Clutch actuator

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a clutch actuator capable of avoiding an increase in the weight and cost of a housing, and capable of preventing deformation of the housing due to application of a force in the opposite direction to the clutch operation direction when a coil is energized. This clutch actuator structure is characterized by being provided with: an annular main body (110) which is formed from a magnetic body and has a U-shaped cross-section having an opening (opening part (118)); a coil (130) housed inside the main body; a stopper (120) comprising a magnetic body and closing the opening of the main body; a plunger (150) comprising a magnetic body and disposed on the inner diameter side of the main body; a protruding ring (160) fitted to the inner diameter side of the plunger; and a bobbin (140) which is configured from a non-magnetic material, is disposed inside the main body, and is wound with a coil, a gap (G) is formed between the main body and the stopper, and a collar (170) configured from a non-magnetic material is disposed in the gap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clutch actuator for actuating a clutch of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle is equipped with a clutch actuator that actuates the clutch. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a "drive assembly used in a power transmission system of an automobile". The drive assembly of Patent Document 1 includes: "a housing that can be driven to rotate; an output portion; a first clutch portion and a second clutch portion, which are arranged in a power path between the housing and the output portion; an actuator that can perform the following control to transmit torque: operate the clutch in a manner that can be selectively connected to the first clutch portion and the second clutch portion; a target element that can move in the axial direction when the clutch is operating; and a sensor that cooperates with the target element to determine the position of at least one of the clutches".

[0003] The actuator of Patent Document 1 includes an electromagnet and a piston, and is configured so that when the electromagnet is energized, the piston is urged toward the clutch. The electromagnet includes an annular housing. The housing is disposed on a sleeve protrusion of a second housing portion using a carrier element, and has an annular gap in a radially inner portion of the housing at an end facing the clutch.

[0004] The piston is configured to be movable in the axial direction in a portion of the housing, and has an anchoring element made of a ferromagnetic material, such as an iron material, and a sleeve formed of a paramagnetic material such as high-grade steel, copper or aluminum. The anchoring element is sleeve-shaped and is pressed against the sleeve. Since the anchoring element is made of a ferromagnetic material, when the electromagnet is operated, the anchoring element moves toward the clutch and the annular gap is closed. In its terminal position, the anchoring element contacts the shoulder of the housing, and friction contact is generated.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6525553 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] In the actuator 5 of Patent Document 1, when the electromagnet is energized, a magnetic circuit is formed by the housing and the anchor element, and a large adsorption force is generated between them. In this state, when a force in the direction of releasing the adsorption acts on the anchor element, the housing is pulled by the anchor element. As a result, the housing is flexed and the protruding holding position of the sleeve changes, which may prevent the clutch from operating normally. In addition, if the housing is flexed, the housing and the electromagnet interfere with each other, which may cause damage to the electromagnet.

[0010] As a method for solving the above problem, a method of reducing the magnetic force of the electromagnet and the adsorption force between the housing and the anchoring element can be cited. However, if this method is used, the pressing force of the sleeve used to activate the clutch is also reduced, resulting in a reduction in clutch performance. As another method, it is considered to increase the rigidity of the housing, but if this method is used, the weight and cost of the housing will increase.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch actuator which can avoid an increase in the weight and cost of a housing and can prevent deformation of the housing caused by a force applied in a direction opposite to the clutch operating direction when the coil is energized.

[0012] Solutions for solving problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the representative structure of the clutch actuator of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: an annular main body, which is made of a magnetic body and has a U-shaped cross-section with an opening; a coil, which is accommodated inside the main body; a stopper, which is made of a magnetic body and closes the opening of the main body; a plunger, which is made of a magnetic body and is arranged on the inner diameter side of the main body; a protruding ring, which is embedded in the inner diameter side of the plunger; and a winding tube, which is made of a non-magnetic body, is arranged inside the main body and is wound with a coil, a gap is formed between the main body and the stopper, and an axial ring made of a non-magnetic body is arranged in the gap.

[0014] Alternatively, the gap between the stopper and the shaft ring may be smaller than the gap between the stopper and the bobbin.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, a clutch actuator can be provided which can avoid an increase in the weight and cost of a housing and can prevent deformation of the housing caused by application of a force in a direction opposite to the clutch operating direction when the coil is energized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1(a) to Figure 1(c) It is a diagram for explaining the clutch actuator according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) are partial enlarged views of Fig. 1(b).

[0019] Figure 3 It is a figure explaining the clearance between the stopper, the collar, and the bobbin.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a diagram illustrating the inner diameter of the collar and the body.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 100. Actuator; 102. Power connector; 110. Main body; 110a. Notch; 112. Inner wall; 114. Outer wall; 116. Annular surface; 118. Opening; 120. Stopper; 120a. Notch; 122. Stopper side step; 130. Coil; 140. Bobbin; 150. Plunger; 160. Protruding ring; 170. Shaft ring; 172. Shaft ring side step; G. Gap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for easy understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In addition, in this specification and the accompanying drawings, elements having substantially the same function and structure are marked with the same reference numerals and repeated descriptions are omitted. In addition, elements that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1(a) to Figure 1(c) The figures illustrate the clutch actuator (hereinafter referred to as the actuator 100) of the present embodiment. FIG. 1(a) is an overall stereoscopic view of the actuator 100. FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view of the AA position of FIG. 1(a) when the coil is energized. FIG. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view of the AA position of FIG. 1(a) when the coil is not energized.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1( a ), the actuator 100 of the present embodiment is configured to include a housing composed of a main body 110 and a stopper 120. The main body 110 is a ring-shaped member composed of a magnetic body. As shown in FIG. 1( b ) and FIG. 1( c ), the main body 110 has a cylindrical inner peripheral wall 112, a cylindrical outer peripheral wall 114 disposed outside the inner peripheral wall 112, and an annular surface 116 connecting the ends of the inner peripheral wall 112 and the outer peripheral wall 114. The main body 110 is formed into a U-shaped cross section with one side open, that is, having an opening 118, by means of the inner peripheral wall 112, the outer peripheral wall 114, and the annular surface 116.

[0026] The stopper 120 is made of a magnetic body and is attached to the opening 118 of the main body 110. Thus, the opening 118 of the main body 110 is closed by the stopper 120. In addition, notches 110a and 120a are formed in the main body 110 and the stopper 120, respectively. The power connector 102 that supplies current to the coil 130 is embedded in these notches 110a and 120a.

[0027] As a feature of the actuator 100 of the present embodiment, a gap G is formed between the main body 110 and the stopper 120 , and a collar 170 made of a non-magnetic body is disposed in the gap G.

[0028] Coil 130 and bobbin 140 are disposed inside body 110 (between inner peripheral wall 112 and outer peripheral wall 114). Coil 130 is wound around bobbin 140 made of a non-magnetic body, and when current is supplied through power connector 102, coil 130 is energized and excited.

[0029] A plunger 150 made of a magnetic body is disposed on the inner diameter side of the body 110. A protruding ring 160 is fitted on the inner diameter side of the plunger 150. When the plunger 150 slides on the inner periphery of the body 110, the protruding ring 160 moves in conjunction with the sliding direction thereof.

[0030] The coil 130 is in a non-excitation state when it is not energized (the clutch is disconnected). Therefore, no adsorption force is generated between the stopper 120 and the plunger 150. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the stopper 120 and the plunger 150 are separated, and the protruding ring 160 is stored inside the stopper 120 and is arranged at a position that does not protrude from the stopper 120.

[0031] Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b) are partial enlarged views of Fig. 1(b). When the coil 130 is energized and becomes an excited state (the clutch is connected), as shown in Fig. 2(a), a magnetic flux M passing through the main body 110, the plunger 150, and the stopper 120 is generated. As a result, an adsorption force is generated between the stopper 120 and the plunger 150, and the plunger 150 located at the position of Fig. 1(c) moves in the direction (D1 direction) toward the stopper 120. Then, the protruding ring 160 moves in the D1 direction in the same manner as the plunger 150, and as shown in Fig. 1(b) and Fig. 2(a), the protruding ring 160 protrudes from the stopper 120 to operate the clutch mechanism (not shown).

[0032] If the protruding ring 160 protrudes from the stopper 120 as shown in FIG. 2(a), a force in the direction of releasing adsorption, i.e., the push-back direction (D2 direction) acts on the protruding ring 160 as shown in FIG. 2(b), the plunger 150 is also subjected to a force in the push-back direction (D3 direction). At this time, the coil 130 is in an excited state, and an adsorption force is generated between the stopper 120 and the plunger 150. Therefore, when the plunger 150 is pushed back in the D3 direction, a force in the direction (D4 direction) pulled by the plunger 150 is applied to the stopper 120, and the stopper 120 is intended to deform in the bending direction.

[0033] Therefore, in the actuator 100 of the present embodiment, the collar 170 is arranged in the gap G between the main body 110 and the stopper 120 as described above. As a result, the stopper 120 that is about to bend contacts the collar 170, and the collar 170 is about to move in the direction (D5 direction) close to the main body 110. At this time, since the collar 170 that is about to move contacts the main body 110, the main body 110 is indirectly subjected to the force in the D2 direction applied to the protruding ring 160, that is, the impact load. Since the main body 110 is formed in a U-shaped cross section and has high rigidity, the stopper 120 and even the housing can be prevented from being deformed by bending.

[0034] As described above, according to the actuator 100 of this embodiment, by providing the collar 170 between the main body 110 and the stopper 120, it is possible to prevent the stopper 120 and even the housing from being deformed due to the force applied in the direction (D2 direction) opposite to the clutch working direction (D1 direction) when the coil is energized. In this case, since there is no need to change the design of the housing, it is possible to prevent the weight and cost of the housing from increasing.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, the stopper 120 is provided with a stopper side step portion 122, and the collar 170 is provided with a collar side step portion 172. Therefore, when the stopper 120 and the collar 170 are fitted together, the collar side step portion 172 is guided by the stopper side step portion 122, so that positioning can be easily performed.

[0036] Figure 3 1 is a diagram for explaining the gap between the stopper 120, the collar 170 and the bobbin 140. Figure 3 As shown, the gap C1 between the stopper 120 and the collar 170 is designed to be smaller than the gap C2 between the stopper 120 and the bobbin 140. Therefore, since the collar 170 contacts the stopper 120 before the bobbin 140, the above-mentioned effect can be reliably obtained, and damage to the bobbin 140 and even the coil 130 can be appropriately prevented.

[0037] Figure 4 1 is a diagram illustrating the inner diameter of the collar 170 and the body 110. Figure 4 As shown, the inner diameter R1 of the collar 170 can be designed to be larger than "the inner diameter R2 of the body 110 (strictly speaking, the inner diameter of the inner peripheral wall 112 of the body 110) + the swing of the collar 170". As a result, the collar 170 will not interfere with the plunger 150, so the plunger 150 can move smoothly on the inner diameter side of the body 110 when the coil is energized and when it is not energized.

[0038] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this example. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various variations or modifications can be thought of within the scope of the claims, and these variations or modifications also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0039] Industrial Applicability

[0040] The present invention can be used as a clutch actuator for actuating a clutch of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A clutch actuator, characterized in that: The clutch actuator has: The main body is annular and is made of a magnetic body and has a U-shaped cross section with an opening; a coil housed inside the main body; A stopper, which is made of a magnetic body and closes the opening of the main body; A plunger made of a magnetic body and disposed on the inner diameter side of the body; a protruding ring fitted on the inner diameter side of the plunger; and a bobbin, which is made of a non-magnetic body and is disposed inside the main body and around which the coil is wound; A gap is formed between the main body and the stopper, A collar made of a non-magnetic body is disposed in the gap.

2. The clutch actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gap between the stopper and the collar is smaller than the gap between the stopper and the bobbin.

Images