Centrifugal Clutch Spring-Urged Masses for Compact Stable Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transmission apparatuses for motorcycles face challenges in accurately and stably moving masses from a radially outer to a radially inner position due to the large size of steel balls used, which complicates the use of urging members and increases the apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A power transmission apparatus with a centrifugal clutch utilizing a plurality of symmetrical polygonal weight members, springs, and spherical bodies that are housed in circumferentially arranged housing portions, allowing for precise and stable movement of masses between radially inner and outer positions, enabling efficient transmission and cut-off of rotational force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a steel ball is used as the weight member in the centrifugal clutch, then the clutch can effectively press the driving and driven clutch plates against each other, but the apparatus size increases due to the large space required for the steel ball movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional steel ball weight member with a much smaller plastic ball. This substitution dramatically reduces the space required for the weight member while maintaining the centrifugal clutch's functional reliability. The plastic ball, though smaller and less durable than steel, achieves the same clutch engagement purpose with significantly reduced apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to plastic, which fundamentally alters the size parameter of the weight member. This material substitution enables the same functional performance (clutch pressing force) to be achieved with a dramatically smaller component volume, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and apparatus size.
2Power
If a plurality of weight members are provided in a circumferential direction of a holding member, then the clutch can effectively transmit power, but it becomes difficult for the urging means to accurately urge each weight member from the radially outer position to the radially inner position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single urging function into multiple independent urging members, with each spring dedicated to urging a specific plastic ball weight member. This segmentation ensures that each weight member can be accurately and independently urged to its proper position, maintaining manufacturing precision even when multiple weight members are arranged circumferentially for effective power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces individual urging springs as intermediary elements between the holding member and each plastic ball weight member. These springs act as mediators that precisely control the positioning of each weight member, ensuring accurate radial movement while allowing multiple weight members to function together for effective power transmission.
3Volume of stationary object
If a symmetrical polygonal weight member is used instead of a steel ball, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the weight member requires an urging member to return to its initial position, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs urging springs as counteracting elements that provide the necessary force to return the plastic ball weight members to their initial positions after centrifugal force acts on them. This counterbalancing mechanism, while adding components, uses simple spring elements that minimize the increase in overall device complexity while enabling the use of smaller polygonal weight members.
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 solution allows for accurate and stable urging of masses, reducing the size of the apparatus and improving the movement of weight members in response to centrifugal force, enhancing the transmission and cut-off of rotational force in a motorcycle power transmission system.
Implementation Method 1
springs to urge the masses from the radially outer position to the radially inner position
Implementation Method 2
masses each movable from a radially inner position to a radially outer position with centrifugal force produced by rotation of the clutch housing
Data Source
AI summary
In a power transmission apparatus, a centrifugal clutch includes a holder, a press, and springs to urge masses from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. The masses are each housed in an associated one of housing portions arranged in a circumferential direction of the holder such that the masses are radially movable. More than one spring is provided in the circumferential direction between an inner peripheral wall surface of each of the housing portions and an associated one of the masses to urge the associated mass from the radially outer position to the radially inner position.