Clutch Outer Weight Reduction via Segmented Material Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a primary driven gear with the clutch outer necessitates the use of high-strength materials like iron, increasing the weight of the clutch device, which contradicts the goal of weight reduction for improved energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The primary driven gear is formed from a material with higher strength than the clutch outer, allowing the clutch outer to be made from a lighter material with lower specific gravity, and the clutch outer's design includes a spigot-fit portion and hub portion to efficiently distribute and reduce load transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the primary driven gear is formed integrally with the clutch outer from high-strength material, then the strength of the gear is ensured, but the weight of the clutch device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch outer is divided into multiple parts: an outer bottom portion formed from high-strength material to support the primary driven gear, and outer cylindrical portions formed from lightweight material. This segmentation allows different regions to have different material properties optimized for their specific functions, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the clutch outer are made from different materials with different properties. The outer bottom portion uses high-strength material where structural support is critical, while the outer cylindrical portions use lightweight material where strength requirements are lower. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes the overall weight-strength balance.
2Weight of moving object
If the clutch outer is formed from lightweight material with lower specific gravity, then the weight of the clutch device is reduced, but the strength of the gear mounting structure may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch outer is segmented into an outer bottom portion and outer cylindrical portions, with each portion made from appropriately selected materials. The outer bottom portion uses high-strength material to ensure adequate mounting structure strength, while the outer cylindrical portions use lightweight material to reduce overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The material selection is localized to match functional requirements. The outer bottom portion, which provides structural support for gear mounting, is made from high-strength material, while the outer cylindrical portions, which have lower strength requirements, are made from lightweight material with lower specific gravity.
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 configuration reduces the weight of the clutch device while maintaining strength, effectively distributing load, and preventing excessive stress concentrations, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the friction member (70) exerting a frictional force through mutual contact between the plurality of friction plates (71,72) and transmitting a rotational force from the clutch outer (30) to the clutch center (60)
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch device includes: a clutch outer rotatably journaled on a driving force transmission shaft and having an outer bottom portion formed in an annular shape and an outer cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction from an outer peripheral edge of the outer bottom portion; and a primary driven gear formed in an annular shape, assembled to the clutch outer, and receiving power from a power source. The outer bottom portion has a gear mounting portion inserted inside the primary driven gear and fitted to the primary driven gear in a relatively non-rotatable manner. The primary driven gear is formed from a first material. At least one of the outer bottom portion and the outer cylindrical portion is formed from a second material. The first material has higher strength than the second material.