Clutch Spline End Structure for Plate Retention and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch apparatuses face challenges in maintaining strength and preventing clutch plate fall-off due to stress concentration at the boundary between projections and recesses on splined portions, leading to reduced strength and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A clutch apparatus design featuring ring-shaped clutch plates with internal teeth, a center clutch with external teeth, and a pressure clutch with external teeth, where the end surfaces are flat without protrusions or indentations, and include protruding teeth and run-offs to prevent physical interference and enhance rigidity, along with a cam mechanism for smooth engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If projections and recesses are formed on the end surfaces of splined portions to prevent clutch plate fall-off, then clutch plate retention is improved, but stress concentration occurs at the boundary portions leading to reduced strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies projections and recesses only at specific locations (radially outer side portions) of the end surfaces rather than forming them across the entire surface. This localized approach provides clutch plate retention at critical areas while avoiding stress concentration at boundary portions, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength
Solution Approach 2:
The end surfaces are segmented into different functional zones: areas with projections and recesses for clutch plate retention, and flat boundary portions for stress distribution. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other
2Reliability
If the entire end surfaces are formed with projections and recesses to ensure clutch plate holding, then clutch plate retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity and stress concentration increase
Solution Approach 1:
Projections and recesses are formed only at the radially outer side portions of the end surfaces where clutch plate retention is most critical, rather than across the entire surface. This reduces structural complexity while maintaining effective clutch plate holding through targeted engagement points
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch apparatus is provided which includes a center clutch and a pressure clutch that can hold a clutch plate without falling off of the clutch plate and also prevent a reduction in strength. A clutch apparatus 100 includes a center clutch 105 and a pressure clutch 112, which hold clutch plates 104 placed facing friction plates 103 that are rotationally driven by a driving shaft. The center clutch 105 includes a center-side mating portion 108 mating with internal teeth of the clutch plate 104. In addition, the center-side mating portion 108 includes a protruding tooth 110. The pressure clutch 112 includes a pressure-side mating portion 116 mating with internal teeth of the clutch plate 104. In addition, the pressure-side mating portion 116 includes a run-off 117. The protruding tooth 110 extends over the run-off 117 of the pressure-side mating portion 116, as one of spline teeth forming the center-side mating portion 108.