Clutch device

Abstract

To more reliably transmit the rotational drive force of the input member to the output member via the clutch center and the assist cam surface of the pressure plate when the weight is located at the first position. [Solution] The clutch device 10 is equipped with a centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 having a weight 122 that is movable from a first position at which the rotational driving force of the input member can be blocked from being transmitted to the output shaft 15, to a second position at which the rotational driving force can be transmitted to the output shaft 15. When the weight 122 moves from the first position to the second position, the pressure plate 70 is pressed in a direction toward the clutch center 40 by the weight 122. When the weight 122 is located at the first position, a straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clutch device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a clutch device having a weight that presses the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates together by moving from a first position (e.g., an inner diameter side position) to a second position (e.g., an outer diameter side position) as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing. With such a conventional clutch device, the clutch housing rotates with the drive source such as an engine, so that centrifugal force can be applied to the weight, and the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates can be pressed together to transmit the driving force of the engine to the wheels.

[0003] In addition, the clutch center and pressure plate of the clutch device in Patent Document 1 are equipped with an assist cam surface that generates a force from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the rotational driving force of the engine can be transmitted to the output shaft, thereby increasing the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a slipper cam surface that moves the pressure plate away from the clutch center when the rotational speed of the clutch center exceeds the rotational speed of the pressure plate, thereby reducing the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-90988 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a clutch device having a weight and an assist cam surface, for example, when the weight is located in a first position, it is desirable to more reliably transmit the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member via the clutch center and the assist cam surface of the pressure plate.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its object is to provide a clutch device that can more reliably transmit the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member via the clutch center and the assist cam surface of the pressure plate when the weight is located in the first position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device which transmits or interrupts the rotational drive force of an input member to an output member, and includes a clutch center which is accommodated in a clutch housing which holds a plurality of drive side clutch plates which are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member and which rotates together with the output member, and a press which is arranged so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and being rotatable relative to the clutch center, which holds at least one of a plurality of driven side clutch plates which are arranged alternately with the drive side clutch plates, and which is capable of pressing the drive side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates. a pressure plate; and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable from a first position where the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate is released and the rotational driving force of the input member is prevented from being transmitted to the output member as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to a second position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member. When the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate towards the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a center-side slipper cam surface which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, the pressure plate being configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate towards the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a pressure-side slipper cam surface which is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface and which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and when the weight moves from the first position to the second position, the pressure plateThe weight is configured to be pressed in a direction toward the clutch center, and when the weight is located at the first position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

[0008] In the clutch device according to the present invention, when the weight is in the first position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface is reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface by the weight, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output member via the pressure-side assist cam surface and the center-side assist cam surface.

[0009] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational drive force of an input member to an output member, and includes a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, a clutch center that is rotationally driven together with the output member, and a clutch center that is arranged to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and to be rotatable relative to the clutch center, holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the drive-side clutch plates, and is capable of pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates. and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable from an inner diameter side position where the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released and the rotational driving force of the input member can be prevented from being transmitted to the output member as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other and the rotational driving force of the input member can be transmitted to the output member. When the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, The clutch center is provided with a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and the pressure plate is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and the pressure plate is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper ... a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a pressure-side slipper cam surface which is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface and which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and when the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate:The weight is configured to be pressed in a direction toward the clutch center, and when the weight is located at the inner diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

[0010] According to another clutch device of the present invention, when the weight is located at the inner diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface is reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface by the weight, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output member via the pressure-side assist cam surface and the center-side assist cam surface.

[0011] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational drive force of an input member to an output member, and includes a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, a clutch center that is rotationally driven together with the output member, and a clutch center that is arranged to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and to be rotatable relative to the clutch center, holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the drive-side clutch plates, and is capable of pressing the drive-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates. and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable from an inner diameter side position where the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released and the rotational driving force of the input member can be prevented from being transmitted to the output member as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other and the rotational driving force of the input member can be transmitted to the output member. When the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, The clutch center is provided with a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and the pressure plate is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and the pressure plate is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper ... a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a pressure-side slipper cam surface which is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface and which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and when the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate:The weight is configured to be pressed in a direction toward the clutch center, and in the process in which the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least one straight line passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface.

[0012] According to another clutch device of the present invention, in the process of the weight moving from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface is reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface by the weight, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output member via the pressure-side assist cam surface and the center-side assist cam surface.

[0013] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational drive force of an input member to an output member, the clutch device comprising: a clutch center accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member and that rotates together with the output member; a pressure clutch that is arranged to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and being capable of rotating relatively thereto, holds at least one of a plurality of driven side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the drive side clutch plates, and is capable of pressing the drive side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates; and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable from an inner diameter side position where the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released and the rotational driving force of the input member can be blocked from being transmitted to the output member as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other so that the rotational driving force of the input member can be transmitted to the output member. When the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other. a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the pressure plate and the driven-side clutch plate, the pressure plate being configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the drive-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate; When the pressure plate moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, and when a direction from one of the pressure side cam portions to the other of the pressure side cam portions in a circumferential direction is defined as a first circumferential direction and a direction from the other of the pressure side cam portions to one of the pressure side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, when the weight is located at the inner diameter side position, at least a portion of the pressure side assist cam surface isIt is located in a region surrounded by a first tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential side portion of the weight.

[0014] According to another clutch device of the present invention, when the weight is located at the inner diameter side position, at least a part of the pressure-side assist cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to a first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to a second circumferential side portion of the weight. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface is reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface by the weight, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output member via the pressure-side assist cam surface and the center-side assist cam surface.

[0015] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device for transmitting or interrupting a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, the clutch device comprising: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of driving side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational driving of the input member and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and to be rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving side clutch plates and that is able to press the driving side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates; and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable, as a centrifugal force increases with rotation of the clutch housing, from an inner diameter side position where the pressing force between the driving side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates are pressed together to make it possible to transmit the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member; a center-side cam portion having a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, the pressure plate being configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, and the pressure-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate. a first circumferential direction is a direction from one of the pressure side cam portions to the other of the pressure side cam portions in a circumferential direction, and a second circumferential direction is a direction from the other of the pressure side cam portions to one of the pressure side cam portions, and in the process of the weight moving from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least a part of the pressure side slipper cam surface has a first tangent that passes through a center of the output member and is tangent to a portion of the weight on the first circumferential side,a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential direction side portion of the weight.

[0016] According to another clutch device of the present invention, in the process in which the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least a part of the pressure-side slipper cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to a first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to a second circumferential side portion of the weight. According to the above aspect, the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, and the center-side slipper cam surface and the pressure-side slipper cam surface come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate separates from the clutch center. At this time, the weight is pressed in the direction from the outer diameter side position toward the inner diameter side position via the pressure-side slipper cam surface. This allows the drive-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate to separate early, and to transition to a half-clutch state early.

[0017] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational drive force of an input member to an output member, the clutch device comprising: a clutch center accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member and that rotates together with the output member; a pressure clutch that is arranged to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and being capable of rotating relatively thereto, holds at least one of a plurality of driven side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the drive side clutch plates, and is capable of pressing the drive side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates; and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable from an inner diameter side position where the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released and the rotational driving force of the input member can be blocked from being transmitted to the output member as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other so that the rotational driving force of the input member can be transmitted to the output member. When the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other. a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the pressure plate and the driven-side clutch plate, the pressure plate being configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the drive-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate; When the pressure plate moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, and when a direction from one of the pressure side cam portions to the other of the pressure side cam portions in a circumferential direction is defined as a first circumferential direction and a direction from the other of the pressure side cam portions to one of the pressure side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, when the weight is located at the outer diameter side position and viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least a portion of the pressure side assist cam surface isIt is located in a region surrounded by a first tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential side portion of the weight.

[0018] According to another clutch device of the present invention, when the weight is located at the outer diameter side position, at least a part of the pressure-side assist cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to a first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to a second circumferential side portion of the weight. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface is reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface by the weight, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output member via the pressure-side assist cam surface and the center-side assist cam surface.

[0019] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device for transmitting or interrupting a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, the clutch device comprising: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of driving side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational driving of the input member and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and to be rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving side clutch plates and that is capable of pressing the driving side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates; and a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that are movable, as a centrifugal force increases with rotation of the clutch housing, from an inner diameter side position where the pressing force between the driving side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plates and the driven side clutch plates are pressed together to make it possible to transmit the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member. a center-side cam portion having a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, the pressure plate having a pressure-side slipper cam surface that is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center and that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate. a pressure-side cam portion having a park cam surface, and when a direction from one of the pressure-side cam portions to the other of the pressure-side cam portions in a circumferential direction is defined as a first circumferential direction, and a direction from the other of the pressure-side cam portions to one of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, when the weight is located at the outer diameter side position, at least a part of the pressure-side slipper cam surface is defined as a first tangent that passes through a center of the output member and is tangent to a portion of the weight on the first circumferential side, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member,a second tangent line that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential direction side portion of the weight.

[0020] According to another clutch device of the present invention, when the weight is located at the outer diameter side position, at least a part of the pressure-side slipper cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent line passing through the center of the output member and tangent to a first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent line passing through the center of the output member and tangent to a second circumferential side portion of the weight, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member. According to the above aspect, the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, and the center-side slipper cam surface and the pressure-side slipper cam surface come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate separates from the clutch center. At this time, the weight is pressed in a direction from the outer diameter side position toward the inner diameter side position via the pressure-side slipper cam surface. This allows the drive-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate to separate early, and the clutch plate can be quickly shifted to the half-clutch state. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, a clutch device can be provided that can more reliably transmit the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member via the clutch center and the assist cam surface of the pressure plate when the weight is located in a first position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the clutch device according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first clutch center, a second clutch center, a pressure plate, and a bearing retaining member according to one embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first clutch center, a second clutch center, a pressure plate, and a bearing retaining member according to one embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram for explaining the action of the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram for explaining the action of the center-side slipper cam surface and the pressure-side slipper cam surface. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a weight housed in a housing member according to one embodiment is located at an inner diameter side position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a weight housed in a housing member according to one embodiment is located at an outer diameter side position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the pressure-side assist cam surface and the weight in a state where it is located at the inner diameter side position according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the pressure-side assist cam surface and the weight in a state where it is located at the outer diameter side position according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the pressure-side slipper cam surface and the weight in a state where it is located at the inner diameter side position according to one embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the pressure-side slipper cam surface and the weight in a state where it is located at the outer diameter side position according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a clutch device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any particular way. In addition, the same reference numerals are used for members and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device 10. The clutch device 10 is provided on a vehicle such as a motorcycle. The clutch device 10 is a device that transmits or cuts off the rotational driving force of an input member (crankshaft) of a driving source (e.g., an engine) of the motorcycle to an output shaft 15. The clutch device 10 is a device for transmitting or cutting off the rotational driving force of the input member to a driving wheel (rear wheel) via the output shaft 15. The clutch device 10 is disposed between the driving source and a transmission. The output shaft 15 is an example of an output member.

[0025] In the following description, the direction in which the pressure plate 70 of the clutch device 10 approaches and moves away from the clutch center 40 is referred to as direction D, the direction in which the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 is referred to as a first direction D1, and the direction in which the pressure plate 70 moves away from the clutch center 40 is referred to as a second direction D2. The circumferential direction of the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70 is referred to as a circumferential direction S, the direction from one pressure side cam portion 90 to the other pressure side cam portion 90 in relation to the circumferential direction S (the direction from one center side cam portion 60 to the other center side cam portion 60) is referred to as a first circumferential direction S1 (see FIG. 3), and the direction from the other pressure side cam portion 90 to one pressure side cam portion 90 (the direction from the other center side cam portion 60 to one center side cam portion 60) is referred to as a second circumferential direction S2 (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output shaft 15, the axial direction of the clutch housing 30, the axial direction of the clutch center 40, and the axial direction of the pressure plate 70 are the same as the direction D. In addition, the pressure plate 70 and the clutch center 40 rotate in a first circumferential direction S1 (i.e., the direction from the center-side assist cam surface 60A of one center-side cam portion 60 toward the center-side slipper cam surface 60S). However, the above directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the installation mode of the clutch device 10 or the present invention in any way.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch device 10 includes an output shaft 15, a driving side clutch plate 20, a driven side clutch plate 22, a clutch housing 30, a clutch center 40, a pressure plate 70, a bearing retaining member 100, and a centrifugal clutch mechanism 120.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the output shaft 15 is a shaft body formed into a hollow shape. One end of the output shaft 15 rotatably supports an input gear 35 and a clutch housing 30 (described later) via a needle bearing 15A. The output shaft 15 fixedly supports a clutch center 40 via a nut 15B. That is, the output shaft 15 rotates integrally with the clutch center 40. The other end of the output shaft 15 is connected to, for example, a transmission (not shown) of a motorcycle.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the output shaft 15 includes a push rod 16A in its hollow portion 15H and a push member 16B provided adjacent to the push rod 16A. The hollow portion 15H functions as a flow passage for clutch oil. The clutch oil flows inside the output shaft 15, i.e., inside the hollow portion 15H. The push rod 16A and the push member 16B are provided slidably inside the hollow portion 15H of the output shaft 15. One end (the end on the left side in the figure) of the push rod 16A is connected to a clutch operation lever (not shown) of the motorcycle, and slides inside the hollow portion 15H by operating the clutch operation lever to push the push member 16B in the second direction D2. The push rod 16A may be configured to slide inside the hollow portion 15H by a servo motor. A portion of the push member 16B protrudes outward from the output shaft 15 (here, in the second direction D2) and is connected to a release bearing 18 provided on the pressure plate 70. The push rod 16A and the push member 16B are formed to be thinner than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 15H, ensuring the flow of clutch oil within the hollow portion 15H.

[0029] The clutch housing 30 is made of an aluminum alloy. The clutch housing 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. As shown in Fig. 1, the clutch housing 30 has a bottom wall 31 formed in a substantially circular shape, and a side wall 33 extending in a direction D from an edge of the bottom wall 31. The clutch housing 30 holds a plurality of driving side clutch plates 20.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, an input gear 35 is provided on a bottom wall 31 of the clutch housing 30. The input gear 35 is fixed to the bottom wall 31 by a rivet 35B via a torque damper 35A. The input gear 35 meshes with a drive gear (not shown) that rotates by the rotational drive of an input member of the engine. The input gear 35 is rotated integrally with the clutch housing 30 independently of the output shaft 15.

[0031] The driving side clutch plate 20 is rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member. As shown in Fig. 1, the driving side clutch plate 20 is held on the inner circumferential surface of the side wall 33 of the clutch housing 30. The driving side clutch plate 20 is held by engaging with a notch 30C formed in the side wall 33 of the clutch housing 30. The driving side clutch plate 20 is provided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the clutch housing 30 (i.e., direction D). The driving side clutch plate 20 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the clutch housing 30.

[0032] The driving side clutch plate 20 is a member that is pressed against the driven side clutch plate 22. The driving side clutch plate 20 is formed in an annular shape. The driving side clutch plate 20 is formed by aluminum die casting. Friction material (not shown) made of multiple pieces of paper is attached to the front and back surfaces of the driving side clutch plate 20. Grooves several hundred μm deep are formed between the friction materials to hold clutch oil.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch center 40 is accommodated in the clutch housing 30. The clutch center 40 is arranged concentrically with the clutch housing 30. The clutch center 40 holds a plurality of driven clutch plates 22. The driven clutch plates 22 and the driving clutch plates 20 are arranged alternately in the direction D. The clutch center 40 is driven to rotate together with the output shaft 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the clutch center 40 includes a first clutch center 41 and a second clutch center 51. The first clutch center 41 and the second clutch center 51 are assembled to each other. The second clutch center 51 is fitted to the first clutch center 41. The second clutch center 51 is fitted to the outside of the first clutch center 41.

[0034] 3, the first clutch center 41 has a main body 42 and a center side flange 68 extending radially outward from the outer circumferential edge of the main body 42. The main body 42 has a portion that protrudes in the second direction D2 beyond the center side flange 68. The first clutch center 41 is driven to rotate together with the output shaft 15.

[0035] 3, the main body 42 includes an output shaft holding portion 50 and a plurality of center side cam portions 60. The center side cam portions 60 are formed so as to protrude in the second direction D2 beyond the center side flange 68. The center side cam portions 60 are located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion 50.

[0036] 3, the center side flange 68 extends radially outward from the outer circumferential edge of the main body 42. The center side flange 68 is located radially outward from the center side cam portion 60. The center side flange 68, together with a pressure side flange 98 (described later) of the pressure plate 70, sandwiches the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22. The center side flange 68 is provided so as to be able to press the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22. The center side flange 68 is a member that applies a pressing force to the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 3, the output shaft holding portion 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The output shaft holding portion 50 is formed with an insertion hole 44 into which the output shaft 15 (see Fig. 1) is inserted and spline-fitted. The insertion hole 44 is formed penetrating the main body 42. A plurality of spline grooves are formed along the axial direction on the inner circumferential surface of the output shaft holding portion 50 that forms the insertion hole 44. The output shaft 15 is connected to the output shaft holding portion 50.

[0038] The center-side cam portion 60 is formed in a platform shape having a cam surface made of an inclined surface constituting an Assist & Slipper (registered trademark) mechanism that generates an assist torque, which is a force that increases the pressing force (pressure contact force) between the driving-side clutch plate 20 and the driven-side clutch plate 22, or a slipper torque, which is a force that causes the driving-side clutch plate 20 and the driven-side clutch plate 22 to separate early and transition to a half-clutch state. The half-clutch state is a state between a state in which the clutch is completely connected and a state in which the clutch is completely disconnected. As shown in FIG. 3, the center-side cam portion 60 is formed on the main body 42. The center-side cam portions 60 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S of the clutch center 40. In this embodiment, the clutch center 40 has three center-side cam portions 60, but the number of center-side cam portions 60 is not limited to three.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the center-side cam portion 60 is located radially outside the output shaft holding portion 50. The center-side cam portion 60 has a center-side assist cam surface 60A and a center-side slipper cam surface 60S. The center-side assist cam surface 60A is configured to generate a force (here, a first direction D1) in a direction from the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 in order to increase the pressing force (pressing force) between the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 when the clutch center 40 (for example, the first clutch center 41) rotates relative to the pressure plate 70 during acceleration or the like. In this embodiment, when the above force is generated, the position of the pressure plate 70 relative to the clutch center 40 does not change, and the pressure plate 70 does not need to physically approach the clutch center 40. Note that the pressure plate 70 may be physically displaced relative to the clutch center 40. The center-side slipper cam surface 60S is configured to move the pressure plate 70 away from the clutch center 40 in order to reduce the pressing force (pressure contact force) between the driving-side clutch plate 20 and the driven-side clutch plate 22 when the clutch center 40 (e.g., the first clutch center 41) rotates relative to the pressure plate 70 during deceleration, etc. In the center-side cam portions 60 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction S, the center-side assist cam surface 60A of one center-side cam portion 60L and the center-side slipper cam surface 60S of the other center-side cam portion 60M are disposed opposite each other in the circumferential direction S.

[0040] 3 and 4, the first clutch center 41 has a center-side cam hole 43H penetrating a portion of the main body 42. The center-side cam hole 43H penetrates the main body 42 in direction D. The center-side cam hole 43H extends from the side of the output shaft holding portion 50 to the center-side flange 68. The center-side cam hole 43H is formed between a center-side assist cam surface 60A of one center-side cam portion 60 and a center-side slipper cam surface 60S of the other center-side cam portion 60. When viewed in the axial direction of the clutch center 40, the center-side assist cam surface 60A and a portion of the center-side cam hole 43H overlap.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the first clutch center 41 has a plurality of engagement grooves 49. The engagement grooves 49 are formed in a center-side cam portion 60. The engagement grooves 49 are recessed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the center-side cam portion 60. The engagement grooves 49 are recessed in the first direction D1 from a surface 60D2 of the center-side cam portion 60 in the second direction D2. In this embodiment, one center-side cam portion 60 has two engagement grooves 49 aligned in the circumferential direction S.

[0042] 3 and 4, the second clutch center 51 has an annular outer peripheral wall 52. The second clutch center 51 holds the driving side clutch plates 20 and the driven side clutch plates 22 arranged alternately in the direction D.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a spline fitting portion 56 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 52. The spline fitting portion 56 has a plurality of center side fitting teeth 57 extending in the axial direction of the second clutch center 51 (i.e., direction D) along the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 52, and a plurality of spline grooves 58 formed between adjacent center side fitting teeth 57 and extending in the axial direction of the second clutch center 51 (i.e., direction D). The center side fitting teeth 57 hold the driven-side clutch plate 22. The center side fitting teeth 57 are arranged in the circumferential direction S. The center side fitting teeth 57 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S. The center side fitting teeth 57 are formed in the same shape. The center side fitting teeth 57 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 52. The spline grooves 58 are arranged in the circumferential direction S. The multiple spline grooves 58 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S. The multiple spline grooves 58 are formed in the same shape.

[0044] The driven clutch plate 22 is held by the splined engagement portion 56 of the second clutch center 51 and the pressure plate 70. A part of the driven clutch plate 22 is held by the center side engagement teeth 57 and the spline grooves 58 of the second clutch center 51 through spline engagement. Another part of the driven clutch plate 22 is held by pressure side engagement teeth 87 (see FIG. 4 ) of the pressure plate 70, which will be described later. The driven clutch plate 22 is provided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the clutch center 40 (i.e., direction D). The driven clutch plate 22 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the clutch center 40. The driven clutch plate 22 is provided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the pressure plate 70 (i.e., direction D). The driven clutch plate 22 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the pressure plate 70.

[0045] The driven-side clutch plate 22 is a member that is pressed against the driving-side clutch plate 20. The driven-side clutch plate 22 is formed in an annular shape. The driven-side clutch plate 22 is formed by punching out a thin plate material made of SPCC material into an annular shape. The friction material provided on the driving-side clutch plate 20 may be provided on the driven-side clutch plate 22 instead of the driving-side clutch plate 20, or may be provided on both the driving-side clutch plate 20 and the driven-side clutch plate 22.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second clutch center 51 has a plurality of engagement protrusions 55. The engagement protrusions 55 engage with the engagement grooves 49 (see FIG. 3) of the first clutch center 41. The engagement protrusions 55 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 52. The engagement protrusions 55 protrude radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall 52. When the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 are pressed together during acceleration, the engagement protrusions 55 and the engagement grooves 49 come into contact with each other on the surface on the first circumferential direction S1 side, and the rotational driving force of the second clutch center 51 is transmitted to the first clutch center 41. On the other hand, when back torque is generated during deceleration, the engagement protrusions 55 and the engagement grooves 49 come into contact with each other on the surface on the second circumferential direction S2 side, and the relative rotation of the second clutch center 51 with respect to the first clutch center 41 is restricted. This makes it possible to limit the amount of movement of the second clutch center 51.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure plate 70 is accommodated in the clutch housing 30. The pressure plate 70 is located on the second direction D2 side of the clutch center 40. The pressure plate 70 is provided so as to be able to approach or separate from the clutch center 40 and to be able to rotate relative to the clutch center 40. The pressure plate 70 is configured to be able to press the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22. The pressure plate 70 is arranged concentrically with the clutch center 40 and the clutch housing 30. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the pressure plate 70 has a main body 72 and a pressure side flange 98 extending radially outward from the outer circumferential edge of the main body 72. The main body 72 has a portion protruding in the first direction D1 beyond the pressure side flange 98. The pressure plate 70 holds a portion of the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plates 22 arranged alternately in the direction D.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 72 includes an annular base wall 73, a cylindrical portion 80 provided in the center of the base wall 73, a plurality of pressure side cam portions 90 formed on the base wall 73, and a spring accommodating portion 89 (see FIG. 3).

[0049] 3 and 4, the pressure side flange 98 extends radially outward from the outer circumferential edge of the base wall 73 of the main body 72. The pressure side flange 98 is located radially outward from the pressure side cam portion 90. The pressure side flange 98, together with the center side flange 68 of the clutch center 40, holds the driving side clutch plates 20 and the driven side clutch plates 22. The pressure side flange 98 is provided so as to be able to press the driving side clutch plates 20 and the driven side clutch plates 22. The pressure side flange 98 is a member that applies a pressing force to the driving side clutch plates 20 and the driven side clutch plates 22.

[0050] The tubular portion 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The pressure-side cam portion 90 is formed in a platform shape having a cam surface made of an inclined surface constituting an assist & slipper (registered trademark) mechanism that slides on the center-side cam portion 60 to generate an assist torque or a slipper torque. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure-side cam portion 90 is formed so as to protrude in the first direction D1 beyond the pressure-side flange 98. The pressure-side cam portion 90 is formed so as to protrude in the first direction D1 from the base wall 73. The pressure-side cam portions 90 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S of the pressure plate 70. In this embodiment, the pressure plate 70 has three pressure-side cam portions 90, but the number of pressure-side cam portions 90 is not limited to three.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure-side cam portion 90 is located radially outside the cylindrical portion 80. The pressure-side cam portion 90 has a pressure-side assist cam surface 90A (see also FIG. 3) and a pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S (see also FIG. 3). The pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface 60A. The pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is configured to generate a force in a direction from the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 in order to increase the pressing force (pressing force) between the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 when the pressure plate 70 rotates relative to the clutch center 40 during acceleration or the like. The pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface 60S. The pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S is configured to move the pressure plate 70 away from the clutch center 40 in order to reduce the pressing force (pressing force) between the driving-side clutch plate 20 and the driven-side clutch plate 22 when the pressure plate 70 rotates relative to the clutch center 40 during deceleration, etc. In the pressure-side cam portions 90 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction S, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A of one pressure-side cam portion 90L and the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S of the other pressure-side cam portion 90M are disposed opposite each other in the circumferential direction S.

[0053] Here, the action of the center side cam portion 60 and the pressure side cam portion 90 will be described. When the engine speed increases and the rotational driving force input to the input gear 35 and the clutch housing 30 can be transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the clutch center 40 (for example, the first clutch center 41), a rotational force in the first circumferential direction S1 is applied to the pressure plate 70 as shown in Fig. 5A. Therefore, a force in the first direction D1 is generated on the pressure plate 70 by the action of the center side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure side assist cam surface 90A. This increases the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22.

[0054] On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the output shaft 15 exceeds the rotation speed of the input gear 35 and the clutch housing 30 and back torque is generated, a rotational force in the first circumferential direction S1 is applied to the clutch center 40 (for example, the first clutch center 41) as shown in Fig. 5B. Therefore, the action of the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S moves the pressure plate 70 in the second direction D2 to release the pressure contact force between the drive side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22. This makes it possible to avoid malfunctions of the engine and transmission due to back torque.

[0055] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the pressure plate 70 has a pressure-side cam hole 73H penetrating a portion of the base wall 73. The pressure-side cam hole 73H penetrates the base wall 73 in the direction D. The pressure-side cam hole 73H is located radially outward of the cylindrical portion 80. The pressure-side cam hole 73H is formed penetrating between adjacent pressure-side cam portions 90. The pressure-side cam hole 73H is formed penetrating between the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S of adjacent pressure-side cam portions 90. When viewed from the axial direction of the pressure plate 70, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and a portion of the pressure-side cam hole 73H overlap.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure plate 70 has a plurality of pressure side fitting teeth 87 arranged on a pressure side flange 98. The pressure side fitting teeth 87 hold the driven-side clutch plate 22. The pressure side fitting teeth 87 protrude from the pressure side flange 98 in a first direction D1. The pressure side fitting teeth 87 are located radially outward from the cylindrical portion 80. The pressure side fitting teeth 87 are located radially outward from the pressure side cam portion 90. The multiple pressure side fitting teeth 87 are aligned in the circumferential direction S. The multiple pressure side fitting teeth 87 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 3, the spring accommodating portion 89 is formed in the pressure-side cam portion 90. The spring accommodating portion 89 is formed so as to be recessed from the second direction D2 to the first direction D1. The spring accommodating portion 89 is formed in a circular shape. As shown in Fig. 1, the spring accommodating portion 89 accommodates the clutch spring 25.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch spring 25 is located between the pressure plate 70 and the centrifugal clutch mechanism 120. The clutch spring 25 is accommodated in a spring accommodating portion 89. The clutch spring 25 biases the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 (i.e., toward the first direction D1). The clutch spring 25 is, for example, a coil spring in which spring steel is wound in a spiral shape. The clutch spring 25 presses the pressure plate 70 in accordance with the operation of the centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 (in accordance with the movement of a weight 122, which will be described later). The clutch spring 25 is configured to press the pressure plate 70 in the first direction D1 by the weight 122 moving from an inner diameter side position PI (see FIG. 1) to an outer diameter side position PO (see FIG. 7), thereby pressing the drive side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 together.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, the bearing holding member 100 is located radially inward of the cylindrical portion 80. The bearing holding member 100 is fitted into the first clutch center 41. The bearing holding member 100 accommodates the tip portion 15T (see FIG. 1) of the output shaft 15. The release bearing 18 (see FIG. 1) is accommodated in the bearing holding member 100. The bearing holding member 100 holds the release bearing 18. The bearing holding member 100 is a portion that receives a pressing force from the push member 16B. When the bearing holding member 100 is pressed by the push member 16B, the bearing holding member 100 moves the pressure plate 70 in the second direction D2. This releases the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22, and the clutch is disengaged (i.e., the transmission of the rotational driving force is interrupted). The bearing holding member 100 is a portion that receives the clutch oil that flows out from the tip portion 15T of the output shaft 15.

[0060] 1, the clutch device 10 includes a release spring 102. The release spring 102 is provided between the bearing holding member 100 and the pressure plate 70. The release spring 102 biases the pressure plate 70 in the second direction D2.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 1, the centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 is provided at an end 30D2 on the opening side (second direction D2 side) of the clutch housing 30. The centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the clutch housing 30. The centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 is provided on the second direction D2 side of the pressure plate 70. The centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 has a plurality of weights 122, a housing member 124 that houses the weights 122, and an interlocking member 130. When the weights 122 are in the inner diameter side position PI (see also FIG. 6), the centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 releases the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22, thereby making it possible to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output shaft 15. When the weight 122 is in the outer diameter side position PO (see FIG. 7), the centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 presses the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 together to enable transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output shaft 15. The inner diameter side position PI is an example of a first position. The outer diameter side position PO is an example of a second position.

[0062] The weight 122 is provided so as to be movable from an inner diameter side position PI (see Figs. 1 and 6) where the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 is released and the rotational driving force of the input member is prevented from being transmitted to the output shaft 15 as the centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing 30, to an outer diameter side position PO (see Fig. 7) where the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 are pressed together and the rotational driving force of the input member is transmittable to the output shaft 15. The weight 122 is formed in a spherical shape. The weight 122 is, for example, a steel ball. When no centrifugal force is applied, the weight 122 is held at the inner diameter side position PI by the release spring 102. When centrifugal force is applied, the weight 122 moves radially outward against the biasing force of the release spring 102 to the outer diameter side position PO. When the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the pressure plate 70 is pressed by the weight 122 in a direction toward the clutch center 40 (here, the first direction D1).

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1, the accommodating member 124 holds the weight 122 movably between an inner diameter side position PI and an outer diameter side position PO. As shown in FIG. 6, the accommodating member 124 has a plurality of grooves 124A extending radially from a center 15C of the output shaft 15 when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. The weight 122 is disposed in the grooves 124A. The grooves 124A are provided with abutment surfaces 124B against which the weight 122 abuts when the weight 122 moves in the radial direction (for example, when the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO). The abutment surfaces 124B are inclined toward the first direction D1 as they move from the radial inner side to the radial outer side. The accommodating member 124 is held by being engaged with a notch 30C formed in a side wall 33 of the clutch housing 30. The accommodating member 124 rotates integrally with the clutch housing 30. The accommodating member 124 is located on the opposite side to the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A across the weight 122 in the axial direction (i.e., direction D) of the output shaft 15. In this embodiment, the accommodating member 124 is located on the second direction D2 side of the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the interlocking member 130 is attached to the accommodating member 124. The interlocking member 130 is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the accommodating member 124 in the axial direction of the clutch housing 30 (i.e., direction D). The interlocking member 130 and the accommodating member 124 are provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the clutch housing 30. The interlocking member 130 holds the clutch spring 25 housed in the spring accommodating portion 89 via the thrust bearing 105 and the pressure contact plate 107. The interlocking member 130 holds the weight 122 together with the accommodating member 124. The interlocking member 130 is configured to be able to move in a first direction D1 by the weight 122 moving from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, thereby pressing the clutch spring 25 in the first direction D1.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 8, when the weight 122 is located at the inner diameter side position PI, a straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. In this embodiment, the straight line LS is also the center line of the groove portion 124A (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, when the weight 122 is located at the inner diameter side position PI, the straight line LS passes through the groove portion 124A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. As shown in FIG. 8, when the weight 122 is located at the inner diameter side position PI, at least a part of the weight 122 overlaps with the pressure side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. When the weight 122 is positioned at the inner diameter side position PI, when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15, at least a portion of the pressure side assist cam surface 90A is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent LT1 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a portion of the weight 122 on the first circumferential direction S1 side, and a second tangent LT2 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a portion of the weight 122 on the second circumferential direction S2 side.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 9, when the weight 122 is located at the outer diameter side position PO, a straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. In the process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the straight line LS passes through the pressure side assist cam surface 90A. Throughout the entire process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the straight line LS may pass through the pressure side assist cam surface 90A. In this embodiment, through the entire process in which one weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the straight line LS passes through the pressure side assist cam surface 90A. When the weight 122 is located at the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure side assist cam surface 90A is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent LT1 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a part of the weight 122 on the first circumferential direction S1 side, and a second tangent LT2 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a part of the weight 122 on the second circumferential direction S2 side, when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. During the process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure side assist cam surface 90A is located in an area surrounded by the first tangent LT1 and the second tangent LT2. At least a part of the pressure side assist cam surface 90A may be located in an area surrounded by the first tangent LT1 and the second tangent LT2 throughout the entire process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO.

[0067] 10, when the weight 122 is located at the inner diameter side position PI, a straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. When the weight 122 is located at the inner diameter side position PI, at least a portion of the weight 122 overlaps with the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. When the weight 122 is positioned at the inner diameter side position PI, when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15, at least a portion of the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent LT1 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a portion of the weight 122 on the first circumferential direction S1 side, and a second tangent LT2 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a portion of the weight 122 on the second circumferential direction S2 side.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 11, when the weight 122 is located at the outer diameter side position PO, a straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. In the process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the straight line LS passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. Throughout the entire process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the straight line LS may pass through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. In this embodiment, through the entire process in which one weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, the straight line LS passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. When the weight 122 is located at the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent LT1 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a part of the weight 122 on the first circumferential direction S1 side, and a second tangent LT2 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a part of the weight 122 on the second circumferential direction S2 side, when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. During the process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S is located in an area surrounded by the first tangent LT1 and the second tangent LT2. At least a part of the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S may be located in an area surrounded by the first tangent LT1 and the second tangent LT2 throughout the entire process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO. Although Figures 8 to 11 show only one straight line LS, in this embodiment there are 16 straight lines LS, and multiple (e.g., two or three) of the straight lines LS may each have the same configuration as that disclosed herein.

[0069] In the centrifugal clutch mechanism 120 configured as above, when centrifugal force is not applied to the weight 122, the weight 122 is held at the inner diameter side position PI (see FIG. 1) by the release spring 102, and the pressing force of the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 is released. On the other hand, when centrifugal force is applied to the weight 122, the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO (see FIG. 7). As a result, the interlocking member 130, the thrust bearing 105, and the pressing plate 107 are pressed by the weight 122 and move in the first direction D1. When the pressing force from the weight 122 against the interlocking member 130 and the like cannot be absorbed by the clutch spring 25, the pressing force is transmitted to the pressure plate 70 via the clutch spring 25, and the pressure plate 70 moves in the first direction D1. As a result, the drive side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 are pressed against each other by the pressure side flange 98 and the center side flange 68, resulting in a pressed state in which the rotational driving force of the input member can be transmitted to the output shaft 15.

[0070] As described above, according to the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI), the straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output member via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0071] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the housing member 124 has an abutment surface 124B that abuts against the weight 122 when the weight 122 moves from a first position (e.g., inner diameter side position PI) to a second position (e.g., outer diameter side position PO), and is located on the opposite side to the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A across the weight 122 in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above aspect, the weight 122 moves from the first position to the second position along the abutment surface 124B, so that the pressure plate 70 can be pressed in the direction toward the clutch center 40 more reliably.

[0072] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the second position (e.g., the outer diameter side position PO), the straight line LS passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0073] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the straight line LS passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15 throughout the entire process in which the weight 122 moves from a first position (e.g., inner diameter side position PI) to a second position (e.g., outer diameter side position PO). According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0074] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at a first position (e.g., inner diameter side position PI), at least a portion of the weight 122 overlaps with the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. The pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0075] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI), the straight line LS passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above-mentioned aspect, the clutch center 40 rotates relative to the pressure plate 70, and the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate 70 moves away from the clutch center 40. At this time, the weight 122 is pressed in a direction from the second position (for example, the outer diameter side position PO) to the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI) via the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. This allows the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 to be separated early, and the clutch plate 20 can be shifted to the half-clutch state early.

[0076] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the second position (for example, the outer diameter side position PO), the straight line LS passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above-mentioned aspect, the clutch center 40 rotates relative to the pressure plate 70, and the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate 70 moves away from the clutch center 40. At this time, the weight 122 is pressed in a direction from the second position (for example, the outer diameter side position PO) to the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI) via the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. This allows the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 to be separated early, and the clutch plate 20 can be shifted to the half-clutch state early.

[0077] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the straight line LS passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15 throughout the process (for example, throughout the entire process) in which the weight 122 moves from the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI) to the second position (for example, the outer diameter side position PO). According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the clutch center 40 rotates relative to the pressure plate 70, and the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate 70 moves away from the clutch center 40. At this time, the weight 122 is pressed in the direction from the second position (for example, the outer diameter side position PO) to the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI) via the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. This allows the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 to be separated early, and the clutch plate 20 can be shifted to the half-clutch state early.

[0078] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI), at least a part of the weight 122 overlaps with the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above-mentioned aspect, the clutch center 40 rotates relative to the pressure plate 70, and the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate 70 moves away from the clutch center 40. At this time, the weight 122 is pressed in a direction from the second position (for example, the outer diameter side position PO) to the first position (for example, the inner diameter side position PI) via the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. This allows the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 to be separated early, and the clutch plate 20 can be shifted to the half-clutch state early.

[0079] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at a first position (e.g., inner diameter side position PI), the center line LS of the groove portion 124A passing through the center of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational driving force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0080] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, in the process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15, a straight line LS passing through the center 122C of the weight 122 and the center 15C of the output shaft 15 passes through the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational drive force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0081] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the inner diameter side position PI, at least a part of the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent LT1 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a part of the weight 122 on the first circumferential direction S1 side, and a second tangent LT2 that passes through the center 15C of the output shaft 15 and is tangent to a part of the weight 122 on the second circumferential direction S2 side. According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational driving force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0082] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, in the process in which the weight 122 moves from the inner diameter side position PI to the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S is located in an area surrounded by the first tangent line LT1 and the second tangent line LT2 when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above-mentioned aspect, the clutch center 40 rotates relative to the pressure plate 70, and the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate 70 separates from the clutch center 40. At this time, the weight 122 is pressed in the direction from the outer diameter side position PO to the inner diameter side position PI via the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. This allows the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 to be separated early, and the clutch plate 70 to be shifted to the half-clutch state early.

[0083] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is located in an area surrounded by the first tangent line LT1 and the second tangent line LT2 when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above aspect, the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is more reliably pressed toward the center-side assist cam surface 60A by the weight 122, so that the rotational driving force of the input member can be more reliably transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the center-side assist cam surface 60A.

[0084] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, when the weight 122 is located at the outer diameter side position PO, at least a part of the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S is located in an area surrounded by the first tangent line LT1 and the second tangent line LT2 when viewed in the axial direction of the output shaft 15. According to the above-mentioned aspect, the clutch center 40 rotates relative to the pressure plate 70, and the center side slipper cam surface 60S and the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S come into contact with each other, so that the pressure plate 70 separates from the clutch center 40. At this time, the weight 122 is pressed in a direction from the outer diameter side position PO toward the inner diameter side position PI via the pressure side slipper cam surface 90S. This allows the driving side clutch plate 20 and the driven side clutch plate 22 to separate early, and the clutch plate 70 can be shifted to the half-clutch state early.

[0085] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be embodied in various other forms.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the weight 122 is configured to move as a whole between a first position (inner diameter side position PI) and a second position (outer diameter side position PO), but is not limited thereto. For example, the weight may be configured such that a part of the weight swings (moves) between the first position and the second position around a support shaft that is perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft 15 and located radially outward of the axis of the output shaft 15. In addition, the weight being movable from the first position to the second position includes a case where the weight is entirely movable as described above and a case where a part of the weight is movable (swingable). [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Clutch device 15 Output shaft (output member) 20 Drive side clutch plate 22 Driven side clutch plate 25 Clutch spring 30 Clutch housing 40 Clutch center 41 First clutch center 51 Second clutch center 60 Center side cam part 60A Center side assist cam surface 60S Center side slipper cam surface 70 Pressure Plate 90 Pressure side cam part 90A Pressure side assist cam surface 90S Pressure side slipper cam surface 120 Centrifugal clutch mechanism 122 Weight 124 Storage material

Claims

1. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from a first position at which the pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate is released and the rotational driving force of the input member is prevented from being transmitted to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to a second position at which the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other, enabling the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, and a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, the pressure plate comprises a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface configured to be capable of contacting the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a pressure-side slipper cam surface configured to be capable of contacting the center-side slipper cam surface, and which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, When the weight moves from the first position to the second position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, A clutch device in which, when the weight is located at the first position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

2. a housing member that rotates integrally with the clutch housing and houses the weight, 2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating member has an abutment surface that abuts against the weight when the weight moves from the first position to the second position, and is located on the opposite side of the pressure side assist cam surface across the weight in the axial direction of the output member.

3. 2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein when the weight is located at the second position, at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

4. Throughout the process in which the weight moves from the first position to the second position, 4. The clutch device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

5. 2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein when the weight is located at the first position, at least a portion of the weight overlaps with the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

6. 2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein when the weight is located at the first position, at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

7. 2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein when the weight is located at the second position, at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

8. 8. The clutch device according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member throughout the entire process in which the weight moves from the first position to the second position.

9. 2. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein when the weight is located at the first position, at least a portion of the weight overlaps with the pressure-side slipper cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

10. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from an inner diameter side position where a pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, and a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, the pressure plate comprises a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface configured to be capable of contacting the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a pressure-side slipper cam surface configured to be capable of contacting the center-side slipper cam surface, and which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, When the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, A clutch device in which, when the weight is positioned at the inner diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

11. a housing member that rotates integrally with the clutch housing and houses the weight, 11. The clutch device according to claim 10, wherein the accommodating member has an abutment surface that abuts against the weight when the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, and is positioned on the opposite side of the pressure side assist cam surface across the weight in the axial direction of the output member.

12. the accommodating member includes a plurality of grooves extending radially from the center of the output member when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, The groove portion is formed with the abutment surface, The weight is disposed in the groove, 12. The clutch device according to claim 11, wherein when the weight is positioned at the inner diameter side position, a center line of the groove portion passing through the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

13. 11. The clutch device according to claim 10, wherein when the weight is located at the outer diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

14. 14. The clutch device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member throughout the entire process in which the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position.

15. 11. The clutch device according to claim 10, wherein when the weight is located at the outer diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

16. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from an inner diameter side position where a pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, and a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, the pressure plate comprises a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface configured to be capable of contacting the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and which generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, and a pressure-side slipper cam surface configured to be capable of contacting the center-side slipper cam surface, and which separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate, When the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, A clutch device in which, during the process of the weight moving from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least one of the straight lines passing through the center of the weight and the center of the output member passes through the pressure side assist cam surface.

17. a housing member that rotates integrally with the clutch housing and houses the weight, 17. The clutch device according to claim 16, wherein the accommodating member has an abutment surface that abuts against the weight when the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, and is positioned on the opposite side of the pressure side assist cam surface across the weight in the axial direction of the output member.

18. 17. The clutch device according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side assist cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member throughout the entire process in which the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position.

19. 17. The clutch device according to claim 16, wherein, in a process in which the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, at least one of the straight lines passes through the pressure side slipper cam surface when viewed in the axial direction of the output member.

20. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from an inner diameter side position where a pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase a pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the pressure plate is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and includes a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, When the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, When a circumferential direction from one of the pressure-side cam portions to the other of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a first circumferential direction, and a circumferential direction from the other of the pressure-side cam portions to one of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, A clutch device in which, when the weight is positioned at the inner diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least a portion of the pressure side assist cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential side portion of the weight.

21. a housing member that rotates integrally with the clutch housing and houses the weight, The clutch device according to claim 20, wherein the accommodating member has an abutment surface that abuts against the weight when the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, and is located on the opposite side of the pressure side assist cam surface across the weight in the axial direction of the output member.

22. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from an inner diameter side position where a pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce a pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the pressure plate includes a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side slipper cam surface that is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center and that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, When the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center, the weight is pressed by the pressure plate in a direction from the outer diameter side position toward the inner diameter side position, When a circumferential direction from one of the pressure-side cam portions to the other of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a first circumferential direction, and a circumferential direction from the other of the pressure-side cam portions to one of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, a clutch device in which, during the process of the weight moving from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least a portion of the pressure side slipper cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential side portion of the weight.

23. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from an inner diameter side position where a pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase a pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the pressure plate is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface when rotating relative to the clutch center, and includes a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates a force in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, When the weight moves from the inner diameter side position to the outer diameter side position, the pressure plate is pressed by the weight in a direction toward the clutch center, When a circumferential direction from one of the pressure-side cam portions to the other of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a first circumferential direction, and a circumferential direction from the other of the pressure-side cam portions to one of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, A clutch device in which, when the weight is positioned at the outer diameter side position, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member, at least a portion of the pressure side assist cam surface is located in an area surrounded by a first tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential side portion of the weight.

24. A clutch device that transmits or interrupts a rotational driving force of an input member to an output member, a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of drive-side clutch plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input member, and that is rotationally driven together with the output member; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be capable of approaching or separating from the clutch center and rotatable relative to the clutch center, that holds at least one of a plurality of driven-side clutch plates that are arranged alternately with the driving-side clutch plates, and that is capable of pressing the driving-side clutch plates and the driven-side clutch plates; a centrifugal clutch mechanism having a plurality of weights that is movable from an inner diameter side position where a pressure contact force between the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate can be released to interrupt the transmission of the rotational driving force of the input member to the output member as a centrifugal force increases with the rotation of the clutch housing, to an outer diameter side position where the driving side clutch plate and the driven side clutch plate are brought into pressure contact with each other to enable the rotational driving force of the input member to be transmitted to the output member, the clutch center includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side slipper cam surface that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce a pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the pressure plate includes a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side slipper cam surface that is configured to be able to come into contact with the center-side slipper cam surface when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center and that separates the pressure plate from the clutch center in order to reduce the pressing force between the driving-side clutch plate and the driven-side clutch plate, When the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center, the weight is pressed by the pressure plate in a direction from the outer diameter side position toward the inner diameter side position, When a circumferential direction from one of the pressure-side cam portions to the other of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a first circumferential direction, and a circumferential direction from the other of the pressure-side cam portions to one of the pressure-side cam portions is defined as a second circumferential direction, a clutch device in which, when viewed in the axial direction of the output member in a state in which the weight is positioned at the outer diameter side position, at least a portion of the pressure side slipper cam surface is positioned in an area surrounded by a first tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the first circumferential side portion of the weight, and a second tangent that passes through the center of the output member and is tangent to the second circumferential side portion of the weight.

Images