Clutch Cam Clearance Layout for Stable Torque Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch devices face instability in torque transmission due to low fitting accuracy between the pressure member and the clutch member, leading to tilting of cam surfaces and insufficient thrust force.
Innovation Solution
The clutch device incorporates a design with a center clutch and a pressure clutch featuring cam surfaces and a lifter plate, where the clearance between the second center clutch slide portion and the pressure clutch slide portion is greater than that between the first center clutch slide portion and the lifter plate slide portion, allowing for improved close contactability and stabilization of torque transmission. Additionally, the lifter plate slide portion is formed at the inner surface of a cylindrical plate holding portion to facilitate cooling and accurate sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pressure member and clutch member are fitted together with tight clearance to improve alignment, then fitting accuracy improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cylindrical portion as an intermediary element between the pressure member and clutch member. This cylindrical portion serves as a mediator that guides the pressure member during assembly, enabling accurate positioning without requiring extremely tight clearances between the main components. The intermediary cylindrical structure facilitates precise alignment while maintaining ease of assembly.
2Power
If the cam surfaces are designed to slide on each other to generate thrust force, then torque transmission capability improves, but stability of torque transmission deteriorates due to tilting when fitting accuracy is low
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical portion acts as a guiding intermediary that ensures the pressure member approaches the clutch member in the correct orientation. This mediator structure prevents tilting of the cam surfaces during engagement, ensuring stable and reliable torque transmission while maintaining the power-generating sliding action of the cam surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical guiding structure creates a constrained path for the pressure member, ensuring that the cam surfaces engage under optimal conditions throughout the engagement process. This equipotential approach maintains consistent contact and force distribution across the cam surfaces, preventing instability.
3Measurement precision
If the clearance between slide portions is reduced to improve sliding accuracy, then positioning precision improves, but the ability to accommodate misalignment and tilting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clearance into two distinct segments: a first clearance between the lifter plate and center clutch that is smaller for precision, and a second clearance between the pressure clutch and center clutch that is larger for adaptability. This segmentation allows each clearance to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different clearance values are applied to different locations in the mechanism. The first clearance is made smaller where precision sliding is needed, while the second clearance is made larger where adaptability to misalignment is required. This local differentiation of clearance quality optimizes both precision and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the close contactability between cam surfaces, stabilizes torque transmission, and allows for effective cooling, resulting in improved accuracy and efficiency of torque transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a cam portion provided at each of the center clutch and the pressure clutch and having a pair of cam surfaces for causing the pressure clutch to approach or separate from the center clutch upon relative rotation of the center clutch and the pressure clutch
Implementation Method 2
multiple friction plates to be rotated by the rotary drive force of the motor and multiple clutch plates coupled to the drive target body are arranged facing each other, and transmission or blocking of the rotary drive force can be performed as necessary by close contact or separation of the friction plates and the clutch plates
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a clutch device configured so that close contactability between a cam surface of a center clutch and a cam surface of a pressure clutch can be improved and torque transmission can be stabilized accordingly. The clutch device (100) includes a center clutch (105) and a pressure clutch (112). The center clutch (105) includes center-side cam portions (107), a pressure clutch slide portion (106), and a lifter plate slide portion (110). The pressure clutch (112) includes pressure-side cam portions (114), a lifter plate (116), and a second center clutch slide portion (113). The lifter plate (116) includes first center clutch slide portions (120). A clearance (C2) between the second center clutch slide portion (113) and the pressure clutch slide portion (106) is set greater than a clearance (C1) between the first center clutch slide portion (120) and the lifter plate slide portion (110).