Motorcycle Clutch Device with Segmented Cam Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clutch devices for motorcycles face a challenge in reducing the number of components while maintaining stiffness, as integrating cam members with the clutch center or pressure plate leads to increased weight and manufacturing complexity due to the need for multiple dies and potential holes in the components.
Innovation Solution
The clutch device incorporates first and second cam portions positioned on either side of the clutch center, allowing for increased and reduced clutch engaging forces respectively, without requiring holes in the components, thus maintaining stiffness and reducing the number of components by allowing formation with a single die.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the clutch center or pressure plate is formed integrally with protruded cams by die casting, then the number of components is reduced, but holes are produced in root parts of the protruded cams due to pull direction of die, degrading stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is divided into two separate cam members: a first cam member fixed to the clutch center and a second cam member fixed to the pressure plate. This segmentation allows each cam member to be formed independently without holes, maintaining stiffness while still reducing component count compared to using separate cam mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second cam members are integrated with the clutch center and pressure plate respectively, merging the cam functionality into the existing structural components. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while avoiding the need for holes in the clutch center or pressure plate by forming the cams as separate attachable members.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clutch center or pressure plate is formed integrally with cam members, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but multiple dies are required and holes must be produced, increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cam members are segmented from the clutch center and pressure plate, allowing each to be manufactured using simple single-die casting processes without complex multi-die operations or hole-forming steps, thereby reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second cam members serve multiple functions: they provide the cam mechanism functionality for variable clutch engaging force while also serving as structural connectors between the clutch center, pressure plate, and clutch portion, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying manufacturing.
3Strength
If thickness of clutch center or pressure plate is increased to countermeasure hole-induced stiffness degradation, then stiffness is maintained, but weight of the component increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cam members from the clutch center and pressure plate, the invention eliminates the need for holes in these components, thereby maintaining their original stiffness without requiring increased thickness and avoiding additional weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second cam members act as intermediary elements that provide the necessary mechanical functionality without requiring modifications (holes) to the clutch center or pressure plate, preserving the structural integrity and weight characteristics of these components.
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 the number of components and maintains stiffness, enabling efficient power transmission with adjustable engaging forces without degrading the structural integrity of the clutch center or pressure plate.
Implementation Method 1
The first cam portion is disposed on one side of the clutch center in the axial direction, and is configured to increase an engaging force of the clutch portion when a forward drive force acts on the clutch device
Implementation Method 2
The second cam portion is disposed on the other side of the clutch center in the axial direction and is configured to reduce the engaging force of the clutch portion when a reverse drive force acts on the clutch device
Implementation Method 3
The clutch portion is disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch center and is configured to allow and block transmission of power
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch center includes a pressure receiving part and is accommodated inside a clutch housing. A pressure plate includes a pressure applying part disposed at an interval from the pressure receiving part in an axial direction. A clutch portion is disposed between the pressure receiving part and the pressure applying part, and allows and blocks transmission of a power between the clutch housing and the clutch center. A first cam portion is disposed on one side of the clutch center in the axial direction, and increases an engaging force of the clutch portion when a forward drive force acts on a clutch device. A second cam portion is disposed on the other side of the clutch center in the axial direction, and reduces the engaging force of the clutch portion when a reverse drive force acts on the clutch device.