Clutch device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a clutch device, the objective of which is to appropriately control the flow rate of oil in the oil circuit when the clutch pedal is released. A variable flow mechanism is provided in the large-diameter portion of the oil circuit. The variable flow mechanism includes: a support member, configured to be immovable in the large-diameter portion; a throttling orifice member disposed inside the cylindrical portion of the support member; and a spring that applies force to the throttling orifice member in the forward direction. A groove extending in the return direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The throttling orifice member has a protrusion received in the groove. The groove and the protrusion are configured to suppress tilting of the throttling orifice member relative to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a clutch device mounted on a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a clutch device that operates a clutch located between an engine and a transmission mechanism in a vehicle. This clutch device includes a flow-variable device in an oil passage connected to a clutch master cylinder and a clutch release cylinder. The flow-variable device includes a clutch return stroke where oil flows from the clutch release cylinder toward the clutch master cylinder when the clutch pedal is released. A solenoid valve is provided in the clutch return stroke to vary the flow rate of oil. Therefore, in this clutch device, the flow rate of oil in the clutch return stroke is adjusted by controlling the solenoid valve based on the control unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-121626 Utility Model Content

[0004] In the aforementioned clutch device, the flow rate of oil during the clutch return stroke is adjusted by instructions from the control unit. Therefore, if the control unit's instructions are delayed or incorrect, the flow rate of oil during the clutch return stroke may not be properly adjusted.

[0005] In a clutch device designed to solve the aforementioned problems, when the clutch pedal is depressed, oil flows in the oil passage in the forward direction (from the clutch master cylinder towards the clutch release cylinder), thereby cutting off power transmission via the clutch. Conversely, when the clutch pedal is released, oil flows in the oil passage in the return direction (opposite to the forward direction), thereby allowing power transmission via the clutch. In this clutch device, the oil passage has a small-diameter section and a large-diameter section located further in the return direction than the small-diameter section and with a larger diameter. A flow rate variable mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of oil in the oil passage is provided in the large-diameter section. The flow rate variable mechanism is set to a fixed state in the oil passage and includes: a support member having a disc portion and a cylindrical portion extending from the outer periphery of the disc portion in the return direction; a throttle orifice member displaced inside the cylindrical portion in both the return and forward directions; and a spring that applies force to the throttle orifice member in the forward direction. A groove extending in the return direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The throttling orifice component has an annular body and a protrusion that protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the body and is received in the groove. The groove and the protrusion are configured to suppress the tilting of the throttling orifice component relative to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

[0006] Utility Model Effect

[0007] According to the above-mentioned clutch device, when the clutch pedal is released, the flow rate of oil in the oil circuit can be appropriately controlled. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram showing the clutch device of the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 (a) and Figure 2 (b) indicates Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the variable flow mechanism of the clutch device.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a schematic representation Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the support components and throttling orifice in a variable flow mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The following is based on Figures 1-3 One embodiment of a clutch device mounted on a vehicle will be described.

[0012] like Figure 1 As shown, the clutch device 20 includes a clutch 21 disposed on the power transmission path from the engine 11 to the transmission mechanism 12. When the clutch pedal 22 is depressed, the clutch device 20 cuts off the power transmission from the engine 11 to the transmission mechanism 12 via the clutch 21. On the other hand, when the clutch pedal 22 is not depressed, the clutch device 20 allows the power transmission from the engine 11 to the transmission mechanism 12 via the clutch 21.

[0013] The clutch assembly 20 includes a clutch master cylinder 23, a clutch release cylinder 24, and an oil passage 25 connected to the clutch pedal 22. The oil passage 25 is a flow path for oil connecting the clutch master cylinder 23 and the clutch release cylinder 24. When the clutch pedal 22 is depressed, oil pressure is generated in the clutch master cylinder 23, causing oil to flow from the clutch master cylinder 23 towards the clutch release cylinder 24 in the oil passage 25. This increases the oil pressure in the clutch release cylinder 24, thus releasing the clutch 21. This disconnects power transmission via the clutch 21. Conversely, when the clutch pedal 22 is released, the oil pressure in the clutch master cylinder 23 decreases. This causes oil to flow from the clutch release cylinder 24 towards the clutch master cylinder 23 in the oil passage 25. This decreases the oil pressure in the clutch release cylinder 24, thus engaging the clutch 21. This allows power transmission via the clutch 21.

[0014] Hereinafter, the direction of oil flow in the oil passage 25 when the clutch pedal 22 is depressed is referred to as the "forward direction X1". The direction of oil flow in the oil passage 25 when the clutch pedal 22 is released is referred to as the "return direction X2". The return direction X2 is the opposite direction to the forward direction X1.

[0015] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a variable flow mechanism 30 is provided in the oil passage 25. This variable flow mechanism 30 adjusts the flow rate of oil in the oil passage 25 in the return direction X2 when the clutch pedal 22 is released. The variable flow mechanism 30 operates in such a way that the greater the operating speed when the clutch pedal 22 is released, the greater the reduction in oil flow rate.

[0016] like Figure 2 As shown in (a) and (b), a small-diameter section 251 and a large-diameter section 252 are provided in the oil passage 25, which is located further in the return direction X2 than the small-diameter section 251. The diameter of the large-diameter section 252 is larger than the diameter of the small-diameter section 251. A variable flow mechanism 30 is provided in the large-diameter section 252.

[0017] The variable flow mechanism 30 includes: a bushing 31, which is cylindrical; a support member 32 and a throttling orifice member 36, located further in the forward direction X1 than the bushing 31; and a spring 40 located between the bushing 31 and the throttling orifice member 36. The bushing 31 is cylindrical and is configured to be immovable in the oil passage 25.

[0018] The support member 32 is configured to be immovable within the oil passage 25. Specifically, the support member 32 is positioned at the boundary between the large-diameter portion 252 and the small-diameter portion 251. The support member 32 has a disc portion 33 and a cylindrical portion 34 extending from the outer periphery of the disc portion 33 in the return direction X2. A through hole 33a is provided in the center of the disc portion 33. Two grooves 34a extending in the return direction X2 are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 34.

[0019] The throttle orifice component 36 is supported on the support component 32 in a state that allows it to move along the forward direction X1 and the return direction X2 inside the cylindrical portion 34. The throttle orifice component 36 has a main body 37 forming an annular shape and two protrusions 38 that protrude radially outward from the outer periphery of the main body 37. A through hole 37a is provided in the center of the main body 37.

[0020] like Figure 3 As shown, the protrusion 38 is accommodated in the groove 34a. Furthermore, there is a gap SP between the outer peripheral surface of the main body 37 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 34.

[0021] Spring 40 applies force to orifice component 36 in the forward direction X1.

[0022] When the clutch pedal 22 is depressed and oil flows in the oil passage 25 in the forward direction X1, such as Figure 2 As shown in (a), the throttle orifice component 36 is pressed against the disc portion 33 of the support component 32 by the force of the spring 40. At this time, the through hole 33a of the disc portion 33 communicates with the through hole 37a of the throttle orifice component 36. Therefore, oil discharged from the clutch master cylinder 23 to the oil passage 25 is supplied to the clutch release cylinder 24 through the through holes 33a and 37a.

[0023] On the other hand, when the clutch pedal 22 is released, oil flows in the oil passage 25 in the return direction X2. In this case, the flow rate, i.e., the velocity, of the oil flowing in the oil passage 25 in the return direction X2 changes the position of the throttle orifice component 36.

[0024] The oil pressure in oil passage 25 is referred to as "flow path oil pressure Po". Flow path oil pressure Po changes according to the flow rate (i.e., velocity) of the oil in oil passage 25. According to Bernoulli's theorem, the greater the flow rate, the lower the flow path oil pressure Po. The lower the flow path oil pressure Po, the smaller the load D applied to the orifice member 36 from the oil flowing in the return direction X2. The load D acts relative to the orifice member 36 in the return direction X2. Then, the orifice member 36 is located in a position where the load D is balanced by the restoring force of the spring 40. That is, if the load D is greater than the restoring force of the spring 40, the orifice member 36 moves in the return direction X2. In this case, as... Figure 2 As shown in (b), the throttle orifice component 36 is separated from the disc portion 33, so the oil through the through hole 33a flows in both the gap SP between the main body 37 of the throttle orifice component 36 and the cylindrical portion 34 and the through hole 37a.

[0025] On the other hand, if the load D is less than the restoring force of the spring 40, the throttle orifice component 36 moves in the forward direction X1. Then, as... Figure 2 As shown in (a), if the throttle orifice component 36 abuts against the disk portion 33, the flow of oil through the aforementioned gap SP is restricted.

[0026] The function and effects of this implementation method are explained.

[0027] When the operating speed is relatively low with the clutch pedal 22 released, the flow rate of oil in the oil passage 25 flowing in the return direction X2 is also relatively low. Thus, the lower the oil flow rate, the higher the oil pressure Po in the flow path. At this time, because the operating speed is relatively low, if the load D exceeds the spring force of the spring 40, the throttle orifice component 36 moves in the return direction X2 against the force input from the spring 40. Therefore, as... Figure 2As shown in (b), the throttle orifice component 36 separates from the disc portion 33 of the support component 32. Then, oil flows not only in the through hole 37a, but also in the gap SP between the throttle orifice component 36 and the peripheral wall of the cylindrical portion 34 of the support component 32. That is, the flow path cross-sectional area becomes larger compared to the case where the throttle orifice component 36 is pressed against the disc portion 33. As a result, the return speed of the clutch pedal 22 is stabilized.

[0028] On the other hand, when the operating speed is relatively high when the clutch pedal 22 is released, the oil flow rate in the oil passage 25 flowing in the return direction X2 is also relatively high. Thus, the higher the oil flow rate, the lower the oil pressure Po in the flow passage. At this time, because the operating speed is relatively high, the aforementioned load D is less than the spring force of spring 40. Then, as... Figure 2 As shown in (a), the throttle orifice component 36 is pressed against the disc portion 33 by a force input from the spring 40. In this case, oil flows in the through hole 37a, but no longer flows in the aforementioned gap SP. As a result, the oil pressure in the clutch release cylinder 24 decreases more slowly. Consequently, early engagement of the clutch 21 and rapid acceleration of the vehicle are suppressed. Thus, it is possible to suppress the increase in load applied to the clutch 21 or the components of the transmission mechanism 12.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figure 3 As shown, the protrusion 38 of the throttling orifice component 36 is accommodated within the groove 34a of the cylindrical portion 34. Furthermore, the gap between the sidewall of the groove 34a and the protrusion 38 is very narrow. Therefore, the tilting of the throttling orifice component 36 relative to the axis 34b of the cylindrical portion 34 is suppressed.

[0030] Therefore, when the clutch device 20 releases the clutch pedal 22, it can appropriately control the flow rate of oil in the oil circuit 25.

[0031] Symbol Explanation

[0032] 20-Clutch assembly, 21-Clutch, 22-Clutch pedal, 23-Clutch master cylinder, 24-Clutch release cylinder, 25-Oil passage, 251-Small diameter section, 252-Large diameter section, 30-Variable flow mechanism, 32-Support component, 33-Disc section, 34-Cylinder section, 34a-Groove, 34b-Axis, 36-Throttle orifice component, 37-Main body, 38-Protrusion, 40-Spring.

Claims

1. A clutch device in which, when the clutch pedal is depressed, oil flows in the oil passage in the forward direction from the clutch master cylinder to the clutch release cylinder, thereby cutting off power transmission via the clutch; conversely, when the clutch pedal is released, oil flows in the oil passage in the return direction opposite to the forward direction, thereby allowing power transmission via the clutch, characterized in that, The oil passage has a small-diameter section and a large-diameter section located further in the return direction than the small-diameter section and having a larger diameter than the small-diameter section. A variable flow mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of oil in the oil passage is provided in the large-diameter section. The variable flow mechanism has the following features: The support member is configured to be immovable in the oil circuit and includes a disc portion and a cylindrical portion extending from the outer periphery of the disc portion toward the return direction. The throttling orifice component is displaced on the inner side of the cylindrical portion in the return direction and the forward direction; and The spring applies a force to the orifice component in the forward direction. A groove extending in the return direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The throttling orifice component has an annular body and a protrusion that protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the body and is received in the groove. The groove and the protrusion are configured to suppress the tilting of the throttling orifice component relative to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

Images