Clutches
Non-shiftable clutches, such as universal joints or constant velocity joints, are used in the drivetrain to compensate for angular, axial and lateral misalignments. Current research topics in this context are
- Reduction of the displacement forces in the length compensation of cardan drive shafts.
- Development of new profile shapes for length compensation in drive shafts
- Development of new lightweight design concepts for drive shafts
- Determining and increasing the overall efficiency of cardan drive shafts
Overrunning clutches are shaft couplings in drivelines that automatically assume a specific shift position depending on the relative direction of rotation between the input and output and switch to the other position when the relative direction of rotation is reversed. Relative rotation of the output and drive is possible in one direction and prevented in the other by locking. The freewheel is used as a backstop, overrunning clutch or feed switching element.
Current research topics in the field of automatic clutches are
- Expansion of service life models for additional loads that occur (axial and radial additional loads)
- Research into the optimum hardness profile for normally and tangentially loaded rolling contacts in one-way clutches
- Increasing the load-bearing capacity of rolling contacts in one-way clutches by using hard metals
- Development of calculation principles for face-mounted one-way clutches

Contact person
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Armin Lohrengel
Phone: +49 5323 / 72 - 2270
E-Mail: lohrengel@imw.tu-clausthal.de