阅读说明：本技术 离合器装置及其保持器 (Clutch device and retainer thereof ) 是由 万羽一郎 于 2020-03-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供离合器装置及其保持器,在发动机的整个转速区域内确保摩擦片与离合器片的压接状态的基础上,无论骑乘者的体力和/或驾驶技术如何,都能够使更多的人享受机动二轮车的驾驶。离合器装置的保持器保持在以旋转轴(C)为中心的大致径向上以能够滑动的方式保持的配重(12)、以及根据该配重(12)的滑动动作而摆动的推杆(13),在旋转时,对配重(12)作用离心力而使其向外周方向滑动,使推杆(13)的抵接端(13a)与离合器装置的压力片(2)抵接而对压力片(2)作用预定的载荷,保持器具备限制配重(12)的可动范围的止动件。推杆(13)的至少抵接端(13a)由能够弹性变形的部件形成。(The invention provides a clutch device and a retainer thereof, which can ensure the pressure contact state of a friction plate and a clutch plate in the whole rotating speed area of an engine, and enable more people to enjoy the driving of a motor bicycle no matter what the physical strength and/or driving technique of a rider. A retainer of a clutch device is held by a balance weight (12) held in a slidable manner in a substantially radial direction around a rotation axis (C) and a push rod (13) swung in accordance with a sliding operation of the balance weight (12), and when the retainer rotates, centrifugal force is applied to the balance weight (12) to slide the balance weight in an outer circumferential direction, and a predetermined load is applied to a pressure plate (2) of the clutch device by making a contact end (13a) of the push rod (13) contact with the pressure plate (2), and the retainer is provided with a stopper for limiting a movable range of the balance weight (12). At least the contact end (13a) of the push rod (13) is formed of an elastically deformable member.)

1. A retainer, wherein,

the retainer holds a weight linearly movably held in a substantially radial direction around a rotation shaft and a push rod swinging in accordance with a linear movement operation of the weight, and when the retainer rotates, centrifugal force acts on the weight to slide the weight in an outer circumferential direction, and a predetermined load acts on a pressure plate by bringing an abutting end of the push rod into abutment with the pressure plate of the clutch device,

the retainer includes a stopper disposed at a position that limits a movable range of the counterweight,

at least the abutting end of the push rod is formed of an elastically deformable member.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein,

at least the abutment end of the push rod is formed of spring steel.

3. The holder according to claim 2, wherein,

the push rod is formed of spring steel.

4. The holder according to claim 2, wherein,

the abutting end is in a shape of which the thickness gradually decreases as the thickness of the abutting end approaches the front end.

5. The holder according to claim 4, wherein,

the stopper is an adjustable stopper that adjusts a movable range of the counterweight.

6. A clutch device, wherein a clutch body is provided,

a holder according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a clutch device and a retainer thereof.

Background

The clutch device is a driving force interruption device that transmits a rotational driving force input via a rotational driving force input system (hereinafter referred to as an "input system") to a rotational driving force output system (hereinafter referred to as an "output system") and releases the transmission.

The clutch is provided with a friction plate (friction plate) connected to the input system and a clutch plate connected to the output system and pressed against the friction plate, and the input system and the output system are connected and released by pressing or releasing the friction plate against the clutch plate.

The friction plate is pressed against the clutch plate to press the friction plate against the clutch plate. The friction plate is pressed by a mechanism (clutch pressing mechanism) for pressing the clutch. The clutch pressing mechanism includes: a pressure plate directly pressing the friction plate, a clutch spring applying an extrusion force to the pressure plate, and a retainer applying a load to the clutch spring.

The spring load of the clutch spring is determined as follows. First, a necessary clutch load required to prevent a friction plate and a clutch plate from slipping is determined from a maximum torque value of an automobile such as a motorcycle. After the required clutch load is obtained, the spring load of the clutch spring is determined so that the load of the pressure plate pressing the friction plate becomes a value equal to or greater than the required clutch load. In this way, the spring load of the clutch spring is determined based on the maximum torque value, and is set constant regardless of the engine speed. This prevents slipping between the friction plate and the clutch plate in all rotational speed regions.

On the contrary, if the spring load of the clutch spring is determined based on the maximum torque value, the spring load inevitably increases even in the case of an automobile having a large engine torque. In particular, in the case of a motorcycle, a pressure plate that directly presses a friction plate is configured to be operated by a clutch lever operated by a rider. That is, by the rider's operation of gripping the clutch lever, the pressure plate moves against the spring load of the clutch spring, and the pressure plate releases the pressing of the friction plate, so that the pressure contact between the clutch plate and the friction plate is released, and the transmission of the rotational driving force input via the input system to the output system (clutch off) is released. Thus, when the rider disconnects the clutch, the rider must hold the clutch lever with a force against the spring load of the clutch spring to operate the clutch.

For such structural reasons, when a motorcycle having a large engine torque is driven, a rider tends to require a large force for manually operating the clutch lever, and the rider is likely to have a large burden. In fact, when a motorcycle having a large engine torque is driven for a long time and/or when the motorcycle is driven on a road having a large amount of traffic on which gear shifting must be repeated, the burden tends to increase, and the grip of the rider tends to decrease. In order to cope with such a situation, a high driving technique is required in which grip strength and other physical strength are sufficient, and smooth gear shifting is possible. In such a case, the person who can enjoy the motorcycle may be limited to a part of the persons. In addition, particularly for some riders who have weak grip, the vehicle type that can be enjoyed may be limited due to the difficulty of operating the clutch lever itself.

However, it is not always easy to satisfy both the requirement of reducing the force required to operate the clutch lever and the requirement of increasing the force with which the clutch pressing mechanism presses the friction plate, and to ensure pressure contact of the friction plate with the clutch plate over the entire rotation speed region of the engine. In order to meet such a demand, for example, a technique as disclosed in patent document 1 has been proposed.

Disclosure of Invention

However, there is still room for further improvement in the above-described techniques and the like.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch device and a retainer thereof, which can ensure a pressure contact state between a friction plate and a clutch plate over the entire rotational speed range of an engine, and which can allow more people to enjoy driving of a motorcycle regardless of the physical strength of a rider and/or the driving technique.

A retainer of a clutch device according to one aspect of the present invention is held by a weight slidably held in a substantially radial direction about a rotation axis and a push rod that swings in accordance with a sliding operation of the weight, and when the retainer rotates, centrifugal force acts on the weight to slide the weight in an outer circumferential direction, and a contact end of the push rod is brought into contact with a pressure plate of the clutch device to apply a predetermined load to the pressure plate,

the retainer is provided with a stopper for limiting the movable range of the counterweight,

at least the contact end of the push rod is formed of an elastically deformable member.

According to the retainer configured as described above or the clutch device including the retainer, the pressing load can be applied by adding the centrifugal force to the pressing force generated by the elastic means (the clutch spring or the like) by utilizing the phenomenon that the centrifugal force applied to the weight increases as the rotation speed of the output system increases. That is, even if the pressing force of the elastic means is reduced, the reduced amount can be compensated by the centrifugal force acting on the weight, and the pressure contact force that prevents the friction plate and the clutch plate from slipping can be always secured. In this case, the pressing force is reduced in a state where the engine speed is low and the pressing force to the plates (pressure plates, clutch plates, friction plates) is not so much required, and the pressing force can be compensated for in accordance with an increase in the engine speed of the input system (rotational driving force input system) in a state where the engine speed is high and the pressing force is required.

In addition, in the retainer or the clutch device including the retainer, since the push rod which is elastically deformed is used, it is possible to perform: further, the distance between the retainer and the pressure plate is shortened, and the push rod is brought into contact with or pressed against the pressure plate in a state where the engine speed is low, so that a heavy object having a larger weight can be applied as a counterweight.

In the retainer as described above, at least the abutment end of the push rod may be formed of spring steel.

In the holder as described above, the push rod may be formed of spring steel.

In the holder as described above, the abutting end may be in a shape in which the thickness gradually decreases as it goes toward the front end.

In the holder as described above, the stopper may be an adjustable stopper that limits the movable range of the counterweight.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clutch device and a retainer thereof, which can allow more people to enjoy driving of a motorcycle regardless of the physical strength of a rider and/or the driving technique while securing a pressure contact state between a friction plate and a clutch plate over the entire rotation speed range of an engine.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a clutch device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clutch device;

fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which pressure plates of the clutch device are separated from the clutch hub;

fig. 4 is a view, as viewed from the side of the rotary shaft, showing the retainer and the like in a state where the contact end of the push rod is in contact with the pressure pad;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the holder in a state where the guide, the weight, and the push rod are mounted;

fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the guide, the counterweight, and a part of the push rod are disassembled from the holder;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view showing a state in which the guide, the counterweight, and a part of the push rod are disassembled from the retainer;

fig. 8 is a plan view of the holder in a state where the guide, the weight, and the push rod are mounted;

fig. 9 is a bottom view of the holder in a state where the guide, the weight, and the push rod are mounted;

fig. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a counterweight, a guide, a push rod, and a pressure plate in another retainer;

fig. 11 is a graph showing a relationship between the engine speed and the pressing force of the push rod against the pressure plate.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of the embodiment shown in the drawings.

The clutch device 1 is one type of friction clutch, and can be used in a vehicle such as a motorcycle or a tricycle (tricycle). The clutch device 1 of the present embodiment transmits a rotational driving force input via an input system (not shown) to an output system (not shown), and releases the transmission. The input system is composed of an engine and a mechanism portion that is drivingly coupled to the engine and transmits the rotational driving force of the engine to the clutch device 1. The output system is constituted by a mechanism portion to which the driving force of the engine is input via the clutch device 1 and which is output as the driving force of the driving wheels.

The clutch device 1 of the present embodiment includes pressure plates 2, a clutch hub 3, a housing 5, a sprocket 5a, clutch plates 6, friction plates 7, a retainer 11, a weight 12, a push rod 13, a guide 14, and the like (see fig. 1, fig. 2, and the like).

[ Structure of pressure pad-Clutch hub ]

In the clutch device 1 of the present embodiment, the pressure plates 2, the clutch plates 6, and the friction plates 7 are sandwiched between the retainer 11 and the clutch hub 3 (see fig. 2 and 3). Further, the clutch spring 4, which is formed of a compression coil spring (compression coil spring), is held in a compressed state between the pressure plate 2 and the retainer 11 by the retainer 11 screwed to the clutch hub 3.

A sprocket 5a is attached to the outside of the housing 5. The housing 5 is rotated around a central axis C (see fig. 3) of the clutch device 1 by the drive of the engine by the sprocket 5 a.

The friction plate 7 is integrated with the case 5 side. The friction plate 7 is provided with a plurality of stages in the axial direction of the center shaft C. The clutch plate 6 is sandwiched between adjacent friction plates 7.

The clutch plate 6 is provided so as to be integrated with the clutch hub 3 side (see fig. 3). The clutch plate 6 is provided with a plurality of stages in the axial direction of the center shaft C.

The clutch hub 3 is disposed inside the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about the central axis C. A main shaft, not shown, is inserted through the center of the clutch hub 3 and fixed thereto. Further, a columnar projecting portion 3a (see fig. 3) projecting toward the pressure plate 2 is formed in the clutch hub 3. In the present embodiment, the three columnar projections 3a are provided at equal distances from the central axis C and at intervals of 120 degrees in the circumferential direction. The protruding end surfaces 3b of the three columnar protruding portions 3a become surfaces substantially perpendicular to the central axis C. The projecting end surfaces 3b of the three columnar projections 3a are located at the same height. Screw holes 3c are formed in the three columnar projections 3a, respectively. These columnar projections 3a function as screw fixing portions (stoppers) that come into contact with the retainer 11 in a screw-fixed state through the insertion holes 2b of the pressure piece 2.

A circular through-hole 2a is formed in the center of the pressure sheet 2. For example, three insertion holes 2b are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction at positions of the pressure plate 2 at equal distances from the center axis C. The columnar projecting portion 3a of the clutch hub 3 is inserted into these insertion holes 2 b. The clutch hub 3 and the pressure plates 2 are combined by inserting the three columnar protrusions 3a of the clutch hub 3 into the three insertion holes 2b of the pressure plates 2, respectively. The back surface 2c of the pressure plate 2 contacts the clutch plate 6 of the stage closest to the pressure plate 2.

As described above, in a state where the clutch hub 3 and the pressure plates 2 are combined, the projecting end surfaces 3b of the columnar projecting portions 3a slightly project from the insertion holes 2b on the surface 2d side of the pressure plates 2. In a state where the clutch hub 3 and the pressure plates 2 are combined, the clutch spring 4 is accommodated in each of the three insertion holes 2b in a state where the columnar projecting portion 3a passes through the inside of the clutch spring 4 (see fig. 2 and the like).

[ Structure of holder ]

The holder 11 is a substantially circular member that holds the weight 12, the push rod 13, and the guide 14 and causes a centrifugal force to act on the weight 12 and the like during rotation (see fig. 4 and the like). The retainer 11 of the present embodiment includes: a rotation hole 11a aligned with the rotation center, a guide-setting recess 11b for setting the guide 14, a movable space 11c formed so as to be capable of sliding movement of the counterweight 12, and a shaft recess 11d into which the swing shaft 13c of the push rod 13 is fitted (see fig. 4 and the like). As an example, in the retainer 11 of the present embodiment, a movable space 11c (see fig. 7 and the like) having a shape matching the weight 12 arranged at intervals of 120 degrees is formed. For convenience, the side of the holder 11 on which the weight 12 is disposed is referred to as a front surface 11x, and the side of the holder 11 facing the pressure plate 2 is referred to as a back surface 11 y.

The counterweight 12 is held slidably in the radial direction of the holder 11, and is provided so as to move to the outer circumferential side by receiving a centrifugal force when the holder 11 rotates. The weight 12 may be formed of a material having a large specific gravity such as brass. The radial direction referred to herein includes not only a direction radially extending from the rotation center of the holder 11 but also a direction in which an extension line does not pass through the rotation center. The counterweight 12 is formed with a guided groove 12a into which the guide rail 14b of the guide 14 is fitted, and an engagement groove 12b into which the interlinking shaft 13b of the push rod 13 engages (see fig. 6, 7, and the like). The engagement groove 12b is configured to allow the interlocking shaft 13b to move in the axial direction during operation, and in the present embodiment, is configured to penetrate from one surface of the counterweight 12 to the other surface (see fig. 8 and the like).

The push rod 13 is a member provided to swing about a fulcrum in conjunction with the sliding operation of the counterweight 12. As an example, the push rod 13 of the present embodiment is formed of a substantially L-shaped plate-like member, and is held by the holder 11 while being swingable in the radial direction about a boss-shaped swing shaft (fulcrum) 13c that can protrude from the vicinity of the bent portion to both sides. The swing shaft 13c is fitted from the rear surface 11y side of the retainer 11 toward the shaft recess 11d provided on the rear surface 11y side (see fig. 7 and the like).

Further, a coupling shaft (operating point) 13b having a boss shape protruding toward both sides is provided near the upper end of the push rod 13 (near the end on the side close to the weight 12) (see fig. 7 and the like). The interlocking shaft 13b engages with the engagement groove 12b of the counterweight 12 (see fig. 6 and the like).

The guide 14 is a member that guides the counterweight 12 in the circumferential direction. The guide 14 of the present embodiment is a guide (radial weight guide) for sliding the three weights 12 radially around the center hole 14a, and includes guide rails 14b (see fig. 6, 7, and the like) arranged at equal intervals (every 120 degrees) along the circumferential direction. The guide rail 14b is fitted into the engagement groove 12b of the counterweight 12.

Further, the holder 11 is provided with a stopper that limits the movable range of the counterweight 12. In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral edge portion 14c of the guide 14 is configured to abut against the groove deepest portion 12c of the guided groove 12a of the counterweight 12, and the outer peripheral edge portion 14c functions as a stopper that limits the movable range of the counterweight 12 toward the radially inner side (see fig. 6 and 7). In the present embodiment, the inner wall 11e functions as a stopper for limiting the movable range of the counterweight 12 outward in the radial direction, as a structure in which the outer peripheral surface 12d of the counterweight 12 abuts against the inner wall 11e near the outer periphery of the movable space 11c of the holder 11 (see fig. 6 and 7).

Although not particularly shown, an adjustable stopper may be employed, which is configured to be able to appropriately change the position at which the counterweight 12 abuts against the stopper (for example, change the radial length of the counterweight 12 and change the thickness of the outer peripheral edge portion 14c serving as the stopper). In this case, by changing the movable range of the counterweight 12, the upper limit value of the pressing force applied from the push rod 13 to the pressure plate 2 can be appropriately changed as shown by a two-dot chain line in fig. 11, for example (see fig. 11).

The tip end portion of the push rod 13 will be described (see fig. 4, 5, and the like). An abutting end 13a that abuts against and is pressed against the surface 2d of the pressure sheet 2 is formed at the tip end portion of the push rod 13. The abutment end 13a is formed in a claw shape, for example, toward the outer peripheral side and becomes gradually thinner toward the tip end of the outer peripheral side (see fig. 5 and the like). In addition, at least a portion of the push rod 13 including the abutment end 13a is formed of an elastically deformable member. For example, in the present embodiment, the entire push rod 13 is formed of spring steel. The contact end 13a formed of spring steel or the like is more easily deformed than a conventional push rod (for example, a push rod made of a high-rigidity and lightweight material such as aluminum alloy) is (see fig. 5 and the like).

As described above, in the clutch device 1, a centrifugal force acts as the retainer 11 rotates, and the weight 12 moves along the guide rail 14b of the guide 14 toward the outer circumferential side. When the weight 12 moves to the outer circumferential side, the interlocking shaft 13b of the push rod 13 engaged with the engaging groove 12b of the weight 12 also moves to the outer circumferential side. When the interlinking shaft 13b moves to the outer peripheral side, the push rod 13 swings about the swing shaft 13c, and the contact end 13a extends to contact (the surface 2d of) the pressure plate 2 (see fig. 4, 5, and the like). Further, the faster the rotation speed of the retainer 11, the greater the centrifugal force acting on the weight 12, and the greater the force with which the push rod 13 presses the pressure plate 2.

According to the clutch device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the centrifugal force is applied to the spring pressing force generated by the clutch spring 4 by utilizing the phenomenon that the centrifugal force acting on the weight 12 increases as the rotation speed of the output system increases, and the pressing load can be applied. That is, even if the spring pressing force by the clutch spring 4 is reduced, the amount of reduction can be compensated by the centrifugal force acting on the weight 12, and the pressure contact force for preventing the friction plate 7 and the clutch plate 6 from slipping can be always secured.

In other words, in the clutch device 1 of the present embodiment, in a state where the engine speed is low and the pressing force on the output system (rotational driving force output system) by the respective plates (the pressure plates 2, the clutch plates 6, and the friction plates 7) is not so much required, the pressing force is reduced, and in a state where the engine speed is high and the pressing force is required, the pressing force is compensated for along with the increase in the engine speed of the input system (rotational driving force input system). That is, since the clutch device 1 is made variable so that the pressing force to the output system is changed to the required pressing force only when the pressing force to the output system is required, the force required to operate the clutch lever can be significantly reduced as compared with a configuration other than this (a motorcycle or a clutch device thereof in which the pressing force to the output system is constantly set to be constant with reference to the maximum torque generation time).

In the clutch device 1 of the present embodiment, the clutch device 1 is configured by using the elastically deformable push rod 13, the weight 12 that slides, and the stopper that restricts the movable range of the weight 12, and has the following further advantages.

An upper limit can be set on the pressing force applied from the push rod 13 to the pressure sheet 2 (see fig. 11). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the pressing force from becoming excessive when the engine speed is high (i.e., the centrifugal force acting on the counterweight 12 is large). Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the force required in the clutch lever operation from becoming excessively large. This contributes to, for example, achieving excellent operability such that a more comfortable clutch lever operation can be performed when acceleration force is obtained by shifting gears when a high-speed cruise is desired in a state where the engine speed is high.

Since the push rod 13 is elastically deformable, the range in which the push rod 13 abuts against the pressure plate 2 occupies a large proportion of the movable range of the counterweight 12.

The distance between the holder 11 and the pressure sheet 2 can be further shortened.

An object having a larger weight can be applied to the counterweight 12 (even if applied, the pressing force at the time of high-speed rotation of the engine does not become excessive due to the action of the stopper). Therefore, in a state where the engine speed is lower, the push rod 13 can be brought into contact with or pressed against the pressure sheet 2, and a larger pressing force can be applied to the pressure sheet 2.

By applying the weight 12 having a larger weight, the clutch spring 4 having a weaker spring force (elastic force) can be used.

The force required for operating the clutch lever (the grip force when the clutch lever is gripped to operate the clutch) can be suppressed. This is preferable, for example, for a rider who wants to hold the clutch lever or the like all the time while waiting for a signal.

The force and/or the operation feeling required for the operation of the clutch lever can be changed by appropriately changing the weight of the counterweight 12, the movable range, the shape and rigidity (elastic force) of the push rod 13, and the clutch spring 4 in accordance with the output of the engine.

According to the clutch device 1 of the present embodiment, the retainer 11 having the above-described configuration is used, so that the pressure contact state between the friction plate 7 and the clutch plate 6 is ensured over the entire rotational speed range of the engine, and more people can enjoy the driving of the motorcycle regardless of the physical strength of the rider and/or the driving technique.

The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is preferably applied to a clutch device and a retainer thereof for a vehicle such as a motorcycle.

Description of the symbols

1: a clutch device; 2: a pressure sheet; 2 a: a through hole; 2 b: inserting through holes; 2 c: a back side; 2 d: a surface; 3: a clutch hub; 3 a: a columnar protrusion; 3 b: an end face; 3 c: a threaded hole; 4: a clutch spring; 5: a housing; 5 a: a sprocket; 6: a clutch plate; 7: a friction plate; 11: a holder; 11 a: rotating the hole; 11 b: a guide-member-mounting recess; 11 c: a movable space; 11 d: a shaft recess; 11 e: an inner wall portion (stopper); 11 x: a surface; 11 y: a back side; 12: balancing weight; 12 a: a guided groove; 12 b: a clamping groove; 12 c: the deepest part of the groove; 12 d: an outer peripheral surface; 13: a push rod; 13 a: a butting end; 13 b: a linkage shaft; 13 c: a swing shaft; 14: a guide; 14 a: a central bore; 14 b: a guide rail; 14 c: an outer peripheral edge portion (stopper); c: a central axis.