Clutch Drive Self-Lock Structure for Faster Transfer Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Clutch driving devices with self-lock functions face challenges in achieving both increased responsiveness of the transfer mechanism and maintaining the self-lock function, as enhancing responsiveness typically leads to degradation of the self-lock function due to reduced friction force.

Innovation Solution

The clutch driving device separates the friction mechanism for self-lock function from the transfer mechanism, using a friction mechanism that generates a friction force opposite to the rotation direction, with a biasing portion to ensure contact and a rotation transfer portion that moves axially to prevent axial force transfer, thereby reducing friction force variations and enhancing responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the friction force is increased to achieve the self-lock function, then the self-lock function is maintained, but the responsiveness of the transfer mechanism degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-lock functionVSAvoidresponsiveness of transfer mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the mechanism into separate components: a friction mechanism for self-lock function and a transfer mechanism for rotation transfer. This segmentation allows the friction mechanism to provide sufficient friction force for self-locking without the friction force directly impeding the responsiveness of the transfer mechanism, as they operate through different functional pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The friction mechanism is extracted as a separate functional unit from the transfer mechanism. By taking out the friction-generating components (friction plates, biasing portion) as distinct elements, the patent enables the transfer mechanism to operate with minimal friction interference while the friction mechanism independently maintains the self-lock function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If the friction force is reduced to increase responsiveness of the transfer mechanism, then the responsiveness is improved, but the self-lock function degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness of transfer mechanismVSAvoidself-lock function
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of friction mechanism and transfer mechanism ensures that the friction force required for self-locking is generated independently without directly opposing the rotation transfer. This allows the transfer mechanism to achieve high responsiveness with reduced friction while the segmented friction mechanism compensates by providing the necessary self-lock friction force through its own biasing and friction plate system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the friction mechanism and transfer mechanism are integrated, then the structure is compact, but the friction force variations increase and responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidresponsiveness of transfer mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly segments the friction mechanism (comprising friction plates and biasing portion) from the transfer mechanism (rotation transfer portion). This segmentation prevents the transmission of axial forces from the transfer mechanism to the friction mechanism, thereby reducing friction force variations and maintaining high responsiveness while still achieving a relatively compact integrated assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The friction mechanism is extracted as a separate functional unit with its own biasing portion and friction plates, positioned to receive only rotational forces from the transfer mechanism. This extraction eliminates the coupling that would otherwise transmit axial forces and cause friction variations, thereby preserving responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 allows for increased responsiveness of the transfer mechanism while maintaining the self-lock function, by reducing friction force variations and ensuring efficient force transfer, leading to improved clutch driving performance.

Implementation Method 1

a friction mechanism that generates a friction force in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of rotation transferred by the transfer mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a biasing portion that biases one of the rotation body or the friction force generating portion relative to the other in an axial direction such that the rotation body and the friction force generating portion are brought into contact with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3546781B1Clutch drive device and vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3546781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546781B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3546781B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a clutch driving device having a self-lock function, a structure capable of increasing responsiveness of a transfer mechanism while maintaining the self-lock function is obtained. A clutch driving device (14) includes a friction mechanism (80) that generates a friction force in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of rotation transferred by a transfer mechanism (60) that transfers an output of a motor to a clutch (13). The friction mechanism (80) includes a rotation body (81) that rotates by the force in the rotation direction transferred by the transfer mechanism (60), a friction plate (82) that generates a friction force by contact with the rotation body (81), and a spring (84) that biases the friction plate (82) toward the rotation body (81) such that the rotation body (81) and the friction plate (82) are brought into contact with each other. An intermediate shaft (62) of the transfer mechanism (60) includes a rotation transfer portion (83) that rotates together with the rotation body (81) and is movable in the axial direction relative to the rotation body (81).