Friction Clutch Lifter Plate Geometry for Lower Release Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction clutches require excessive driving power and weight in components due to the design of the push rod and pressure member mechanism, which increases the load on the manipulation member and other components.
Innovation Solution
The friction clutch design incorporates a lifter plate member coupled to the center member at a fulcrum away from the force point, with the lifter plate member also coupled to the pressure member at an acting point closer to the fulcrum, reducing the load on the manipulation member and allowing weight reduction of components by dispersing the load and reducing the distance over which the pressure member is displaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the push rod is designed to displace the pressure member against the elastic force from the clutch spring, then the clutch release function is achieved, but the driving power required and component weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter plate member transforms the axial displacement motion into a lever rotation motion, changing the dimension of motion transmission. By utilizing rotational movement around a fulcrum instead of direct linear displacement, the system reduces the driving power required while maintaining the clutch release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter plate member acts as an intermediary between the manipulation member and the pressure member. It receives the displacement from the manipulation member and transmits it to the pressure member, enabling force reduction through lever action while achieving the same clutch release effect.
2Device complexity
If the push rod directly displaces the pressure member, then the clutch release mechanism is simple, but the load on the manipulation member and push rod increases requiring heavier components
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the lifter plate member that rotates around a fulcrum, the system converts direct axial displacement into a lever rotation system. This dimensional change allows force multiplication and reduces the load on the manipulation member, enabling weight reduction of moving components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifter plate member introduces dynamic motion characteristics by rotating around a fulcrum during clutch release. This dynamic lever action allows the system to achieve the required displacement with reduced force, thereby reducing component weights while maintaining functionality.
3Device complexity
If the manipulation member directly acts on the pressure member, then the mechanism has fewer parts, but the load concentration increases reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter plate member serves as a mediator between the manipulation member and pressure member, distributing the load through its lever action. This intermediary component reduces stress concentration on the manipulation member, improving durability while adding only one additional part to the system.
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 design reduces the load on the manipulation member and other components, allowing for weight reduction and improved operativeness and durability of the friction clutch by decreasing the driving power required and dispersing the load on the lifter plate member.
Implementation Method 1
a lifter plate member coupled to the center member in the axis direction at a fulcrum that is away by a first distance from a force point at which a displacement of the manipulation member is received, the lifter plate member being coupled to the pressure member in the axis direction at an acting point that is away from the fulcrum by a second distance shorter than the first distance
Implementation Method 2
the mutual contact in the friction members being restrained at the first position by receiving an elastic force from a spring member
Implementation Method 3
a mutual contact in the friction members providing a friction force to transmit a rotational force from the outer member to the center member
Data Source
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AI summary
[SUBJECT] To provide an internal combustion engine that allows weight reduction of components incorporated into a friction clutch and contribution to a reduction in driving power applied to a manipulation member. [MEANS FOR SOLUTION] A friction clutch (65) of the internal combustion engine includes a lifter plate member (75) coupled to a center member (67) in an axis direction at a fulcrum Ls away by a first distance from a force point Lf at which a displacement of a manipulation member (74) is received, and coupled to a pressure member (71) in the axis direction at an acting point Lw away from the fulcrum Ls by a second distance shorter than the first distance.