent.

A first objective is therefore to propose a solution facilitating the recycling of used components.

A second objective is to propose a solution for providing the personnel responsible for the maintenance or dismantling of a motor vehicle with relevant information on a component of the vehicle, and in particular ensuring the traceability thereof.

A third objective is to propose a torque transmission device which, while fulfilling these two first objectives, offers functions and performances at least equivalent, if not greater than those of a usual torque transmission device. For this purpose, it is proposed, in the first place, a torque transmission device of a shaft leading to a driven shaft, in particular for a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one radio identification transponder attached to a component of the device.

In this way, it is possible to associate with the component information (such as the identity of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture or first entry into circulation, a catalog reference number), which guarantee its traceability not only in the short term. but also in the medium and long term, for the benefit of personnel responsible for the maintenance or recycling of the torque transmission device.

Various additional features may be provided, alone or in combination.

Thus, in the case where the torque transmission device comprises a first element secured to the driving shaft, a second element adapted to be coupled to the driven shaft, and a friction disc integral with the driven shaft, interposed between the first element and the second element and movable between a clutch position in which the friction disk is integral in rotation with the first element, and a disengaging position in which the friction disk is free to rotate with respect to the first element, the transponder can be attached to at least the first element or the second element.

According to a particular embodiment, the first element is a flywheel, and a transponder is fixed on it.

According to a second embodiment, the second element is a clutch mechanism cover, and a transponder is fixed on it.

According to a third embodiment, the second element is a double clutch mechanism cover, and a transponder is attached thereto.

It is proposed, secondly, a transmission system for a motor vehicle, which comprises a device as evoked above, a sensor connected to a computer for transmitting thereto a measured parameter on a body of the system. transmission by this sensor, and a base station connected to the computer and able to communicate with the transponder by radio frequency and programmed to write in a chip integrated therein the measured parameter.

In this way, it is possible to register (and update) in the chip, over time, information relating in particular to the use of the transmission device (including rotational speeds, number of actuations).

Thirdly, a method of managing a transmission system as mentioned above, which comprises the following processing sequence: measuring a parameter (such as a number of turns or a number of turns); actuations) on a device (such as a shaft or a clutch actuator) of the system by means of the sensor, transmit the parameter thus measured to the computer, write this parameter in a chip equipping the transponder by radio frequencies, via the station.

This treatment sequence is advantageously repeated. The write operation may further include erasing a parameter written during a previous processing sequence.

It is proposed, fourthly, a motor vehicle engine equipped with a torque transmission device or a transmission system as mentioned above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the light of the description of an embodiment, given hereinafter with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 are exploded perspective views a torque transmission device in two different orientations, with, in medallions, details on a larger scale showing a radio-identification transponder attached to one of the components; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a torque transmission system including an assembled device as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sensor connected to a computer and a base station connected to the computer.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a device 1 for transmitting torque of a shaft 2 leading to a driven shaft 3, in particular intended to equip a motor vehicle. This torque transmission device 1 is for example a clutch comprising in a non restrictive manner a clutch mechanism, a double damping flywheel, a vibration damper or a clutch actuator or gearbox.

This device 1 comprises various components, as well as at least one transponder 4 of radio-identification, fixed on at least one of the components.

A transponder 4 is a transceiver capable of receiving a message sent by a base station, automatically processing it, and, if necessary, responding to it.

A radio identification transponder (also called "RFID tag") is a device of the aforementioned type, in which the messages are transmitted and / or received by radiofrequency, and in which, during the exchange with the base station 5 at least one identifier is communicated to it by the transponder 4. Note that the term "radio-identification", which corresponds to the English terminology RFID (radio frequency identification), does not limit the exchange of information to identification of the transponder 4. Other information may be exchanged, as will be discussed below.

According to a particular embodiment, the torque transmission device 1 comprises a first element 6, integral with the driving shaft 2, a second element 7 adapted to be coupled to the driven shaft 3, and a disc 8 of friction interposed between the first element 6 and the second element 7, integral with the driven shaft 3 and movable between: a clutch position in which the friction disk 8 is integral in rotation with the first element 6 to couple in rotation; driving shaft 2 and the driven shaft 3, and a disengaging position in which the friction disk 8 is free to rotate relative to the first element 6 to disengage the shafts 2, 3.

The friction disc 8 comprises a support disc 9 and linings 10 fixed to the support disc 9, on either side thereof.

In the example illustrated in the drawings, the torque transmission device 1 is a clutch intended to equip a motor vehicle, for example a light vehicle or a heavy vehicle such as a truck.

In such a clutch, the first element 6 is a flywheel, which is integral in rotation with the driving shaft 2 (which is in practice a crankshaft), and carries at its periphery a ring gear 11 on which is engrained a starter having the function of launching the crankshaft when starting the vehicle. The flywheel 6 is here a rigid steering wheel.

The second element 7 is, in this embodiment, a clutch mechanism cover 12 involved in the actuation of the friction disc 8. According to a particular embodiment, the cover 7 is integral with the flywheel 6.

The clutch mechanism 12 here comprises a diaphragm 13 provided with an annular washer forming a spring and radial indentations 14 defining between them deformable strips 15 which, under the action of a clutch abutment (not shown) , ensure the reversible axial displacement of the friction disk 8 to its disengaged position, or on the contrary allow it to regain its clutch position under the elastic return effect of the ring washer.

The clutch mechanism 12 also comprises a pressure plate 16 interposed between the diaphragm 13 and the friction disc 8.

According to another embodiment, the second element 7 is a double clutch mechanism cover. In this case, the double-clutch mechanism comprises two clutch mechanisms located in parallel that come to press alternately two friction discs connected to two transmission shafts of the gearbox.

According to another embodiment (not shown), the clutch 1 may comprise a flywheel 6 of the double damping flywheel type. The double damping flywheel then comprises a primary flywheel and a reaction plate connected to the primary flywheel via a torsion damper (not shown). The reaction plate is arranged to bear on the friction disc 8. The reaction plate, the primary flywheel and the torsion damper together form a double damping flywheel 6 which is integrated with the clutch 1.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 (and more particularly visible in the detail medallion), a transponder 4 is fixed on the cover 7.

In this case, the transponder 4 is advantageously fixed on a portion of the cover 7 away from possible contact with other components, and also safe from possible attacks (including abrasion, projections), to maximize the life of the transponder 4.

Thus, in the illustrated example, the transponder 4 is fixed on a localized portion 17 of a peripheral collar for fixing the cover 7.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a transponder 4 is fixed on the flywheel 6.

Given the high rotational speeds, to limit (or even avoid) the phenomenon of unbalance due to the presence of the transponder 4 on the component 6, 7 concerned, it is necessary at least to minimize the mass of the transponder 4, and preferably to balance the masses in rotation by fixing on the component 6, 7 a mass equivalent to that of the transponder 4, in a diametrically opposite zone.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the transponder 4 is preferably miniaturized, that is to say that its dimensions (and its mass) are negligible compared with those of the component 6, 7. The transponder 4 is advantageously in the form of a label and comprises, in this case, an adhesive strip 18 by which the transponder 4 can be fixed by bonding to the component 6, 7 concerned.

The transponder 4 furthermore comprises an antenna 19, advantageously attached and glued on the adhesive strip 18, and a control electronics including a chip 20 connected to the antenna 19.

The chip 20 advantageously contains a calculation unit and an associated memory.

The transponder 4 can be of the passive type (in which case it does not include any power generator), or of the active type (that is to say it integrates a power generator). In the first case, the current required to supply the chip 20 is generated by means of a base station 5 by electromagnetic induction in the antenna 19, which is shaped, for this purpose, solenoid. In the second case, the transponder 4 embeds a generator that enables it to feed the chip 20 and to send autonomous requests to the station 5 via the antenna 19, which can therefore have a more free.

The lifetime of a transponder 4 of radio-identification can be long, especially when it is of the passive type. This results in good durability of the information that is inscribed on it.

In the present case, it is appropriate to write in the chip 20 of the transponder 4 at least one identifier of the component on which the transponder 4 is fixed. This identifier can be, or include, a reference number as mentioned in a catalog of components, allowing an operator responsible for the maintenance or recycling of the component to know its characteristics. The identifier may include, or may be added to, other information among, inter alia, the name of the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, the date of first entry into circulation. This information is intended to assist the operator in making a decision regarding the fate of component 6, 7 (including repair, replacement, reuse, recycling). The identifier may also include useful information for the use of the clutch guarantee. The identifier, and if necessary the other information, are advantageously registered in the transponder 4 by means of a radiofrequency base station 5 before or at the time of the first putting into circulation of the component within the device 1. transmission.

This information can then be extracted from the transponder 4 by means of a radiofrequency base station which is advantageously equipped with the personnel in charge of maintenance or dismantling.

However, it can be made a more complete use of the transponder 4, through processing operations made during operation of the device 1. For this purpose, the torque transmission device 1 described above is integrated in a system 21 of transmission (for a motor vehicle) which furthermore comprises: a sensor 22 connected to a computer 23 for transmitting thereto a parameter measured on a member of the transmission system 21 by this sensor 22, and a base station 5 connected to the computer 23 and able to communicate with the transponder 4 by radio frequency and programmed to write on its chip 20 the measured parameter.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the member concerned is a shaft, for example the driven shaft 3, which forms an input shaft of a gearbox coupled to the torque transmission device 1.

In this case, the sensor 22 is advantageously arranged to measure the number of revolutions of this shaft 3. In the example of FIG. 3, the sensor 22 is integrated in an instrumented bearing 24 including a magnetic encoder opposite which is positioned the sensor 22.

According to another embodiment not shown, the member concerned may be a clutch actuator coupled to the diaphragm of the clutch mechanism of the torque transmission device 1. The clutch actuator comprises a cylindrical casing and an actuating piston which is axially movable relative to the fixed casing.

In this case, the sensor 22 is advantageously arranged to measure the number of actuations of the diaphragm during the clutch and disengage phases, corresponding to the number of actuations performed by the clutch actuator. In this embodiment, the sensor 22 is integrated with one of the components of the clutch actuator and comprises a magnetic encoder facing which the sensor 22 is positioned.

The computer 23 may be dedicated (and therefore integrated) to the transmission system 21. But it may be more generally an engine computer 23 which, in addition to the information transmitted to it by the sensor 22, collects and processes other information (typically but not exclusively engine mapping elements, management of the engine). feeding, camshaft timing, ignition timing).

The base station 5 comprises a communication interface 26 (transmitter / receiver) by radio frequency, here mounted on a card 27, and if necessary a control electronics capable of ensuring the conversion of the data received from the computer 16 into a code transmitted to the transponder and readable by the chip 20 equipping it.

This architecture makes it possible to register (and update) in the chip 20, over time, and possibly in use, the number of revolutions made by the shaft 3, which provides valuable information concerning the effective use of the transmission device 1. Other measurements can be made (or deduced), and other relevant information can be stored on the chip 20 via the computer 23 and the base station 5, such as: the rotational speed of the shaft 3, which provides information on the conditions of use (making it possible in particular to check whether the torque transmission device 1, and in particular the component 6, 7 equipped with the transponder 4, has been used within the recommended ranges); the number of actuations (particularly in the case of a clutch), which provides valuable information on the possible mechanical fatigue of the component or components of the torque transmission device 1.

It is thus possible, in a more general manner, to manage the transmission system 21 by the following processing sequence: measurement of a parameter on an organ of the system 21 (for example, as mentioned, the number of laps performed by the driven shaft 3 or the number of actuations of the torque transmission device 1) by means of the sensor 22, transmission of the parameter thus measured to the computer 23, writing of the parameter in the chip 20, via the station 5.

This processing sequence can be repeated, for example at fixed intervals, or according to particular conditions (the measurement and transmission operations can be performed continuously, while the writing on the chip 20 is for example performed at each cutoff circuit). The write operation may further include erasing a parameter written during a previous processing sequence. In other words, the parameters on the chip 20 can be updated, punctual or regular.

The foregoing results in the following advantages.

First, as mentioned, maintenance, maintenance, dismantling, or recycling staff can access relevant information about the components of the torque transmission device 1 (or system 21) that were available to them. previously unknown, or at least difficult to obtain. The transponder therefore makes it possible to guarantee the traceability of the component that it equips.

This facilitates decision-making: reuse, recycling, replacement of component 6, 7 or device 1 as a whole.

Secondly, making this information accessible on Component 6, 7 itself facilitates access to staff who usually do not have the necessary accreditations to obtain information that can be entered into electronic devices. control (for example in the engine control unit) reserved for the manufacturers. In other words, the traceability information (and possibly others) is easily accessible.

Thirdly, thanks to the instrumentation of the device 1, savings in material (and energy) can be achieved by recycling some components (instead of a standard replacement).

It should be noted that the invention is applicable both to clutches of normally closed type, as clutches of normally open type.

Claims (11)

1. Device (1) for transmitting torque of a shaft (2) leading to a driven shaft (3), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one radio identification transponder (4) fixed on a component (6, 7) of the device (1), characterized in that it comprises a first element (6) integral with the driving shaft (2), a second element (7) adapted to be coupled to the driven shaft (3), and a friction disc (8) integral with the driven shaft (3), interposed between the first element (6) and the second element (7) and movable between a clutch position in which the friction disk (8) is integral in rotation with the first element (6), and a disengagement position in which the friction disk (8) is free to rotate with respect to the first element (6), and in which the transponder (4) is fixed on at minus the first element (6) or the second element (7). 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first element (6) is a flywheel, and a transponder (4) is fixed thereon. 3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second element (7) is a clutch mechanism cover (12), and a transponder (4) is fixed thereon. 4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second element (7) is a double clutch mechanism cover, and a transponder (4) is fixed thereon. 5. System (21) for transmitting a motor vehicle, which comprises a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a sensor (22) connected to a computer (23) for transmitting thereto a parameter measured on a member (3) of the transmission system (21) by this sensor (22), and a base station (5) connected to the computer (23) and able to communicate with the transponder (4) by radio frequencies and programmed to write in a chip (20) integrated therewith the measured parameter. A method of managing a transmission system (21) according to claim 5, which comprises the following processing sequence: measuring a parameter on a system member (3) by means of the sensor (22), transmitting the parameter as well as measured in the computer (23), write this parameter in a chip (20) equipping the transponder (1) by radio frequencies, via the station (5). The method of claim 6 which comprises repeating the treatment sequence. The method of claim 7, wherein the writing operation comprises erasing a written parameter in a previous processing sequence. 9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the member is a shaft (3), and the measured parameter is a number of turns made by the shaft (3). 10. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the member is a clutch actuator, and the measured parameter is a number of actuations performed by the clutch actuator. Motor vehicle engine, equipped with a torque transmission device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 or a transmission system (21) according to claim 5.