Clutch device

Abstract

A clutch device 10 comprises a clutch center 40, a pressure plate 70, and a spring 120, wherein: the clutch center 40 is provided with a center-side assist cam surface 60A that generates cam thrust; the pressure plate 70 is provided with a pressure-side assist cam surface 90A that generates cam thrust; and the spring 120 is configured such that, when in a half-clutch state and in a first operation region RE1 that is not more than a first engine speed, the spring 120 allows an input-side rotating plate 20 and an output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other, and suppresses the input-side rotating plate 20 and at least part of an output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other.

Description

Clutch device

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

[0002] Straddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles are equipped with a clutch device that can transmit and interrupt the rotational driving force of a power source such as an engine to a driving wheel. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power transmission device (hereinafter referred to as a clutch device) that has an input member (hereinafter referred to as an input shaft) connected to the engine, an output member (hereinafter referred to as an output shaft) connected to the driving wheel, a clutch member (hereinafter referred to as a clutch center) connected to the output shaft, and a pressure member (hereinafter referred to as a pressure plate) that can move toward and away from the clutch center.

[0003] In addition, the clutch center and pressure plate of Patent Document 1 each have an assist cam surface that generates a force (hereinafter referred to as cam thrust) in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the rotational driving force of the engine is in a state where it can be transmitted to the output shaft, thereby increasing the pressure contact force (pressing force) between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-137039

[0005] When the clutch changes from a disengaged state to a half-engaged state, the assist cam surfaces of the clutch center and the pressure plate come into contact with each other, generating a cam thrust. However, if a relatively large cam thrust is suddenly applied at the start of driving, the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate also increases, which may reduce the ride comfort of a motorcycle or other vehicle equipped with a clutch device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its object is to provide a clutch device in which a sudden increase in pressure contact force due to cam thrust is suppressed in at least a part of the region in the half-clutch state.

[0007] A clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotary plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotary plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotary plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotary plates, and that can press the input side rotary plates and the output side rotary plates together; and a suppressing member, and the clutch center has a center side pressure plate that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotary plate and the output side rotary plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate. The clutch center has a center-side cam portion having an assist cam surface, and the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and has a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center. The suppression member is configured to allow the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other and suppress the input side rotating plate and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in a first operating range in which the clutch is in a half-clutch state and the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and to allow the input side rotating plate and all of the output side rotating plates to approach each other in a second operating range in which the engine speed is higher than the first engine speed.

[0008] In the clutch device according to the present invention, in a first operating range where the clutch is in a partial clutch state and the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, the suppression member allows the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other, while suppressing the input rotating plate and at least a portion of the output rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other. According to the above aspect, the suppression member prevents the input rotating plate from approaching at least a portion of the output rotating plate held by the pressure plate, thereby suppressing a sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input rotating plate and the output rotating plate. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate.

[0009] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotary plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotary plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotary plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotary plates, and that can press the input side rotary plates and the output side rotary plates together; and a suppression member, and when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, it generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotary plate and the output side rotary plate. the pressure plate is provided with a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust, the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface, and is provided with a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, the suppression member is configured to allow the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other in a suppression region that is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and to suppress the input side rotating plate and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other, and to allow the input side rotating plate and all of the output side rotating plates to approach each other in a non-suppression region that is an engine speed higher than the first engine speed.

[0010] In another clutch device according to the present invention, in a suppression region where the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, the suppression member allows the input rotary plate and the output rotary plate held by the clutch center to approach each other, while suppressing the input rotary plate and at least a portion of the output rotary plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other. According to the above aspect, because the input rotary plate and at least a portion of the output rotary plate held by the pressure plate are prevented from approaching each other, it is possible to suppress a sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input rotary plate and the output rotary plate. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input rotary plate and the output rotary plate.

[0011] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppression member, and when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate and a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate, the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and includes a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the pressure plate from approaching the clutch center in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state.

[0012] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the pressure plate from approaching the clutch center in at least a portion of the partial clutch state. According to the above aspect, the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate are prevented from approaching each other, thereby suppressing the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate. This suppresses a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate.

[0013] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppression member, wherein the clutch center includes a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate, and the pressure plate is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the clutch center; The clutch center has a pressure-side cam portion that is arranged to be able to come into contact with the pressure-side assist cam surface and has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the first output side rotating plate and the second output side rotating plate from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance, in at least a portion of the region of the half-clutch state, the amount of approach between the first output side rotating plate and the second output side rotating plate, which is located closest to the clutch center among the output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate, and the second output side rotating plate, which is located closest to the pressure plate among the output side rotating plates held by the clutch center, is smaller than the amount of approach between the second output side rotating plate and a third output side rotating plate adjacent to the second output side rotating plate among the multiple output side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

[0014] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the first output rotating plate and the second output rotating plate from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance in at least a portion of the partially engaged state, the amount by which the first output rotating plate and the second output rotating plate approach each other is smaller than the amount by which the second output rotating plate and the third output rotating plate approach each other. According to the above aspect, the first output rotating plate and the input rotating plate are suppressed from approaching each other, thereby suppressing a sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input rotating plate and the output rotating plate. This suppresses a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate.

[0015] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, holds a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, holds a plurality of the output side rotating plates, and is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the suppressing member The pressure plate is provided with a pressure side cam portion that is capable of contacting the center side assist cam surface and has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance in at least a portion of the partial clutch state, the amount of approach by which at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate approach each other is smaller than the amount of approach by which at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates held by the clutch center approach each other.

[0016] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the approach of at least some of the adjacent output rotating plates held by the pressure plate to each other so that, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance in at least a portion of the partial clutch state, the amount of approach of at least some of the adjacent output rotating plates held by the pressure plate to each other is smaller than the amount of approach of at least some of the adjacent output rotating plates held by the clutch center. According to the above aspect, the approach of at least some of the output rotating plates held by the pressure plate to the input rotating plate is suppressed, thereby suppressing the sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input and output rotating plates. This suppresses a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input and output rotating plates.

[0017] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, holds a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, holds the plurality of output side rotating plates, and is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppression member, and the clutch center has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate. the pressure plate is provided with a center-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the first adjacent output side rotating plate and the second adjacent output side rotating plate from approaching each other so that, in at least a portion of the region of the half-clutch state, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance, the spacing between adjacent first adjacent output side rotating plate and second adjacent output side rotating plate among the plurality of output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate becomes larger than the spacing between adjacent third adjacent output side rotating plate and fourth adjacent output side rotating plate among the plurality of output side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

[0018] According to another clutch device of the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the first and second adjacent output rotating plates from approaching each other when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance in at least a portion of the partial clutch state so that the distance between the first and second adjacent output rotating plates among the plurality of output rotating plates held by the pressure plate is greater than the distance between the third and fourth adjacent output rotating plates among the plurality of output rotating plates held by the clutch center. According to the above aspect, the suppression member suppresses the input rotating plate from approaching at least a portion of the output rotating plates held by the pressure plate, thereby suppressing the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input and output rotating plates. This suppresses a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input and output rotating plates.

[0019] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational driving of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center, when rotating relative to the pressure plate, presses the input side rotating plates against the pressure plate. The clutch is provided with a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressure contact force between the rotating plate and the output side rotating plate, the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and is provided with a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in at least a portion of the area in the half-clutch state and to allow the generation of the cam thrust when the clutch is engaged.

[0020] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in at least a portion of the clutch half-engaged region, and to allow the generation of cam thrust when the clutch is engaged. According to this aspect, the suppression member suppresses the generation of cam thrust, thereby preventing the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input and output rotating plates. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input and output rotating plates.

[0021] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center increases the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates when it rotates relative to the pressure plate. the pressure plate is provided with a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center to apply pressure to the pressure plate, the pressure plate is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface, and is provided with a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in a first operating range in which the clutch is in a half-clutch state and is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and to allow the generation of the cam thrust in a second operating range in which the engine speed is higher than the first engine speed.

[0022] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a first operating range in which the clutch is partially engaged and the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and to allow the generation of cam thrust in a second operating range in which the engine speed is higher than the first engine speed. According to this aspect, the suppression member suppresses the generation of cam thrust, thereby preventing the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input and output rotating plates. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input and output rotating plates.

[0023] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, and the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate to suppress the rotational drive force of the input side rotating plates. and a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate, the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and is provided with a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in a range where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft.

[0024] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. According to the above aspect, the suppression member suppresses the generation of cam thrust, thereby preventing the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input and output rotating plates in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft is low. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input and output rotating plates.

[0025] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or cuts off the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; a suppressing member; and a power transmission path, and when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the pressure plate presses the clutch center against the pressure plate to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate. and a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction toward the clutch center, the pressure plate being arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and having a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotating relative to the clutch center, and a plurality of pressure-side engaging teeth that are arranged circumferentially and hold the output-side rotating plate, the power transmission path including the input-side rotating plate, the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure-side engaging teeth, the pressure-side engaging teeth, and the pressure-side assist cam surface, and the suppression member being arranged in the power transmission path and configured to suppress the transmission of power from the input-side rotating plate to the output-side rotating plate.

[0026] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is provided in the power transmission path and is configured to suppress the transmission of power from the input side rotating plate to the output side rotating plate. According to the above aspect, the transmission of power from the input side rotating plate to the output side rotating plate is suppressed, thereby suppressing the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate.

[0027] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or cuts off the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and rotates together with the output shaft, and a clutch center that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, holds other parts of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together. a pressure plate, a suppression member, a first power transmission path, and a second power transmission path, and the clutch center includes an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is connected, an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion, a plurality of center side fitting teeth arranged in a circumferential direction and formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and holding the output side rotating plate, and a pressure plate in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate. and a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust, the pressure plate being provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and having a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotating relative to the clutch center, and a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth that are arranged in a circumferential direction and hold the output-side rotating plate, and the first power transmission path includes the input-side rotating plate, the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure-side fitting teeth, the pressure-side fitting teeth, and the front the pressure-side assist cam surface, the second power transmission path includes the input-side rotating plate, the output-side rotating plate held by the center-side fitting teeth, the center-side fitting teeth, and the center-side assist cam surface, and the suppression member is provided in the first power transmission path so that, at a predetermined engine speed in a half-clutch state, the power transmitted from the input-side rotating plate per output-side rotating plate of the first power transmission path is smaller than the power transmitted from the input-side rotating plate per output-side rotating plate of the second power transmission path, andIt is configured to suppress the transmission of power from the input side rotating plate to the output side rotating plate.

[0028] According to another clutch device of the present invention, the suppression member is provided in the first power transmission path and is configured to suppress the transmission of power from the input side rotating plate to the output side rotating plate so that, at a predetermined engine speed in a partially engaged state, the power transmitted from the input side rotating plate per output side rotating plate in the first power transmission path is smaller than the power transmitted from the input side rotating plate per output side rotating plate in the second power transmission path. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress a sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate, thereby suppressing a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate.

[0029] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate. The clutch includes a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate, the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface, and includes a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is a wave spring and is configured to suppress the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching the input side rotating plate.

[0030] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is a wave spring and is configured to suppress the output rotary plate held by the pressure plate from approaching the input rotary plate. This aspect makes it possible to suppress the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input rotary plate and the output rotary plate. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input rotary plate and the output rotary plate.

[0031] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational drive force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center includes a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, The pressure plate is provided with a pressure-side cam portion that is capable of contacting the center-side assist cam surface and has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is configured to suppress, at the time when the center-side assist cam surface and the pressure-side assist cam surface come into contact with each other, a specific output-side rotating plate that is the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate and that is in contact with the suppression member and is located on the first direction side of the suppression member, and a specific input-side rotating plate that is the input-side rotating plate adjacent to the specific output-side rotating plate and is located on the second direction side of the specific output-side rotating plate.

[0032] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other when the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate.

[0033] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational drive force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is accommodated in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppression member, wherein the clutch center includes a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate The pressure plate is provided with a pressure side cam portion that is arranged to be able to come into contact with the cam surface and has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is configured to suppress the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate, which is in contact with the suppression member and located on the first direction side of the suppression member, and the input side rotating plate, which is adjacent to the specific output side rotating plate and located on the second direction side of the specific output side rotating plate, from approaching each other in at least a part of the range in which the rotation speed of the input shaft is lower than the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

[0034] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other in at least a portion of the range where the rotation speed of the input shaft is lower than the rotation speed at which the center-side assist cam surface and the pressure-side assist cam surface contact each other. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the entire input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate.

[0035] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, holds other parts of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, and when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate, the pressure plate is pressed against the pressure plate to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate. The clutch is provided with a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction toward the clutch center, the pressure plate is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface, and is provided with a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other so that, during the process of the clutch transitioning from a disengaged state to an engaged state, the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate are first pressed together, and then the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate are pressed together.

[0036] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to suppress the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other so that, during the process of transitioning from a disengaged state to an engaged state of the clutch, the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate held by the clutch center first come into pressure contact, and then the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate held by the pressure plate come into pressure contact. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress a sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input rotating plate and the output rotating plate, thereby suppressing a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input rotating plate and the output rotating plate.

[0037] Another clutch device according to the present invention is a clutch device that transmits or interrupts the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, and includes: a clutch center that is housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppression member, wherein the clutch center includes a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate, and the pressure plate is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface and The clutch clutch is provided with a pressure-side cam portion having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the latch center, and the suppression member is configured to allow the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other and to suppress the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in at least a part of the region of the half-clutch state, and when the position of the pressure plate when it is furthest from the clutch center is defined as a first position and the position of the pressure plate when it is closest to the clutch center is defined as a second position, the suppression member is configured to allow the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate to approach each other when the pressure plate is positioned closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

[0038] In another clutch device according to the present invention, the suppression member is configured to allow the input rotary plate and the output rotary plate held by the pressure plate to approach each other when the pressure plate is positioned closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first and second positions. This aspect of the invention makes it possible to suppress a sudden application of cam thrust to the entire input rotary plate and the output rotary plate. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressure force between the input rotary plate and the output rotary plate.

[0039] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a clutch device in which a sudden increase in pressure contact force due to cam thrust is suppressed in at least a part of the region in the half-clutch state.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clutch center according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the clutch center according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pressure plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pressure plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pressure plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the pressure plate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating the functions of a center-side assist cam surface and a pressure-side assist cam surface. FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating the functions of a center-side slipper cam surface and a pressure-side slipper cam surface. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a clutch device according to the first embodiment in a partially engaged state. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a clutch device according to the first embodiment in a state where the clutch is engaged. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the positional relationship between the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate and the engine speed. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between cam thrust and the rotational drive force transmitted to the output shaft. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between cam thrust and the release amount of a clutch operating lever. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13B is a plan view of a suppression member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13C is a side view of the suppression member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device in a partial clutch state according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device in a state in which the clutch according to the second embodiment is engaged. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device in a partial clutch state according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device in a state in which the clutch according to the fourth embodiment is engaged. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device according to a first modified embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device according to a second modified embodiment. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a clutch device according to a third modified embodiment.

[0041] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a clutch device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used to designate components and parts that perform the same functions, and redundant descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0042] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device 10 according to this embodiment. The clutch device 10 is provided, for example, in a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a motorcycle. The clutch device 10 is, for example, a device that transmits or cuts off the rotational driving force of an input shaft (crankshaft) of an engine, which is a power source of the motorcycle, to an output shaft 15. The clutch device 10 is a device that transmits or cuts off the rotational driving force of the input shaft to a driving wheel (rear wheel) via the output shaft 15. The clutch device 10 is disposed between the engine and a transmission.

[0043] 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 (i.e., the direction in which the pressure plate 70 moves) is referred to as direction D, the direction in which the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 is referred to as first direction D1, and the direction in which the pressure plate 70 moves away from the clutch center 40 is referred to as second direction D2. The circumferential direction (i.e., the rotational direction) of the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70 is defined as the circumferential direction S, and the direction from one center-side cam portion 60 to the other center-side cam portion 60 with respect to the circumferential direction S (the direction from one pressure-side cam portion 90 to the other pressure-side cam portion 90) is defined as the first circumferential direction S1 (see FIG. 2 ), and the direction from the other center-side cam portion 60 to one center-side cam portion 60 (the direction from the other pressure-side cam portion 90 to the one pressure-side cam portion 90) is defined as the second circumferential direction S2 (see FIG. 2 ). In this embodiment, the axial direction of the output shaft 15 is the same as direction D. The pressure plate 70 and the clutch center 40 rotate in the first circumferential direction S1 (i.e., the direction from the center-side assist cam surface 60A of one center-side cam portion 60 to 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.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch device 10 includes an output shaft 15, a plurality of input side rotating plates 20, a plurality of output side rotating plates 22, a clutch housing 30, a clutch center 40, a pressure plate 70, a stopper plate 100, and a spring 120.

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the output shaft 15 is a hollow shaft body. 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.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1 , the output shaft 15 includes a hollow portion 15H, which houses a push rod 16A and a push member 16B adjacent to the push rod 16A. The hollow portion 15H functions as a clutch oil passage. Clutch oil flows through the output shaft 15, i.e., the hollow portion 15H. The push rod 16A and the push member 16B are slidably disposed within the hollow portion 15H of the output shaft 15. One end (the left end in the figure) of the push rod 16A is connected to a clutch operating mechanism (e.g., a clutch operating lever or a gear shift button) of the motorcycle (not shown). Operation of the clutch operating mechanism causes the push rod 16A to slide within the hollow portion 15H and press the push member 16B in the second direction D2. A portion of the push member 16B protrudes outward from the output shaft 15 (in this case, 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 have a smaller inner diameter than the hollow portion 15H, ensuring the flow of clutch oil within the hollow portion 15H.

[0047] 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 from an edge of the bottom wall 31 in a second direction D2. The clutch housing 30 holds a plurality of input side rotating plates 20. The clutch housing 30 holds the input side rotating plates 20 so that they are relatively movable in the direction D but relatively immovable in the circumferential direction S.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, an input gear 35 is provided on the 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 when the input shaft of the engine is rotated. The input gear 35 rotates integrally with the clutch housing 30, independently of the output shaft 15.

[0049] The input side rotating plate 20 is rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft. As shown in Fig. 1, the input side rotating plate 20 is held on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 33 of the clutch housing 30. The input side rotating plate 20 is held in the clutch housing 30 by spline fitting. The input side rotating plate 20 is provided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the clutch housing 30 (i.e., direction D). The input side rotating plate 20 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the clutch housing 30.

[0050] The input side rotating plate 20 is a member that is pressed against the output side rotating plate 22. The input side rotating plate 20 is formed in an annular shape. The input side rotating 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 input side rotating plate 20. Grooves several hundred microns deep are formed between the friction material to retain clutch oil.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1 , the clutch center 40 is housed in the clutch housing 30. The clutch center 40 is arranged concentrically with the clutch housing 30. The clutch center 40 is made of an aluminum alloy. The clutch center 40 has a cylindrical main body 42 and a flange 68 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the main body 42. The clutch center 40 holds the input side rotating plate 20 and some of the multiple output side rotating plates 22 arranged alternately in direction D. The clutch center 40 holds the output side rotating plates 22 so that they can move relatively in direction D but cannot move relatively in the circumferential direction S. The clutch center 40 is driven to rotate together with the output shaft 15.

[0052] As shown in Figure 2, the main body 42 includes an annular base wall 43, an outer peripheral wall 45 located radially outward of the base wall 43 and extending in the second direction D2, an output shaft holding portion 50 provided in the center of the base wall 43, a plurality of center side cam portions 60 connected to the base wall 43 and the outer peripheral wall 45, and a center side fitting portion 58.

[0053] The output shaft holding portion 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape. An insertion hole 51 is formed in the output shaft holding portion 50, into which the output shaft 15 is inserted and spline-fitted. The insertion hole 51 is formed to penetrate the base wall 43. A plurality of spline grooves are formed along the axial direction on an inner circumferential surface 50A of the output shaft holding portion 50 that forms the insertion hole 51. The output shaft 15 is connected to the output shaft holding portion 50.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2 , the outer peripheral wall 45 of the clutch center 40 is disposed radially outward of the output shaft holding portion 50. A spline fitting portion 46 is provided on an outer peripheral surface 45A of the outer peripheral wall 45. The spline fitting portion 46 has a plurality of center-side fitting teeth 47 extending in the axial direction of the clutch center 40 along the outer peripheral surface 45A of the outer peripheral wall 45, a plurality of spline grooves 48 formed between adjacent center-side fitting teeth 47 and extending in the axial direction of the clutch center 40, and an oil discharge hole 49. The center-side fitting teeth 47 hold a portion of the plurality of output-side rotating plates 22. The center-side fitting teeth 47 hold the output-side rotating plate 22 so that it can move relatively in direction D but cannot move relatively in the circumferential direction S. The plurality of center-side fitting teeth 47 are aligned in the circumferential direction S. The plurality of center-side fitting teeth 47 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S. The center-side fitting teeth 47 are formed with the same shape. The center-side fitting teeth 47 protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 45A of the outer peripheral wall 45. The oil discharge holes 49 are formed by penetrating the outer peripheral wall 45 in the radial direction. The oil discharge holes 49 are formed between adjacent center-side fitting teeth 47. That is, the oil discharge holes 49 are formed in the spline grooves 48. The oil discharge holes 49 are formed on the sides of the center-side cam portion 60. The oil discharge holes 49 are formed on the sides of the center-side slipper cam surface 60S of the center-side cam portion 60. The oil discharge holes 49 are formed closer to the first circumferential direction S1 than the center-side slipper cam surface 60S. The oil discharge holes 49 are formed closer to the second circumferential direction S2 than a boss portion 54 (described later). In this embodiment, three oil discharge holes 49 are formed at three locations in the circumferential direction S of the outer peripheral wall 45. The oil discharge holes 49 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S. The oil discharge holes 49 communicate the inside and outside of the clutch center 40. The oil discharge holes 49 are holes that discharge clutch oil that has flowed into the clutch center 40 from the output shaft 15 to the outside of the clutch center 40. Here, the oil discharge holes 49 discharge clutch oil that flows on the inner peripheral surface 45B side of the outer peripheral wall 45 to the outside of the clutch center 40. At least a portion of the oil discharge holes 49 is provided in a position facing a pressure-side fitting portion 88, which will be described later.

[0055] The output side rotating plate 22 is held by the spline fitting portion 46 of the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70. A portion of the output side rotating plate 22 is held by the clutch center 40. More specifically, a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 is held by the center side fitting teeth 47 and the spline grooves 48 of the clutch center 40 through spline fitting. Another portion of the output side rotating plate 22 is held by the pressure plate 70. More specifically, the other portion of the output side rotating plate 22 is held by pressure side fitting teeth 77 (see FIG. 4 ) of the pressure plate 70, which will be described later. The output side rotating plate 22 is provided so as to be displaceable along the axial direction of the clutch center 40 (i.e., direction D). The output side rotating plate 22 is provided so as to be rotatable integrally with the clutch center 40.

[0056] The output side rotating plate 22 is a member that is pressed against the input side rotating plate 20. The output side rotating plate 22 is a flat plate formed in an annular shape. The output side rotating plate 22 is formed by punching out an SPCC thin plate into an annular shape. The friction material provided on the input side rotating plate 20 may be provided on the output side rotating plate 22 instead of the input side rotating plate 20, or may be provided on both the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0057] The center-side cam portion 60 is formed in a trapezoidal shape with a cam surface made up of an inclined surface that constitutes an Assist & Slipper (registered trademark) mechanism that generates an assist torque, which is a force that increases the contact force (pressing force) between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22, or a slipper torque, which is a force that quickly separates the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22, causing the clutch to transition to a partial clutch state. The center-side cam portion 60 is formed to protrude from the base wall 43 in the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 3 , 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.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3 , the center-side cam portion 60 is located radially outward of 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 cam thrust force from the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 to increase the pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22 when the center-side assist cam surface 60A rotates relative to the pressure plate 70 during acceleration, etc. 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 when it rotates relative to the pressure plate 70 during deceleration, etc., in order to reduce the pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22. 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 arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction S.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2 , the clutch center 40 has multiple boss portions 54 (three in this embodiment). The boss portions 54 are members that indirectly support the pressure plate 70. The boss portions 54 hold the pressure plate 70 via a stopper plate 100 (see FIG. 1 ) and a pressure spring 25 (see FIG. 1 ), which will be described later. The multiple boss portions 54 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S. The boss portions 54 are formed in a cylindrical shape. The boss portions 54 are located radially outward from the output shaft holding portion 50. The boss portions 54 extend toward the pressure plate 70 (i.e., toward the second direction D2). The boss portions 54 are provided in the base wall 43. A threaded hole 54H is formed in each boss portion 54, into which the bolt 28 (see FIG. 1 ) is inserted. The threaded hole 54H extends in the axial direction of the clutch center 40.

[0060] 2 and 3, the clutch center 40 has a center-side cam hole 43H that penetrates a portion of the base wall 43. The center-side cam hole 43H penetrates the base wall 43 in direction D. The center-side cam hole 43H extends from the side of the output shaft holding portion 50 to the outer peripheral wall 45. The center-side cam hole 43H is formed between the center-side assist cam surface 60A of the center-side cam portion 60 and the boss portion 54. When viewed from 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.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2 , the center-side fitting portion 58 is located radially outward from the output shaft holding portion 50. The center-side fitting portion 58 is located radially outward from the center-side cam portion 60. The center-side fitting portion 58 is located further in the second direction D2 than the center-side cam portion 60. The center-side fitting portion 58 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 45B of the outer circumferential wall 45. The center-side fitting portion 58 is configured to slidably fit onto a pressure-side fitting portion 88 (see FIG. 4 ), which will be described later. The inner diameter of the center-side fitting portion 58 is formed with a fit tolerance that allows the clutch oil flowing out from the tip end 15T (see FIG. 1 ) of the output shaft 15 to pass through relative to the pressure-side fitting portion 88. That is, a gap is formed between the center-side fitting portion 58 and the pressure-side fitting portion 88, which will be described later.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1 , the pressure plate 70 is provided so as to be able to move toward or away from the clutch center 40. The pressure plate 70 is provided so as to be rotatable relative to the clutch center 40. The pressure plate 70 is configured so as to be able to press the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 into contact with each other. The pressure plate 70 is disposed concentrically with the clutch center 40 and the clutch housing 30. The pressure plate 70 is formed from an aluminum alloy. The pressure plate 70 has a main body 72 and a flange 98 that connects to the outer peripheral edge of the main body 72 in the second direction D2 and extends radially outward. The main body 72 protrudes in the first direction D1 beyond the flange 98. The pressure plate 70 holds some of the multiple output side rotating plates 22 that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates 20. The pressure plate 70 holds the output side rotating plates 22 so that they are relatively movable in the direction D but relatively immovable in the circumferential direction S.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 72 includes a cylindrical portion 80, a plurality of pressure-side cam portions 90, a pressure-side fitting portion 88, and a spring accommodating portion 84 (see also FIG. 6).

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4 , the flange 98 extends radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the main body 72. In this example, the flange 98 extends radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the pressure-side fitting portion 88. The flange 98 has a pressing surface 98A that applies a pressure force to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. The pressing surface 98A is a surface that directly or indirectly contacts the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. The pressing surface 98A sandwiches the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 between itself and the flange 68 of the clutch center 40.

[0065] The cylindrical portion 80 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 80 is formed integrally with the pressure-side cam portion 90. The cylindrical portion 80 accommodates the tip portion 15T (see FIG. 1) of the output shaft 15. The cylindrical portion 80 accommodates the release bearing 18 (see FIG. 1). The cylindrical portion 80 is a portion that receives the pressing force from the push member 16B. The cylindrical portion 80 is a portion that receives the clutch oil that flows out from the tip portion 15T of the output shaft 15.

[0066] The pressure-side cam portion 90 is formed in a platform shape having a cam surface made up of an inclined surface that constitutes an Assist & Slipper (registered trademark) mechanism that slides on the center-side cam portion 60 to generate assist torque or slipper torque. The pressure-side cam portion 90 is formed to protrude in the first direction D1 beyond the flange 98. As shown in FIG. 5 , the pressure-side cam portions 90 are arranged 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.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 5 , the pressure-side cam portion 90 is located radially outward of the cylindrical portion 80. The pressure-side cam portion 90 has a pressure-side assist cam surface 90A (see also FIG. 7 ) and a pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S. 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 cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 to increase the pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22 when rotating relative to the clutch center 40 during acceleration, etc. 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 when the pressure plate 70 rotates relative to the clutch center 40 during deceleration, etc., in order to reduce the pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22. 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 arranged opposite each other in the circumferential direction S.

[0068] 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, a rotational force in the first circumferential direction S1 is applied to the pressure plate 70, as shown in FIG. 8A. Therefore, a cam thrust 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 pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22.

[0069] 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, as shown in Fig. 8B. As a result, 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, releasing the pressure contact force between the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22. This makes it possible to avoid problems with the engine and transmission due to back torque.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the pressure plate 70 has a pressure-side cam hole 73H that penetrates a portion of the main body 72 and the flange 98. The pressure-side cam hole 73H is located radially outward of the cylindrical portion 80. The pressure-side cam hole 73H extends radially from the side of the cylindrical portion 80 to a position radially outward of the pressure-side fitting portion 88. The pressure-side cam hole 73H is formed to penetrate between adjacent pressure-side cam portions 90. The pressure-side cam hole 73H is formed to penetrate between the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A and the pressure-side slipper cam surface 90S of adjacent pressure-side cam portions 90. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 , when viewed in 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.

[0071] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the spring accommodating portion 84 is formed in the pressure-side cam portion 90. The spring accommodating portion 84 is formed so as to be recessed from the second direction D2 to the first direction D1. The spring accommodating portion 84 is formed in an elliptical shape. The spring accommodating portion 84 accommodates the pressure spring 25 (see Figure 1). An insertion hole 84H, into which the boss portion 54 (see Figure 2) is inserted, is formed through the spring accommodating portion 84. That is, the insertion hole 84H is formed through the pressure-side cam portion 90. The insertion hole 84H is formed in an elliptical shape.

[0072] 1, the pressure spring 25 is housed in the spring housing portion 84. The pressure spring 25 is held by the boss portion 54 inserted into the insertion hole 84H of the spring housing portion 84. The pressure spring 25 biases the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 (i.e., toward the first direction D1). The pressure spring 25 is, for example, a coil spring formed by spirally winding spring steel.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4, the pressure-side fitting portion 88 is provided on the main body 72. The pressure-side fitting portion 88 is located radially outward from the pressure-side cam portion 90. The pressure-side fitting portion 88 is located in the second direction D2 from the pressure-side cam portion 90. The pressure-side fitting portion 88 is configured to be slidably fitted into the center-side fitting portion 58 (see Figure 2).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4 , the pressure plate 70 has a plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth 77 formed on the flange 98. The pressure-side fitting teeth 77 hold a portion of the plurality of output-side rotating plates 22. The pressure-side fitting teeth 77 hold the output-side rotating plate 22 so that it can move relatively in the direction D but cannot move relatively in the circumferential direction S. The pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are located radially outward from the cylindrical portion 80. The pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are located radially outward from the pressure-side cam portion 90. The pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are located radially outward from the pressure-side fitting portion 88. The plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are aligned in the circumferential direction S. The plurality of pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction S. In this embodiment, some of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are removed, so the spacing between those parts is wider, but the other adjacent pressure-side fitting teeth 77 are arranged at equal intervals.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 1, the stopper plate 100 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the pressure plate 70. The stopper plate 100 is a member that prevents the pressure plate 70 from moving away from the clutch center 40 by more than a predetermined distance in the second direction D2. The stopper plate 100 is fixed to the boss portion 54 of the clutch center 40 by the bolt 28. The pressure plate 70 is fixed by tightening the bolt 28 to the boss portion 54 via the stopper plate 100 with the boss portion 54 of the clutch center 40 and the pressure spring 25 disposed in the spring accommodating portion 84. The stopper plate 100 is formed in a ring shape in a plan view.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 9A , the spring 120 is held by the clutch center 40. The spring 120 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the center-side fitting teeth 47 and is held by the center-side fitting teeth 47. The spring 120 is held by the center-side fitting teeth 47 so as to be able to expand and contract relatively in the direction D. Examples of the spring 120 include, but are not limited to, a disc spring, a wave spring, a coil spring, etc. In the present embodiment, the spring 120 is, for example, a disc spring, but may also be a wave spring. The spring 120 is an example of an elastic body. The spring 120 is an example of a suppressing member. The spring 120 is disposed between the pressure plate 70 and the output-side rotating plate 22CA, which is located closest to the second direction D2 among the output-side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40. The spring 120 is disposed between the end 77D1 of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 in the first direction D1 and the output-side rotating plate 22CA. The spring 120 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the end 77D1 of the pressure-side fitting tooth 77 in the first direction D1. The spring 120 is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the output-side rotating plate 22CA held by the clutch center 40. The input-side rotating plate 20 is disposed radially outward of the spring 120. The outer diameter of the spring 120 is smaller than the outer diameter of the output-side rotating plate 22. The spring 120 absorbs the pressing force and cam thrust in the direction from the pressure plate 70 toward the clutch center 40 (i.e., the first direction D1).

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9A , the spring 120 is configured to allow the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other and to prevent the input rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in at least a portion of the range of the half-clutch state (for example, a first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10 ) in which the engine is in the half-clutch state and the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed). The "half-clutch state" is a state between a clutch-engaged state and a clutch-disengaged state. The "half-clutch state" is a state from when the input rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output rotating plates 22 start to come into contact with each other until just before all of the input rotating plates 20 and all of the output rotating plates 22 are pressed against each other. The "partial clutch state" refers to a state in which slippage occurs between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 when the driver operates the clutch by gripping the clutch control lever or pressing a gear shift button, causing the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 to be greater than 0% but less than 100% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. "Pressure contact" refers to a state in which there is no gap between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22, and no slippage occurs between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22. Note that, if a friction material is provided on at least one of the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22, the friction material is part of the input rotating plate 20 or the output rotating plate 22. The "clutch engaged state" refers to a state in which all input rotating plates 20 and all output rotating plates 22 are pressure-contacted with each other. In other words, there is no gap between all input rotating plates 20 and all output rotating plates 22, and no slippage occurs between all input rotating plates 20 and all output rotating plates 22.For example, even if there is no gap between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and no slippage occurs between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40, if there is a gap between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70, or if there is no gap but slippage occurs between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70, the clutch is not engaged (i.e., in a half-clutch state). The "clutch is disengaged" refers to a state in which there is a gap between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and a gap between the input rotating plate 20 and the output rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70. The "at least a portion of the half-clutch state" refers to, for example, a region in which the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is greater than 0% and less than 50% (e.g., less than 80%) of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. Here, the cam thrust is absorbed by the spring 120 in at least a portion of the partial clutch state. Therefore, the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other. At this time, the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40 approach each other. The spring 120 may be configured to allow the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other and to prevent the input-side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in a suppression region that is equal to or lower than a first engine speed (sixth rotation speed E6 in the example shown in FIG. 10 ). The phrase "allowing approach" refers to a case where the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22 are not prevented from approaching each other, and does not include a case where the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22 are prevented from approaching each other even if they approach each other."Suppressing approach" includes cases where the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 do not approach each other at all (i.e., where the distance between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 does not change at all), and cases where the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 approach each other (the distance between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 becomes narrower) but prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 from approaching each other (where the distance between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 is prevented from narrowing).

[0078] The spring 120 has an elastic force that allows the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other in at least a portion of the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see Figure 10)), while suppressing the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other.

[0079] The spring 120 is configured to prevent the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in at least a portion of the range of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10)). "Preventing approach" includes cases where the pressure plate 70 does not approach the clutch center 40 at all, and cases where the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 slightly (where the amount of approach of the pressure plate 70 is reduced compared to when the spring 120 is not provided). The spring 120 has an elastic force that prevents the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in at least a portion of the range of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10)).

[0080] The spring 120 is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in at least a portion of the range of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). "Suppressing the generation of cam thrust" means suppressing the generation of cam thrust between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch housing 30. That is, when the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A are in contact with each other and the rotation speed of the input shaft exceeds the rotation speed of the output shaft 15, cam thrust is generated. However, part or all of the generated cam thrust is absorbed by the spring 120, and therefore the cam thrust generated between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch housing 30 is reduced. The spring 120 has an elastic force that suppresses the generation of cam thrust in at least a portion of the range of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). Spring 120 is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to output shaft 15 is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft (a region greater than 0% and less than 50%). Spring 120 has an elastic force that suppresses the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to output shaft 15 is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9B , the spring 120 is configured to allow the input rotating plate 20 and all of the output rotating plates 22 to approach each other in a second operating range RE2 (see FIG. 10 ), which is a higher engine speed than the first engine speed. Here, when the cam thrust exceeds the repulsive force of the spring 120, the pressure plate 70 moves in the first direction D1 against the repulsive force of the spring 120, and the input rotating plate 20 and all of the output rotating plates 22 are pressed together, thereby engaging the clutch. The engaged state of the clutch refers to a state in which 100% of the rotational driving force of the engine is transmitted to the output shaft 15. The spring 120 may be configured to allow the input rotating plate 20 and all of the output rotating plates 22 to approach each other in a non-restriction region, which is a higher engine speed than the first engine speed.

[0082] The spring 120 has an elastic force that allows the input side rotating plate 20 and all the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 to approach each other in the second operating region RE2 (see FIG. 10).

[0083] The spring 120 is configured to allow the generation of a cam thrust in the second operating range RE2 (see FIG. 10 ). "Allowing the generation of a cam thrust" means allowing the generation of a cam thrust in all of the output-side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the pressure plate 70 and all of the input-side rotating plates 20 held by the clutch housing 30. In other words, the cam thrust generated by contact between the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A is transmitted to all of the input-side rotating plates 20 and the output-side rotating plates 22 without being absorbed by the spring 120. The spring 120 is configured to allow the generation of a cam thrust in a range in which the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 exceeds 50% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. The spring 120 is configured to allow the generation of a cam thrust when, for example, the driver releases the clutch lever. The spring 120 is configured to allow the generation of a cam thrust when the clutch is engaged, for example.

[0084] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the state of the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40 and the engine speed, and the relationship between the state of the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 and the engine speed. In Fig. 10, the dashed dotted line shows the state of the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40, the solid line shows the state of the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70, and the two-dot chain line shows the state of the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 when the spring 120 is not included.

[0085] 10 , when the clutch is partially engaged and the engine speed is lower than the first rotational speed E1, the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the input-side rotating plate 20, and the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and the input-side rotating plate 20 are largest. After the engine speed reaches the first rotational speed E1, as the engine speed increases, the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the input-side rotating plate 20 gradually decreases, and when the engine speed reaches the fifth rotational speed E5, the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the input-side rotating plate 20 disappears. At this time, slippage occurs between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and the input-side rotating plate 20, and the slippage is largest. When the engine speed reaches a fifth rotational speed E5, rotational driving force begins to be transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40. After the engine speed reaches the fifth rotational speed E5, as the engine speed increases, slippage between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40 gradually decreases, and when the engine speed reaches an eighth rotational speed E8, slippage between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40 disappears. In other words, when the engine speed reaches the eighth rotational speed E8, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40 are pressed against each other.

[0086] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10 , when the engine speed reaches the second rotational speed E2 or the fourth rotational speed E4, cam thrust begins to be generated by the action of the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A. Then, after the engine speed reaches the third rotational speed E3, as the engine speed increases, the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 gradually decreases. From the third rotational speed E3 to the sixth rotational speed E6, if the spring 120 is not provided, the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 gradually decreases in proportion to the increase in engine speed, as shown by the two-dot chain line. On the other hand, if the spring 120 is provided, the gap between the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 decreases more gradually, as shown by the solid line. Then, when the engine speed reaches a seventh rotation speed E7, the gap between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 disappears. At this time, slippage occurs between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70, and the slippage is greatest. When the engine speed reaches the seventh rotation speed E7, the rotational driving force begins to be transmitted to the output shaft 15 via the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70. After the engine speed reaches the seventh rotation speed E7, as the engine speed increases, the slippage between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 gradually decreases, and when the engine speed reaches a ninth rotation speed E9, the slippage between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 disappears. That is, when the engine speed reaches a ninth rotation speed E9, the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 is pressed against the input side rotating plate 20. When the engine speed reaches the ninth rotation speed E9, the input side rotating plate 20 is pressed against all the output side rotating plates 22, and the clutch is engaged.Thus, the engine speed (ninth rotation speed E9) when the input side rotating plate 20 and all the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 are in pressure contact with each other is higher than the engine speed (eighth rotation speed E8) when the input side rotating plate 20 and all the output side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40 are in pressure contact with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the first operating range RE1 is the range from the first engine rotation speed E1 to the sixth engine rotation speed E6, and the second operating range RE2 is the range higher than the sixth engine rotation speed E6 and lower than the ninth engine rotation speed E9. The sixth rotation speed E6 is an example of the first engine rotation speed. Note that the first operating range RE1 may be the range from the first engine rotation speed E1 to the seventh engine rotation speed E7, or may be the range from the first engine rotation speed E1 to the ninth engine rotation speed E9. The first operating region RE1 corresponds to a part of the half-clutch state or the entire half-clutch state. The first operating region RE1 includes engine speeds (here, the second engine speed E2 and the fourth engine speed E4) at which cam thrust begins to be generated by the action of the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A. The second operating region RE2 corresponds to a part of the half-clutch state or a state in which the clutch is engaged.

[0087] The spring 120 may be configured to allow the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other and to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and all of the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in at least a part of the range of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10)). The spring 120 may have an elastic force that allows the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other and to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and all of the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in at least a part of the range of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10)). The spring 120 may be configured to allow the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other and to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a part of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in all regions of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10) and the second operating region RE2 (see FIG. 10)). The spring 120 may be configured to allow the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other and to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and all of the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in all regions of the partial clutch state. The spring 120 may have an elastic force that allows the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other, and that prevents the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other, in all ranges of the partial clutch state. The spring 120 may have an elastic force that allows the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other, and that prevents the input side rotating plate 20 and all of the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other, in all ranges of the partial clutch state.The spring 120 may be configured to prevent the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in all regions of the partial clutch state. The spring 120 may have an elastic force that prevents the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in all regions of the partial clutch state. The spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in all regions of the partial clutch state. The spring 120 may have an elastic force that suppresses the generation of cam thrust in all regions of the partial clutch state. The spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is 80% or less (a region greater than 0% and 80% or less) of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. The spring 120 may have an elastic force that suppresses the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is 80% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. The spring 120 may be configured to allow the generation of a cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 exceeds 80% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft.

[0088] The spring 120 is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust when the driver is performing a clutch operation, and to allow the generation of cam thrust when the driver has completed the clutch operation. For example, the spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust when the driver is gripping the clutch lever, and to allow the generation of cam thrust when the driver releases the clutch lever.

[0089] 1 , the clutch device 10 includes a first power transmission path 131 and a second power transmission path 132. The first power transmission path 131 includes the input side rotating plate 20, the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure side engaging teeth 77, the pressure side engaging teeth 77, and the pressure side assist cam surface 90A. The first power transmission path 131 is an example of a power transmission path. The second power transmission path 132 includes the input side rotating plate 20, the output side rotating plate 22 held by the center side engaging teeth 47, the center side engaging teeth 47, and the center side assist cam surface 60A.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 1 , the spring 120 is provided in the first power transmission path 131. The spring 120 is configured to suppress transmission of power (e.g., torque) from the input side rotating plate 20 to the output side rotating plate 22. The spring 120 is configured to suppress the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 (e.g., the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure side engaging teeth 77) from approaching the input side rotating plate 20. The spring 120 may be configured to suppress transmission of power from the input side rotating plate 20 to the output side rotating plate 22 so that, at a predetermined engine speed in a partially engaged state, the power transmitted from the input side rotating plate 20 per output side rotating plate 22 of the first power transmission path 131 is smaller than the power transmitted from the input side rotating plate 20 per output side rotating plate 22 of the second power transmission path 132. The spring 120 may be configured to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 (e.g., the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure side engaging teeth 77) from approaching each other, so that, during the process of the clutch transitioning from a disengaged state to a connected state, the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 (e.g., the output side rotating plate 22 held by the center side engaging teeth 47) are first pressed together, and then the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 (e.g., the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure side engaging teeth 77) are pressed together. When the position of the pressure plate 70 when it is farthest from the clutch center 40 in the direction D is defined as a first position P1 (see Figure 9A), and the position of the pressure plate 70 when it is closest to the clutch center 40 is defined as a second position P2 (see Figure 9B), the spring 120 may be configured to allow the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 to approach each other when the pressure plate 70 is positioned closer to the second position P2 (here, on the first direction D1 side) than the intermediate position between the first position P1 and the second position P2.The spring 120 may be configured to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other when the pressure plate 70 is positioned closer to the first position P1 (here, closer to the second direction D2) than the intermediate position.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cam thrust and the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15. Note that the relationship between the cam thrust and the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 11 . The vertical axis represents the cam thrust, with the cam thrust when the clutch is engaged being set to 100%. The horizontal axis represents the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15, with the rotational driving force when the clutch is engaged being set to 100%. The dashed line represents the relationship when the clutch device 10 does not include the spring 120, the solid line represents the relationship when the restriction by the spring 120 is released when the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15 becomes 50% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and the dashed line represents the relationship when the restriction by the spring 120 is released when the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15 becomes 80% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. 11, when the clutch device 10 does not include the spring 120, the cam thrust gradually increases, and when the rotational driving force is 50%, the cam thrust is 60%, and when the rotational driving force is 80%, the cam thrust is 90%. On the other hand, when the clutch device 10 includes the spring 120, the cam thrust is suppressed by the spring 120, so the cam thrust is very small until the suppression by the spring 120 is released, and then gradually increases.

[0092] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cam thrust and the release amount of the clutch operating lever. Note that the relationship between the cam thrust and the release amount of the clutch operating lever is not limited to that shown in FIG. 12 . The vertical axis represents the cam thrust, with the cam thrust when the clutch is engaged being 100%. The horizontal axis represents the release amount of the clutch operating lever, with the state where the driver releases the clutch operating lever being 100% being represented. The dashed line represents the relationship when the clutch device 10 does not include the spring 120, the solid line represents the relationship when the restraint by the spring 120 is released when the release amount of the clutch operating lever reaches 75%, and the dashed line represents the relationship when the restraint by the spring 120 is released when the release amount of the clutch operating lever reaches 100%. As shown in FIG. 12 , when the clutch device 10 does not include the spring 120, the cam thrust gradually increases, reaching 60% when the release amount is 50%, and 90% when the release amount is 100%. On the other hand, when the clutch device 10 is equipped with the spring 120, the cam thrust is suppressed by the spring 120, so the cam thrust is very small until the suppression by the spring 120 is released, and then gradually increases. Then, after the release amount exceeds 100%, the cam thrust becomes 100%.

[0093] As described above, in the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, in at least a portion of the region of the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )), the spring 120 allows the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other, while preventing the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other. According to the above aspect, the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that a sudden application of cam thrust to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 can be prevented. This makes it possible to prevent a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0094] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and all of the output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in at least a portion of the region of the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). According to the above aspect, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0095] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to allow the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 to approach each other, and to prevent the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other, in all ranges of the partial clutch state. According to the above aspect, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22, in all ranges of the partial clutch state.

[0096] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 is disposed between the end 77D1 of the pressure-side fitting tooth 77 in the first direction D1 and the output-side rotating plate 22CA that is positioned furthest in the second direction D2 among the output-side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40. According to the above aspect, the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22.

[0097] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 has an elastic force that prevents the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in at least a portion of the region of the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )), and allows the input side rotating plate 20 and all of the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 to be pressed together in the second operating region RE2 (see FIG. 10 ). According to the above aspect, the input side rotating plate 20 and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0098] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 is configured to prevent the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). According to the above aspect, the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. This makes it possible to prevent a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0099] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to prevent the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in all ranges of the partial clutch state. According to the above aspect, it is possible to more reliably prevent the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 in all ranges of the partial clutch state.

[0100] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 has an elastic force that prevents the pressure plate 70 from approaching the clutch center 40 in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0101] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be disposed between the output side rotating plate 22CA and the pressure plate 70. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0102] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10)), and to allow the generation of cam thrust in the second operating region RE2 (see FIG. 10). According to the above aspect, the generation of cam thrust is suppressed, and therefore, the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0103] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in all ranges of the half-clutch state. According to the above aspect, the generation of cam thrust is suppressed in all ranges of the half-clutch state, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0104] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 has an elastic force that suppresses the generation of cam thrust in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0105] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 is configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15 is relatively low. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0106] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is 80% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and to allow the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 exceeds 80% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. According to the above aspect, it is possible to suppress the cam thrust from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 until the rotational driving force transmitted to the output shaft 15 reaches a region where it is relatively high. This makes it possible to suppress a sudden increase in the pressing force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0107] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is 80% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and to allow the generation of cam thrust when the driver releases the clutch lever. According to the above aspect, the cam thrust can be easily generated based on the driver's intention.

[0108] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust when the driver grips the clutch lever, and to allow the generation of cam thrust when the driver releases the clutch lever. According to the above aspect, the generation of cam thrust can be easily allowed or suppressed based on the driver's intention.

[0109] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be configured to suppress the generation of cam thrust when the driver is performing the clutch operation and to allow the generation of cam thrust when the driver has completed the clutch operation. According to the above aspect, the generation of cam thrust can be easily allowed or suppressed based on the driver's intention.

[0110] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 has an elastic force that suppresses the generation of cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft 15 is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0111] Second Embodiment As shown in FIG. 13A , in a clutch device 10 according to a second embodiment, the springs 120 include a first spring 120A and a second spring 120B. The first springs 120A and the second springs 120B are held by the pressure plate 70. The first springs 120A and the second springs 120B are held by the pressure plate 70 so as to be able to expand and contract relative to the pressure plate 70 in direction D. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C , the first springs 120A and the second springs 120B are, for example, wave springs. The first springs 120A are disposed between adjacent output-side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70. The first springs 120A are provided so as to be able to come into contact with the output-side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70. The first spring 120A is configured to prevent the output-side rotating plate 22PA, which is held by the pressure plate 70 and is in contact with the first spring 120A and is located closer to the first direction D1 than the first spring 120A, from approaching each other when the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A come into contact (e.g., when the clutch reaches a partial region from a disengaged state to a partial clutch state). The output-side rotating plate 22PA is in contact with the first spring 120A and is located closer to the input-side rotating plate 20PA, which is adjacent to the output-side rotating plate 22PA and is located closer to the second direction D2 than the output-side rotating plate 22PA. That is, the first spring 120A forms a gap between the output-side rotating plate 22PA and the input-side rotating plate 20PA when the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A come into contact. The output-side rotating plate 22PA is an example of a specific output-side rotating plate. The input-side rotating plate 20PA is an example of a specific input-side rotating plate. The first spring 120A may be configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the input side rotating plate 20PA from approaching each other in at least a part of the range where the rotational speed of the input shaft (i.e., the engine rotational speed) is lower than the rotational speed at which the center side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure side assist cam surface 90A come into contact.The first spring 120A may be configured to prevent the output-side rotating plate 22PA and the input-side rotating plate 20PA from approaching each other throughout the entire range from when the input shaft starts to rotate until the rotational speed of the input shaft reaches (increases to) the rotational speed at which the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A come into contact with each other. The first spring 120A allows contact between the output-side rotating plate 22PA and the input-side rotating plate 20PA when, for example, the driver gradually releases the clutch lever gripped by the driver and the set load of the pressure spring 25 exceeds the set load of the first spring 120A. The second spring 120B is disposed between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and the pressure plate 70. The second spring 120B is disposed between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and the flange 98 of the pressure plate 70. The second spring 120B is disposed so as to be able to come into contact with the flange 98. The second spring 120B is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70. The second spring 120B is configured to prevent the output-side rotating plate 22PB, which is part of the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and is in contact with the second spring 120B and is located closer to the second spring 120B in the first direction D1 than the second spring 120B, from approaching each other when the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A come into contact. In other words, the second spring 120B forms a gap between the output-side rotating plate 22PB and the input-side rotating plate 20PB when the center-side assist cam surface 60A and the pressure-side assist cam surface 90A come into contact. The second spring 120B allows contact between the output side rotating plate 22PB and the input side rotating plate 20PB when, for example, the clutch lever gripped by the driver is gradually released and the set load of the pressure spring 25 exceeds the set load of the second spring 120B. Note that the spring 120 may consist of only one of the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 14 , in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )), the cam thrust is absorbed by the first springs 120A and the second springs 120B. This prevents the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other. At this time, the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the clutch center 40 are pressed into contact with each other. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15 , when the cam thrust exceeds the repulsive forces of the first springs 120A and the second springs 120B, the pressure plate 70 moves in the first direction D1 against the repulsive forces of the first springs 120A and the second springs 120B, and the input-side rotating plate 20 and all of the output-side rotating plates 22 are pressed into contact with each other, thereby establishing an engaged clutch state.

[0113] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be disposed between the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and the pressure plate 70, or between adjacent output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0114] Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 16 , in a clutch device 10 according to a third embodiment, the springs 120 include a first spring 120A and a second spring 120B. The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are held by the pressure plate 70. The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are held by the pressure plate 70 so as to be capable of expanding and contracting relative to the pressure plate 70 in the direction D. In this embodiment, the first springs 120A and the second springs 120B are, for example, wave springs. The first spring 120A is disposed between the output side rotating plate 22PA, which is the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and is located closest to the clutch center 40 (i.e., in the first direction D1), and the output side rotating plate 22CA, which is the output side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 and is located closest to the pressure plate 70 (i.e., in the second direction D2). The output side rotating plate 22PA is an example of a first output side rotating plate. The output side rotating plate 22CA is an example of a second output side rotating plate. The first spring 120A is arranged to be able to come into contact with the output side rotating plate 22PA. The first spring 120A is arranged to be able to come into contact with the output side rotating plate 22CA. The second spring 120B is arranged between the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22PB adjacent to the output side rotating plate 22PA, among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70. The second spring 120B is arranged to be able to come into contact with the output side rotating plate 22PA. The second spring 120B is arranged to be able to come into contact with the output side rotating plate 22PB. The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are arranged radially outward of the pressure side mating teeth 77. The input side rotating plate 20 is located radially outward of the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B.

[0115] As shown in Figure 16, the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA from approaching each other when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L in at least a portion of the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see Figure 10)). This is so configured that the amount of approach L1 by which the output side rotating plate 22PA, which is located closest to the clutch center 40 among the output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70, and the output side rotating plate 22CA, which is located closest to the pressure plate 70 among the output side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40, approaches each other is smaller than the amount of approach L2 by which the output side rotating plate 22CA and the output side rotating plate 22CB adjacent to the output side rotating plate 22CA among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40 approach each other. Here, the approach amount L1 is the difference between a distance A1 in the direction D between the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA before the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by the predetermined distance L, and a distance A2 in the direction D between the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA after the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by the predetermined distance L. Here, distances A1 and A2 are equal, so the approach amount L1 is zero. Furthermore, the approach amount L2 is the difference between a distance B1 in the direction D between the output side rotating plate 22CA and the output side rotating plate 22CB before the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by the predetermined distance L, and a distance B2 in the direction D between the output side rotating plate 22CA and the output side rotating plate 22CB after the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by the predetermined distance L. Here, the approach amount L2 is greater than zero. The output side rotating plate 22CB is an example of a third output side rotating plate. In Figure 16, the state before the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance is shown by a solid line, and the state after the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0116] The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B may be configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA from approaching each other so that, in all regions of the half-clutch state, when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L, the approach amount L1 is smaller than the approach amount L2.

[0117] The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates 22 (e.g., output side rotating plate 22PA and output side rotating plate 22PB) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L in at least some regions of the half-clutch state (e.g., first operating region RE1 (see Figure 10)), the amount of approach L3 by which at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates 22 (e.g., output side rotating plate 22PA and output side rotating plate 22PB) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 approach each other is smaller than the amount of approach L2 by which at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates 22 (e.g., output side rotating plate 22CA and output side rotating plate 22CB) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40 approach each other. Here, the approach amount L3 is the difference between the distance A3 in the direction D between the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22PB before the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L, and the distance A4 in the direction D between the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22PB after the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L; here, the distance A3 and the distance A4 are equal, so the approach amount L3 is zero.

[0118] The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B may be configured to prevent at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates (e.g., output side rotating plate 22PA and output side rotating plate 22PB) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other in all regions of the half-clutch state.

[0119] The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent the output side rotating plates 22PA and the output side rotating plates 22PB from approaching each other when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L in at least a portion of the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see Figure 10)), so that the distance SA1 between adjacent output side rotating plates 22PA (an example of a first adjacent output side rotating plate) and output side rotating plate 22PB (an example of a second adjacent output side rotating plate) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 is larger than the distance SA2 between adjacent output side rotating plates 22CB (an example of a third adjacent output side rotating plate) and output side rotating plate 22CC (an example of a fourth adjacent output side rotating plate) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the clutch center 40.

[0120] The first spring 120A and the second spring 120B may be configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22PB from approaching each other so that the gap SA1 is larger than the gap SA2 in all regions of the half-clutch state.

[0121] According to the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA from approaching each other when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L in at least a portion of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )), so that the amount of approach L1 is smaller than the amount of approach L2. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22PA and the input side rotating plate 20 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0122] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA from approaching each other in all ranges of the partial clutch state. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22PA and the input side rotating plate 20 are prevented from approaching each other in all ranges of the partial clutch state, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0123] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the first spring 120A is disposed between the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA. According to the above-described aspect, it is possible to easily prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22CA from approaching each other.

[0124] The clutch device 10 of this embodiment further includes a second spring 120B between the adjacent output side rotating plates 22PA and 22PB held by the pressure plate 70. According to the above aspect, pressure contact between the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 is further suppressed, so that sudden application of cam thrust to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0125] According to the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent at least some adjacent output side rotating plates 22 (e.g., the output side rotating plates 22PA and 22PB) among the multiple output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L in at least a portion of the partial clutch state (e.g., the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )), the approach amount L3 is smaller than the approach amount L2. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plates 22PA and 22PB held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, and therefore, the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0126] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B may be configured to prevent at least some adjacent output side rotating plates (e.g., the output side rotating plates 22PA and the output side rotating plates 22PB) of the plurality of output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other throughout the entire range of the partial clutch state. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0127] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the second spring 120B is disposed between at least some adjacent output side rotating plates (e.g., the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22PB) among the plurality of output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, and therefore, the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0128] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the second springs 120B may be disposed between all adjacent output side rotating plates 22 among the plurality of output side rotating plates 22 held by the pressure plate 70. According to the above aspect, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, so that the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0129] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are configured to prevent the output side rotating plate 22PA and the output side rotating plate 22PB from approaching each other so that the gap SA1 becomes larger than the gap SA2 when the pressure plate 70 approaches the clutch center 40 by a predetermined distance L in at least a portion of the partial clutch state (for example, the first operating range RE1 (see FIG. 10 )). According to the above aspect, at least a portion of the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure plate 70 and the input side rotating plate 20 are prevented from approaching each other, thereby preventing a sudden application of cam thrust to the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22. This prevents a sudden increase in the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22.

[0130] 17 , in a clutch device 10 according to a fourth embodiment, a spring 120 is held by the pressure plate 70. The spring 120 is held by the pressure plate 70 so as to be able to expand and contract relative to the pressure plate 70 in the direction D. The spring 120 may also be held by the clutch center 40. In this case, the spring 120 is held by the clutch center 40 so as to be able to expand and contract relative to the clutch center 40 in the direction D. In this embodiment, the spring 120 is, for example, a wave spring. The spring 120 is disposed between a portion 77A of the pressure plate 70 that is radially inward of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 and an end 45D2 of the outer peripheral wall 45 in the second direction D2. Here, the end 45D2 of the outer peripheral wall 45 in the second direction D2 includes an end 47D2 of the center-side fitting teeth 47 in the second direction D2. The end portion includes a contact surface that comes into contact with the end portion 120D1 of the spring 120 in the first direction D1, and also includes, if a portion that protrudes further in the second direction D2 than the contact surface, the portion. The spring 120 is arranged so that it can come into contact with the radially inner portion 77A and the end portion 45D2 of the outer peripheral wall 45 in the second direction D2. The radially inner portion 77A is located on the first direction D1 side of the flange 98. The radially inner portion 77A is located radially outward of the spring accommodating portion 84. The radially inner portion 77A faces the end portion 45D2 of the outer peripheral wall 45 in the second direction D2.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 18 , in at least a portion of the region in the half-clutch state (for example, the first operating region RE1 (see FIG. 10 )), the cam thrust is absorbed by the spring 120. This prevents the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 from approaching each other. At this time, the output side rotating plate 22 and the input side rotating plate held by the clutch center 40 are pressed together. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 19 , when the cam thrust exceeds the repulsive force of the spring 120, the pressure plate 70 moves in the first direction D1 against the repulsive force of the spring 120, and the input side rotating plate 20 and all the output side rotating plates 22 are pressed together, thereby establishing an engaged clutch state.

[0132] In the clutch device 10 of this embodiment, the spring 120 may be disposed between a portion 77A of the pressure plate 70 that is radially inward of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 and an end portion 45D2 in the second direction D2 of the outer circumferential wall 45. According to the above aspect, the output-side rotating plate 22 and the input-side rotating plate 20 held by the pressure plate 70 are prevented from approaching each other, and therefore, the cam thrust can be prevented from being suddenly applied to the input-side rotating plate 20 and the output-side rotating plate 22.

[0133] 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.

[0134] In the above-described embodiments, the spring 120 is given as an example of the elastic body, but the elastic body is not limited to the spring 120. Examples of the elastic body include rubber.

[0135] The spring 120 may be disposed between the input side rotating plate 20 and the output side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure side fitting teeth 77 .

[0136] In each of the above-described embodiments, the pressure plate 70 (more specifically, the pressure-side fitting teeth 77) holds a plurality of output-side rotating plates 22, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 , the pressure plate 70 may hold a single output-side rotating plate 22. In the example shown in FIG. 20 , the spring 120 is disposed between the end 77D1 of the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 in the first direction D1 and the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the clutch center 40 (more specifically, the center-side fitting teeth 47). In the example shown in FIG. 21 , the spring 120 is disposed between the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the pressure-side fitting teeth 77 and the output-side rotating plate 22 held by the center-side fitting teeth 47.

[0137] In the above-described embodiments, the pressure plate 70 holds some of the output rotating plates 22, and the clutch center 40 holds other parts of the output rotating plates 22. However, this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 , the pressure plate 70 (more specifically, the pressure-side mating teeth 77) may hold all of the output rotating plates 22, and the clutch center 40 may not hold any output rotating plates 22. In the example shown in FIG. 22 , the first spring 120A and the second spring 120B are each disposed between adjacent output rotating plates 22 held by the pressure-side mating teeth 77. The clutch device 10 may include one spring 120, or three or more springs 120. Furthermore, the location of the spring 120 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 22 .

[0138] In each of the above-described embodiments, an engine is used as the power source, but the power source is not limited to an engine and may be, for example, an electric motor.

[0139] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to various types of clutch devices. In the above-described embodiments, a so-called internal disengagement type clutch device is described as an example in which the pressure plate 70 is located on the opposite side of the clutch center 40 from the clutch housing 30 in the axial direction of the output shaft 15, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the technology disclosed herein can be similarly applied to a so-called external disengagement type clutch device in which the pressure plate 70 is located between the clutch center 40 and the clutch housing 30 in the axial direction of the output shaft 15.

[0140] 10 Clutch device 15 Output shaft 20 Input side rotating plate 22 Output side rotating plate 30 Clutch housing 40 Clutch center 47 Center side mating teeth 60 Center side cam portion 60A Center side assist cam surface 68 Flange 70 Pressure plate 77 Pressure side mating teeth 77A Radially inner portion 90 Pressure side cam portion 90A Pressure side assist cam surface 98 Flange 120 Spring (restraining member) 120A First spring (restraining member) 120B Second spring (restraining member)

Claims

1. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate a pressure-side cam portion provided so as to be capable of contacting the center-side assist cam surface and having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center; wherein the suppression member is configured to allow the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other and suppress the input-side rotating plate and at least a portion of the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in a first operating range in which the clutch is in a half-clutch state and the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and to allow the input-side rotating plate and all of the output-side rotating plates to approach each other in a second operating range in which the engine speed is higher than the first engine speed.

2. A clutch device as described in claim 1, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the input side rotating plate and all of the output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in the first operating region.

3. A clutch device as described in claim 1, wherein the inhibiting member is configured to allow the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other in all regions of the half-clutch state, while inhibiting the input side rotating plate and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other.

4. A clutch device as described in claim 1, wherein the pressure plate is provided with a plurality of pressure-side engaging teeth that are arranged circumferentially and hold the output-side rotating plate, and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between the end of the pressure-side engaging tooth in the first direction and the output-side rotating plate that is positioned furthest to the second direction among the output-side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

5. A clutch device as described in claim 1, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate and the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

6. A clutch device as described in claim 4 or 5, wherein the restraining member is a spring, and the spring has an elastic force that restrains the input side rotating plate and at least a portion of the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in the first operating region, and allows the input side rotating plate and all of the output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate to approach each other in the second operating region.

7. A clutch device according to claim 1, wherein the first operating range includes an engine speed at which the cam thrust begins to be generated by the action of the center-side assist cam surface and the pressure-side assist cam surface.

8. A clutch device as described in claim 1, wherein the engine speed when the input side rotating plate and all of the output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate are in pressure contact is higher than the engine speed when the input side rotating plate and all of the output side rotating plates held by the clutch center are in pressure contact.

9. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion that has a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, a pressure-side cam portion that is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center; wherein the suppression member is configured to allow the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other and suppress the input-side rotating plate and at least a portion of the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in a suppression region that is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and to allow the input-side rotating plate and all of the output-side rotating plates to approach each other in a non-suppression region that is an engine speed higher than the first engine speed.

10. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational drive force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center and that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppression member, wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when it rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when it rotates relative to the clutch center, The clutch device, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the pressure plate from approaching the clutch center in at least a part of a region in a half-clutch state.

11. The clutch device according to claim 10, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the pressure plate from approaching the clutch center in all ranges of the half-clutch state.

12. A clutch device as described in claim 10, wherein the pressure plate is provided with a plurality of pressure-side engaging teeth that are arranged in a circumferential direction and hold the output-side rotating plate, and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between the end of the pressure-side engaging tooth in the first direction and the output-side rotating plate that is positioned furthest to the second direction among the output-side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

13. A clutch device as described in claim 10, wherein the clutch center comprises: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is connected; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center side fitting teeth arranged circumferentially and formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, the center side fitting teeth holding the output side rotating plate; the pressure plate comprises a plurality of pressure side fitting teeth arranged circumferentially and holding the output side rotating plate; and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between a portion of the pressure plate radially inward of the pressure side fitting teeth and an end of the outer peripheral wall in the second direction.

14. A clutch device according to claim 10, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate and the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

15. A clutch device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the suppression member is a spring, and the spring has an elastic force that suppresses the pressure plate from approaching the clutch center in at least a partial area of ​​the half-clutch state.

16. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds another portion of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate a pressure-side cam portion that is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and that has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the first output-side rotating plate and the second output-side rotating plate from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance, an amount of approach between a first output-side rotating plate that is located closest to the clutch center among the output-side rotating plates held by the pressure plate and a second output-side rotating plate that is located closest to the pressure plate among the output-side rotating plates held by the clutch center is smaller than an amount of approach between the second output-side rotating plate and a third output-side rotating plate adjacent to the second output-side rotating plate among the plurality of output-side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

17. A clutch device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the first output side rotating plate and the second output side rotating plate from approaching each other in all ranges of the half-clutch state.

18. A clutch device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the restraining member is an elastic body.

19. The clutch device according to claim 18, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the first output side rotary plate and the second output side rotary plate.

20. A clutch device according to claim 19, wherein the pressure plate holds a plurality of the output side rotary plates, and the suppression member is further provided between adjacent output side rotary plates held by the pressure plate.

21. The clutch device according to claim 18, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the second output side rotary plate and the pressure plate.

22. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds a plurality of output side rotating plates arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds a plurality of the output side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate a pressure-side cam portion that is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and that has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates of the multiple output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate from approaching each other so that, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance in at least a portion of the partial clutch state, the amount of approach by which at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates of the multiple output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate approaches each other is smaller than the amount of approach by which at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates of the multiple output side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

23. A clutch device as described in claim 22, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress at least some of the adjacent output side rotating plates, among the plurality of output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate, from approaching each other in all ranges of the half-clutch state.

24. A clutch device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the restraining member is an elastic body.

25. A clutch device according to claim 24, wherein the suppression member is disposed between at least some of the adjacent output side rotary plates among the plurality of output side rotary plates held by the pressure plate.

26. A clutch device according to claim 25, wherein the suppression members are disposed between all adjacent output side rotary plates among the plurality of output side rotary plates held by the pressure plate.

27. A clutch device according to claim 24, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the pressure plate and the output side rotating plate held by the clutch center that is positioned closest to the pressure plate.

28. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds a plurality of output side rotating plates arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds a plurality of the output side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate a pressure-side cam portion provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center, and the suppression member is configured to suppress the first adjacent output side rotating plate and the second adjacent output side rotating plate from approaching each other so that, in at least a portion of the region of a half-clutch state, when the pressure plate approaches the clutch center by a predetermined distance, the distance between adjacent first adjacent output side rotating plate and second adjacent output side rotating plate among the plurality of output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate becomes larger than the distance between adjacent third adjacent output side rotating plate and fourth adjacent output side rotating plate among the plurality of output side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

29. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member; wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when it rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when it rotates relative to the clutch center. A clutch device, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in at least a portion of a half-clutch state, and to allow the generation of the cam thrust when the clutch is engaged.

30. A clutch device according to claim 29, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in all ranges of the half-clutch state.

31. A clutch device as described in claim 29, wherein the pressure plate is provided with a plurality of pressure-side engaging teeth that are arranged in the circumferential direction and hold the output-side rotating plate, and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between the end of the pressure-side engaging tooth in the first direction and the output-side rotating plate that is positioned furthest to the second direction among the output-side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

32. A clutch device according to claim 29, wherein the clutch center comprises: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is connected; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center side fitting teeth arranged circumferentially and formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, the center side fitting teeth holding the output side rotating plate; the pressure plate comprises a plurality of pressure side fitting teeth arranged circumferentially and holding the output side rotating plate; and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between a portion of the pressure plate radially inward of the pressure side fitting teeth and an end of the outer peripheral wall in the second direction.

33. A clutch device according to claim 29, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate and the pressure plate held by the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

34. A clutch device according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the suppression member is a spring, and the spring has an elastic force that suppresses the generation of the cam thrust in at least a part of the region in the half-clutch state.

35. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member; wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when it rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when it rotates relative to the clutch center. The clutch device is configured such that the suppression member suppresses the generation of the cam thrust in a first operating region in which the clutch is in a half-clutch state and the engine speed is equal to or lower than a first engine speed, and allows the generation of the cam thrust in a second operating region in which the engine speed is higher than the first engine speed.

36. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member; wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when it rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when it rotates relative to the clutch center. A clutch device, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft.

37. A clutch device as described in claim 36, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft is 80% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and to allow the generation of the cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft exceeds 80% of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft.

38. A clutch device as described in claim 36, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft is 80% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and to allow the generation of the cam thrust when the driver releases his / her hand from the clutch lever.

39. A clutch device as set forth in claim 36, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust when the driver is gripping the clutch lever, and to allow the generation of the cam thrust when the driver releases the clutch lever.

40. A clutch device as described in claim 36, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the generation of the cam thrust when the driver is performing a clutch operation, and to allow the generation of the cam thrust when the driver has completed the clutch operation.

41. A clutch device as described in claim 36, wherein the pressure plate is provided with a plurality of pressure-side engaging teeth that are arranged in the circumferential direction and hold the output-side rotating plate, and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between the end of the pressure-side engaging tooth in the first direction and the output-side rotating plate that is positioned furthest to the second direction among the output-side rotating plates held by the clutch center.

42. A clutch device according to claim 36, wherein the clutch center comprises: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is connected; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; and a plurality of center side fitting teeth arranged circumferentially and formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, the center side fitting teeth holding the output side rotating plate; the pressure plate comprises a plurality of pressure side fitting teeth arranged circumferentially and holding the output side rotating plate; and when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is disposed between a portion of the pressure plate radially inward of the pressure side fitting teeth and an end of the outer peripheral wall in the second direction.

43. A clutch device according to claim 36, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate and the pressure plate held by the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

44. A clutch device as set forth in any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein the suppression member is a spring, and the spring has an elastic force that suppresses the generation of the cam thrust in a region where the rotational driving force transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft is 50% or less of the rotational driving force transmitted to the input shaft.

45. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational drive force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; a suppressing member; and a power transmission path, wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center; a plurality of pressure side engaging teeth arranged circumferentially and holding the output side rotating plate, wherein the power transmission path includes the input side rotating plate, the output side rotating plate held by the pressure side engaging teeth, the pressure side engaging teeth, and the pressure side assist cam surface, and the suppression member is provided in the power transmission path and is configured to suppress the transmission of power from the input side rotating plate to the output side rotating plate.

46. ​​A clutch device according to claim 45, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate and the pressure plate held by the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

47. The clutch arrangement of claim 46, wherein the restraining member is a spring.

48. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds other parts of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; a suppressing member; a first power transmission path; and a second power transmission path, wherein the clutch center has: an output shaft holding portion to which the output shaft is connected; an outer peripheral wall located radially outward of the output shaft holding portion; a plurality of center side engaging teeth that are arranged circumferentially and formed so as to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall, and that hold the output side rotating plates; a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the pressure plate rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plate and the output side rotating plate; the pressure plate comprises: a pressure-side cam portion that is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center; and a plurality of pressure-side engaging teeth that are aligned in the circumferential direction and hold the output side rotating plate; the first power transmission path includes the input side rotating plate, the output side rotating plate held by the pressure-side engaging teeth, the pressure-side engaging teeth, and the pressure-side assist cam surface; and the second power transmission path includes the input side rotating plate, the output side rotating plate held by the center-side engaging teeth, the center-side engaging teeth, and the center-side assist cam surface.A clutch device in which the suppression member is provided in the first power transmission path and is configured to suppress the transmission of power from the input side rotating plate to the output side rotating plate so that, at a predetermined engine speed in a half-clutch state, the power transmitted from the input side rotating plate per output side rotating plate in the first power transmission path is smaller than the power transmitted from the input side rotating plate per output side rotating plate in the second power transmission path.

49. A clutch device according to claim 48, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate and the pressure plate held by the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

50. The clutch arrangement of claim 49, wherein the restraining member is a spring.

51. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member; wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center. A clutch device, wherein the suppression member is a wave spring and is configured to suppress the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching the input side rotating plate.

52. A clutch device as described in claim 51, wherein, when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is configured to suppress, at the time when the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact with each other, a specific output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate that is in contact with the suppression member and is located on the first direction side of the suppression member, and a specific input side rotating plate that is the input side rotating plate adjacent to the specific output side rotating plate and is located on the second direction side of the specific output side rotating plate.

53. A clutch device as described in claim 52, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other in at least a part of the range where the rotation speed of the input shaft is lower than the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

54. A clutch device as described in claim 53, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other over the entire range from when the input shaft starts to rotate until the rotation speed of the input shaft reaches the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

55. A clutch device as described in claim 51, wherein, when the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is configured to suppress the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate, which is in contact with the suppression member and located on the first direction side of the suppression member, and the input side rotating plate, which is adjacent to the specific output side rotating plate and located on the second direction side of the specific output side rotating plate, from approaching each other, at least in a part of the range in which the rotation speed of the input shaft is lower than the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

56. A clutch device as described in claim 55, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other over the entire range from when the input shaft starts to rotate until the rotation speed of the input shaft reaches the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

57. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is able to press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member; wherein the clutch center comprises: a center-side cam portion having a center-side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when the clutch center rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressure contact force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure-side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when the pressure plate rotates relative to the clutch center. When the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is configured to suppress, at the time when the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact with each other, a specific output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate that is in contact with the suppression member and is located on the first direction side of the suppression member, and a specific input side rotating plate that is the input side rotating plate adjacent to the specific output side rotating plate and is located on the second direction side of the specific output side rotating plate.

58. A clutch device as described in claim 57, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other in at least a part of the range where the rotation speed of the input shaft is lower than the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

59. A clutch device as described in claim 58, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other over the entire range from when the input shaft starts to rotate until the rotation speed of the input shaft reaches the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

60. The clutch arrangement of claim 57, wherein the restraining member is a wave spring.

61. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing holding a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft and that is rotationally driven together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is arranged so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds at least some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center comprises: a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when it rotates relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates; and the pressure plate comprises: a pressure side cam portion that is arranged so as to be able to come into contact with the center side assist cam surface, and that has a pressure side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when it rotates relative to the clutch center. When the direction in which the pressure plate approaches the clutch center is defined as a first direction and the direction in which the pressure plate moves away from the clutch center is defined as a second direction, the suppression member is configured to suppress the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate, which is in contact with the suppression member and is located on the first direction side of the suppression member, and the input side rotating plate, which is adjacent to the specific output side rotating plate and is located on the second direction side of the specific output side rotating plate, from approaching each other in at least a part of the range in which the rotation speed of the input shaft is lower than the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

62. A clutch device as described in claim 61, wherein the suppression member is configured to suppress the specific output side rotating plate and the specific input side rotating plate from approaching each other over the entire range from when the input shaft starts to rotate until the rotation speed of the input shaft reaches the rotation speed at which the center side assist cam surface and the pressure side assist cam surface come into contact.

63. The clutch arrangement of claim 61, wherein the restraining member is a wave spring.

64. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds other parts of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that is capable of pressing the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate a pressure-side cam portion that is arranged to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and has a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center; and the suppression member is configured to suppress the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other so that, during the process of the clutch transitioning from a disengaged state to a connected state, the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate are first pressed together, and then the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate are pressed together.

65. A clutch device according to claim 64, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate and the pressure plate held by the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

66. A clutch arrangement as set forth in claim 65, wherein said restraining member is a spring.

67. A clutch device for transmitting or interrupting the rotational driving force of an input shaft to an output shaft, comprising: a clutch center housed in a clutch housing that holds a plurality of input side rotating plates that are rotationally driven by the rotational drive of the input shaft, that holds some of a plurality of output side rotating plates that are arranged alternately with the input side rotating plates, and that rotates together with the output shaft; a pressure plate that is provided so as to be able to approach or move away from the clutch center, that holds other parts of the plurality of output side rotating plates, and that can press the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates together; and a suppressing member, wherein the clutch center has a center side cam portion having a center side assist cam surface that generates a cam thrust in a direction from the pressure plate toward the clutch center when rotating relative to the pressure plate in order to increase the pressing force between the input side rotating plates and the output side rotating plates, and the pressure plate a pressure-side cam portion provided so as to be able to come into contact with the center-side assist cam surface and having a pressure-side assist cam surface that generates the cam thrust when rotated relative to the clutch center; wherein the suppression member is configured to allow the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the clutch center to approach each other and to suppress the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate from approaching each other in at least a part of a region of a half-clutch state; and wherein, when a position of the pressure plate when it is furthest from the clutch center is defined as a first position and a position of the pressure plate when it is closest to the clutch center is defined as a second position, the suppression member is configured to allow the input-side rotating plate and the output-side rotating plate held by the pressure plate to approach each other when the pressure plate is positioned closer to the second position than an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

68. A clutch device according to claim 67, wherein the suppression member is disposed between the output side rotating plate held by the pressure plate and the pressure plate, or between adjacent output side rotating plates held by the pressure plate.

69. The clutch arrangement of claim 68, wherein the restraining member is a spring.