Pressure Plate Cam Geometry for Clutch Oil Retention and Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clutch devices face challenges in effectively supplying clutch oil to assist cam surfaces and slipper cam surfaces, leading to abrasion and noise issues due to frequent contact between these surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The clutch device incorporates pressure-side cam portions with stepped portions that accumulate and direct clutch oil to assist cam surfaces, ensuring efficient oil supply by inclining surfaces in opposite directions to increase oil accumulation and distribution, thereby reducing wear and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If assist cam surfaces and slipper cam surfaces frequently contact each other to generate pressing force and separate pressure plate, then the clutch device can control the transfer of rotation driving force, but abrasion and noise occur at the contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
Clutch oil is introduced as an intermediary substance between the assist cam surfaces and slipper cam surfaces. The oil supply passages deliver clutch oil to the cam surfaces, forming a lubricating film that reduces direct contact, thereby minimizing abrasion and noise while maintaining the pressing and separating functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by employing clutch oil under pressure to lubricate the cam surfaces. Oil supply passages are configured to deliver pressurized clutch oil to the assist cam and slipper cam surfaces, creating a fluid film that separates the contacting surfaces and reduces wear and noise during operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If clutch oil is supplied to assist cam surfaces and slipper cam surfaces, then abrasion and noise are reduced, but the complexity of the oil supply system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch oil supply system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same oil supply passages that deliver oil to the friction plates for lubrication also supply oil to the assist cam and slipper cam surfaces. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate oil supply components, thereby minimizing system complexity while ensuring adequate lubrication.
3Ease of operation
If the pressure plate and clutch center are designed with cam surfaces for pressing and separating, then the clutch device can effectively control power transfer, but the frequency of contact between surfaces increases wear
Solution Approach 1:
Clutch oil acts as a mediator between the cam surfaces, reducing direct metal-to-metal contact. The oil supply passages ensure continuous lubrication during the pressing and separating operations, thereby extending the service life of the cam surfaces while maintaining effective power transfer control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the contact interface by introducing clutch oil. The oil forms a lubricating film that alters the friction and wear characteristics of the cam surfaces, allowing them to operate for longer durations with reduced wear while maintaining their mechanical function.
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 design effectively supplies clutch oil to assist and slipper cam surfaces, reducing abrasion and noise, and enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the clutch device.
Implementation Method 1
the sub outer circumferential surface and the stepped portion-side outer circumferential surface are inclined in opposite directions to each other with respect to the axial direction of the output shaft. Therefore, the height of the stepped portion is made higher, and thus the amount of the clutch oil accumulated on the sub outer circumferential surface, that is, the amount of the clutch oil supplied to the pressure-side assist cam surface is increased
Implementation Method 2
The pressure-side cam portions each include a pressure-side assist cam surface to generate a force in such a direction as to cause the pressure plate to approach the clutch center, in order to increase a pressing force between the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates
Implementation Method 3
When the rotation speed of the clutch center exceeds the rotation speed of the pressure plate, the slitter cam surface separates the pressure plate away from the clutch center and thus decreases the pressing force between the input-side rotating plates and the output-side rotating plates
Implementation Method 4
the pressure plate is rotatable in a direction from the pressure-side body toward the pressure-side assist cam portion
Data Source
AI summary
Pressure-side cam portions of a pressure plate each include a pressure-side assist cam portion including a pressure-side assist cam surface, a pressure-side body located between the pressure-side assist cam portion and a pressure-side slipper cam portion, and a first stepped portion between a main outer circumferential surface of the pressure-side body and a sub outer circumferential surface of the pressure-side assist cam portion. The sub outer circumferential surface is located radially inward of the main outer circumferential surface. The sub outer circumferential surface is inclined radially inward in a second direction. Among portions of the main outer circumferential surface, at least a stepped portion-side outer circumferential surface adjacent to the first stepped portion is inclined radially outward in the second direction.