A clutch actuator

Abstract

The present application discloses a clutch actuator, which relates to the field of electric actuators, simplifies the structure of the clutch actuator and reduces the axial dimension of the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator includes a clutch output shaft and a clutch gear for driving the rotation of the clutch output shaft. The clutch gear has a rotating end movably sleeved on the clutch output shaft. At least one fitting for connecting the clutch output shaft is movably arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating end. The fitting is in concave-convex fit with the clutch output shaft. The clutch gear has a channel for the fitting to laterally disengage from the clutch output shaft. The clutch gear is provided with an elastic member around the rotating end for maintaining the concave-convex fit between the fitting and the clutch output shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electric actuators, and particularly to a clutch actuator. Background Art

[0002] A clutch actuator is an overload clutch, which can be applied, for example, to the electric rearview mirror of a vehicle or to the charging port of an electric vehicle.

[0003] Currently, a patent document of the United States Patent Publication No. US 2020 / 0347894A1 discloses an overload clutch, which is an axially arranged structure. The specific structure includes a housing and a non-cylindrical clutch housing with a housing cover, and includes two clutch elements arranged in the clutch housing. Through these clutch elements, motion can be transmitted in the engaged state. For transmitting the motion in the engaged state, they are engaged with each other in an interlocking and / or frictional manner, and can be disengaged when an overload occurs.

[0004] Since the above structure is axially arranged, it will result in a larger axial dimension. In addition, the load-bearing capacity of the wave spring is limited and cannot be made larger. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a clutch actuator, which reduces its axial dimension and increases its load-bearing capacity.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in the present application is as follows: A clutch actuator includes a clutch output shaft and a clutch gear for driving the clutch output shaft to rotate. The clutch gear has a rotating end movably sleeved on the clutch output shaft. At least one fitting for connecting the clutch output shaft is movably arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating end. The fitting is in lateral concave-convex fit with the clutch output shaft. The fitting and the clutch output shaft are connected in a lateral concave-convex fit manner. The clutch gear has a channel for the fitting to laterally disengage from the clutch output shaft. The clutch gear is provided with an elastic member around the rotating end for maintaining the concave-convex fit between the fitting and the clutch output shaft.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present application are as follows: The rotating end of the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear are connected by a movable socket connection method. The clutch gear is connected to the clutch output shaft through a fitting in a concave-convex fitting manner, which is different from the meshing connection structure in traditional clutch actuators. While enabling the clutch gear to drive the clutch output shaft to rotate synchronously when rotating, the connection structure between the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear is simplified. In addition, at least one fitting for connecting the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear is arranged circumferentially along the rotating end, which is different from the axial arrangement structure in traditional clutches. On the one hand, it reduces the overall axial dimension of the clutch actuator. On the other hand, arranging multiple such fittings axially at the rotating end can improve the load-bearing capacity of the clutch output shaft.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present application, a groove is provided on the peripheral wall of the clutch output shaft, and the inner part of the fitting protruding from the rotating end is snapped into the groove, and the fitting can move out of the groove along the channel towards the outside of the rotating end.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the channel includes a notch opened on the rotating end and a channel communicating with the notch towards the outside of the rotating end. After the fitting disengages from the groove, it can enter the channel.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the elastic member includes a torsion arm extending towards the outside of the notch, and the torsion arm can apply an elastic force to the fitting.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the included angle formed by the direction in which the fitting moves along the channel and the direction of the elastic force exerted by the torsion arm on the fitting is an acute angle, and the surface where the fitting and the torsion arm are to come into contact is an arc surface. When the clutch output shaft is overloaded, the fitting moves radially along the clutch output shaft and disengages from the groove, and the clutch output shaft and the clutch gear slip. At this time, the fitting abuts against the torsion arm of the elastic member. Since the included angle formed by the direction of the elastic force exerted by the torsion arm on the fitting and the moving direction of the fitting is an acute angle, the resultant force received by the fitting in the radial direction is small. When the clutch gear rotates rapidly, the fitting cannot be snapped into the groove of the clutch output shaft, so that even when the clutch output shaft is overloaded, the clutch gear can rotate smoothly without making a stuck abnormal sound.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the groove has a flared structure from the inside to the outside.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the torsion arm includes an upper torsion arm and a lower torsion arm. At least one pair of protruding portions are provided on the outside of the rotating end, and the pair of protruding portions have the notch. The protruding portions are used to limit the lower torsion arm, and a clutch cover plate is sleeved outside the clutch output shaft, and the clutch cover plate is used to limit the upper torsion arm.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, two elastic members are provided around the rotating end of the clutch gear, and the two elastic members are located on both sides of the fitting. The upper torsion arm of one of the elastic members is used to limit the upper part of the fitting, and the lower torsion arm of the other elastic member is used to limit the lower part of the fitting.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, two fittings are provided at intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotating end, and the two fittings are located on both sides of the elastic member. The upper torsion arm is used to limit one of the fittings, and the lower torsion arm is used to limit the other fitting.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, at least one support column is provided around the rotating end of the clutch gear, the elastic member is sleeved on the support column, the upper end of the support column is connected to the clutch cover plate, and the lower end of the support column is fixedly connected to the clutch gear. Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1 Schematic perspective view after the housing of the present application is opened;

[0018] Figure 2 Top view of the execution assembly;

[0019] Figure 3 Schematic perspective view of the execution assembly Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic perspective view of the execution assembly Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic cross-sectional view of the execution assembly;

[0022] Figure 6 Partial view of the execution assembly Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 7 Partial view of the execution assembly Figure 2 。

[0024] In the figure: 1, housing; 2, circuit board bracket; 3, motor; 4, first-stage gear set; 5, second-stage gear set; 6, clutch gear; 7, clutch output shaft; 601, rotating end; 602, notch; 8, fitting; 701, groove; 603, protrusion; 604, channel; 9, support column; 10, elastic member; 101, upper torsion arm; 102, lower torsion arm; 11, clutch cover plate. Detailed Embodiments

[0025] Next, in combination with specific embodiments, the present application will be further described. It should be noted that, on the premise of non-conflict, the following-described embodiments or technical features can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0026] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that for orientation terms, such as terms "center", "horizontal", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., the indicated orientation and position relationships are based on the orientation or position relationships shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of the present application.

[0027] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily need to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0028] The terms "comprising" and "having" in the description and claims of the present application, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0029] As Figures 1 - 5 shown, a clutch actuator includes a housing 1. A circuit board bracket 2, a transmission assembly, and an execution assembly are provided inside the housing 1. The transmission assembly includes a motor 3, a first-stage gear set 4, and a second-stage gear set 5. The motor 3 is connected to the circuit board bracket 2. The output shaft of the motor 3 is connected to the first-stage gear set 4. The second-stage gear set 5 is connected to the first-stage gear set 4. The motor 3 drives the first-stage gear to rotate, and the rotation of the first-stage gear drives the second-stage gear to rotate. The execution assembly includes a clutch gear 6 and a clutch output shaft 7. The clutch gear 6 is connected to the second-stage gear set 5, and the rotation of the second-stage gear set 5 drives the clutch gear 6 to rotate.

[0030] The clutch gear 6 has a rotating end 601 sleeved on the clutch output shaft 7. The clutch output shaft 7 is sleeved inside the rotating end 601. Four notches 602 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotating end 601. A fitting 8 is provided on each notch 602. The fitting 8 can be a cylindrical clutch needle bar. A groove 701 is formed on the circumferential wall of the clutch output shaft 7. The groove 701 can extend along the axial direction of the clutch output shaft 7 and penetrate through the top and bottom of the clutch output shaft 7. When the groove 701 is adaptively fitted with the notch 602, the fitting 8 is used to connect the rotating end 601 and the clutch output shaft 7. The part of the fitting 8 protruding from the inner side of the rotating end 601 is clamped in the groove 701. The groove 701 has a flared structure from the inside to the outside, and the cross-section of the groove 701 is in a trapezoid-like shape.

[0031] Four pairs of protruding parts 603 are arranged at intervals on the outer side of the rotating end 601. Each pair of protruding parts 603 is arranged corresponding to the notch 602. A channel 604 is formed on each pair of protruding parts 603. The channel 604 communicates with the notch 602. The channel 604 and the notch 602 form a channel for the fitting 8 to move. The fitting 8 can move towards the channel 604 in the channel to disengage from the groove 701.

[0032] Four support columns 9 are arranged at intervals around the rotating end 601 of the clutch gear 6. An elastic member 10 for limiting the fitting 8 is sleeved on each support column 9. The elastic member 10 can be a torsion spring, which is used to maintain the concave-convex fit between the fitting 8 and the clutch output shaft 7. The elastic member 10 always applies an elastic force to the fitting 8 to make it snap into the groove 701. The included angle formed by the moving direction of the fitting 8 disengaging from the groove 701 along the channel 604 and the direction of the elastic force of the torsion arm on the fitting 8 is an acute angle.

[0033] A pair of protruding parts 603 and a fitting 8 are arranged between two adjacent elastic members 10. The elastic member 10 includes an upper torsion arm 101 and a lower torsion arm 102. The upper torsion arm 101 and the lower torsion arm 102 extend towards the adjacent notch 602 in two different directions. The upper torsion arm 101 and the lower torsion arm 102 both abut against the rotating end 601, and the lower torsion arm 102 is located below the protruding part 603. The protruding part 603 is used to limit the upward lifting of the lower torsion arm 102.

[0034] A clutch cover plate 11 is sleeved outside the clutch output shaft 7. The lower ends of the four support columns 9 are fixedly connected to the clutch gear 6, and the upper ends of the four support columns 9 are sleeved on the clutch cover plate 11. The clutch cover plate 11 can limit the upward lifting of the upper torsion arm 101.

[0035] See Figure 6When two elastic members 10 are arranged on both sides of a mating member 8, the upper torsion arm 101 of one of the elastic members 10 is used to limit the upper part of the mating member 8. The upper torsion arm 101 elastically limits the upper part of the mating member 8, and the lower torsion arm 102 of the other elastic member 10 is used to limit the lower part of the mating member 8. The lower torsion arm 102 elastically limits the lower part of the mating member 8.

[0036] See Figure 7 When two mating members 8 are arranged on both sides of an elastic member 10, the upper torsion arm 101 of the clutch is used to limit the upper part of one of the mating members 8, and the lower torsion arm 102 of the clutch is used to limit the lower part of the other mating member 8.

[0037] The above describes the basic principle, main features and advantages of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present application is not limited by the above embodiments. What is described in the above embodiments and the specification is only the principle of the present application. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, the present application will have various changes and improvements, and these changes and improvements all fall within the scope of the present application claimed. The scope of protection required by the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A clutch actuator, comprising a clutch output shaft (7) and a clutch gear (6) for driving the clutch output shaft (7) to rotate. The clutch gear (6) has a rotating end (601) movably sleeved on the clutch output shaft (7). Characterized in that: At least one fitting (8) for connecting the clutch output shaft (7) is movably arranged along the circumference of the rotating end (601). The fitting (8) is in concave-convex fit with the clutch output shaft (7). The clutch gear (6) has a channel for the fitting (8) to laterally disengage from the clutch output shaft (7). The clutch gear (6) is provided with an elastic member (10) around the rotating end (601) for maintaining the concave-convex fit between the fitting (8) and the clutch output shaft (7). A groove (701) is provided on the peripheral wall of the clutch output shaft (7). The part of the fitting (8) protruding from the inner side of the rotating end (601) is snapped into the groove (701). The fitting (8) can move along the channel towards the outside of the rotating end (601) to disengage from the groove (701). The channel includes a notch (602) opened on the rotating end (601) and a channel (604) communicating with the notch (602) towards the outside of the rotating end (601). After the fitting (8) disengages from the groove (701), it can enter the channel (604). The elastic member (10) includes a torsion arm extending to the outside of the notch (602), and the torsion arm can apply an elastic force to the fitting (8). The torsion arm includes an upper torsion arm (101) and a lower torsion arm (102). At least one pair of protruding parts (603) is provided on the rotating end (601) towards its outside. This pair of protruding parts (603) has the notch (602), and the protruding parts (603) are used to limit the lower torsion arm (102). A clutch cover plate (11) is sleeved outside the clutch output shaft (7), and the clutch cover plate (11) is used to limit the upper torsion arm (101).

2. A clutch actuator according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The included angle formed by the direction in which the fitting (8) moves along the channel (604) and the direction of the elastic force of the torsion arm on the fitting (8) is an acute angle. The surface where the fitting (8) contacts the torsion arm is an arc surface.

3. A clutch actuator according to claim 2, Characterized in that: The groove (701) has a flared structure from the inside to the outside.

4. A clutch actuator according to claim 1, Characterized in that: Two elastic members (10) are provided around the rotating end (601) of the clutch gear (6). The two elastic members (10) are located on both sides of the fitting (8). The upper torsion arm (101) of one elastic member (10) is used to limit the upper part of the fitting (8), and the lower torsion arm (102) of the other elastic member (10) is used to limit the lower part of the fitting (8).

5. A clutch actuator according to claim 1, Characterized in that: Two of the fitting members (8) are circumferentially spaced along the rotation end (601). The two fitting members (8) are located on both sides of the elastic member (10). The upper torsion arm (101) is used to limit one of the fitting members (8), and the lower torsion arm (102) is used to limit the other fitting member (8).

6. A clutch actuator according to claim 1, wherein: At least one support column (9) is provided around the rotation end (601) of the clutch gear (6). The elastic member (10) is sleeved on the support column (9). The upper end of the support column (9) is connected to the clutch cover plate (11), and the lower end of the support column (9) is fixedly connected to the clutch gear (6).

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