Clutch Device Axial Attraction Curvature Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical clutch devices used in image forming apparatuses experience impact noise and improper engagement due to tooth deformation during drive transmission and release, leading to rotation non-uniformity and image disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A clutch device with driving-side and driven-side engaging members featuring inclined drive transmitting surfaces and functional surfaces on their free ends, which axially attract and separate to prevent tooth deformation and improper engagement, ensuring reliable engagement and disengagement without generating impact noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the clutch teeth are twisted to bite each other for engagement, then the driving force transmission is improved, but the tooth top deforms and generates impact noise during spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming an R-shaped surface at the tooth top of the clutch teeth. This curved surface allows the teeth to smoothly engage and disengage without sharp impacts, reducing the deformation and impact noise that occurs with twisted, angular tooth profiles during spacing operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the tooth top is provided with an R shape to suppress deformation, then impact noise is reduced, but improper engagement occurs between the engaging members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the R-shaped surface only at the tooth top portion of the clutch teeth, while the main body of the teeth maintains its twisted, biting profile for reliable engagement. This localized curvature suppresses impact noise during spacing without compromising the engagement reliability of the tooth bodies.
3Ease of manufacture
If a mechanical clutch structure is used to avoid electromagnetic clutch costs, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the structure is limited and may generate improper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming an R-shaped surface at the tooth top of the clutch teeth. This curved surface allows the teeth to smoothly engage and disengage without sharp impacts, reducing the deformation and impact noise that occurs with twisted, angular tooth profiles during spacing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch device includes a drive transmitting shaft; a driving-side engaging member; and a driven-side engaging member. A driving force is transmitted from the driving-side engaging member to the driven-side engaging member. The driving-side engaging member has a driving-side clutch tooth, and the driven-side engaging member has a driven-side clutch tooth capable of being engaged with and released from the driving-side clutch tooth. The driving-side clutch tooth and the driven-side clutch tooth have drive transmitting surfaces inclined so as to axially attracting each other in engagement with each other. At least one of the driving-side clutch tooth and the driven-side clutch tooth has a functional surface on a free end side relative to the drive transmitting surface with respect to the engaging direction. The functional surface is inclined so as to axially separating from a surface of the other clutch tooth in engagement therewith.