Clutch Shaft Support Structure to Reduce Distortion in Engines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing friction clutch design, as described in JP 2014 - 162 269 A, suffers from a cantilevered main shaft that leads to distortion during rotation, compromising the feel of manipulation due to shaft deflection.
Innovation Solution
The internal combustion engine incorporates a pin member and lifter member to transmit axial displacement from a push rod to a pressure member, reducing distortion by supporting the driving power transmitting shaft at both sides and enhancing lubrication, thereby improving the feel of manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the driving power transmitting shaft is cantilevered and supported only at one end to the crankcase, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the shaft cannot fully reduce distortion during rotation, compromising the feeling of manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure for the driving power transmitting shaft is segmented into two independent support points: one support from the crankcase and another support from the clutch cover. This segmentation allows each support point to independently bear loads and reduce shaft distortion without requiring a completely different support architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The support configuration transitions from a one-dimensional cantilever support (single-point support from crankcase) to a two-dimensional distributed support system where the shaft is supported at both ends by different components (crankcase and clutch cover), adding spatial dimensionality to the support structure.
2Device complexity
If the push rod tip projects from the main shaft and is joined to the pressure member, then the clutch release mechanism is simpler, but the main shaft becomes cantilevered and cannot reduce distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The push rod is nested inside the driving power transmitting shaft, with the push rod tip projecting from the shaft to connect to the pressure member. This nesting arrangement allows the push rod to function as part of the shaft assembly without adding external complexity, while the shaft itself provides the structural support needed to reduce distortion.
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 distortion and friction resistance, enhancing the feel of manipulation and durability of the friction clutch by ensuring proper lubrication and stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
receiving an elastic force from a spring member
Implementation Method 2
a mutual contact in the friction members providing a friction force to transmit a rotational force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
[SUBJECT] To provide an internal combustion engine that reduces a distortion of a driving power transmitting shaft to ensure improving a feeling of manipulation of a friction clutch. [MEANS FOR SOLUTION] An internal combustion engine (24) includes a pin member (94) and a lifter member (74). The pin member (94) is coupled to a push rod (73), radially projects from an outer periphery of a driving power transmitting shaft (35) between a crankcase (31) and a clutch cover (45), and is relatively displaced with respect to the driving power transmitting shaft (35) in an axis direction. The lifter member (74) is mounted to an outer periphery of the driving power transmitting shaft (35) to be relatively displaceable in the axis direction between the crankcase (31) and the clutch cover (45), coupled to the pin member (94), and transmits the axial displacement of the pin member (94) to a pressure member (71). The driving power transmitting shaft (35) has a tip end supported relatively rotatable to the clutch cover (45).