JP7540906B2 - Clutch device, fastening body, and method for manufacturing fastening body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch device, a fastening body, and a method for manufacturing the fastening body.

Motorcycles such as motorcycles and buggies generally use a clutch device to transmit or cut off power from the engine to the transmission. The clutch outer of this clutch device is attached to the driven gear. In more detail, the clutch outer is attached to the driven gear by fastening the side plate and the clutch outer with rivets (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2016-001019 A

The number or type of rivets used to fasten the clutch outer to the side plate may differ depending on the model. This poses the risk of human error, resulting in the clutch outer and side plate being fastened together using the wrong number or type of rivets.

The objective of this invention is to prevent human error regarding rivets when manufacturing fasteners.

The clutch device according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an input member, a side plate, and a clutch outer. The input member includes a first through hole. The side plate includes a second through hole. The side plate is disposed on a first side of the input member in the axial direction. The clutch outer has a main body and a crimping pin. The main body is disposed on a second side of the input member in the axial direction. The crimping pin extends from the main body to the first side in the axial direction. The crimping pin passes through the second through hole. The main body and the crimping pin are formed of a single member. The side plate and the clutch outer are fastened to each other by the crimping pin.

With this configuration, the crimping pins are integrally formed with the clutch outer, so the worker does not need to select rivets when fastening the side plate and the clutch outer. This eliminates the possibility of making a mistake in the number or type of rivets, and prevents human error regarding rivets when manufacturing the fastened body.

The main body may have a disk portion and a protruding portion. The disk portion is disposed on the second side of the input member. The protruding portion protrudes from the disk portion to the first side in the axial direction. The protruding portion is disposed within the first through hole. The crimping pin extends from the protruding portion to the first side in the axial direction.

The clutch outer may be made of an aluminum alloy.

The clutch device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a fastened member and a main member. The fastened member includes a through hole. The main member includes a body portion and a crimping pin. The crimping pin extends from the body portion. The crimping pin passes through the through hole. The body portion and the crimping pin are formed of a single member. The fastened member and the main member are fastened to each other by the crimping pin.

The fastened member and the main member may be members used in motorcycles.

The method for manufacturing a fastener according to the third aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a fastener having a main member including a crimping pin and a fastened member including a through hole. This manufacturing method includes a die-casting process and a crimping process. In the die-casting process, the main member made of an aluminum alloy is formed by die-casting. In the crimping process, the crimping pin is inserted into the through hole and crimped to fasten the main member and the fastened member to each other.

The present invention makes it possible to prevent human error related to rivets when manufacturing fasteners.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the clutch device with the side plate removed. FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch device according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a front view of a clutch device according to a modified example (with a side plate removed).

Below, an embodiment of the clutch device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The clutch device according to this embodiment is used in a motorcycle. In this embodiment, "axial direction" refers to the direction in which the rotation axis O of the clutch device extends. "First axial side" refers to one side in the axial direction, and "second axial side" refers to the other side in the axial direction. The second axial side is opposite to the first axial side. In this embodiment, the "first axial side" refers to the left side in FIG. 1, and the "second axial side" refers to the right side in FIG. 1. The circumferential direction refers to the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O. The radial direction refers to the radial direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O.

[Overall configuration]
1, the clutch device 100 is configured to transmit and interrupt power from an engine to a transmission. The clutch device 100 is rotatable about a rotation axis O.

The clutch device 100 includes a driven gear 2 (an example of an input member), a side plate 3 (an example of a member to be fastened), a clutch outer 4 (an example of a main member), a clutch center 5, a pressure plate 6, and a clutch portion 7. The clutch device 100 further includes a release plate 8 and a biasing member 9.

[Driven Gear]
The driven gear 2 is a member to which power from the engine is input. The driven gear 2 meshes with a drive gear (not shown) fixed to a crankshaft on the engine side. The driven gear 2 is rotatably disposed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the driven gear 2 is disk-shaped. The driven gear 2 has a plurality of first through holes 21. The first through holes 21 penetrate in the axial direction. The first through holes 21 are elongated holes extending in the circumferential direction. The first through holes 21 are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction. The first through holes 21 are arranged on the same circumference. The driven gear 2 is made of a sintered material, a steel material, or the like.

[Side plate]
As shown in Fig. 1, the side plate 3 is disposed on a first axial side with respect to the driven gear 2. The side plate 3 is annular. The side plate 3 is disposed so as to cover each of the first through holes 21 of the driven gear 2. The side plate 3 is made of steel, heat-treated steel, or the like. The thickness of the side plate 3 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, about 1 to 3 mm.

The side plate 3 has a plurality of second through holes 31. The second through holes 31 penetrate in the axial direction. The second through holes 31 are arranged at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction. The second through holes 31 are arranged on the same circumference. The second through holes 31 communicate with the first through holes 21.

[Clutch outer]
The clutch outer 4 is disposed on a second axial side of the driven gear 2. That is, the driven gear 2 is sandwiched between the clutch outer 4 and the side plate 3. The clutch outer 4 is disposed rotatably. Power is transmitted from the driven gear 2 to the clutch outer 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the clutch outer 4 has a main body 41 and a plurality of crimping pins 42. The main body 41 and the plurality of crimping pins 42 are formed from a single member. For example, the clutch outer 4 is formed from an aluminum alloy.

The main body 41 is disposed on the second axial side of the driven gear 2. The main body 41 has a disk portion 411, a cylindrical portion 412, and a number of protruding portions 413. The disk portion 411, the cylindrical portion 412, and each of the protruding portions 413 are formed from a single member.

The disk portion 411 is disk-shaped. The disk portion 411 has an opening 414 in the center. The cylindrical portion 412 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the disk portion 411 to the second side in the axial direction. This cylindrical portion 412 has, for example, a plurality of notches 415 extending in the axial direction formed at intervals in the circumferential direction.

The protrusions 413 protrude from the disk portion 411 toward the first side in the axial direction. The protrusions 413 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The protrusions 413 are arranged on the same circumference. The protrusions 413 are arranged within the first through-hole 21 of the driven gear 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, elastic members 11 are arranged in the first through hole 21 on both sides of the protruding portion 413 in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the elastic members 11 are arranged to surround the protruding portion 413. The elastic members 11 are, for example, rubber or coil springs. In this way, power is transmitted from the driven gear 2 to the clutch outer 4 via the elastic members 11. Therefore, vibrations from the engine are absorbed by the elastic members 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the crimping pin 42 extends from the main body 41 to the first side in the axial direction. In detail, the crimping pin 42 extends from the protrusion 413 to the first side in the axial direction. The crimping pin 42 and the main body 41 are formed of a single member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the crimping pin 42 is disposed on a first axial side of the driven gear 2. The crimping pins 42 are disposed at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction. The crimping pins 42 are disposed on the same circumference.

The crimping pin 42 passes through the second through hole 31 of the side plate 3. The tip of the crimping pin 42 extends beyond the second through hole 31 toward the first side in the axial direction. The tip of the crimping pin 42 has a diameter larger than that of the second through hole 31. Preferably, the crimping pin 42 sufficiently fills the second through hole 31. The side plate 3 and the clutch outer 4 are fastened and fixed to each other by the crimping pin 42.

[Clutch center]
The clutch center 5 is disposed on a second axial side with respect to the clutch outer 4. The clutch center 5 is disposed radially inside the cylindrical portion 412 of the clutch outer 4. The clutch center 5 is disposed rotatably. The clutch center 5 is rotatable relative to the clutch outer 4.

The clutch center 5 has a pressure-receiving portion 51. The pressure-receiving portion 51 is formed on the outer periphery of the clutch center 5. The pressure-receiving portion 51 is annular. The pressure-receiving portion 51 faces the first side in the axial direction. This pressure-receiving portion 51 faces the clutch portion 7.

The clutch center 5 is generally disk-shaped, with a boss portion 52 formed in the center. A spline hole 53 extending in the axial direction is formed in the center of the boss portion 52. The input shaft of the transmission (not shown) fits into this spline hole 53. A thrust plate 12 is provided between the boss portion 52 and the center of the driven gear 2. The clutch center 5 does not move in the axial direction.

[Pressure plate]
The pressure plate 6 is arranged to be rotatable and is movable in the axial direction.

The pressure plate 6 has a pressing portion 61. The pressure plate 6 is annular. The pressing portion 61 is annular. The pressing portion 61 faces the second side in the axial direction. In addition, the pressing portion 61 is disposed at a distance from the pressure receiving portion 51 in the axial direction.

The clutch portion 7 is disposed between the pressing portion 61 and the pressure receiving portion 51. That is, the pressing portion 61, the clutch portion 7, and the pressure receiving portion 51 are arranged in this order from the first side to the second side in the axial direction. When the clutch portion 7 is removed, the pressing portion 61 and the pressure receiving portion 51 are disposed so as to face each other.

The pressing portion 61 presses the clutch portion 7 toward the second side in the axial direction. The pressing portion 61 is capable of frictionally engaging with the friction facing of the first or second clutch plate that is arranged on the most first side in the axial direction. The clutch portion 7 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 61 and the pressure-receiving portion 51, thereby turning the clutch on (power transmission state).

The pressure plate 6 has a number of pillars 62. Each pillar 62 extends to the second side in the axial direction. The pillars 62 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The release plate 8 is attached to the tip of each pillar 62.

[Clutch section]
The clutch portion 7 has at least one first clutch plate 71 and at least one second clutch plate 72. The first and second clutch plates 71, 72 are disposed between the pressure receiving portion 51 and the pressing portion 61. Power is transmitted or interrupted between the clutch outer 4 and the clutch center 5 via the first and second clutch plates 71, 72. Both of these clutch plates 71, 72 are formed in annular shapes and are disposed alternately in the axial direction.

The first clutch plate 71 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch outer 4 but is not rotatable relative thereto. In other words, the first clutch plate 71 rotates integrally with the clutch outer 4. In detail, the outer periphery of the first clutch plate 71 is formed with a plurality of engagement protrusions that protrude radially outward. These engagement protrusions mesh with notches 415 formed in the cylindrical portion 412 of the clutch outer 4. Friction material is attached to both sides of the first clutch plate 71. The friction material of the first clutch plate 71 arranged on the axially most first side can frictionally engage with the pressure receiving portion 51 of the clutch center 5.

The second clutch plate 72 has multiple engagement protrusions formed at its inner circumferential end that protrude radially inward. These engagement protrusions mesh with engagement grooves 55 formed in the clutch center 5. Therefore, the second clutch plate 72 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch center 5 but is unable to rotate relative thereto. In other words, the second clutch plate 72 rotates integrally with the clutch center 5. Note that friction material may be applied to both sides of the second clutch plate 72 instead of the first clutch plate 71.

[Release plate]
The release plate 8 is disposed on the second axial side of the clutch center 5. The release plate 8 is substantially disk-shaped. The release plate 8 has an opening 81 in the center. A release mechanism (not shown) is connected to the opening 81.

[Using member 9]
The biasing member 9 is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing member 9 is disposed between the clutch center 5 and the release plate 8. The biasing member 9 is disposed so as to surround the pillar portion 62.

The biasing member 9 biases the pressing portion 61 toward the pressure receiving portion 51. That is, the biasing member 9 biases the pressure plate 6 toward the second axial side. In detail, the biasing member 9 biases the pressure plate 6 toward the second axial side via the release plate 8.

[Operation of the clutch device]
Next, the operation of the clutch device 100 will be described. In a state where a release operation has not been performed, the pressure plate 6 is biased toward the second axial side by the biasing member 9. As a result, the clutch portion 7 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 61 and the pressure receiving portion 51, and the clutch portion 7 is in a transmission state. In this state, torque from the engine is input to the driven gear 2 and the clutch outer 4, and is transmitted to the clutch center 5 via the clutch portion 7.

Next, when the rider grips the clutch lever, the operating force is transmitted to the release mechanism via a clutch wire or the like. This release mechanism causes the release plate 8 to move axially to the first side against the biasing force of the biasing member 9. The pressure plate 6 also moves axially to the second side together with the release plate 8. As a result, the pressure of the pressure plate 6 on the clutch portion 7 is released, and the clutch portion 7 is in the OFF state. In this clutch-off state, the rotation from the clutch outer 4 is not transmitted to the clutch center 5.

[Production method]
Next, a description will be given of a method for manufacturing a fastening body formed by the side plate 3 and the clutch outer 4. First, the clutch outer 4 is formed by die casting. Specifically, the clutch outer 4 is formed by pressing molten aluminum alloy into a die.

Next, the driven gear 2 is prepared. Also, a side plate 3 is prepared and this side plate 3 is arranged on a first axial side relative to the driven gear 2. Also, the clutch outer 4 is arranged on a second axial side relative to the driven gear 2. Here, the protruding portion 413 of the clutch outer 4 is arranged within the first through hole 21 of the driven gear 2.

Next, the crimping pin 42 is inserted into the second through hole 31 of the side plate 3. The tip of the crimping pin 42 protruding from the second through hole 31 to the first axial side is then pressed toward the second axial side by a press or the like to crimp the crimping pin 42. This causes the clutch outer 4 and the side plate 3 to be fastened together and fixed. This completes the fastening body of the side plate 3 and the clutch outer 4.

[Modification]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Variation 1
For example, in the above embodiment, a fastening body in which the clutch outer 4 and the side plate 3 are fastened to each other is exemplified, but the configuration of the fastening body is not limited to this, and the fastening body may be a fastening body in which members other than the clutch outer 4 and the side plate 3 are fastened to each other.

Variation 2
4, the pressure plate 6 may be disposed on the second axial side with respect to the clutch center 5. In this case, the pressure-receiving portion 51 faces the second axial side, and the pressing portion 61 faces the first axial side.

In this modified example, the clutch center 5 has multiple pillars 54 instead of the pressure plate 6. A support plate 10 is attached to the tip of each pillar 54. The support plate 10 is annular. The outer peripheral end of the support plate 10 is bent toward the first side in the axial direction.

The biasing member 9 is, for example, a diaphragm spring. The biasing member 9 is disposed on a first axial side relative to the support plate 10. The biasing member 9 is also disposed on a second axial side relative to the pressure plate 6.

The biasing member 9 is annular. The outer peripheral end of the biasing member 9 abuts against the outer peripheral end of the support plate 10. The biasing member 9 moves in the axial direction with the abutment point with the outer peripheral end of the support plate 10 as a fulcrum. The inner peripheral end of the biasing member 9 abuts against the outer peripheral end of the release plate 8. The intermediate portion between the outer peripheral end and the inner peripheral end of the biasing member 9 abuts against the pressure plate 6.

In the clutch device 100 according to this modified example, when the release operation is not performed, the pressure plate 6 is biased toward the first axial side by the biasing member 9. As a result, the clutch portion 7 is sandwiched between the pressing portion 61 and the pressure receiving portion 51, and the clutch portion 7 is in a transmission state.

When the release operation is performed, the release plate 8 moves to the second axial side against the biasing force of the biasing member 9. When the release plate 8 moves to the second axial side, the biasing force of the biasing member 9 on the pressure plate 6 weakens. As a result, the pressure of the pressure plate 6 on the clutch portion 7 is released and the clutch portion 7 goes into the OFF state.

Variation 3
As shown in FIG. 5 , within the first through-hole 21 , the protrusion 413 may be sandwiched between a pair of elastic members 11 .

2 Driven gear 21 First through hole 3 Side plate 31 Second through hole 4 Clutch outer 41 Main body 411 Disc portion 413 Protrusion 42 Crimping pin

Claims (2)

an input member including a first through hole;
a side plate including a second through hole and disposed on a first side of the input member in the axial direction;
a clutch outer including a main body portion disposed on a second side of the input member in the axial direction, and a solid cylindrical crimping pin extending from the main body portion to a first side in the axial direction and passing through the second through hole;
Equipped with
The main body and the crimping pin are formed of a single member,
The side plate and the clutch outer are fastened to each other by the crimping pin,
The main body portion is
A disk portion disposed on a second side of the input member;
a protruding portion protruding from the disk portion to a first side in the axial direction and disposed within the first through hole;
having
The crimping pin extends from the protruding portion to a first side in the axial direction.
Clutch device.
The clutch outer is made of an aluminum alloy.
2. The clutch device according to claim 1 .