Clutch Return Spring Layout for Lower Torque Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch devices experience significant torque loss due to the load applied by return springs, which increases the relative rotation speed between the clutch, pressing body, and rotational translation unit, leading to inefficiencies in changing the clutch state from engaged to disengaged.
Innovation Solution
The clutch device incorporates a state changing unit that receives a force from the translation portion to change the clutch state, with a return spring urging the translation portion away from the clutch, thereby reducing torque loss by applying the load directly to the translation portion without passing through the state changing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return spring is used to apply load to change clutch state, then the clutch can be reliably engaged and disengaged, but torque loss increases due to increased relative rotation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch device is divided into separate functional components: the return spring assembly that applies axial load, the pressing body that transmits force, and the rotational translation unit that converts rotation to axial movement. This segmentation allows the return spring load to be applied independently without increasing relative rotation speed between clutch components, thereby reducing torque loss while maintaining reliable state changing
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing body acts as an intermediary between the return spring and the clutch. The return spring applies load to the pressing body, which then transmits this load to the clutch through controlled axial movement. This intermediary mechanism allows the return spring to reliably engage/disengage the clutch without directly increasing the relative rotation speed between clutch components, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and torque loss
2Ease of operation
If the translation portion moves axially to change clutch state, then clutch engagement can be controlled, but a gap must be maintained which increases the distance and reduces responsiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational translation unit dynamically converts rotational movement into axial movement of the translation portion. As the input shaft rotates, the rotational translation unit transforms this rotation into controlled axial displacement of the pressing body, which then moves the translation portion toward or away from the clutch. This dynamic conversion allows for precise control of the gap distance while maintaining rapid response, as the axial movement is directly coupled to the rotation without requiring large gaps
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 torque loss between the clutch and rotational translation unit, allowing for a predetermined gap to be maintained, thereby minimizing drag torque loss and enhancing the clutch's operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The return spring is disposed on a side of the fixed end opposite to the clutch, and capable of urging the translation portion in a direction away from the clutch with respect to the fixed end
Implementation Method 2
The rotational translation unit includes a rotation portion configured to rotate relative to the housing upon receiving an input of the torque output from the speed reducer, and a translation portion configured to move relative to the housing in an axial direction in accordance with rotation of the rotation portion relative to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A state changing unit is capable of contacting a clutch, and being configured to receive a force along the axial direction from a translation portion and change a state of the clutch to an engaged state or a disengaged state according to a position of the translation portion in an axial direction relative to a housing. A fixed end is non-rotatable relative to the housing. A return spring is disposed on a side of the fixed end opposite to the clutch, and capable of urging the translation portion in a direction away from the clutch with respect to the fixed end.