A clutch device applied to an electric machine

Abstract

The application relates to a clutch device applied to a motor, which comprises a support assembly, a control assembly and a clutch assembly; the support assembly is fixedly arranged and used for mounting the control assembly and the clutch assembly; the control assembly comprises a worm and a worm wheel which are in meshing connection; the worm wheel and the worm are both rotationally connected to the support assembly; a plurality of accommodating grooves are arranged on the inner periphery of the worm wheel and are rotationally symmetrically arranged around the worm wheel axis; the clutch assembly comprises a rotating block and a ratchet wheel; the rotating block is movably connected with the worm wheel and abuts against the ratchet wheel in transmission in a first state and is separated from the ratchet wheel in a second state. The worm and worm wheel structure is adopted to control the engagement and disengagement of the clutch device, and the clutch process is more reliable and smooth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electric bicycles, and more particularly to a clutch device applied to an electric motor. Background Technology

[0002] In e-bikes, the mid-drive motor system typically requires seamless switching between manual pedaling and electric assist, making the clutch an essential component. Current technology often employs mechanical ratchet-type one-way clutches. These clutches utilize a ratchet-pawl structure to achieve unidirectional power transmission, offering advantages such as simple structure and low cost. However, the pawl is prone to impact noise during high-speed engagement and is susceptible to engagement failure or slippage after prolonged wear. Furthermore, the ratchet structure cannot actively control engagement or disengagement, only passively transmitting torque in a specific rotation direction, making it difficult to meet the active management requirements of the power path under complex operating conditions. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to make the power switching of the mid-mounted system of the electric bicycle more reliable, this application provides a clutch device for the motor.

[0004] This application provides a clutch device for electric motors, which adopts the following technical solution: A clutch device for an electric motor includes a bracket assembly, a control assembly, and a clutch assembly. The bracket assembly is fixedly mounted for installing the control assembly and the clutch assembly. The control assembly includes a worm gear and a worm wheel that are meshed together, both rotatably connected to the bracket assembly. The worm wheel has several receiving grooves on its inner circumference, arranged symmetrically about its axis. The clutch assembly includes a rotating block and a ratchet. The rotating block is movably connected to the worm wheel. In a first state, the rotating block engages with the ratchet. In a second state, the rotating block moves into the receiving groove and separates from the ratchet.

[0005] In some embodiments, a feedback component is further included, the feedback component including an electrically connected generator and receiver, the support assembly further including a sensor holder, the generator or receiver being fixedly mounted on the worm gear, and the receiver or generator being fixedly mounted on the sensor holder.

[0006] In some embodiments, the worm gear has teeth that mesh with the worm, the teeth being distributed on the outer periphery of a quarter arc segment of the worm gear.

[0007] In some embodiments, the support assembly includes a frame, on which at least one limiting protrusion is fixedly disposed. The inner circumference of the worm gear is provided with a limiting groove corresponding to the number of limiting protrusions. The limiting protrusions move within the limiting grooves to restrict the teeth from disengaging from the worm.

[0008] In some embodiments, the support assembly includes a frame with a connecting groove circumferentially formed; the rotating block has a mounting groove on the side opposite to the ratchet, and the rotating block and the worm gear are connected to each other by an elastic body placed in the connecting groove and the mounting groove.

[0009] In some embodiments, the rotating block has a first engagement surface, a second engagement surface, and a third engagement surface that intersect each other. In a first state, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface abut against the ratchet; in a second state, the second engagement surface and the third engagement surface abut against the wall of the receiving groove.

[0010] In some embodiments, the sensor holder is configured to be arc-shaped, partially surrounding the outer periphery of the worm gear.

[0011] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: The control assembly uses a worm gear to control the two different states of the rotating block. The worm gear itself can lock, making the clutch state more reliable.

[0012] Because the clutch mechanism has a small rotational stroke, the teeth are not arranged on the outer circumference of the worm gear, but only on about a quarter of the circumference, which saves on parts costs. Furthermore, by setting limit protrusions and limit grooves, the teeth are prevented from disengaging from the worm. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a clutch device applied to a motor in an embodiment of this application.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a clutch device for an electric motor in an embodiment of this application, omitting the frame.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the overall structure of a clutch device applied to an electric motor according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the rotating block in a clutch device applied to a motor according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, bracket assembly; 110, frame; 111, rotating groove; 112, connecting groove; 113, limiting protrusion; 120, motor frame; 130, sensor frame; 140, gasket; 150, cover plate; 200, control assembly; 210, motor; 220, worm gear; 230, worm wheel; 231, tooth; 232, receiving groove; 233, limiting groove; 300, clutch assembly; 310, rotating block; 311, first mating surface; 312, second mating surface; 313, third mating surface; 314, mounting groove; 320, ratchet; 400, feedback assembly; 410, generator; 420, receiver. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this application. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] This application discloses a clutch device applied to an electric motor.

[0021] Reference Figure 1 A clutch device for an electric motor includes a bracket assembly 100, a control assembly 200, a clutch assembly 300, and a feedback assembly 400. The bracket assembly 100 is used to mount the overall structure, the control assembly 200 controls the engagement and disengagement of the clutch assembly 300, and the feedback assembly 400 provides feedback on the current state of the clutch assembly 300, thereby achieving closed-loop control.

[0022] Reference Figures 1-3The support assembly 100 includes a frame 110, a motor frame 120, a sensor frame 130, a gasket 140, and a cover plate 150. The support assembly 100 is fixedly installed as a whole. The frame 110 is integrally formed and has an end plate and a surrounding plate protruding from the end plate. The surrounding plate is roughly circular and has a plurality of rotating grooves 111 along the axial direction. The plurality of rotating grooves 111 are arranged symmetrically about the axis of the frame 110. A connecting groove 112 is formed circumferentially on the surrounding plate. Limiting protrusions 113 are also fixedly provided on the surrounding plate. The number of limiting protrusions 113 may be the same as the number of rotating grooves 111 or different from the number of rotating grooves 111. The motor frame 120 and the sensor frame 130 are integrally formed. The motor frame 120 is arranged in a roughly straight line, while the sensor frame 130 is arranged in an arc shape, which partially surrounds the clutch assembly 300. The end plates and cover plates 150 of the frame 110 respectively limit the control assembly 200 and the clutch assembly 300 from both ends of the clutch assembly 300, ensuring the installation of the control assembly 200 and the clutch assembly 300. A shim 140 can also be placed between the control assembly 200 and the cover plate 150. Alternatively, a shim 140 can also be placed between the end plates of the frame 110 and the control assembly 200.

[0023] Reference Figure 2 The control assembly 200 includes a motor 210, a worm gear 220, and a worm wheel 230. The motor 210 is fixedly mounted on the motor frame 120, and the rotation shaft of the motor 210 is fixedly connected to the worm gear 220. Approximately one-quarter of the outer circumference of the worm wheel 230 has teeth 231 that mesh with the worm gear 220. The inner circumference of the worm wheel 230 has several receiving grooves 232 and limiting grooves 233. The number of receiving grooves 232 is the same as the number of rotating grooves 111, and their positions correspond. The number of limiting grooves 233 is the same as the number of limiting protrusions 113, and their positions correspond. The multiple limiting grooves 233 do not necessarily have a rotationally symmetrical layout.

[0024] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4The clutch assembly 300 includes a rotating block 310 and a ratchet 320. The rotating block 310 has a first engagement surface 311, a second engagement surface 312, and a third engagement surface 313 that intersect each other. The rotating block 310 has two states. In the first state, a small portion of the first engagement surface 311 and the second engagement surface 312 abuts against the ratchet 320, fixing the ratchet 320. At this time, the third engagement surface 313 contacts the inner ring of the worm gear 230. In the second state, the first engagement surface 311 and the second engagement surface 312 disengage from the ratchet 320, and the second engagement surface 312 and the third engagement surface 313 abut against and adhere to the groove wall of the receiving groove 232. In this state, the ratchet 320 can rotate freely. In practical applications, the ratchet 320 is usually connected to other components such as shafts and bearings, which is obvious to those skilled in the art. In this embodiment, to highlight the key innovations, the components connected to the ratchet 320 are omitted. The limiting protrusion 113 can slide within the limiting groove 233 to limit the worm gear 230. The rotating block 310 is also provided with a mounting groove 314, in which an elastic element is fixedly installed, and the other end of the elastic element is connected to the connecting groove 112 of the frame 110.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The feedback component 400 is a position sensor, which includes a generator 410 fixedly connected to a rotatable worm gear 230 and a receiver 420 fixedly connected to a sensor holder 130. Of course, the positions of the generator 410 and the receiver 420 can be interchanged.

[0026] In the first state, the first engagement surface 311 of the rotating block 310 abuts against the ratchet 320, and a force is transmitted between the rotating block 310 and the ratchet 320. The elastic element is compressed, and the ratchet 320 is fixed. This state is the engaged state of the clutch device. When it is necessary to switch states, the motor 210 drives the worm gear 220 to rotate, and the worm gear 220 drives the worm wheel 230 to rotate. Due to the setting of the limiting protrusion 113 and the limiting groove 233, the teeth 231 of the worm wheel 230 will not disengage from the worm gear 220. After the worm wheel 230 rotates through a certain angle, the position of the rotating block 310 corresponds to the receiving groove 232. Under the elastic force of the elastic element, the rotating block 310 disengages from the ratchet 320 and abuts against and is received in the receiving groove 232. At this time, the ratchet 320 can rotate freely. This state is the disengaged state of the clutch device. When the positions of the generator 410 and the receiver 420 in the feedback component 400 correspond, it is marked as the first state or the second state. When the positions of the two do not correspond, it is marked as the second state or the first state. Thus, even when the clutch device as a whole is not visible, the engagement state of the clutch can still be fed back.

[0027] The descriptions such as "parallel" used in this application allow for tolerances within a reasonable range. In this application, the term "axial" refers to the direction of the cylinder's central axis of rotation, i.e., the direction common to the central axis; "radial" is perpendicular to the "axial" direction, i.e., the direction of the radius or diameter of the cylinder's end face circle; "circumferential" refers to the "circumferential direction," i.e., the direction around the cylinder's axis, which, together with "axial" and "radial," constitute the three orthogonal directions in cylindrical coordinates. The end face is a plane composed of multiple radial directions.

[0028] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clutch device applied to an electric motor, characterized in that: It includes a support assembly, a control assembly, and a clutch assembly; among which, The bracket assembly is fixedly installed for mounting the control assembly and the clutch assembly; The control component includes a worm gear and a worm wheel that are meshed together. Both the worm wheel and the worm gear are rotatably connected to the support assembly. The inner circumference of the worm wheel is provided with a plurality of receiving grooves, which are arranged symmetrically around the axis of the worm wheel. The clutch assembly includes a rotating block and a ratchet, the rotating block being movably connected to a worm gear; in a first state, the rotating block is in contact with the ratchet drive; in a second state, the rotating block moves into a receiving groove and separates from the ratchet.

2. The clutch device for an electric motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a feedback component, which includes an electrically connected generator and receiver. The support assembly also includes a sensor holder. The generator or receiver is fixedly mounted on the worm gear, and the receiver or generator is fixedly mounted on the sensor holder.

3. A clutch device for an electric motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The worm gear has teeth that mesh with the worm, and the teeth are distributed on the outer periphery of the quarter arc segment of the worm gear.

4. A clutch device for an electric motor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support assembly includes a frame, on which at least one limiting protrusion is fixedly provided. The inner circumference of the worm gear is provided with a limiting groove that is the same number as the limiting protrusion. The limiting protrusion moves within the limiting groove to prevent the teeth from disengaging from the worm.

5. A clutch device for an electric motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly includes a frame with a connecting groove circumferentially formed; the rotating block has an installation groove on the side opposite to the ratchet, and the rotating block and the worm gear are connected to each other by an elastic body placed in the connecting groove and the installation groove.

6. A clutch device for an electric motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating block has a first engagement surface, a second engagement surface, and a third engagement surface that intersect each other. In a first state, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface abut against the ratchet; in a second state, the second engagement surface and the third engagement surface abut against the wall of the receiving groove.

7. A clutch device for an electric motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensor holder is configured in an arc shape, partially surrounding the outer periphery of the worm gear.

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