Diaphragm Spring Plate Configuration for Clutch Half-Clutch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch devices face difficulties in maintaining the half-clutch condition with small displacement, leading to potential shock and deteriorated ride comfort when shifting from disengaged to engaged states, particularly in automobiles.
Innovation Solution
A clutch device design featuring a diaphragm spring with a specific configuration of plate springs, where the ratio of deformation in the half-clutch condition to the disengaged condition is greater than in the disengaged condition, allowing for easier maintenance of the half-clutch state and reduced shock during power connection/disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the clutch is designed to connect or disconnect with small displacement, then the displacement required for clutch operation is reduced, but it becomes difficult to maintain the half-clutch condition and causes shock when power is connected or disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm spring is divided into multiple plate springs (first plate springs and second plate springs) with different deformation characteristics. This segmentation allows different portions of the spring to deform at different rates, enabling the system to maintain the half-clutch condition over a larger displacement range while still achieving connection/disconnection with controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the diaphragm spring are given different local properties: the first plate springs have a larger ratio of half-clutch deformation to disengaged deformation, while the second plate springs have a smaller ratio. This local quality differentiation allows the spring to provide progressive bias force reduction, maintaining stable half-clutch operation and reducing shock during power transmission transitions.
2Speed
If the clutch connects or disconnects abruptly, then the operation speed is improved, but shock is caused and ride comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The diaphragm spring design enables dynamic control of the clutch engagement process. By having plate springs with different deformation ratios, the system can progressively reduce bias force during disengagement and gradually increase it during engagement, allowing smooth transitions that reduce shock while maintaining operational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the deformation parameter distribution within the diaphragm spring. The first plate springs are designed to deform more significantly in the half-clutch condition, creating a progressive parameter change that allows smooth power transmission transitions. This parameter differentiation enables the clutch to move through engagement/disengagement states more gradually, reducing shock while maintaining operational efficiency.
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 design enhances the ability to keep the half-clutch condition, reducing shock and improving ride comfort by adjusting the bias force distribution through the displacement of plate springs, facilitating smoother power transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm spring having a plurality of plate springs provided along a circumferential direction around the rotation axis, wherein the plate springs have end portions projecting toward the rotation axis and constitute free ends
Data Source
AI summary
In a clutch device in which a diaphragm spring presses a pressure plate to have a friction disc pressed against a rotating part, a clutch device with which a half clutch condition is easily retained is provided. The clutch device comprises: a diaphragm spring comprising a plurality of plate springs arranged along a circumference having a rotation axis as a center wherein end portions thereof projecting toward the rotation axis constitute free ends; a pressure plate to cause the friction disc to be pressed against the rotating part by being biased by the diaphragm spring; and a release device to disconnect power from the rotating part to the friction disc by reducing bias force applied by the diaphragm spring to the pressure plate as the diaphragm spring is deformed by displacing free end portion side of the plate spring in one direction along the rotation axis.