阅读说明：本技术 动力传递装置 (Power transmission device ) 是由 西川纯一 吉本克 曾恒香 小泽嘉彦 于 2019-01-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种动力传递装置,该动力传递装置在驾驶员已经分离离合器时调节压力构件的旋转,由此能够改善离合器此后被接合时的响应性以改善可操作性。该动力传递装置具有：压力构件5,利用该压力构件5能够将离合器片按压成接触或者能够释放按压接触力；离合器弹簧10,该离合器弹簧10将压力构件5在使离合器片形成按压接触的方向上偏置；接收构件11,该接收构件11包括附接到压力构件5的单独构件；以及反扭矩限制凸轮,当输出构件的旋转速度超过输入构件的旋转速度时,该反扭矩限制凸轮减小离合器片的按压接触力。该动力传递装置还具有旋转限制部8a,该旋转限制部8a调节压力构件5相对于离合器构件4的旋转,压力构件5已经因推杆9的致动而移动,并且旋转限制部8a能够保持构成反扭矩限制凸轮的一对凸轮表面之间的间隙t。(Provided is a power transmission device that adjusts the rotation of a pressure member when a driver has disengaged a clutch, whereby the responsiveness when the clutch is thereafter engaged can be improved to improve operability. The power transmission device includes: a pressure member 5 with which the clutch plates can be pressed into contact or can release a pressing contact force; a clutch spring 10, the clutch spring 10 biasing the pressure member 5 in a direction to bring the clutch plates into press contact; a receiving member 11, the receiving member 11 comprising a separate member attached to the pressure member 5; and a reaction torque limiting cam that reduces a pressing contact force of the clutch plates when a rotation speed of the output member exceeds a rotation speed of the input member. The power transmission device also has a rotation restricting portion 8a that regulates rotation of the pressure member 5 relative to the clutch member 4, the pressure member 5 having been moved by actuation of the push rod 9, and the rotation restricting portion 8a is capable of maintaining a gap t between a pair of cam surfaces constituting the anti-torque restricting cam.)

1. A power transmission device, comprising:

a clutch housing that rotates with rotation of an input member, and to which a plurality of drive-side clutch plates are attached;

a clutch member to which a plurality of driven-side clutch plates alternately formed with the driving-side clutch plates of the clutch housing are attached and to which an output member is coupled;

a pressure member that is attached to the clutch member and that is capable of pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other or releasing a pressing contact force in accordance with movement of the pressure member in an axial direction relative to the clutch member;

an urging device that urges the pressure member in a direction that presses the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other;

a starting device that is started by an operation performed by a driver and is capable of releasing a pressing contact force between the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates by moving the pressure member against an urging force of the urging device; and

a reaction torque limiting cam constituted by a pair of cam surfaces that reduce the pressing contact force between the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates if the pressure member and the clutch member rotate relative to each other when the rotational speed of the output member exceeds the rotational speed of the input member,

wherein the power transmission device is capable of transmitting or cutting off the rotational power input to the input member to the output member by pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other or by releasing the pressing contact force, and

wherein the power transmission device includes a rotation restricting portion that is capable of restricting rotation of the pressure member that has moved due to activation of the activating device relative to the clutch member and of maintaining a gap between the pair of cam surfaces that constitute the anti-torque restriction cam.

2. The power transmission device according to claim 1, comprising a receiving member that is constituted by a separate member attached to the pressure member, receives an urging force of the urging device on a pressure member side, and is capable of transmitting the urging force to the pressure member, wherein one cam surface of the anti-torque limiting cam is formed in the receiving member, and the other cam surface of the anti-torque limiting cam is formed in the clutch member.

3. The power transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a fixed member that is fixed to the clutch member and to which the urging device is attached, wherein the rotation restricting portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the fixed member.

4. The power transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation restricting portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the pressure member, and the rotation restricting portion formed in the pressure member that has moved due to activation of the activation device interferes with the clutch member and restricts rotation of the pressure member.

5. The power transmission device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation restricting portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the clutch member, and the pressure member that has moved due to activation of the activation device interferes with the rotation restricting portion formed in the clutch member and restricts rotation of the pressure member.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a power transmission device capable of appropriately transmitting or cutting off rotational power of an input member to an output member.

Background

In general, a motorcycle has a power transmission device for appropriately transmitting or cutting off driving power of an engine to a transmission and driving wheels. The power transmission device includes: an input member coupled to an engine side; an output member coupled to the transmission and to a drive wheel side; a clutch member coupled to the output member; and a pressure member capable of pressing the clutch plates (the drive-side clutch plate and the drive-side clutch plate) against each other or releasing the pressing contact force. The power transmission device is configured to transmit power by pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other, and to cut off the power by releasing the pressing contact force.

For example, in the power transmission device disclosed in patent document 1, a receiving member is attached to a pressure member, and a clutch spring (urging means) contained in the receiving member urges the pressure member in a direction in which a driving-side clutch plate and a driven-side clutch plate are pressed against each other. One cam surface is formed in the receiving member and the other cam surface facing the one cam surface is formed in the clutch member. These cam surfaces constitute a reaction torque limiting cam that reduces a pressing contact force between the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates if the pressure member and the clutch member rotate relative to each other when the rotational speed of the output member exceeds the rotational speed of the input member.

That is, if the pressure member and the clutch member rotate relative to each other when the rotational speed of the output member exceeds the rotational speed of the input member, the one cam surface and the other cam surface slide on top of each other, and the counter-torque limiting cam serves to move the receiving member in the axial direction relative to the pressure member. Therefore, the urging force of the clutch spring applied to the pressure member is reduced, so that the pressing contact force between the drive-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate is reduced.

Reference list

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. WO2016/024557

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

However, in the above-described conventional power transmission device, when the driver operates the clutch lever or the like to disengage the pressure member from the clutch member to disengage the clutch (release the pressing contact force between the clutch plates), the pressure member may rotate relative to the clutch member, and one cam surface and the other cam surface of the torque limiter cam may contact each other and the receiving member may be stuck.

If the driver attempts to re-engage the clutch in this state (again pressing the clutch plates against each other), it may be difficult for the receiving member to return to the original position due to the edge action between the one cam surface and the other cam surface. Therefore, there are caused problems that the response at the time of engaging the clutch becomes slow and the driver experiences an unpleasant feeling in operability due to feeling of idling. Such a problem arises not only in a device including a receiving member independent of the pressure member, but also in a device in which one cam surface is integrally formed in the pressure member.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described background, and provides a power transmission device that controls rotation of a pressure member when a driver disengages a clutch, and thus is capable of improving responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improving operability.

Solution to the problem

According to the invention described in claim 1, a power transmission device includes: a clutch housing that rotates with rotation of an input member, and to which a plurality of drive-side clutch plates are attached; a clutch member to which a plurality of driven-side clutch plates alternately formed with the driving-side clutch plates of the clutch housing are attached and to which an output member is coupled; a pressure member that is attached to the clutch member and that is capable of pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other or releasing a pressing contact force in accordance with movement of the pressure member in an axial direction relative to the clutch member; an urging device that urges the pressure member in a direction that presses the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other; a starting device that is started by an operation performed by a driver and is capable of releasing a pressing contact force between the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates by moving the pressure member against an urging force of the urging device; and a reaction torque limiting cam constituted by a pair of cam surfaces that reduce a pressing contact force between the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates if the pressure member and the clutch member rotate relative to each other when the rotation speed of the output member exceeds the rotation speed of the input member. The power transmission device is capable of transmitting rotary power input to the input member to the output member or cutting off the rotary power by pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates against each other or by releasing the pressing contact force. The power transmission device includes a rotation restricting portion capable of restricting rotation of the pressure member, which has moved due to activation of the activation device, relative to the clutch member and maintaining a gap between the pair of cam surfaces constituting the reaction torque limiting cam.

According to the invention described in claim 2, the power transmission device described in claim 1 includes a receiving member that is constituted by a separate member attached to the pressure member, receives the urging force of the urging device on the pressure member side, and is capable of transmitting the urging force to the pressure member; and one cam surface of the anti-torque limiting cam is formed in the receiving member, and the other cam surface of the anti-torque limiting cam is formed in the clutch member.

According to the invention described in claim 3, the power transmission device described in claim 1 or 2 includes a fixed member that is fixed to the clutch member and to which the urging means is attached, and the rotation restricting portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the fixed member.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the power transmission device described in claim 1 or 2, the rotation restricting portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the pressure member, and the rotation restricting portion formed in the pressure member that has moved due to activation of the activation device interferes with the clutch member and restricts rotation of the pressure member.

According to the invention described in claim 5, in the power transmission device described in claim 1 or 2, the rotation restricting portion is formed in a predetermined portion of the clutch member, and the pressure member that has moved due to activation of the activating device interferes with the rotation restricting portion formed in the clutch member and restricts rotation of the pressure member.

Advantageous effects of the invention

With the invention described in claim 1, since the power transmission device includes the rotation restricting portion capable of restricting the rotation of the pressure member that has moved due to the activation of the activating device with respect to the clutch member and capable of maintaining the gap between the pair of cam surfaces that constitute the reaction torque restricting cam, by restricting the rotation of the pressure member when the driver disengages the clutch, it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

With the invention described in claim 2, because the power transmitting means is comprised of a separate member attached to the pressure member, the receiving member that receives the urging force of the urging means on the pressure member side and can transmit the urging force to the pressure member, and because the reaction torque limiting cam has one cam surface formed in the receiving member and the other cam surface formed in the clutch member, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member when the driver disengages the clutch, the receiving member can be prevented from being stuck on the cam surface that constitutes the reaction torque limiting cam, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

With the invention described in claim 3, since the power transmission device includes the fixing member that is fixed to the clutch member and to which the urging device is attached and the rotation restricting portion is formed in the predetermined portion of the fixing member, by performing replacement of the fixing member having the rotation restricting portion in the existing power transmission device, it is possible to restrict rotation of the pressure member when the driver disengages the clutch, and it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

With the invention described in claim 4, since the rotation restricting portion formed in the pressure member that is formed in the predetermined portion of the pressure member and that has moved due to the activation of the activating means interferes with the clutch member and restricts the rotation of the pressure member, by partially changing the shape of the pressure member, the rotation of the pressure member when the driver disengages the clutch can be restricted, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

With the invention described in claim 5, since the pressure member, the rotation restricting portion of which is formed in the predetermined portion of the clutch member and which has moved due to the activation of the activating means, interferes with the rotation restricting portion formed in the clutch member and restricts the rotation of the pressure member, by partially changing the shape of the clutch member, the rotation of the pressure member when the driver disengages the clutch can be restricted, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch can be improved and the operability can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall longitudinal sectional view of a power transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the power transmission device in a state where a clutch housing and the like are removed.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the power transmission device in a state where a clutch housing and the like are removed.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a clutch member of the power transmission device.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the clutch member.

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the clutch member.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a pressure member of the power transmission device seen from one side.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the pressure member seen from the other side.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the pressure member.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the pressure member.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a receiving member of the power transmission device seen from one side.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the receiving member seen from the other side.

Fig. 14 is a plan view and a rear view of the receiving member.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line XV-XV in fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a fixing member of the power transmission device seen from one side.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the fixing member seen from the other side.

Fig. 18 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is accelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 19 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 20 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is disengaged).

Fig. 21 is a plan view of a power transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a state where a clutch housing and the like are removed.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is accelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 24 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 25 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is disengaged).

Fig. 26 is a plan view of a power transmission device according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a state where a clutch housing and the like are removed.

Fig. 27 is a sectional view taken along line XXVII-XXVII in fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is accelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 29 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 30 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is disengaged).

Fig. 31 is a plan view of a power transmission device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a state where a clutch housing and the like are removed.

Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXII-XXXII in fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is accelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 34 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is engaged).

Fig. 35 is a development view illustrating a cam surface of the power transmission device (when the vehicle is decelerating and the clutch is disengaged).

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The power transmission device according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and appropriately transmits or cuts off the drive power of the engine to the transmission and the drive wheel side. As illustrated in fig. 1, the power transmission device mainly includes: a clutch housing 2, the clutch housing 2 having a gear 1 formed thereon as an input member; a clutch member 4, the clutch member 4 being coupled to a shaft 3 as an output member; a pressure member 5, the pressure member 5 being formed on the right end side of the clutch member 4 in the figure; a drive-side clutch plate 6, the drive-side clutch plate 6 being coupled to the clutch housing 2 side; a driven-side clutch plate 7, the driven-side clutch plate 7 being coupled to the clutch member 4 side; a fixing member 8; a push rod 9; a clutch spring 10 as urging means; and a receiving member 11. In the figure, symbol S denotes a damper, and symbol D denotes a ball bearing.

When the driving power (rotational power) transmitted from the engine is input, the gear 1 can rotate about the shaft 3. The gear 1 is coupled to the clutch housing 2 by using rivets or the like. The clutch housing 2 is constituted by a cylindrical housing member whose right end side in the drawing is open. A plurality of drive-side clutch plates 6 are attached to the inner peripheral wall of the clutch housing 2. Each drive side clutch plate 6 is constituted by a substantially annular plate, is fitted into a spline formed in an inner peripheral surface of the clutch housing 2, and is thus configured to be rotatable with rotation of the clutch housing 2 and slidable in an axial direction (left-right direction in fig. 1).

The clutch member 4 is constituted by a member provided in the clutch housing 2. As illustrated in fig. 5 to 7, the clutch member 4 includes: a central hole 4a through which the shaft 3 can be inserted; an outer peripheral wall 4b having splines formed therein; a bolt hole 4c through which a bolt B can be inserted; and a boss portion 4d, the boss portion 4d having a bolt hole 4c formed therein. A spline is formed in each of the inner peripheral surface of the central hole 4a and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 3. The shaft 3 is spline-fitted and coupled to the central hole 4a such that when the clutch member 4 rotates, the shaft 3 also rotates. The driven side clutch plate 7 is fitted and attached to a spline formed in the outer peripheral wall 4 b.

More specifically, the spline formed in the outer peripheral wall 4b of the clutch member 4 is constituted by a protrusion and a depression integrally formed around substantially the entire periphery of the outer peripheral wall 4 b. Since the driven side clutch plates 7 are engaged with the recessed grooves of the splines, the movement of the driven side clutch plates 7 in the rotational direction is restricted, while the movement of the driven side clutch plates 7 in the axial direction relative to the clutch member 4 is allowed, and the driven side clutch plates 7 can rotate together with the clutch member 4.

The driven-side clutch plates 7 are formed to be alternately stacked with the driving-side clutch plates 6. The drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 adjacent to each other may be pressed against each other, or the pressing contact force may be released. That is, the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 are allowed to slide in the axial direction of the clutch member 4. When pressed in the leftward direction in fig. 1 by the pressure member 5, the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 are pressed against each other, so that the rotational power of the clutch housing 2 can be transmitted to the shaft 3 via the clutch member 4. When the pressing of the pressure member 5 is relieved, the pressing contact force is released, and the clutch member 4 stops following the rotation of the clutch housing 2 and stops, so that the rotational power is not transmitted to the shaft 3.

Further, as illustrated in fig. 2 to 4, the fixing member 8 is fixed to the tip end side of the boss portion 4d by using a bolt B, which is inserted through the bolt hole 4 c. A clutch spring 10 as urging means is attached to the fixed member 8. Specifically, the fixing member 8 is constituted by an annular metal member, is fixed to the tip end of the boss portion 4d by using the bolts B, and is mounted in such a manner that the receiving member 11 is disposed between the bolts B and the other end portion of the clutch spring 10 is in contact therewith.

Each clutch spring 10 is constituted by a coil spring mounted in such a manner that one end thereof is in contact with the bottom surface side of the receiving member 11 (specifically, a receiving portion 11b described below) and the other end thereof is in contact with the fixing member 8 in a state of being accommodated in the receiving member 11. The clutch spring 10 may constantly urge the pressure member 5 in a direction in which the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 are pressed against each other (i.e., a direction in which the pressure member 5 becomes closer to the clutch member 4). Another urging means may be used as the clutch spring 10.

The pressure member 5 is attached to the clutch member 4 at a position on the right end side in fig. 1 in such a manner that the pressure member 5 is movable in the axial direction (left-right direction in fig. 1) of the clutch member 4. The pressure member 5 can press the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 against each other or release the pressing contact force in accordance with its movement in the axial direction relative to the clutch member 4. More specifically, as illustrated in fig. 8 to 11, the pressure member 5 includes a flange portion 5a that can press the driving-side clutch plate 6 and the driven-side clutch plate 7 against each other, an attachment hole 5b for attaching the receiving member 11, a through hole 5c, and a center hole 5 d.

Wherein, as illustrated in fig. 1, the pressure receiving member E is attached to the central hole 5D of the pressure member 5 via a ball bearing D. The pressure receiving member E is attached to the tip side of the shaft 3, and is movable following the push rod 9. When the driver operates an operating device such as a clutch lever or the like (not shown) to project the push rod 9 in the right direction in the figure, the pressure receiving member E moves in the same direction. Therefore, the pressure member 5 can move in the rightward direction in fig. 1 (the direction away from the clutch member 4) against the urging force of the clutch spring 10.

When the pressure member 5 is moved in the right direction, the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is released, and the rotational power input to the gear 1 and the clutch housing 2 is cut off without being transmitted to the clutch member 4 and the shaft 3 (the clutch is disengaged). When the driver stops the operation of the operation device, the pressure member 5 is moved in the leftward direction in fig. 1 due to the urging force of the clutch spring 10, and the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 are pressed against each other. Therefore, the rotational power input to the gear 1 and the clutch housing 2 is transmitted to the clutch member 4 and the shaft 3 (the clutch is engaged).

That is, the pressure member 5 is configured to be able to press the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 against each other or release the pressing contact force in accordance with its movement in the axial direction relative to the clutch member 4. The push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E constitute "actuating means" of the present invention, and the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E are actuated by an operation performed by the driver and can release the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 by moving the pressure member 5 against the urging force of the clutch spring 10 (urging means) as described above.

Further, attachment holes 5b are formed at a plurality of (three) positions on the same circle at regular intervals in the pressure member 5, and the receiving member 11 is attached to each attachment hole 5 b. The receiving member 11 attached to the attachment hole 5b of the pressure member 5 may be in contact with and receive an urging force of the clutch spring 10, and be separated from the pressure member 5. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 12 to 15, the receiving member 11 according to the present embodiment is constituted by a cup-shaped member including: a recess portion 11a, the recess portion 11a accommodating the clutch spring 10; a receiving portion 11b formed in the recess portion 11a and contacting one end of the clutch spring 10 and receiving the urging force; and a flange portion 11c that is in contact with the pressure member 5 and can transmit the urging force of the clutch spring 10 to the pressure member 5.

Wherein a flange portion 11c is formed at the opening side of the receiving member 11. When the receiving member 11 is attached to the attachment hole 5b, the flange portion 11c is in contact with the opening edge of the attachment hole 5 b. After the receiving member 11 is attached to the attachment hole 5b, by mounting the clutch spring 10 in the recessed portion 11a in such a manner that one end portion of the clutch spring 10 is in contact with the receiving portion 11b, the urging force of the clutch spring 10 is transmitted to the pressure member 5 side via the flange portion 11c of the receiving member 11, and the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 can be pressed against each other by using the transmitted urging force.

Further, the power transmission device according to the present embodiment includes: a press-contact assist cam that can increase a press-contact force between the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational power input to the gear 1 as an input member becomes transmittable to the shaft 3 as an output member; and a reaction torque limiting cam that reduces a pressing contact force between the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotation speed of the shaft 3 as the output member exceeds the rotation speed of the gear 1 as the input member. In the drawings, cam surfaces (first cam surface C1 to sixth cam surface C6) constituting the press-contact assisting cam and the anti-torque limiting cam are shown in hatching (cross hatching).

As illustrated in fig. 4 and 18, the press-contact assist cam according to the present embodiment is configured by disposing the third cam surface C3 and the fourth cam surface C4 formed in the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4, respectively, to face each other. That is, when the clutch member 4 is assembled with the pressure member 5, the third cam surface C3 (see fig. 11) formed in the pressure member 5 and the fourth cam surface C4 (see fig. 7) formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other. Therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 are rotated relative to each other when the rotational power input to the gear 1 becomes transmittable to the shaft 3, the pressure member 5 is moved in the direction α in fig. 18 by the cam action of the third cam surface C3 and the fourth cam surface C4, so that the pressure member 5 becomes closer to the clutch member 4, whereby the pressing contact force between the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 is increased.

As illustrated in fig. 4 and 19, the anti-torque limiting cam according to the present embodiment is configured by disposing the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 formed in the receiving member 11 and the clutch member 4, respectively, to face each other. That is, when the clutch member 4, the pressure member 5, and the receiving member 11 are assembled together, the first cam surface C1 (see fig. 13 and 14) formed in the bottom side surface of the receiving member 11 and the second cam surface C2 (see fig. 6) formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other. Therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotation speed of the shaft 3 exceeds the rotation speed of the gear 1, the receiving member 11 moves in the direction β in fig. 19 due to the cam action of the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 so as to reduce the urging force of the clutch spring 10 transmitted to the pressure member 5, whereby the pressing contact force between the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 is reduced. The reduction in the pressing contact force refers to a state in which the rotational power transmission capability is reduced due to the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 sliding on each other.

Further, as illustrated in fig. 14, in each receiving member 11 according to the present embodiment, the fifth cam surface C5 is formed on the opposite side to the first cam surface C1; and sixth cam surfaces C6 (see fig. 11) each facing the fifth cam surface C5 are formed in the pressure member 5. That is, in both side surfaces of the bottom of each receiving member 11, a first cam surface C1 and a fifth cam surface C5 are formed, respectively; and the reaction torque limiting cam is constituted by the first cam surface C1, the second cam surface C2, the fifth cam surface C5, and the sixth cam surface C6.

When the clutch member 4, the pressure member 5, and the receiving member 11 are assembled together, the first cam surface C1 formed in the receiving member 11 and the second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other, and the fifth cam surface C5 formed in the receiving member 11 and the sixth cam surface C6 formed in the pressure member 5 are disposed to face each other. Therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotation speed of the shaft 3 exceeds the rotation speed of the gear 1, the receiving member 11 is moved in the direction β in fig. 19 by the cam action of the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 and the cam action of the fifth cam surface C5 and the sixth cam surface C6, whereby the pressing contact force between the driving-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 is reduced.

Therefore, when the reaction torque limiting cam acts, the receiving member 11 receives both the cam action of the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 and the cam action of the fifth cam surface C5 and the sixth cam surface C6. Although the anti-torque limiting cam according to the present embodiment includes the fifth cam surface C5 and the sixth cam surface C6 in addition to the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2, the anti-torque limiting cam may have only the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2.

Here, the power transmission device according to the present embodiment includes the rotation restricting portion 8a, the rotation restricting portion 8a being capable of restricting the rotation of the pressure member 5, which has been moved due to the activation of the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activating device), relative to the clutch member 4, and of maintaining the gap t (see fig. 20) between the pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the reaction torque limiting cam. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 16 and 17, the rotation restricting portion 8a according to the present embodiment is formed by bending a predetermined portion of the fixing member 8.

That is, when the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activation means) are activated, the pressure member 5 is moved, and the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is released (the clutch is disengaged). Then, as illustrated in fig. 20, the pressure member 5 interferes with the rotation restricting portion 8a, and the movement of the pressure member 5 in this direction is restricted, and the gap t between the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 constituting the reaction torque restricting cam is maintained. Therefore, the rotation restricting portion 8a is configured to be able to prevent the pressure member 5 from rotating and the receiving member 11 from catching on the second cam surface C2 when the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E) is activated.

The present embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 8a that is capable of restricting rotation (rotation in a direction such that the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 become closer to each other) of the pressure member 5 relative to the clutch member 4, which has been moved due to activation of the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E), and of maintaining a gap between a pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the anti-torque restricting cam. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

Further, the present embodiment includes a receiving member 11, which receiving member 11 is constituted by a separate member attached to the pressure member 5, receives the urging force of the clutch spring 10 (urging means) on the pressure member 5 side, and is capable of transmitting the urging force to the pressure member 5; and the reaction torque limiting cam has a first cam surface C1 formed in the receiving member 11 as one cam surface and a second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 as the other cam surface. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, the receiving member 11 can be prevented from catching on the second cam surface C2 that constitutes the reaction torque limiting cam, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

Further, the rotation restricting portion 8a according to the present embodiment is formed in a predetermined portion of the fixing member 8 (specifically, integrally formed by bending the predetermined portion of the fixing member 8). Therefore, by performing replacement of the fixing member 8 having the rotation restricting portion 8a in the existing power transmission device, the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch can be restricted, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

Next, a power transmission device according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described.

As with the first embodiment, the power transmission device according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and appropriately transmits or cuts off the drive power of the engine to the transmission and the drive wheel side. The power transmission device mainly includes: a clutch housing 2, the clutch housing 2 having a gear 1 formed thereon as an input member; a clutch member 4, the clutch member 4 being coupled to a shaft 3 as an output member; a pressure member 5, the pressure member 5 being formed on the right end side of the clutch member 4 in the figure; a drive-side clutch plate 6, the drive-side clutch plate 6 being coupled to the clutch housing 2 side; a driven-side clutch plate 7, the driven-side clutch plate 7 being coupled to the clutch member 4 side; a fixing member 8; a push rod 9; a clutch spring 10 as urging means; and a receiving member 11. The same elements as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The press-contact assist cam according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the clutch member 4 is assembled with the pressure member 5, the third cam surface C3 formed in the pressure member 5 and the fourth cam surface C4 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other; therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational power input to the gear 1 becomes transmittable to the shaft 3, the pressure member 5 is moved in the direction α in fig. 23 by the cam action of the third cam surface C3 and the fourth cam surface C4, so that the pressure member 5 becomes closer to the clutch member 4; thereby, the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is increased.

The reaction torque limiting cam according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the clutch member 4, the pressure member 5, and the receiving member 11 are assembled together, the first cam surface C1 formed in the bottom side surface of the receiving member 11 and the second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other; therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational speed of the shaft 3 exceeds the rotational speed of the gear 1, the receiving member 11 moves in the direction β in fig. 24 due to the cam action of the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2, so as to reduce the urging force of the clutch spring 10 transmitted to the pressure member 5; whereby the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is reduced.

Here, as illustrated in fig. 21 and 22, according to the present embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 5e is integrally formed in a predetermined portion of the pressure member 5. The rotation restricting portion 5E can restrict the rotation of the pressure member 5 relative to the clutch member 4, which has been moved by the activation of the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activating means), and can maintain the gap t (see fig. 25) between the pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the reaction torque limiting cam. As illustrated in fig. 22, the rotation restricting portion 5e is formed by making a predetermined portion of the pressure member 5 project in the rotation direction of the pressure member 5.

That is, when the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activation means) are activated, the pressure member 5 is moved, and the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is released (the clutch is disengaged). Then, as illustrated in fig. 25, the rotation restricting portion 5e formed in the pressure member 5 interferes with the boss portion 4d of the clutch member 4, and the movement of the pressure member 5 in this direction is restricted, and the gap t between the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 constituting the reaction torque restricting cam is maintained. Therefore, the rotation restricting portion 5E is configured to be able to prevent the pressure member 5 from rotating and the receiving member 11 from catching on the second cam surface C2 when the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E) is activated. The portion interfering with the rotation restricting portion 5e is not limited to the boss portion 4d of the clutch member 4, and may be other portions (including a separate newly formed portion).

The present embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 5E that is capable of restricting rotation (rotation in a direction such that the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 become closer to each other) of the pressure member 5 relative to the clutch member 4, which has been moved by activation of the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E), and of maintaining a gap between a pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the anti-torque restricting cam. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

Further, the present embodiment includes a receiving member 11, which receiving member 11 is constituted by a separate member attached to the pressure member 5, receives the urging force of the clutch spring 10 (urging means) on the pressure member 5 side, and is capable of transmitting the urging force to the pressure member 5; and the reaction torque limiting cam has a first cam surface C1 formed in the receiving member 11 as one cam surface and a second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 as the other cam surface. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, the receiving member 11 can be prevented from catching on the second cam surface C2 that constitutes the reaction torque limiting cam, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

Further, the rotation restricting portion 5E according to the present embodiment is formed in a predetermined portion of the pressure member 5, and the rotation restricting portion 5E formed in the pressure member 5 that has moved due to the activation of the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E) interferes with the boss portion 4d of the clutch member 4 and restricts the rotation of the pressure member 5. Therefore, by partially changing the shape of the pressure member 5, the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch can be restricted, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

Next, a power transmission device according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described.

As with the first embodiment, the power transmission device according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and appropriately transmits or cuts off the drive power of the engine to the transmission and the drive wheel side. The power transmission device mainly includes: a clutch housing 2, the clutch housing 2 having a gear 1 formed thereon as an input member; a clutch member 4, the clutch member 4 being coupled to a shaft 3 as an output member; a pressure member 5, the pressure member 5 being formed on the right end side of the clutch member 4 in the figure; a drive-side clutch plate 6, the drive-side clutch plate 6 being coupled to the clutch housing 2 side; a driven-side clutch plate 7, the driven-side clutch plate 7 being coupled to the clutch member 4 side; a fixing member 8; a push rod 9; a clutch spring 10 as urging means; and a receiving member 11. The same elements as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The press-contact assist cam according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the clutch member 4 is assembled with the pressure member 5, the third cam surface C3 formed in the pressure member 5 and the fourth cam surface C4 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other; therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational power input to the gear 1 becomes transmittable to the shaft 3, the pressure member 5 is moved in the direction α in fig. 28 by the cam action of the third cam surface C3 and the fourth cam surface C4, so that the pressure member 5 becomes closer to the clutch member 4; thereby, the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is increased.

The reaction torque limiting cam according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the clutch member 4, the pressure member 5, and the receiving member 11 are assembled together, the first cam surface C1 formed in the bottom side surface of the receiving member 11 and the second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other; therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational speed of the shaft 3 exceeds the rotational speed of the gear 1, the receiving member 11 moves in the direction β in fig. 29 due to the cam action of the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 so as to reduce the urging force of the clutch spring 10 transmitted to the pressure member 5; whereby the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is reduced.

Here, as illustrated in fig. 26 and 27, according to the present embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 4e is integrally formed in a predetermined portion of the clutch member 4. The rotation restricting portion 4E can restrict the rotation of the pressure member 5, which has been moved due to the activation of the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activating means), relative to the clutch member 4, and can maintain the gap t (see fig. 30) between the pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the reaction torque limiting cam. As illustrated in fig. 27, the rotation restricting portion 4e is formed by protruding a predetermined portion of the clutch member 4 (a predetermined portion of the boss portion 4d in the present embodiment) in the rotation direction of the pressure member 5.

That is, when the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activation means) are activated, the pressure member 5 is moved, and the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is released (the clutch is disengaged). Then, as illustrated in fig. 30, the pressure member 5 interferes with the rotation restricting portion 4e formed in the clutch member 4, and the movement of the pressure member 5 in this direction is restricted, and the gap t between the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 constituting the reaction torque restricting cam is maintained. Therefore, the rotation restricting portion 4E is configured to be able to prevent the pressure member 5 from rotating and the receiving member 11 from catching on the second cam surface C2 when the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E) is activated. The portion interfering with the rotation restricting portion 4e may be a separate newly formed portion of the pressure member 5.

The present embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 4E capable of restricting rotation (rotation in a direction such that the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 become closer to each other) of the pressure member 5, which has moved due to activation of the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E), relative to the clutch member 4, and capable of maintaining a gap between a pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the anti-torque restricting cam. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

Further, the present embodiment includes a receiving member 11, which receiving member 11 is constituted by a separate member attached to the pressure member 5, receives the urging force of the clutch spring 10 (urging means) on the pressure member 5 side, and is capable of transmitting the urging force to the pressure member 5; and the reaction torque limiting cam has a first cam surface C1 formed in the receiving member 11 as one cam surface and a second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 as the other cam surface. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, the receiving member 11 can be prevented from catching on the second cam surface C2 that constitutes the reaction torque limiting cam, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

Further, the rotation restricting portion 4E according to the present embodiment is formed in a predetermined portion of the clutch member 4, and the pressure member 5 that has moved due to activation of the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E) interferes with the rotation restricting portion 4E formed in the clutch member 4 and restricts rotation of the pressure member 5. Therefore, by partially changing the shape of the clutch member 4, the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch can be restricted, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

Next, a power transmission device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described.

As with the first embodiment, the power transmission device according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and appropriately transmits or cuts off the drive power of the engine to the transmission and the drive wheel side. The power transmission device mainly includes: a clutch housing 2, the clutch housing 2 having a gear 1 formed thereon as an input member; a clutch member 4, the clutch member 4 being coupled to a shaft 3 as an output member; a pressure member 5, the pressure member 5 being formed on the right end side of the clutch member 4 in the figure; a drive-side clutch plate 6, the drive-side clutch plate 6 being coupled to the clutch housing 2 side; a driven-side clutch plate 7, the driven-side clutch plate 7 being coupled to the clutch member 4 side; a fixing member 8; a push rod 9; and a clutch spring 10 as an urging means. The same elements as those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the power transmission device according to the present embodiment does not have the receiving member 11 included in the first to third embodiments.

The press-contact assist cam according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the clutch member 4 is assembled with the pressure member 5, the third cam surface C3 formed in the pressure member 5 and the fourth cam surface C4 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other; therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational power input to the gear 1 becomes transmittable to the shaft 3, the pressure member 5 is moved in the direction α in fig. 33 by the cam action of the third cam surface C3 and the fourth cam surface C4, so that the pressure member 5 becomes closer to the clutch member 4; thereby, the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is increased.

The reaction torque limiting cam according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: when the clutch member 4 is assembled with the pressure member 5, the first cam surface C1 formed in the pressure member 5 and the second cam surface C2 formed in the clutch member 4 are disposed to face each other; therefore, if the pressure member 5 and the clutch member 4 rotate relative to each other when the rotational speed of the shaft 3 exceeds the rotational speed of the gear 1, the pressure member 5 moves in the direction β in fig. 34 due to the cam action of the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2; whereby the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is reduced.

Here, as illustrated in fig. 16 and 17, according to the present embodiment, the rotation restricting portion 8a is integrally formed in a predetermined portion of the fixing member 8. The rotation restricting portion 8a can restrict the rotation of the pressure member 5, which has been moved due to the activation of the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activating means), relative to the clutch member 4, and can maintain the gap t (see fig. 35) between the pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the reaction torque limiting cam. As illustrated in fig. 32, the rotation restricting portion 8a is formed by bending a predetermined portion of the fixing member 8.

That is, when the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E (activation means) are activated, the pressure member 5 is moved, and the pressing contact force between the driving side clutch plates 6 and the driven side clutch plates 7 is released (the clutch is disengaged). Then, as illustrated in fig. 35, the pressure member 5 interferes with the rotation restricting portion 8a, and the movement of the pressure member 5 in this direction is restricted, and the gap t between the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 constituting the reaction torque restricting cam is maintained. Therefore, the rotation restricting portion 8a is configured to be able to prevent the pressure member 5 from rotating and the first cam surface C1 from catching on the second cam surface C2 when the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E) is activated.

The present embodiment includes a rotation restricting portion 8a that is capable of restricting rotation (rotation in a direction such that the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 become closer to each other) of the pressure member 5 relative to the clutch member 4, which has been moved due to activation of the activating means (the push rod 9 and the pressure receiving member E), and of maintaining a gap between a pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the anti-torque restricting cam. Therefore, with the present embodiment, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

Further, the rotation restricting portion 8a according to the present embodiment is formed in a predetermined portion of the fixing member 8 (specifically, integrally formed by bending the predetermined portion of the fixing member 8). Therefore, by performing replacement of the fixing member 8 having the rotation restricting portion 8a in the existing power transmission device, the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch can be restricted, and the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and the operability can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention may be applied to a power transmission device that does not press-contact the assist cam (the third cam surface C3 and the fourth cam surface C4). Even in this case, the power transmission device includes a rotation restricting portion (8a, 4E, 5E) that is capable of restricting rotation (rotation in a direction such that the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2 become closer to each other) of the pressure member 5, which has moved due to activation of the activating device (the push rod 9 and the pressure-receiving member E), relative to the clutch member 4, and of maintaining a gap between a pair of cam surfaces (the first cam surface C1 and the second cam surface C2) constituting the reaction torque limiting cam. Therefore, by limiting the rotation of the pressure member 5 when the driver disengages the clutch, it is possible to improve the responsiveness when the driver subsequently engages the clutch and improve the operability.

The number of attached receiving members 11 and the shape of each receiving member 11 are not limited. The present invention is applied to a power transmission device without the receiving member 11 as in the fourth embodiment. The power transmission device according to the present invention may be used as a multi-plate clutch for motorcycles, automobiles, three-or four-wheeled ATVs, general-purpose machines, and the like.

Industrial applicability

The present invention is applicable to any power transmission device having a different outer shape or having an additional function as long as the power transmission device has a rotation restricting portion capable of restricting rotation of a pressure member, which has been moved due to activation of a starting device, relative to a clutch member and capable of maintaining a gap between a pair of cam surfaces constituting a reaction torque restricting cam.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 Gear (input component)

2 Clutch housing

3 axle (output component)

4 Clutch member

4a central hole

4b outer peripheral wall

4c bolt hole

4d boss part

4e rotation restricting part

5 pressure member

5a flange part

5b attachment hole

5c through hole

5d center hole

5e rotation restricting portion

6 drive side clutch plate

7 driven side clutch plate

8 fixing member

8a rotation restricting part

9 push rod (starting device)

10 Clutch spring (Pushing device)

11 receiving member

11a recess

11b receiving part

11c flange part

C1 first cam surface

C2 second cam surface

C3 third cam surface

C4 fourth cam surface

C5 fifth cam surface

C6 sixth cam surface