Clutching device

Abstract

The present application comprises a clutch group and two clutch actuating groups, the clutch group is provided with a central guide seat and two clutch components; the actuating part of each clutch actuating group comprises an actuating ring gear, an abutting ring and a buffer elastic part between the actuating ring gear and the abutting ring; the two actuating ring gears abut against two clutch cam segments provided on the central guide seat, and the two abutting rings abut against the two clutch components. The two actuating parts are pushed and abutted by the two clutch cam segments, and the two clutch components are moved and controlled. The central guide seat of the present application is provided with a hollow sleeve part to accommodate the components, so as to reduce the volume; the buffer elastic part between the actuating ring gear and the abutting ring enables the abutting ring to continuously contact the clutch components, smoothly transmits the force and provides buffering and pre-pressing, solves the problems of large volume or slow reaction of the existing speed changing device, and provides a clutch device with compact structure and smooth file changing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a speed change device, and more particularly to a compact clutch device that can smoothly change gears. Background Technology

[0002] During vehicle operation, different power levels are required to cope with different road conditions. For example, a low-speed gear with lower engine speed is needed when climbing a hill, while a high-speed gear with higher engine speed is needed when driving on a flat road. Therefore, in order to obtain different power levels, vehicles need to be equipped with a transmission system that works in conjunction with the drive system to change between different gears.

[0003] An existing transmission device includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and an intermediate shaft, as well as several gear shift shafts connected to a gear lever. The number of gear shift shafts is determined by the number of gears. The input shaft, output shaft, and intermediate shaft are equipped with multiple meshing gears. Each gear shift shaft is equipped with a synchronizer fitted onto the output shaft. The user operates the gear lever to select the gear shift shaft corresponding to different gears, and the synchronizers on the gear shift shafts connect the output shaft and the intermediate shaft, thereby outputting different power.

[0004] However, existing transmissions, in addition to the input shaft, output shaft, and intermediate shaft, also require a shift shaft to accommodate the number of gears. Therefore, existing transmissions are structurally less compact and bulky, making them unsuitable for vehicles with limited installation space.

[0005] In addition, existing transmission clutches are divided into dry clutches actuated by a connecting arm and wet clutches actuated by hydraulic oil. Dry clutches require an additional connecting arm and space for its movement; while wet clutches transmit power through hydraulic oil, which results in a less responsive design and thus requires improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems of large size or unresponsiveness in existing transmission devices, this invention provides a clutch device with a compact structure that achieves both size reduction and smooth gear shifting.

[0007] The clutch device proposed by the present invention to solve the technical problem includes:

[0008] A clutch assembly, which includes a central guide seat and two clutch components;

[0009] The central guide is used to fix to a clutch hub and includes a sleeve section and two clutch cam sections;

[0010] The sleeve portion is cylindrical and includes an axial section and two ends that are positioned opposite each other along the axial direction of the sleeve portion;

[0011] Each clutch cam segment is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion and includes a pushing curved surface, with the pushing curved surfaces of the two clutch cam segments facing the two ends of the sleeve portion respectively;

[0012] Each clutch assembly includes multiple clutch elements, each clutch element being coaxially disposed with the sleeve portion and capable of reciprocating along the axial direction of the sleeve portion; and

[0013] A dual-clutch actuation assembly, each clutch actuation assembly including a co-actuator; the co-actuator is annular and rotatably sleeved on the sleeve portion, and the co-actuator includes a co-actuating ring gear, a stop ring, and multiple buffer elastic members; the side of the co-actuating ring gear is provided with multiple actuating stops at intervals; the stop ring is coaxially engaged with the co-actuating ring gear of the actuator by multiple positioning members; the multiple buffer elastic members are located between the co-actuating ring gear and the stop ring, respectively sleeved on the multiple positioning members, and the two ends of each buffer elastic member abut against the co-actuating ring gear and the stop ring respectively;

[0014] The two actuators of the two clutch actuator assemblies abut against the two clutch cam sections with their respective actuator abutments. The two abutment rings of the two actuators abut against the two clutch assemblies. The two actuator ring gears can be pushed by the two clutch cam sections, so that the two actuators can move along the sleeve section.

[0015] The clutch device wherein each clutch cam segment has a plurality of clutch actuation zones spaced apart on its pushing surface, and each clutch actuation zone includes a plurality of actuation protrusions.

[0016] The clutch device, wherein each of the clutch actuation regions includes two actuation protrusions and a limiting recess located between the two actuation protrusions.

[0017] The clutch device, wherein the central guide seat includes two auxiliary guide grooves, the two auxiliary guide grooves are respectively close to both ends of the sleeve portion of the central guide seat, each auxiliary guide groove is recessed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion and surrounds the sleeve portion in a wave-like manner; the actuating ring gear of each actuator is provided with a plurality of guide protrusions at intervals around its inner peripheral edge, and the two actuating ring gears of the two actuators are respectively inserted into the two auxiliary guide grooves of the sleeve portion with the provided guide protrusions.

[0018] The clutch device, wherein each of the clutch components includes a retaining ring and a friction ring coaxially arranged; the two planes of the friction ring are rough, and its outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the retaining ring.

[0019] The clutch device, wherein each of the clutch components includes a wave spring; the wave spring of the clutch component is coaxially arranged with the retaining ring and friction ring of the clutch component; the plurality of clutch components of each clutch assembly abut against each other by the provided wave spring.

[0020] In the aforementioned clutch device, each of the aforementioned buffer elastic elements is a compression spring.

[0021] The improved effects achievable by the technical means of this invention are as follows:

[0022] 1. The central guide seat of the present invention is provided with a clutch cam section to push the actuator, and the actuator then pushes the clutch assembly to control the operation of the clutch assembly. The present invention integrates the structure of the actuating clutch assembly into the central guide seat, which has a hollow sleeve portion to accommodate the component, making the structure of the present invention simpler and more compact, and helping to reduce the size. In addition, multiple buffer elastic elements are provided between the actuator ring gear of the actuator and the abutment ring to maintain continuous contact between the abutment ring and the clutch assembly. In addition to smoothly transmitting force and improving the efficiency of force transmission, making gear shifting smoother and without jerking, it also provides a buffering and pre-compression function when pushing the clutch assembly, ensuring that when the clutch assembly is actuated, the abutment ring abuts against multiple clutch components to provide a pre-compression clamping function, avoiding slippage between the locking rings and friction rings of multiple clutch components.

[0023] 2. In each actuator of the present invention, the actuating ring gear and the abutment ring system are combined by a plurality of positioning members, and a plurality of buffer elastic members are respectively fitted onto the plurality of positioning members, and simultaneously abut against the actuating ring gear and the abutment ring. Each buffer elastic member simultaneously abuts against the actuating ring gear and the abutment ring, maintains the distance between the actuating ring gear and the abutment ring, and generates a preload effect on a corresponding clutch assembly; furthermore, the plurality of buffer elastic members are guided by a plurality of positioning members, and can stably abut against the actuating ring gear and the abutment ring.

[0024] 3. The actuator ring gear of each actuator of the present invention is provided with a guide protrusion, and the actuator ring gear of each actuator is inserted into the auxiliary guide groove of the sleeve portion with the provided guide protrusion, so that each actuator can rotate and move stably and smoothly relative to the sleeve portion of the central guide seat, so that the clutch actuator group can accurately drive the clutch assembly to reciprocate.

[0025] 4. Each clutch component of the clutch assembly of the present invention is provided with a wave spring; when the clutch assembly is not moving, the multiple clutch components of the clutch assembly abut against each other by the provided wave springs. The wave springs provided in each clutch component force the locking rings of two adjacent clutch components to disengage from the friction rings, thereby preventing the clutch assembly from moving unexpectedly. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Furthermore, the shapes and proportions of the components in the drawings are merely illustrative to aid in understanding the invention and do not specifically limit the shapes and proportions of the components. Those skilled in the art, guided by the teachings of this invention, can select various possible shapes and proportions to implement the invention according to specific circumstances.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the gear transmission mechanism equipped with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a transmission mechanism equipped with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a partial side cross-sectional view of a transmission mechanism equipped with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the central guide seat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the clutch component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the actuator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view of a transmission mechanism equipped with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged side cross-sectional view of a transmission mechanism equipped with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The details of the present invention can be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and the description of specific embodiments. However, the specific embodiments of the present invention described herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Under the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can conceive of any possible modifications based on the invention, and these should all be considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

[0036] To gain a detailed understanding of the technical features and practical effects of this invention, and to enable its implementation, the preferred embodiments shown in the figures are further described in detail below:

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the transmission mechanism equipped with the clutch device of the present invention includes a transmission shaft 10, a shift camshaft 20, a compound planetary gear set 30, a first synchronization component 40A, a second synchronization component 40B, a clutch assembly 50, a first clutch actuation assembly 60A, and a second clutch actuation assembly 60B.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the drive shaft 10 and the shift camshaft 20 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart. The compound planetary gear set 30 can be connected to the drive shaft 10 and is driven by the drive shaft 10. The clutch assembly 50 is connected to the compound planetary gear set 30. The two clutch actuation assemblies 60A and 60B connect the shift camshaft 20 and the clutch assembly 50, so that the shift camshaft 20 can control the output of the compound planetary gear set 30 by means of the two clutch actuation assemblies 60A and 60B.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the composite planetary gear set 30 includes a planet carrier, a large sun gear, a small sun gear, multiple short-axis planetary gears, multiple long-axis planetary gears, and an output ring gear. Since planetary gear sets are existing technology and are irrelevant to the buffering and preload functions intended to be provided by this invention, they will not be described in detail here.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, each of the synchronization components 40A / 40B includes a driven bushing 41, a sleeve 42A / 42B, and a connecting arm 43A / 43B. Since the aforementioned components of each synchronization component 40A / 40B are unrelated to the buffering and preload functions intended to be provided by this invention, they will not be described further here. The first synchronization component 40A further includes a first transmission member 44 that can connect to the planet carrier and the small sun gear of the compound planetary gear set 30; the second synchronization component 40B further includes a second transmission member 45 that can connect to the large sun gear of the compound planetary gear set 30. The first synchronization component 40A and the second synchronization component 40B are used to connect the drive shaft 10 and the compound planetary gear set 30, thereby changing gears.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the clutch assembly 50 includes a central guide seat 51, a first clutch assembly 52A, and a second clutch assembly 52B. The central guide seat 51 includes a sleeve portion 511, a flange portion 512, a first auxiliary guide groove 513A, a second auxiliary guide groove 513B, a first clutch cam section 514A, and a second clutch cam section 514B.

[0042] like Figure 4As shown, the sleeve portion 511 is cylindrical and includes an axial direction and two opposite ends positioned axially on the sleeve portion 511. The sleeve portion 511 is coaxially fitted onto the drive shaft 10. The flange portion 512 is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 511 and is located in the middle section of the sleeve portion 511. The central guide seat 51 is engaged with a clutch hub via the flange portion 512. The two auxiliary guide grooves 513A and 513B are respectively located near the two ends of the sleeve portion 511. The two auxiliary guide grooves 513A and 513B are recessed into the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 511 and surround the sleeve portion 511 in a wave-like manner in different forms. The two clutch cam segments 514A and 514B are arranged in a wave-like manner around the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion 511. Each clutch cam segment 514A / 514B includes a wave-shaped pushing surface. The pushing surface of each clutch cam segment 514A / 514B is provided with multiple clutch actuation areas 515 at intervals. Each clutch actuation area 515 includes two actuation protrusions 516 and a limiting recess 517 located between the two actuation protrusions 516. The two clutch cam segments 514A and 514B are located between the two auxiliary guide grooves 513A and 513B and are separated by the flange portion 512. The pushing surfaces of the two clutch cam segments 514A and 514B face the two ends of the sleeve portion 511 respectively.

[0043] The sleeve portion 511 of the central guide seat 51 of the present invention is hollow and tubular. The space inside the sleeve portion 511 can accommodate some components of the drive shaft 10 and the second synchronization assembly 40B, making the present invention more efficient in space utilization and having the advantages of compact structure and small size.

[0044] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, each clutch assembly 52A / 52B includes a plurality of clutch elements 521. For example... Figure 5As shown, each clutch component 521 includes a locking ring 522, a friction ring 523, and a wave spring 524 coaxially arranged. The outer periphery of the locking ring 522 is provided with multiple locking protrusions spaced apart. The friction ring 523 has rough two planes, and its inner periphery is provided with multiple locking protrusions 525 spaced apart, with its outer diameter being smaller than the outer diameter of the locking ring 522. The wave spring 524 surrounds the friction ring 523. The multiple clutch components 521 are coaxially arranged with the sleeve portion 511, and the multiple clutch components 521 can reciprocate along the axial direction of the sleeve portion 511. When each clutch assembly 52A / 52B is not activated, its multiple clutch elements 521 abut against each other using wave springs 524. When each clutch assembly 52A / 52B is activated, the wave springs 524 of its multiple clutch elements 521 are compressed and abut against each other using friction rings 523. The clutch elements 521 of the first clutch assembly 52A and the second clutch assembly 52B are connected to the compound planetary gear set 30 by the locking protrusions 525 provided on the inner periphery of the friction rings 523, thereby controlling whether the large sun gear and planet carrier of the compound planetary gear set 30 can rotate.

[0045] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, each clutch actuation assembly 60A / 60B includes a cooperating element 62. For example... Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, each actuator 62 is annular and rotatably fitted onto the sleeve portion 511. Each actuator 62 includes a rotating ring gear 621, a stop ring 622, and multiple buffer elastic members 623. The rotating ring gear 621 is annular, with multiple teeth around its outer periphery, three actuating stops 624 spaced around its side, and three guide protrusions 625 spaced around its inner periphery. Each guide protrusion 625 protrudes radially from the inner periphery of the rotating ring gear 621. The rotating ring gear 621 of each actuator 62 meshes with a drive gear 61 fixed to the shift camshaft 20; the stop ring 622 is coaxially engaged with the rotating ring gear 621. The plurality of buffer elastic elements 623 are located between the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each buffer elastic element 623 is a compression spring, and both ends of each buffer elastic element 623 abut against the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622, respectively. The buffer elastic elements 623 of the present invention are not limited to compression springs; as long as each buffer elastic element 623 can elastically support the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622, it is the object to be protected by the present invention. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622 of each actuator 62 are combined by a plurality of positioning members 626. A plurality of buffer elastic members 623 are respectively fitted onto the plurality of positioning members 626. Each buffer elastic member 623 simultaneously abuts against the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622, maintaining the distance between the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622, and generating a preload effect on the corresponding clutch assembly 52A / 52B. Furthermore, the plurality of buffer elastic members 623 are guided by the plurality of positioning members 626, enabling them to stably abut against the actuating ring gear 621 and the abutment ring 622.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the two actuators 62 of the two clutch actuator assemblies 60A and 60B are rotatably fitted onto the sleeve portion 511 and can reciprocate along the sleeve portion 511. The two actuator ring gears 621 of the two actuators 62 mesh with a drive gear 61 fixed to the shift camshaft 20. The two actuators 62 abut against the central guide seat 51 fixed to the clutch hub with their actuator ring gears 621. Specifically, the two actuator ring gears 621 abut against the two pushing surfaces of the two clutch cam sections 514A and 514B of the central guide seat 51 with their actuating abutments 624; and the two actuator ring gears 621 are inserted into the two auxiliary guide grooves 513A and 513B of the sleeve portion 511 with their guide protrusions 625.

[0047] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, when the shift camshaft 20 rotates, it drives the drive gear 61 to rotate. The two actuators 62 of the two clutch actuator assemblies 60A and 60B, whose two actuator ring gears 621 mesh with the drive gear 61, are then driven to rotate relative to the sleeve portion 511. The rotating actuator ring gears 621 of the two actuators 62 of the two clutch actuator assemblies 60A and 60B can be pushed by the pushing surfaces of the two clutch cam sections 514A and 514B and move along the sleeve portion 511, so that the two actuators 62 can move toward the two ends of the sleeve portion 511 respectively. The guide protrusions 625 of the two actuating ring gears 621 can move along the two auxiliary guide grooves 513A and 513B respectively, so that the two actuators 62 can reciprocate along the sleeve portion 511, which helps the two actuating ring gears 621 to rotate smoothly relative to the sleeve portion 511.

[0048] The detailed explanations of the above embodiments are intended only to explain the present invention so as to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. However, these descriptions should not be construed as limiting the present invention for any reason. In particular, the various features described in different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined with each other to form other embodiments. Unless there is an explicit description to the contrary, these features should be understood to be applicable to any embodiment, and not limited to the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A clutch device, characterized in that, The clutch device includes: A clutch assembly, which includes a central guide seat and two clutch components; The central guide is used to fix to a clutch hub and includes a sleeve section and two clutch cam sections; The sleeve portion is cylindrical and includes an axial section and two ends that are positioned opposite each other along the axial direction of the sleeve portion; Each clutch cam segment is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion and includes a pushing curved surface, with the pushing curved surfaces of the two clutch cam segments facing the two ends of the sleeve portion respectively; Each clutch assembly includes multiple clutch elements, each clutch element being coaxially disposed with the sleeve portion and capable of reciprocating along the axial direction of the sleeve portion; and A dual-clutch actuation assembly, each clutch actuation assembly including a co-actuator; the co-actuator is annular and rotatably sleeved on the sleeve portion, and the co-actuator includes a co-actuating ring gear, a stop ring, and multiple buffer elastic members; the side of the co-actuating ring gear is provided with multiple actuating stops at intervals; the stop ring is coaxially engaged with the co-actuating ring gear of the actuator by multiple positioning members; the multiple buffer elastic members are located between the co-actuating ring gear and the stop ring, and are respectively sleeved on the multiple positioning members, and the two ends of each buffer elastic member abut against the co-actuating ring gear and the stop ring respectively; The two actuators of the two clutch actuator assemblies abut against the two clutch cam sections with their respective actuator abutments. The two abutment rings of the two actuators abut against the two clutch assemblies. The two actuator ring gears can be pushed by the two clutch cam sections, so that the two actuators can move along the sleeve section.

2. The clutch device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each clutch cam segment has a plurality of clutch actuation zones spaced apart on its pushing surface, and each clutch actuation zone includes a plurality of actuation protrusions.

3. The clutch device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the clutch actuation regions includes two actuation protrusions and a limiting recess located between the two actuation protrusions.

4. The clutch device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The central guide seat includes two auxiliary guide grooves, which are respectively close to both ends of the sleeve portion of the central guide seat. Each auxiliary guide groove is recessed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion and surrounds the sleeve portion in a wave-like manner. The actuating ring gear of each actuator is provided with a plurality of guide protrusions at intervals around its inner peripheral edge. The two actuating ring gears of the two actuators are respectively inserted into the two auxiliary guide grooves of the sleeve portion with the provided guide protrusions.

5. The clutch device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the clutch components includes a retaining ring and a friction ring coaxially arranged; the two planes of the friction ring are rough, and its outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the retaining ring.

6. The clutch device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the clutch components includes a wave spring; the wave spring of the clutch component is coaxially arranged with the retaining ring and friction ring of the clutch component; the multiple clutch components of each clutch assembly abut against each other by the provided wave spring.

7. The clutch device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The central guide seat includes two auxiliary guide grooves, which are respectively close to both ends of the sleeve portion of the central guide seat. Each auxiliary guide groove is recessed on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve portion and surrounds the sleeve portion in a wave-like manner. The actuating ring gear of each actuator is provided with a plurality of guide protrusions at intervals around its inner peripheral edge. The two actuating ring gears of the two actuators are respectively inserted into the two auxiliary guide grooves of the sleeve portion with the provided guide protrusions.

8. The clutch device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the clutch components includes a retaining ring and a friction ring coaxially arranged; the two planes of the friction ring are rough, and its outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the retaining ring.

9. The clutch device as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the clutch components includes a wave spring; the wave spring of the clutch component is coaxially arranged with the retaining ring and friction ring of the clutch component; the multiple clutch components of each clutch assembly abut against each other by the provided wave spring.

10. The clutch device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned buffer elastic elements is a compression spring.

Images