Motorcycle Clutch Cushioning Member Reduces Dead Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission devices in motorcycles experience a 'dead zone' where the movement of the interlocking member stops, leading to a surprise feeling when power is transmitted, affecting operability due to a significant difference in loads between the release spring and clutch spring compression, causing inefficient use of space between clutch members.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cushioning member with a spring set to compress before the clutch spring, interposed between the first and second clutch members, which applies an urging force to smoothly move the interlocking and pressure members, reducing the dead zone and enhancing operability by efficiently utilizing the space between the clutch members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the difference between maximum load and set load is large, then the release spring can fully compress and the clutch spring can apply sufficient pressing force, but a dead zone occurs where the interlocking member stops moving, causing a surprise feeling when power is transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is introduced as an intermediary element between the release spring and the clutch spring. This cushioning member includes a cushioning spring that activates before the clutch spring, providing a transitional force that eliminates the dead zone. The cushioning member mediates the force transition, allowing the interlocking member to move smoothly from the release spring's maximum compression point to the clutch spring's activation point without stopping, thereby resolving the contradiction between sufficient pressing force and smooth operability.
2Ease of operation
If the cushioning member is added to eliminate the dead zone, then operability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning member is merged with the existing spring mechanism by positioning it within the same axial space between the first and second clutch members. The cushioning spring is integrated into the force transmission path, sharing the same functional domain as the release and clutch springs. This merging approach allows the cushioning function to be added without requiring separate mechanical assemblies, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still improving operability.
3Loss of time
If the cushioning spring is set to compress before the clutch spring, then the dead zone is reduced, but the space between clutch members must be efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning spring is arranged in the axial dimension between the first and second clutch members, utilizing the existing axial space rather than requiring additional radial or circumferential space. By configuring the cushioning member to compress along the same axial direction as the other springs, the design efficiently uses the available volume without increasing the overall clutch assembly dimensions. This dimensional arrangement allows the cushioning spring to activate before the clutch spring while maintaining compact space utilization.
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
The cushioning member suppresses the surprise feeling during power transmission and improves operability by continuously applying force, reducing the dead zone and ensuring smooth movement of the clutch members, thus enhancing the overall transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A cushioning member, by being compressed, applies an urging force while allowing movements of an interlocking member and the pressure member
Implementation Method 2
The cushioning member includes a spring that is set to a load such that the spring is compressed before the clutch spring starts to be compressed
Implementation Method 3
The weight member is movable from a radially-inner position to a radially-outer position in the groove portion due to a centrifugal force generated by rotation clutch housing
Data Source
AI summary
A power transmission device has a first clutch member 4a coupled to an output member 3. A second clutch member 4b has a plurality of driven-side clutch plates 7. A back-torque transmitting cam presses the drive-side clutch plates 6 and the driven-side clutch plates 7 against each other by moving the second clutch member 4b when a rotational force is input to the first clutch member 4a. A cushioning member 12 is interposed between the first clutch member 4a and the second clutch member 4b. The cushioning member 12, by being compressed, applies an urging force while allowing movements of an interlocking member 9 and a pressure member 5 in a process where the interlocking member 9 moves and the pressure member 5 moves from the inactive position toward the active position.