Multiple Disc Clutch Thickness Adjustment for Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multiple disc clutches for internal combustion engines, the engagement/disengagement timing varies due to dimensional errors in clutch discs, making it difficult to adjust the clutch pressing force accurately, especially when using a cam mechanism for engagement/disengagement control.

Innovation Solution

A multiple disc clutch configuration with two types of clutch discs of different thicknesses, where the total thickness is adjusted to a predetermined size by combining and replacing discs, and a cam mechanism is used to adjust pressure, ensuring accurate clutch pressing force and timing control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cam mechanism is used to control engagement/disengagement, then the clutch pressing force can be adjusted, but the engagement/disengagement timing cannot be adjusted to a constant value due to dimensional errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch pressing force adjustmentVSAvoidengagement/disengagement timing consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thickness parameter of clutch discs to compensate for dimensional errors. By providing clutch discs with different thicknesses (first thickness and second thickness) and selectively assembling them, the total thickness is adjusted to achieve constant engagement/disengagement timing despite variations in individual disc dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the clutch disc assembly into multiple individual discs that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows the total thickness to be adjusted by combining discs of different thicknesses, enabling precise control of engagement timing while maintaining the cam mechanism for pressing force adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple clutch discs are assembled, then the clutch can function properly, but dimensional errors accumulate causing timing variation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclutch functionalityVSAvoidtiming accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a parameter change approach by providing clutch discs with at least two different thickness values. This allows the assembler to select and combine discs of different thicknesses to compensate for cumulative dimensional errors, maintaining timing accuracy while preserving the multi-disc clutch structure for proper functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by making individual clutch discs non-uniform in thickness rather than requiring all discs to be perfectly uniform. By allowing local variations in disc thickness and selectively assembling them, the overall timing precision is maintained despite individual disc variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8469169B2Multiple disc clutch and assembling method therefor

Publication Date: 2013.06.25 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

To provide a multiple disc clutch in which the engagement/disengagement timing of the clutch can be adjusted to a fixed value, and an assembling method for the multiple disc clutch. Two kinds of clutch discs different at least in thickness are combined, and the clutch disc or discs are replaced with the clutch disc or discs of other thickness so that the total thickness of a required number of the combined clutch discs when a predetermined pressure is applied thereto will be equal to a predetermined size, whereby the total thickness is adjusted.