Clutch Release Mechanism Ball Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch release mechanisms suffer from vibration noise due to loosely fitted balls and have low assembleability due to the large number of independent components.
Innovation Solution
A clutch release mechanism with a collar member, bearing, adjustment bolt, boss member, receiving plate, and ball unit, where the ball unit is urged toward the clutch cam plate by a spring and restricted from coming out by a C-ring, allowing loose fitting without vibration and improving assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ball is loosely fitted between the fixed cam plate and the movable cam plate to ensure the engaged state of the clutch, then the clutch engagement is ensured, but the ball is vibrated when the engine is in operation which results in noise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention integrates the fixed cam plate and movable cam plate into a single integrated cam plate structure with cam surfaces on opposite sides. This merging eliminates the ball component and the gaps between separate parts, thereby ensuring reliable clutch engagement while preventing ball vibrations that cause noise.
2Reliability
If the ball is loosely fitted between the fixed cam plate and the movable cam plate, then the engaged state of the clutch is ensured, but the number of components is large which results in low assembleability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple independent components (fixed cam plate, movable cam plate, and ball) into a single integrated cam plate assembly. This reduces the total number of components and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the functional requirement for reliable clutch engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the ball component from the clutch release mechanism. By removing this independent component and integrating its function into the cam plate structure, the number of parts is reduced and assembleability is improved while still ensuring proper clutch engagement.
3Ease of operation
If three of the fixed cam plate, the ball, and the movable cam plate are independent respectively as parts, then the clutch release mechanism functions, but the number of components is large thus assembleability is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the fixed cam plate, movable cam plate, and ball into a single integrated cam plate structure. This consolidation maintains the clutch release function while significantly reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying assembly operations.
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 mechanism effectively restrains ball vibrations while ensuring the clutch is engaged, enhancing assembleability by reducing the likelihood of components coming loose during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
An urging member is provided for urging the ball unit in the direction of being slid toward the clutch cam plate
Implementation Method 2
A bearing (for example, a release bearing 55 in an embodiment) provided inside the collar member. A clutch cam plate is rotatably connected to the collar member via the bearing
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a clutch release mechanism which can restrain vibrations of a ball while allowing the ball to be loosely fitted when it is not in operation to ensure the engaged state of a clutch. A clutch release mechanism is configured in such a manner that a gap is defined between a clutch cam plate or a receiving plate and a ball unit so that the ball unit can slide between the clutch cam plate and the receiving plate. An urging spring is provided for urging the ball unit in the direction of being slid toward the clutch cam plate. A C-ring for restricting the ball unit from coming out from a boss member is attached to the peripheral portion of the boss member.