JP6725569B2 - Clutch device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch device.

For example, in motorcycles such as motorcycles and buggies, a clutch device is used to transmit or cut off power from an engine to a transmission. This clutch device presses the clutch housing, which is connected to the crankshaft side of the engine, the clutch center, which is connected to the transmission side, the clutch portion for transmitting and disconnecting power between them, and the clutch portion. And a pressure plate for.

As this type of clutch device, the clutch device described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This clutch device includes a clutch portion axially arranged between a clutch center and a pressure plate. The clutch part has a plurality of drive plates and a plurality of driven plates, respectively. The drive plate is axially movable and non-rotatable relative to the clutch housing. The driven plate is axially movable and non-rotatable relative to the clutch center. Then, by pressing these plates against each other by the pressure plate, torque is transmitted from the clutch housing to the clutch center.

JP, 2017-101811, A

In the clutch device of Patent Document 1, a pressure plate is arranged axially between the clutch center and the support plate. The clutch center is provided with a fixing projection protruding in the axial direction, and the fixing projection passes through an opening provided in the pressure plate and is fixed to the support plate. In such a configuration, since the pressure plate needs a plurality of relatively large openings, the strength of the pressure plate is reduced.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide the pressure plate with a cylindrical portion whose outer peripheral portion is continuous in an annular shape to increase the strength.

On the other hand, the clutch center is provided with a cylindrical spline shaft that meshes with the driven plate so as to project in the axial direction. In such a configuration, when the pressure plate is provided with the tubular portion as described above, the tubular portion of the pressure plate is provided on the inner peripheral side of the tubular spline shaft of the clutch center in order to suppress the space in the axial direction. Will be placed.

With such a configuration, it becomes difficult for the lubricating oil to be supplied to the clutch portion provided on the outer peripheral portion of the clutch center.

An object of the present invention is to allow a sufficient amount of lubricating oil to be supplied to a clutch portion while maintaining high strength of a member arranged on the inner peripheral side of a spline shaft such as a pressure plate.

(1) A clutch device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a clutch housing, a first rotating body, a second rotating body, a clutch portion, and an oil passage. The first rotating body has a first pressing portion and a first tubular portion formed so as to project toward the first side in the axial direction, and is housed inside the clutch housing. The second rotating body has a second pressing portion and a second tubular portion. The second pressing portion is arranged at a distance from the first pressing portion in the axial direction. The second tubular portion is formed so as to project toward the second side in the axial direction and is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the first tubular portion. The second tubular portion is arranged so as to overlap the first tubular portion when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The clutch portion is arranged between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion on the outer peripheral side of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion, and transmits and cuts off power to the output side. The oil passage is formed between the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion in the radial direction and guides the lubricating oil to the clutch portion.

In this device, the torque input to the clutch housing is transmitted to the output side via the clutch section.

Here, the first tubular portion of the first rotary body and the second tubular portion of the second rotary body are arranged so as to overlap each other. Therefore, it is difficult for the lubricating oil to be supplied from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the first tubular portion arranged on the outer peripheral side.

However, the lubricating oil is guided to the clutch portion by the oil passage formed between the first cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral side and the second cylindrical portion on the inner peripheral side. Therefore, the lubricating oil does not run short in the clutch portion.

(2) Preferably, the oil passage is formed in the first tubular portion. In this case, it is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral side. Therefore, the lubricating oil that moves to the outer peripheral side by the centrifugal force is easily guided to the oil passage.

(3) Preferably, each oil passage has at least one groove and one hole. The groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion. The hole penetrates from the bottom surface of the groove to the outer peripheral surface of the first tubular portion.

Here, during operation, the lubricating oil on the inner peripheral side of the first cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral side temporarily collects in the groove due to centrifugal force, and is supplied from this groove to the clutch section on the outer peripheral side through the hole.

(4) Preferably, the groove has a width wider than the circumferential width of the hole. In this case, the lubricating oil is likely to collect in the groove.

(5) Preferably, the groove is open toward the tip side in the axial direction. Here, as described above, the lubricating oil accumulated in the groove is supplied to the clutch portion on the outer peripheral side through the hole and is also guided to the tip end side in the axial direction. The lubricating oil that has flowed out of the groove to the tip end side in the axial direction is further guided to the clutch portion on the outer peripheral side by centrifugal force. At the same time, it is also supplied to other members arranged side by side in the axial direction to lubricate the other members.

(6) Preferably, the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the second tubular portion with play.

Here, by fitting the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion together, one of the first rotating body and the second rotating body can be positioned in the radial direction with respect to the other. Further, even if the two cylindrical parts are brought into contact with each other, the oil passage is formed, so that the lubricating oil to the clutch part will not run short.

(7) Preferably, the first rotary body and the second rotary body are further provided with cam portions that are provided on the axial side surfaces so as to project in the axial direction and face each other, and that control the pressing force to the clutch portion during power transmission. ing. The second tubular portion is arranged radially between the first tubular portion and the cam portion.

(8) Preferably, the clutch portion has an annular first clutch plate. The first clutch plate engages with the first tubular portion so as to be axially movable and non-rotatable.

Here, the lubricating oil is supplied to the engaging portion between the first clutch plate and the first tubular portion and the surface of the first clutch plate via the oil passage.

(9) Preferably, the clutch portion has an annular second clutch plate arranged side by side with the first clutch plate on the first side in the axial direction of the first clutch plate. The second clutch plate engages with the second tubular portion so as to be axially movable and non-rotatable.

Here, the lubricating oil is supplied to the engaging portion of the cylindrical portion on the outer peripheral side via the oil passage, and the lubricating oil is also applied to the second clutch plate axially arranged with the first clutch plate. Is supplied.

(10) Preferably, the first rotating body is a clutch center having an annular pressure receiving portion on an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral portion coupled to a member on the transmission side, and the first pressing portion is a pressure receiving portion. .. The second rotating body is a pressure plate that is arranged axially movably with respect to the clutch center on a first side in the axial direction of the clutch center and that has a pressing portion that is arranged with a space from the pressure receiving portion. The second pressing portion is a pressing portion.

Further, it is preferable to further include a support plate and a biasing member. The support plate is fixed to the clutch center and applies a pressing force to the pressure plate. The urging member is arranged between the support plate and the pressure plate, and applies a pressing force to the pressure plate to bring the clutch unit into a power transmission state.

In this device, the pressure plate is biased toward the clutch center side by the biasing member. As a result, the pressing portion presses the clutch portion against the pressure receiving portion, and the clutch portion is in the power transmission state. Then, by moving the pressure plate against the urging force of the urging member, the clutch portion is brought into a power-off state.

(11) Preferably, the second rotating body is a clutch center having an annular pressure receiving portion on an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral portion coupled to a member on the transmission side, and the second pressing portion is a pressure receiving portion. .. The first rotating body is a pressure plate that is disposed on the second axial side of the clutch center so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch center and that has a pressing portion that is spaced apart from the pressure receiving portion. The first pressing portion is a pressing portion.

It is preferable that the lifter plate further includes a biasing member. The lifter plate is fixed to the pressure plate and presses the pressure plate against the clutch center. The urging member is arranged between the lifter plate and the clutch center and applies a pressing force to the pressure plate to bring the clutch unit into a power transmission state.

In this device, the pressure plate is biased toward the clutch center side by the biasing member. As a result, the pressing portion presses the clutch portion against the pressure receiving portion, and the clutch portion is in the power transmission state. Then, by moving the pressure plate through the lifter plate against the urging force of the urging member, the clutch portion is brought into a power-off state.

According to the present invention as described above, it is possible to supply sufficient lubricating oil to the clutch portion while maintaining high strength of a member arranged on the inner peripheral side of the spline shaft, such as the pressure plate.

1 is a sectional view of a clutch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Another sectional partial view of the clutch device. An external perspective view of a clutch center. The external perspective view which looked at the pressure plate from the 2nd side of an axial direction. The external perspective view which looked at the pressure plate from the 1st side of the axial direction. The enlarged partial view of FIG. 1A . The figure which shows the oil passage formed in the cylindrical part inner peripheral surface of a clutch center. The external perspective view of a support plate. FIG. 4 is a development view for explaining the cam mechanism. The figure which extracted a part of FIG. FIG. 3 is an external side view of a clutch center and a pressure plate. Sectional drawing of the push-type clutch apparatus by other embodiment. FIG. 11B is another cross-sectional view of the clutch device of FIG. 11A.

[overall structure]
1 to 8 show a motorcycle clutch device 10 as a clutch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a sectional view of the clutch device 10, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view at a position different from that of FIG. 1A. 2 to 4 and 7 are external perspective views of main members. In the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the line OO is the axis of rotation. In the following description, the “axial direction” means the direction in which the rotation axis O extends, and as shown in FIG. 1, the right side of FIG. 1 is the “first side in the axial direction” and the opposite is the “first side in the axial direction”. 2 side".

The clutch device 10 is configured to transmit the power from the engine to the transmission and to cut off the transmission. The clutch device 10 includes a clutch housing 12, a clutch center 13 (an example of a first rotating body), a pressure plate 14 (an example of a second rotating body), a clutch portion 15, a support plate 16, an assist cam mechanism 17 (see FIG. 1B). ), and a slipper cam mechanism 18 (an example of a cam portion, see FIG. 1B). The clutch device 10 further includes a plurality of pressing coil springs 19.

[Clutch housing 12]
The clutch housing 12 includes a disc portion 12a and a tubular portion 12b, and is connected to the input gear 20. The input gear 20 meshes with a drive gear (not shown) fixed to the crankshaft on the engine side.

The input gear 20 is connected to the disc portion 12a via a plurality of coil springs 22. The plurality of coil springs 22 are inserted in the holes formed in the input gear 20 and provided to absorb vibrations from the engine.

The tubular portion 12b is formed so as to extend from the outer peripheral edge of the disc portion 12a to the first side in the axial direction. A plurality of notches 12c extending in the axial direction are formed in the tubular portion 12b at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[Clutch Center 13]
The clutch center 13 is arranged inside the clutch housing 12, that is, on the inner peripheral portion of the tubular portion 12 b of the clutch housing 12. The clutch center 13 has a substantially disc shape, and includes a boss portion 25 formed in the central portion, a disc portion 26, a tubular portion 27 (an example of a first tubular portion), and a pressure receiving portion 28 (first And an example of a pressing portion).

The boss portion 25 extends so as to project to the first side in the axial direction. A spline hole 25a extending in the axial direction is formed in the center of the boss portion 25. An input shaft (not shown) of the transmission is engaged with the spline hole 25a. The clutch center 13 does not move in the axial direction.

The disc portion 26 is formed to extend from the boss portion 25 to the outer peripheral side. As shown in FIG. 2, the disk portion 26 is formed with three first protrusions 30. The three first protrusions 30 are formed in the radial intermediate portion of the disk portion 26, arranged side by side at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, and projecting toward the first side in the axial direction. Further, the three first protrusions 30 are formed apart from the inner peripheral surface 27 a of the tubular portion 27, and the outer peripheral surface of the first protrusion 30 and the inner peripheral surface 27 a of the tubular portion 27 are formed. A gap is secured between them.

The first protrusion portion 30 has a first cam protrusion 31 and a first fixing protrusion 32. The first cam protrusion 31 and the first fixing protrusion 32 are integrally formed continuously in the circumferential direction.

The circumferential end surface of the first cam projection 31 (that is, the circumferential end surface of the first projection portion 30 on one side in the circumferential direction) has a cam surface on the clutch center 13 side (hereinafter, A "CC/cam surface" 18a is formed (details will be described later).

The axial length of the first fixing protrusion 32, that is, the height of the first fixing protrusion 32 is higher than the height of the first cam protrusion 31. That is, the tip end surface 32a (the end surface on the first side in the axial direction) of the first fixing projection 32 projects further toward the first side in the axial direction than the tip end surface 31a of the first cam projection 31. The height of the first fixing protrusion 32 is lower than the height of the tubular portion 27.

With such a configuration of the first fixing projection 32, the tip end surface 32a of the first fixing projection 32 can be machined by a lathe.

A screw hole 32b extending in the axial direction is formed at the center of the first fixing protrusion 32.

The tubular portion 27 is formed to extend from the outer peripheral portion of the disc portion 26 to the first side in the axial direction. The tubular portion 27 has a cylindrical main body 271 and a plurality of first teeth 272 for engagement formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 271. The details of the tubular portion 27 and the plurality of first teeth 272 for engagement will be described later.

The pressure receiving portion 28 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the tubular portion 27 so as to extend further to the outer peripheral side. The pressure receiving portion 28 is annular and faces the first side in the axial direction. The pressure receiving portion 28 faces the clutch portion 15.

[Pressure plate 14]
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3 and 4, the pressure plate 14 is a disc-shaped member and is arranged on the first side of the clutch center 13 in the axial direction. 3 is a view of the pressure plate 14 viewed from the clutch center 13 side, and FIG. 4 is a view of the pressure plate 14 viewed from the side opposite to the clutch center 13.

The pressure plate 14 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch center 13. The pressure plate 14 has a boss portion 40 formed in the center, a tubular portion 41 (an example of a second tubular portion), and a pressing portion 42 (an example of a second pressing portion).

The boss portion 40 extends so as to project to the first side in the axial direction. A circular hole 40a is formed in the center of the boss portion 40. A release member (not shown) is inserted into the hole 40a.

The tubular portion 41 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the boss portion 40 and projects to the second side in the axial direction. The tubular portion 41 is arranged so as to overlap the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13 when viewed in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction. Further, the tubular portion 41 is arranged so as to be inserted into a gap between the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13 and the first protruding portion 30.

The tubular portion 41 has a cylindrical main body 411 and a plurality of second teeth 412 for engagement formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 411. The plurality of second teeth 412 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 411 at the ends on the first side in the axial direction. The axial length of the plurality of second teeth 412 is shorter than the axial length of the main body 411.

As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface 41 a of the tubular portion 41 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface 27 a of the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13 with play. As described above, by fitting the outer peripheral surface 41 a of the tubular portion 41 of the pressure plate 14 and the inner peripheral surface 27 a of the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13, the pressure plate 14 is radially attached to the clutch center 13. It is located at.

Further, the tubular portion 41 has a substantially circular hole 41b formed in the central portion, three cam holes 41c, and three bottomed holes 41d (see FIG. 4).

The cam hole 41c is formed on the outer peripheral side of the central hole 41b so as to spread radially outward. As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 8, the cam surface for the assist cam mechanism 17 (hereinafter, referred to as “PPa. A cam surface 17b is formed, and a cam surface for the slipper cam mechanism 18 (hereinafter, referred to as "PPs/cam surface") 18b is formed on the second side in the axial direction. Details of the cam surfaces 17b and 18b will be described later. The bottomed hole 41d is formed on the outer peripheral side of the hole 41b at a predetermined depth from the surface on the first side in the axial direction. A coil spring 19 is disposed in the bottomed hole 41d as shown in FIGS. 1A and 8.

The pressing portion 42 is formed in an annular shape and is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the pressure plate 14. The pressing portion 42 faces the second side in the axial direction. The pressing portion 42 is arranged in the axial direction at a distance from the pressure receiving portion 28 of the clutch center 13. The clutch portion 15 is arranged between the pressing portion 42 and the pressure receiving portion 28. That is, the pressure receiving portion 28, the clutch portion 15, and the pressing portion 42 are arranged in this order from the second side to the first side in the axial direction.

<Oil passage>
As shown in FIG. 6, an oil passage 45 is formed in the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13. The oil passage 45 supplies the lubricating oil on the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 27 to the clutch portion 15 on the outer peripheral side of the tubular portion 27.

The oil passages 45 each have a plurality of grooves 45a and communication holes 45b. The groove 45a is formed on the inner peripheral surface 27a of the tubular portion 27. The groove 45a has a predetermined depth and a predetermined width in the circumferential direction. The circumferential width of the groove 45a is larger than the circumferential width of the communication hole 45b. The groove 45a is open toward the first side in the axial direction, and is formed to extend toward the second side in the axial direction from the tip end surface of the tubular portion 41 of the pressure plate 14. The communication hole 45b is formed so as to penetrate from the bottom surface of the groove 45a to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 27. The tooth 272 at the location where the communication hole 45b is formed is missing.

Due to such an oil passage 45, during operation, the lubricating oil on the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 27 temporarily collects in the groove 45a by the centrifugal force, and from the groove 45a through the communication hole 45b to the outer periphery of the tubular portion 27. It is supplied to the side clutch unit 15. Further, since the groove 45a is opened toward the first side in the axial direction, the lubricating oil accumulated in the groove 45a is also guided to the first side in the axial direction, that is, the teeth 412 of the pressure plate 14. The lubricating oil guided to the teeth 412 is also supplied to the surface of the second driven plate 522 described later.

[Clutch part 15]
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the clutch unit 15 includes a plurality of drive plates 51 and a plurality of driven plates 52. The drive plate 51 and the driven plate 52 are arranged between the pressure receiving portion 28 and the pressing portion 42. The plates 51 and 52 transmit power between the clutch housing 12 and the clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14, or cut off the transmission of power. Both of these plates 51 and 52 are formed in an annular shape and are alternately arranged in the axial direction.

The drive plate 51 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch housing 12 and is incapable of relative rotation. That is, the drive plate 51 rotates integrally with the clutch housing 12. In detail, a plurality of engagement protrusions protruding outward in the radial direction are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the drive plate 51. The engaging protrusion meshes with an engaging notch 12c formed in the tubular portion 12b of the clutch housing 12. Friction materials are attached to both sides of the drive plate 51.

The driven plate 52 has a plurality of first driven plates 521 and one second driven plate 522. Each of the first driven plate 521 and the second driven plate 522 has a plurality of engagement recesses 521a and 522a (see FIGS. 1A and 5) at the inner peripheral ends thereof.

The engaging recess 521 a of the first driven plate 521 is engaged with the engaging first tooth 272 formed on the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13. The engaging recess 522 a of the second driven plate 522 is engaged with the second tooth 412 of the pressure plate 14. Therefore, the first driven plate 521 is axially movable with respect to the clutch center 13 and is not relatively rotatable. That is, the first driven plate 521 rotates integrally with the clutch center 13. Further, the second driven plate 522 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the pressure plate 14 and is not relatively rotatable. That is, the second driven plate 522 rotates integrally with the pressure plate 14.

[Support plate 16]
The support plate 16 is a disk-shaped member, and is arranged on the first side in the axial direction with respect to the pressure plate 14. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 7, the support plate 16 has a hole 16a in the center, and the boss portion 40 of the pressure plate 14 penetrates the hole 16a. The support plate 16 also has three second protrusions 55 and three support recesses 56.

The three second protrusions 55 are formed on the outer peripheral side of the hole 16a side by side at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction and project toward the second side in the axial direction. The second protrusion 55 has a second cam protrusion 61 and a second fixing protrusion 62. The second cam protrusion 61 and the second fixing protrusion 62 are integrally formed continuously in the circumferential direction.

On the circumferential end surface of the second cam projection 61 (that is, the circumferential end surface of the second projection 55 on one side in the circumferential direction), the cam surface on the side of the support plate 16 that constitutes the assist cam mechanism 17 (hereinafter, referred to as A "SP/cam surface") 17a is formed.

The axial length of the second fixing protrusion 62, that is, the height of the second fixing protrusion 62 is higher than the height of the second cam protrusion 61. That is, the tip end surface 62a of the second fixing protrusion 62 (the end surface on the second side in the axial direction) projects further toward the second side in the axial direction than the tip end surface 61a of the second cam protrusion 61.

With such a configuration of the second fixing projection 62, the tip surface 62a of the second fixing projection 62 can be machined by a lathe.

Further, a through hole 62b extending in the axial direction is formed in the central portion of the second fixing protrusion 62. Then, the tip end surface 32a of the first fixing projection 32 of the clutch center 13 and the tip end surface 62a of the second fixing projection 62 of the support plate 16 are brought into contact with each other and penetrate the through hole 62b of the second fixing projection 62. The support plate 16 is fixed to the clutch center 13 by screwing the bolt 63 (see FIG. 1A ) into the screw hole 32b of the first fixing protrusion 32 of the clutch center 13.

Further, a positioning portion 62c is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the second fixing protrusion 62 so as to project further to the second side in the axial direction than the tip surface 62a of the second fixing protrusion 62. The inner peripheral surface of the positioning portion 62c has a shape along the outer peripheral surface of the first fixing protrusion 32 of the clutch center 13, and both are in contact with each other. The support plate 16 is positioned in the radial direction with respect to the clutch center 13 by the contact between the two.

The end surface of the coil spring 19 is in contact with the supporting recess 56. That is, the coil spring 19 is arranged between the bottom surface of the bottomed hole 41d of the pressure plate 14 and the supporting recess 56 of the support plate 16, and biases the pressure plate 14 to the second side in the axial direction. Due to this biasing force, the clutch portion 15 is in a clutch-on state (a state in which power is transmitted) when the release mechanism is not operating.

[Assist cam mechanism 17 and slipper cam mechanism 18]
The assist cam mechanism 17 is arranged axially between the pressure plate 14 and the support plate 16. The assist cam mechanism 17 is a mechanism for increasing the coupling force of the clutch portion 15 when a driving force acts on the clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14 (when a positive torque acts). The slipper cam mechanism 18 is arranged axially between the pressure plate 14 and the clutch center 13. The slipper cam mechanism 18 is a mechanism for reducing the coupling force of the clutch portion 15 when a reverse driving force acts on the clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14 (when a negative torque acts).

<Assist cam mechanism 17>
As shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, the assist cam mechanism 17 includes SP/cam surfaces 17a provided on a plurality (here, three) of support plates 16 and a plurality of (here, three) pressures. The plate 14 has a PPa/cam surface 17b.

The SP/cam surface 17 a is formed on the second cam protrusion 61 of the support plate 16. As described above, the second cam projection 61 is formed on the second projection 55 along with the second fixing projection 62 so as to project in the axial direction on the side surface on the second axial side of the support plate 16. The second protrusion 55 is inserted into the cam hole 41c of the pressure plate 14. The SP/cam surface 17a is formed on one end surface of the second protrusion 55 in the circumferential direction. The SP/cam surface 17a is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the circumferential direction.

The PPa/cam surface 17b is formed in the cam hole 41c of the pressure plate 14. Specifically, the cam hole 41c has a PPa/cam surface 17b on one end surface (wall surface) in the circumferential direction. The PPa/cam surface 17b is inclined at the same angle in the same direction as the SP/cam surface 17a with respect to the circumferential direction. The SP/cam surface 17a can come into contact with the PPa/cam surface 17b.

<Slipper cam mechanism 18>
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the slipper cam mechanism 18 includes CC/cam surfaces 18 a provided on a plurality (here, three) of clutch centers 13 and a plurality of (here, three) pressures. PPs/cam surface 18 b provided on the plate 14.

The CC/cam surface 18 a is formed on the first cam protrusion 31 of the clutch center 13. As described above, the first cam projection 31 is formed on the first projection 30 along with the first fixing projection 32 so as to project in the axial direction on the side surface on the first axial side of the clutch center 13. The first protrusion 30 is inserted into the cam hole 41c of the pressure plate 14. A CC/cam surface 18a is formed on one end surface of the first protrusion 30 in the circumferential direction. The CC/cam surface 18a is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the circumferential direction.

The PPs/cam surface 18b is formed in the cam hole 41c of the pressure plate 14. Specifically, in the cam hole 41c, the end surface (wall surface) on the opposite side that faces the side surface (wall surface) on which the PPa/cam surface 17b is formed in the circumferential direction is the PPs/cam surface 18b. However, the PPa/cam surface 17b and the PPs/cam surface 18b are axially displaced from each other. The PPs/cam surface 18b is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction in the same direction as the CC/cam surface 18a at the same angle. The CC/cam surface 18a can come into contact with the PPs/cam surface 18b.

[Direction and height of cam surface]
As described above, the pressure plate 14 has the cylindrical portion 41, and the PPa/cam surface 17b and PPs/18b are formed on the wall surface of the cam hole 41c formed in the cylindrical portion 41. ..

Here, the end on the second side in the axial direction of the PPa/cam surface 17b is the start end, and the end on the first side is the end. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the height H (axial length) of the tubular portion 41 from the second axial surface exceeds the starting end portion Sa of the PPa/cam surface 17b and ends. Has been extended to. That is, in the tubular portion 41, the portion where the PPa/cam surface 17b is formed is continuous in an annular shape.

Similarly, the end of the PPs/cam surface 18b on the first side in the axial direction is the start end and the end on the second side is the end. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the height H (axial length) from the surface of the tubular portion 41 on the first side in the axial direction exceeds the starting end portion Ss of the PPs/cam surface 18b and ends. Has been extended to. That is, in the tubular portion 41, the portion where the PPs/cam surface 18b is formed is continuous in an annular shape.

In this way, the portions where the cam surfaces 17b and 18b are formed are annularly continuous. Therefore, even if a force acts on each cam surface 17b, 18b, no local stress is generated in the pressure plate 14, and the strength of the pressure plate 14 is improved as compared with the conventional device.

Further, the SP/cam surface 17a is formed on the −R side in the rotation direction of the second protrusion 55, and the CC/cam surface 18a is formed on the +R side in the rotation direction of the first protrusion 30. In other words, the second cam protrusion 61 of the support plate 16 is formed on the −R side in the rotation direction of the second fixing protrusion 62 in the second protrusion 55, and the first cam protrusion 31 of the clutch center 13 is The first protrusion 30 is formed on the +R side in the rotation direction of the first fixing protrusion 32.

In such a configuration, when the assist cam mechanism 17 operates, a force in the +R direction acts on the SP/cam surface 17a. This force is received by each of the fixing protrusions 62 and 32, and is also received by the clutch center 13 via the first cam protrusion 31. That is, since the force can be received by the thick plate portion, it is possible to prevent the stress from increasing in the clutch center 13.

The same applies when the slipper cam mechanism 18 operates, and when a force in the -R direction acts on the CC/cam surface 18a, this force is transmitted through the fixing protrusions 32 and 62 and the second cam protrusion 61. It is received by the support plate 16. For this reason, since the force can be received in the thick plate portion, it is possible to prevent the stress from increasing in the support plate 16.

[Regarding the first tooth 272 and the second tooth 412]
As described above, the plurality of first teeth 272 for engagement are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13. A plurality of second teeth 412 for engagement are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 41 of the pressure plate 14. The outer diameters of the first teeth 272 and the second teeth 412 are the same.

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first teeth 272 have a plurality (six in this example) of first protruding teeth 272a that project to the first side in the axial direction. Further, six of the plurality of first teeth 272 are defective portions 272b where the teeth are missing. The first side in the axial direction is the side on which the first driven plate 521 is assembled to the clutch center 13.

Specifically, the end surface of the first projecting tooth 272a on the side where the first driven plate 521 is assembled projects more toward the side where the first driven plate 521 is assembled than the remaining non-projecting teeth 272c. The plurality of first protruding teeth 272a and the defective portion 272b are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation. The tip surface of the non-protruding tooth 272c is at the same position as the axial end surface of the main body 271 of the tubular portion 27.

By providing such first protruding teeth 272a, when assembling the first driven plate 521 to the first teeth 272 of the tubular portion 27 of the clutch center 13, the assembly becomes easy. Specifically, assuming that the first protruding teeth 272a are not provided, the first driven plate 521 is kept highly parallel to the end surface of the first tooth 272, that is, the shaft end surface of the tubular portion 27. , The first tooth 272 and the engaging recess 521a of the first driven plate 521 need to be aligned and assembled. Therefore, when the first driven plate 521 is inclined with respect to the shaft end surface of the tubular portion 27, the engaging recess 521a of the first driven plate 521 is engaged with the first tooth 272, which makes assembly difficult.

On the other hand, by providing the first protruding teeth 272a on the first teeth 272, the first protruding teeth 272a function as an insertion guide at the time of assembly. Therefore, only a part of the engaging recess 521a of the first driven plate 521 is inserted into the first protruding tooth 272a, and the first driven plate 521 is guided to the first tooth 272 of the tubular portion 27 by using the first protruding tooth 272a as a guide. You can insert it. Therefore, at the time of assembling, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of biting between the first teeth 272 and the engaging recesses 521a, which facilitates the assembling of the first driven plate 521.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second teeth 412 on the pressure plate 14 side also have a plurality of (six in this example) second protruding teeth 412a that project to the second side in the axial direction . ing. Further, six of the plurality of second teeth 412 are defective portions 412b where the teeth are missing. The second side in the axial direction is the side on which the second driven plate 522 is assembled to the pressure plate 14.

Specifically, the end surface of the second projecting tooth 412a on the side where the second driven plate 522 is assembled projects more toward the side where the second driven plate 522 is assembled than the remaining non-projecting teeth 412c that do not project. The plurality of second protruding teeth 412a and the defective portion 412b are formed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation.

By providing such second protruding teeth 412a, when assembling the second driven plate 522 to the second teeth 412 of the tubular portion 41 of the pressure plate 14, assembling is facilitated, as described above.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14 are arranged such that the first protruding teeth 272a of the clutch center 13 and the cutout portion 412b of the pressure plate 14 are axially opposed to each other. There is. The clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14 are arranged so that the second protruding teeth 412a of the pressure plate 14 and the cutout portion 272b of the clutch center 13 are axially opposed to each other.

Further, in the clutch center 13, the axial end surface of the missing portion 272b is formed so as to be retracted to the second axial side from the axial end surface (tip surface) of the non-projecting tooth 272c.

With such a configuration, even if the friction material of the drive plate 51 is worn away and the pressure plate 14 comes closer to the clutch center 13 than in the initial state, the first protruding tooth 272a of the clutch center 13 and It is possible to avoid the collision between the second protruding tooth 412a of the pressure plate 14 and the second protruding tooth 412a.

[motion]
When the release operation is not performed in the clutch device 10, the support plate 16 and the pressure plate 14 are urged by the coil spring 19 in directions away from each other. Since the support plate 16 is fixed to the clutch center 13 and does not move in the axial direction, the pressure plate 14 moves to the second side in the axial direction. As a result, the clutch unit 15 is turned on.

In such a state, the torque from the engine is input to the clutch housing 12 via the input gear 20 and transmitted to the clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14 via the clutch portion 15.

Next, the operations of the assist cam mechanism 17 and the slipper cam mechanism 18 will be described in detail.

When the driving force acts on the clutch center 13 and the pressure plate 14, that is, when the torque on the positive side acts, the torque input from the clutch housing 2 is transmitted to the clutch center 13 and the pressure center via the clutch portion 15. It is output to the plate 14. The torque input to the pressure plate 14 is output to the support plate 16 via the assist cam mechanism 17. The torque input to the support plate 16 is output to the clutch center 13 via the fixing protrusions 62 and 32. In this way, torque is transmitted from the pressure plate 14 to the support plate 16, and at the same time, the assist cam mechanism 17 operates.

Specifically, when the driving force is applied, the pressure plate 14 rotates relative to the support plate 16 in the +R direction of FIG. Then, the PPa/cam surface 17b is pressed against the SP/cam surface 17a. Here, since the clutch center 13 does not move in the axial direction, the support plate 16 also does not move, and the PPa/cam surface 17b moves along the SP/cam surface 17a. As a result, the pressure plate 14 moves in the second axial direction. Move to the side. That is, the pressing portion 37 of the pressure plate 14 moves toward the pressure receiving portion 28 of the clutch center 13. As a result, the clutch portion 15 is firmly sandwiched by the pressing portion 37 and the pressure receiving portion 28, and the coupling force of the clutch increases.

On the other hand, when the accelerator is loosened, the reverse driving force acts via the clutch center 13, and in this case, the slipper cam mechanism 18 operates. That is, the clutch center 13 rotates relative to the pressure plate 14 in the +R direction of FIG. 9 by the torque from the transmission side. Conversely, the pressure plate 14 rotates with respect to the clutch center 13 in the -R direction in FIG. Due to this relative rotation, the CC/cam surface 18a and the PPs/cam surface 18b are pressed against each other. Since the clutch center 13 does not move in the axial direction, this pressing moves the PPs/cam surface 18b along the CC/cam surface 18a, and the pressure plate 14 moves to the first axial side. As a result, the pressing portion 37 moves in the direction away from the pressure receiving portion 28, and the clutch coupling force is reduced.

Next, when the rider grips the clutch lever, the operating force is transmitted to the release mechanism (not shown) via the clutch wire or the like. The release mechanism moves the pressure plate 14 to the axial first side against the biasing force of the coil spring 19. When the pressure plate 14 moves to the first side in the axial direction, the pressing force of the pressure plate 14 on the clutch portion 15 is released, and the clutch portion 15 is turned off. In this clutch-off state, the rotation from the clutch housing 12 is not transmitted to the clutch center 13.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes or modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(A) In the above embodiment, the clutch center is used as an example of the first rotating body, the pressure plate is used as an example of the second rotating body, and the support plate is used as the supporting member. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a so-called pull type clutch device in which the pressure plate is moved to the first side in the axial direction to turn off the clutch portion, but the present invention is also applied to a so-called push type clutch device. Can be similarly applied.

A push-type clutch device is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. FIG. 11A corresponds to FIG. 1A, and FIG. 11B corresponds to FIG. 1B.

In the push-type clutch device 110, the first rotating body corresponds to the pressure plate 114, the second rotating body corresponds to the clutch center 113, and the supporting member corresponds to the lifter plate 116.

Specifically, in the push-type clutch device 110, the pressure plate 114, the clutch center 113, and the lifter plate 116 are arranged from the second side to the first side in the axial direction. The pressure plate 114 and the lifter plate 116 are fixed to each other by a bolt 163 through an opening 113a formed in the clutch center 113. A coil spring 119 is arranged between the clutch center 113 and the lifter plate 116. Further, the clutch portion 115 is arranged between the pressing portion 142 of the pressure plate 114 and the pressure receiving portion 128 of the clutch center 113. Similar to the pull-type clutch device 10, each of these members is housed inside the clutch housing 112.

Since the clutch center 113 does not move in the axial direction, the lifter plate 116 is biased by the coil spring 119 toward the first axial side. That is, the pressure plate 114 fixed to the lifter plate 116 is urged toward the first side in the axial direction, the pressure plate 114 is pressed against the clutch center 113, and the clutch portion 115 is in the ON state.

Then, by moving the lifter plate 116 and the pressure plate 114 to the second side in the axial direction against the biasing force of the coil spring 119, the clutch portion 115 is turned off.

Further, in the push-type clutch device 110, as shown in FIG. 11B, a slipper cam mechanism 118 is provided axially between the pressure plate 114 and the clutch center 113, and an assist is provided between the clutch center 113 and the lifter plate 116. A cam mechanism 117 is provided. The operations of the cam mechanisms 117 and 118 are basically the same as those of the pull type clutch device 10.

(B) The configurations of the clutch center and the pressure plate are not limited to those in the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the disc portion 26, the tubular portion 27, and the pressure receiving portion 28 of the clutch center 13 are integrally formed, but they may be formed of different members. The same applies to the pressure plate 14, and the boss portion 40, the tubular portion 41, and the pressing portion 42 may be formed of different members.

(C) In the above-described embodiment, the oil passage is configured by the groove and the communication hole, but the configuration of the oil passage is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the oil passage of the above embodiment, a similar oil passage may be formed in the tubular portion of the pressure plate.

(D) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the second tubular portion of the pressure plate is arranged so as to overlap the inner peripheral side of the first tubular portion of the clutch center is shown. The present invention can be similarly applied even when the second tubular portion of the pressure plate is arranged so as to overlap the outer peripheral side of the first tubular portion.

(E) In the above embodiment, the pressure plate is biased by the coil spring, but a disc spring or the like may be used instead of the coil spring.

10, 110 Clutch device 12, 112 Clutch housing 13, 113 Clutch center 14, 114 Pressure plate 15, 115 Clutch portion 27 Clutch center tubular portion (first tubular portion)
28 Pressure-Receiving Part 30 First Protrusion Part 31 First Cam Protrusion 41 41 Pressure Plate Cylindrical Part (Second Cylindrical Part)
42 pressing portion 45 oil passage 45a groove 45b connecting hole

Claims (11)

Clutch housing,
An inner portion of the clutch housing, which has a first pressing portion, a first tubular portion formed to project to a first side in the axial direction, and a plurality of teeth formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first tubular portion. A first rotating body housed in
A second pressing portion that is spaced apart from the first pressing portion in the axial direction, and a second pressing portion that is formed so as to project toward the second side in the axial direction and that is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the first tubular portion. A second rotating body, which has two tubular portions, and the second tubular portion is arranged so as to overlap the first tubular portion when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.
It is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion, and transmits and cuts off power from the clutch housing to the output side. Clutch part for
An oil passage that is formed between the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion in the radial direction and guides lubricating oil to the clutch portion;
Equipped with
The tooth at the location where the oil passage is formed is missing,
Clutch device. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein the oil passage is formed in the first tubular portion. The oil passage is
At least one groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion,
At least one hole penetrating from the bottom surface of the groove to the outer peripheral surface of the first tubular portion,
Has,
The clutch device according to claim 2. The clutch device according to claim 3, wherein the groove has a width wider than a circumferential width of the hole. The clutch device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the groove is open toward a tip end side in the axial direction. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the first tubular portion is fitted with an outer peripheral surface of the second tubular portion with play. A cam portion that is provided on axial side surfaces of the first rotating body and the second rotating body so as to project in the axial direction and face each other, and that controls a pressing force to the clutch portion during power transmission,
The second tubular portion is arranged between the first tubular portion and the cam portion in a radial direction.
The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The clutch portion has an annular first clutch plate,
The first clutch plate engages with the first tubular portion so as to be axially movable and relatively non-rotatable
The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The clutch portion has an annular second clutch plate arranged side by side with the first clutch plate on a first axial side of the first clutch plate,
The second clutch plate engages with the second tubular portion so as to be axially movable and non-rotatable relative to the second tubular portion.
The clutch device according to claim 8. The first rotating body is a clutch center having an annular pressure receiving portion on an outer peripheral portion, and the first pressing portion is the pressure receiving portion,
The second rotating body is arranged on the first side in the axial direction of the clutch center so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch center, and has a pressure plate having a pressing portion arranged at a distance from the pressure receiving portion. And the second pressing portion is the pressing portion,
A support plate fixed to the clutch center to apply a pressing force to the pressure plate;
A biasing member that is disposed between the support plate and the pressure plate, and applies a pressing force to the pressure plate to bring the clutch portion into a power transmission state;
Further equipped with,
The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The second rotating body is a clutch center having an annular pressure receiving portion on an outer peripheral portion, and the second pressing portion is the pressure receiving portion,
The first rotating body is arranged on the second side in the axial direction of the clutch center so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch center, and has a pressure plate having a pressing portion arranged at a distance from the pressure receiving portion. And the first pressing portion is the pressing portion,
A lifter plate fixed to the pressure plate to press the pressure plate against the clutch center;
A biasing member that is disposed between the lifter plate and the clutch center, and applies a pressing force to the pressure plate to bring the clutch portion into a power transmission state;
Further equipped with,
The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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