Clutch Release Mechanism Cam Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch release mechanisms for multiple disk clutch devices face challenges in assembly workability due to misalignment of balls and require tight tolerances, leading to poor assembly efficiency and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A clutch release mechanism with a cylindrical boss portion on the fixed cam plate that supports a movable cam plate, allowing for axial slidable and rotational movement, and a pressing member with a hollow portion to accommodate the movable cam plate's projecting portion, enabling relative shifting and alignment without deflection, thus reducing the risk of misalignment and allowing for a more compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the balls are arranged on the movable cam plate and the fixed cam plate is mounted to hold the balls, then the clutch release mechanism functions properly, but the assembly workability deteriorates due to the need to maintain precise ball positions during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer is introduced as an intermediary component to hold the balls at predetermined positions on the movable cam plate. The retainer acts as a mediator that maintains ball positions during assembly, eliminating the need to manually maintain precise ball positions while assembling the fixed cam plate, thus improving assembly workability while ensuring proper mechanism function
Solution Approach 2:
The balls are preliminarily fixed to the movable cam plate using the retainer before the fixed cam plate is assembled. This preliminary action of securing the balls in position allows the fixed cam plate to be mounted without concern for ball misalignment, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ball position precision and achieving easy assembly
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cylindrical boss portion is inserted into the fixed cam plate and the relative positions are fixed, then the alignment between fixed cam plate and movable cam plate is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement deteriorates due to the need to significantly reduce cumulative tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The design changes the dimensional parameters of the cylindrical boss portion and cylindrical projecting portion to create a fit that inherently accommodates tolerance variations. By optimizing the size relationship and fit type between these components, the system maintains stable alignment between cam plates without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, thus resolving the contradiction between alignment stability and manufacturing precision requirements
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 enhances assembly workability by allowing for easy alignment of the movable cam plate with the fixed cam plate, reduces the risk of erroneous assembly, and alleviates the need for tight tolerances, resulting in improved shift feeling and cost reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical boss portion projecting in a direction coaxial with, and away from a main shaft of a transmission, the cylindrical boss portion turnably supporting a movable cam plate so as to be turnable coaxially with the main shaft
Implementation Method 2
a release member for releasing engagement of a clutch by transmitting, to a pressure-applying plate, a thrust force generated by relative turning of the fixed cam plate and the movable cam plate which hold the ball unit therebetween
Implementation Method 3
a pressing member fitted to the release member via a bearing, and pressed by the movable cam plate to receive the thrust force and transmit the thrust force to the release member via the bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch release mechanism includes a fixed cam plate having a cylindrical boss portion, and a movable cam plate supported on the cylindrical boss portion through a cylindrical projecting portion thereof. A ball unit is retained on the cylindrical boss portion by a retainer, and a release member disengages a clutch by transmitting a thrust force, generated by relative turning between the fixed and movable cam plates which hold the ball unit therebetween, to a pressure-applying plate. A pressing member is pressed by the movable cam plate to transmit the thrust force to the release member. The cylindrical projecting portion of the movable cam plate projects toward the pressing member, and is fitted a the hollow portion thereof with a gap therebetween. The movable cam plate presses the pressing member so as to be relatively shiftable on a flat surface perpendicular to a pressing direction.