JPH1078046A - Clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a clutch controllable by small drive power and quicken a response speed. SOLUTION: A prime moving side rotary member 12 connected to a prime moving shaft 2 by a spline 6 and a driven side rotary member 14 connected to a driven shaft 4 by a key 8 are arranged rotatably around common rotational centers 2a, 4a. The prime moving side rotary member 12 is reciprocation moved in the axial direction by a drive means connected to an outer race of a bearing 26 holding this member 12. In a ball holding hole 18 formed in a peripheral surface of the prime moving side rotary member 12, a turning force transmitting ball 20 is respectively held capable of relatively moving in the diametric direction. In an internal peripheral surface of the driven side rotary member 14, a tapered surface 22 is formed. By reciprocation moving the prime moving side rotary member 12 in the axial direction relating to the driven side rotary member 14, a first condition pressing the ball 20 to the tapered surface 22 by a bottom surface of the ball holding hole 18 and a second condition wherein the ball 20 is not pressed to the tapered surface 22 by the bottom surface of the ball holding hole 18 are taken.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for transmitting torque, and more particularly to a clutch. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The clutch of the present invention is suitably used, for example, in various driving force transmission systems in automobiles and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
As a clutch used in a rotational force transmission system in an automobile or other machine, a plurality of cam surfaces in which an inner rotating member and an outer rotating member are coaxially arranged, and which are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction on an outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating member. Is formed, and a driving force transmission roller held by a retainer is interposed between each cam surface and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the outer rotating member, and the circumferential position of the roller retainer with respect to the inner rotating member is changed. Therefore, a mechanism using a mechanism for controlling the connection of the inner rotating member to the outer rotating member and the release thereof has been proposed.

However, the above-mentioned conventional clutch requires a driving means for moving the roller in the circumferential direction for controlling the engagement and disengagement, so that there is a limit in reducing the driving force (especially, the engagement state is changed from the engaged state to the engaged state). When shifting to the release state, it is necessary to move the roller held between the outer rotating member and the inner rotating member cam surface with a large pressure in the circumferential direction against the pressure, so that a large driving force is required. Takes power),
In addition, there is a limit in improving the response speed when driven by hydraulic pressure or the like.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch which can be controlled with a small driving force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clutch having a high response speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clutch having a new mechanism different from the conventional clutch as described above.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an inner rotating member and an outer rotating member positioned radially outward of the inner rotating member are arranged around a common rotation center. One of the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member is reciprocated in the axial direction with respect to the other by the axial movement driving means, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member are rotated. On one of the inner peripheral surfaces of the member, a plurality of rotational force transmitting member holding holes that are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction are formed, and the rotational force transmitting members are respectively provided in the rotational force transmitting member holding holes in the radial direction. It is held so as to be relatively movable, and a taper surface is formed on the other of the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating member and the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotating member, and of the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member, One to the other A first state in which the bottom surface of the rotational force transmitting member holding hole presses the rotational force transmitting member against the tapered surface by reciprocating in the axial direction by the axial movement driving means, and the rotational force transmitting member holding A clutch is provided, wherein the bottom surface of the hole is in a second state in which the torque transmitting member is not pressed against the tapered surface.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the torque transmitting member is a ball.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotational force transmitting member holding holes are arranged at a plurality of positions in the axial direction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the axial movement driving means acts on a bearing holding one of the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member reciprocated in the axial direction by the axial moving driving means. I do.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state thereof, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are views for explaining the operation thereof. It is sectional drawing.

In these figures, reference numeral 2 denotes a driving rotation axis (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "driving axis"), and reference numeral 2a denotes a rotation center thereof. Reference numeral 4 denotes a driven rotation shaft (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "driven shaft"), and reference numeral 4a denotes a rotation center thereof. The drive shaft 2 and the driven shaft 4 are coaxially opposed to each other with a common rotation center in the AB direction.

A spline 6 is formed at the tip (the end in the direction B) of the driving shaft 2. Reference numeral 12 denotes a driving side rotating member,
Reference numeral 14 denotes a driven-side rotating member. An AB direction spline hole 16 is formed in the driving side rotating member 12, and the spline hole 16 meshes with the spline 6. The driven rotation member 14 is attached to the tip (the end in the direction A) of the driven shaft 4 by a key 8.

On the outer peripheral surface of the driving side rotating member 12, there are formed twelve ball holding holes 18 uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction (that is, the direction around the AB direction). However, from the viewpoint of the strength of the driving-side rotating member 12, the twelve ball holding holes 18 are arranged so that the circumferential positions are alternated on two rows having different positions in the AB direction. The ball holding holes 18 are provided in the radial direction (that is,
a in the radiation direction centered at a) and has a predetermined inner diameter. The bottom surface of each ball holding hole 18 is a surface orthogonal to the radial direction and parallel to the axial direction.

Each of the ball holding holes 18 accommodates one ball 20 as a driving force transmitting member. The ball 20 is movable relative to the inner wall surface of the holding hole 18 in the radial direction. As the rotational force transmitting member, a member having a cylindrical side wall surface slidable in the radial direction with respect to the inner wall surface of the holding hole 18 and both end surfaces formed of a convex curved surface can be used in addition to the ball. .

The driven side rotating member 14 has a cup shape, and a tapered surface (conical surface) 22 is formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof. The taper surface is formed such that the inclination angle (the angle with respect to the axial direction) is θ, and the inner diameter on the driving side (ie, the A direction side) is larger than the inner diameter on the driven side (ie, the B direction side). The inclination angle θ of the tapered surface is, for example, an angle as illustrated. The ball holding hole 18
Is different between two rows having different positions in the AB direction, and in the section including the rotation centers 2a and 4a,
The line connecting the corresponding positions of the bottom surfaces of the ball holding holes 18 in the two rows is set so as to form an angle θ with respect to the rotation centers 2a and 4a.

A bearing 26 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the driving side rotating member 12 near the end in the direction A. In the bearing 26, an inner race 26a is fixed to an outer surface of the driving side rotating member 12, and an outer race 26b is connected to an axial movement driving means (not shown). 26c
Is a ball of the bearing 26. Reference numeral 28 denotes a fixed member attached to the driving side rotating member 12 to prevent the inner race 26a of the bearing 26 from moving in the axial direction.

The operation of the present embodiment as described above will be described below.
explain.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the clutch is off, that is, a state in which the bearing 26 is moved in the direction A by the axial movement driving means. (A) shows a section including the rotation centers 2a and 4a, and (b) shows a cross section including the rotation centers 2a and 4a.
4A shows a cross section orthogonal to 4a. In this state, with the rotation of the driving shaft 2, the driving-side rotating member 12 spline-coupled to the driving shaft 2 rotates, but the bottom surface of each ball holding hole 18 and the tapered surface 22 of the driven-side rotating member 14 Is larger than the diameter of the ball 20, the ball 20 is subjected to centrifugal force and the tapered surface 22 on the inner circumference of the driven side rotating member 14.
It only runs in the circumferential direction on the tapered surface 22 while being rotated while being pressed against, and the rotational force of the driving side rotating member 12 is not transmitted to the driven side rotating member 14.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the clutch is ON, that is, a state in which the bearing 26 is moved in the B direction by the axial movement driving means. (A) is the rotation center 2
4A shows a cross section including the rotation centers 2a and 4a.
2 shows a cross section orthogonal to a. In this state, each ball 20
Is held between the bottom surface of the ball holding hole 18 and the inner peripheral tapered surface 22 of the driven-side rotating member 14, so that the driving-side rotating member 12 and the driven-side rotating member 14 can rotate integrally. That is, as the driving shaft 2 rotates, the driving-side rotating member 12 that is spline-coupled to the driving shaft 2
Is rotated, the rotational force is transmitted to the driven-side rotating member 14, and the driven shaft 4 is rotated.

In this embodiment, the on / off switching of the clutch is quickly performed by reducing the inclination angle θ of the inner peripheral tapered surface 22 of the driven-side rotating member, thereby increasing the moving speed with a small driving force in the AB direction. It can be performed.

In the above embodiment, 2 is the driving shaft and 4 is the driven shaft. However, 4 may be the driving shaft and 2 may be the driven shaft. In the above embodiment, the ball holding hole 18 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the driving side rotating member 12 as the inner rotating member, and the tapered surface 22 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the driven side rotating member 14 as the outer rotating member. It is also possible to provide a ball holding hole on the side rotating member and provide a tapered surface on the driving side rotating member, and further provide a ball holding hole on the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotating member and a tapered surface on the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating member. .

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the clutch according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the assembled state.

In these figures, reference numeral 32 denotes a rotary shaft, and a spline 34 is formed at the center in the axial direction (AB direction). The rotary shaft 32 has a circumferential groove 36 formed on a portion on the A side from the spline 34, and a circumferential groove 38 formed on a portion on the B side of the spline 34.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a slide ring member. An AB direction spline hole 42 is formed in the slide ring member 40, and the spline hole 42
4 is engaged. In the slide ring member 40, a first tapered surface 44 is formed on the inner peripheral surface at a portion A side from the spline hole 42, and a second tapered surface 46 is formed on the inner peripheral surface at a portion B side from the spline hole 42. Is formed. A circumferential groove 48 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slide ring member 40.

A first external gear 50 is provided on the rotating shaft 32.
And the second external gear 60 are mounted so as to be coaxially rotatable. The first external gear 50 has a circumferential groove 36.
The movement of the second external gear 60 in the direction B is limited by a retaining ring that fits in the circumferential groove 38, while the retaining ring that fits in the inside is restricted.

The first external gear 50 has a first mounting member 52.
Has been fixed. On the outer peripheral surface of the mounting member 52, ball holding holes 54 are formed, which are uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction. Each of the ball holding holes 54 faces in the radial direction and has a predetermined inner diameter. The bottom surface of each ball holding hole 54 is a surface orthogonal to the radial direction and parallel to the axial direction. Each of the ball holding holes 54 accommodates one ball 56 as a driving force transmitting member.
The ball 56 can move relative to the inner wall surface of the holding hole 54 in the radial direction.

Similarly, a second mounting member 62 is fixed to the second external gear 60. On the outer peripheral surface of the mounting member 62, ball holding holes 64 are formed uniformly arranged in the circumferential direction. Each of the ball holding holes 64 faces in a radial direction and has a predetermined inner diameter. The bottom surface of each ball holding hole 64 is a surface orthogonal to the radial direction and parallel to the axial direction. Each of the ball holding holes 64 accommodates one ball 66 as a driving force transmitting member. The ball 66 is movable relative to the inner wall surface of the holding hole 64 in the radial direction.

The first mounting member 52 and the first tapered surface 4
4 and the second mounting member 62 and the second tapered surface 46
Respectively correspond to the relationship between the driving side rotating member 12 and the tapered surface 22 in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, a drive ring member 72 that moves in the axial direction is disposed radially outward of the slide ring member 40. The drive ring member 72 has a rotation support part 74 attached rotatably to the shaft 70 at the lowermost part, and has a drive force action part 76 at the uppermost part. The shaft 70 is attached to a fixing member (not shown). Pins 78 and 80 are screwed into the side portions of the drive ring member 72 radially inward at positions facing each other.
Roller members 79 and 81 are rotatably attached to their inner ends, respectively. These roller members 79, 81
Is accommodated in the circumferential groove 48 of the slide ring member 40.

A first electromagnet 82 and a second electromagnet 84 are arranged at appropriate intervals on the A side and the B side of the driving force acting portion 76, respectively. Note that the driving force acting portion 76 is made of a magnetic material. Accordingly, when the first electromagnet 82 is actuated to move the driving force action portion 76 to the A side, the drive ring member 72 rotates about the shaft 70, and the roller members 79, 81 also move to the A side. As a result, the ball 56 held by the first attachment member 52 is
0 is pressed against the first tapered surface 44 of the rotating shaft 32.
The rotational force is transmitted between the first external gear 50 and the first external gear 50 (first clutch ON). When the second electromagnet 84 is actuated to move the driving force application section 76 to the B side, the driving ring member 72 rotates about the shaft 70, and the roller members 79,
81 also moves to the B side. Thereby, the second mounting member 62
Is held against the second tapered surface 46 of the slide ring member 40, and the rotation shaft 32 and the second
The rotational force is transmitted to the external gear 60 (the second clutch is ON). Of course, when the first clutch is ON, the second
The clutch is off and the first clutch is on when the second clutch is on.
When the clutch is OFF and both the first electromagnet 82 and the second electromagnet 84 are not operated, the first clutch and the second
Both clutches are off.

In the present embodiment, the first external gear 50 and the second external gear 60 may be the driven side with the rotary shaft 32 as the driving side, or the first external gear 50 and the first external gear 50 may be the driven side with the rotary shaft 32 as the driven side. The second external gear 60 may be the driving side.

Each of the first clutch and the second clutch of the second embodiment is essentially the same as the clutch of the first embodiment. Further, as the axial movement driving means of the first embodiment, a means using an electromagnet as in the second embodiment or a means using a fluid pressure can be used.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a clutch having a novel structure capable of quickly performing ON / OFF switching with a small driving force.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment of the clutch according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.

7 is a sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 in an assembled state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Driving shaft 2a Driving shaft rotation center 4 Driving shaft 4a Driving shaft rotation center 6 Spline 8 Key 12 Driving side rotating member 14 Driving side rotating member 16 Spline hole 18 Ball holding hole 20 Ball 22 Tapered surface 26 Bearing 28 Fixing member 32 Rotating shaft 40 Slide ring member 44, 46 Tapered surface 50, 60 External gear 52, 62 Mounting member 54, 64 Ball holding hole 56, 66 Ball 72 Axial movement drive ring member 82, 84 Electromagnet

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inner rotating member and an outer rotating member positioned radially outward of the inner rotating member are rotatably arranged around a common center of rotation, and the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member are arranged in a rotatable manner. One of them is reciprocated in the axial direction by the axial movement driving means with respect to the other, and is arranged evenly in the circumferential direction on one of the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating member and the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotating member. A plurality of rotating force transmitting member holding holes are formed, and the rotating force transmitting members are respectively held in the rotating force transmitting member holding holes so as to be relatively movable in the radial direction. A tapered surface is formed on the other of the inner peripheral surfaces of the outer rotating member, and one of the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member is reciprocated in the axial direction with respect to the other by the axial movement driving means. thing A first state in which the bottom surface of the torque transmitting member holding hole presses the torque transmitting member against the tapered surface, and a bottom surface of the torque transmitting member holding hole presses the torque transmitting member against the tapered surface. A clutch in a second state. 2. The clutch according to claim 1, wherein the torque transmitting member is a ball. 3. The clutch according to claim 1, wherein the rotational force transmitting member holding holes are arranged at a plurality of positions in the axial direction. 4. The axial movement driving means acts on a bearing holding one of the inner rotating member and the outer rotating member reciprocated in the axial direction by the axial movement driving means. The clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 3.