FR2690210A1 - Motorised clutch with electrically controlled remote locking - uses two intertwined plates with rollers on periphery of drive plate, as coupling in motor vehicle to replace normal gearbox - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit consists of two plates intertwined one inside of the other. The primary (2), the drive plate, carries on its periphery a series of rollers (5) equi-spaced at a pitch equal to twice their diameters. The secondary plate (6) carries at three angular positions, a system of braking (13) and clutching (9) that are operated by an electric motor (15) by a linkage system (10,16). In the clutching operation a roller at each of the three positions on the plate (6) is made to engage between any of the rollers (5) in the plate (2). The braking operation is effected when the three tongues (13) are pivoted to bear on the face of the ring (3) attached to the primary plate (2) by spacers (4). The electrical feed to the motor is via one of the shafts. USE/ADVANTAGE - For use as coupling or clutch mechanism or as gearbox using several of these units for motor vehicles that is operated remotely by electrical control, dispensing with conventional clutches and gearboxes.

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a clutch device for coupling with locking and uncoupling two rotary axes at different speeds, whether these axes are continuous in the same plane or parallel in the same plane.

 Motorized and electrically remote controlled device.

 Device according to the invention which differs from a conventional clutch in that it locks the transmission of the rotary force between two axes without any effort to maintain it.

 Device according to the invention composed in 2 parts; a plate called "Primary" (see Figures 1 and 2), dlun plate called "Secondary" (see Figures 3 to 8).

 The "Primary" tray in the form of a squirrel cage comprises on a face of the cage a disc (2) support in thin metal, free or integral on the axis (1) depending on whether the latter is motor or driven, on the 'other side of the cage, a hollow disc (3) forming a thick metal crown and has on its inner edge a smooth and upright surface useful for braking.

These two discs are kept separate and parallel by spacers (4) placed on the periphery and staggered on either side of an outer circumference. On an inner circumference are arranged cylindrical rollers (5) of small diameter (10 mm max.). These rollers (5) of hardened metal machined on the outside face rotate freely on their axis, they are separated from each other by a space equal to their diameter.

These rollers are used for the locking device (lock strike)
The "Secondary" board has 3 floors
A locking stage see Figures 3 to 5
A braking stage see figures 6 to 8
An engine stage see Figures 6 to 8
Device according to the invention, the locking stage comprises: a support disc (6) in thin metal which is free or integral on the axis (1) depending on whether the latter is motor or driven. On one side of this disc are arranged 3 equidistant and radiating poles (3 x 1200)
Device according to the invention that each pole comprises: a base (8) sliding back and forth rectilinear on two slides in the radiating direction of the disc (6). Drives in movement on its outer edge a cylindrical roller (9) of hardened and machined metal, freely rotating on its axis, positioned at right angles to the plane of the disc (6). This roller (9) comes to rest between the spaces of the rollers (5) of the "primary" plate, thus forming the bolt bolt.

 Device according to the invention that the braking stage is composed of 3 elements: 1 on each pole and comprising on each pole a plate (13) of thick metal of oval shape with on the outer edge a braking coating. This plate (13) pivots freely in a plane on an eccentric axis, itself relative to this plate anchored on the base (8) at the center of the latter, and the mass of the plate (13) is eccentric relative to the pivot axis.

 A spring of suitable power is coiled around this axis. This spring bears on one side on the base (8) and on the other on the plate while maintaining the latter towards the outside thus exerting an opposing force at the instant when the edge of the plate (13) comes in contact with the crown (3) of the primary plate (braking action).

 Device according to the invention that the motor stage placed on a support plate (14) made of thin metal which is itself fixed at 3 points to the disc (6).

 The low power direct current electric motor (15) imparts the mechanical back and forth movement to the 3 bases (8) by means of a device comprising a worm screw and lever arm (16) acting on a central thin metal disc (11) oscillating around the axis of the disc (6) it transmits the movement to the 3 bases via the 3 points of articulation (3 x 1200) located at its periphery and connecting rods ( 10) around a pivot anchored to the disc (6).

 Device according to the invention that the motorized movement is remotely controlled from the outside at any distance. The electrical supply passes through the axis (1) via conductive rings and brushes.

 The device can be made of molded metal or machined sheets.

 Example of possible application among others.

"Electrically controlled gearboxes" for cars;
Replaces the classic gearbox, the classic clutch and their related controls.

The new montage would
Two parallel axes, one actuated by the motor, the other actuating the differential. On a series of side-by-side grooved pulleys, their number is equal to the number of speed stages desired. On the other a series of clutch plates of a number equal to the speed stages.

 Each "primary" plate is secured to a pulley whose diameter is different for each.

 A V-belt connects the pulleys 2 to 2 together.

 Operation: the motor axis rotates.

 If all the chainrings are disengaged = P.M.

If the 1st gear is engaged without the others = 1 speed
If the 2 is engaged without the ltr and the others = 2 speed
If the 3 is engaged without the 1 "and 2 and the others = 3" speed ect ... for as many stages of speed desired.

 For the rear machine it is the same type of assembly but a different arrangement for the belts.

 The controls of this device will be made by electric keys under the steering wheel to remain manual or can be fully automated.

Claims (8)

 1) Motorized clutch device with lock, used to couple or uncoupled a transmission of a rotary force between two axes placed in the same plane, either in continuity or in parallel. characterized by the fact that the device is made up of circular parts. First part: a "primary" board figures 1 and 2. Second part: a "secondary" plate in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Each plate can rotate freely or be secured to its axis (1) depending on whether it is driving or driven.  2) Disposizi 'according to claim (1) characterized in that the two plates are nested one in the other.  3) Device according to claim (2) characterized in that the so-called "primary" plate comprises on one side a thin disc (2) rotating or integral with the axis (1), on the other side, a hollow disc ( 3) thicker (crown) and is characterized by its inner edge which is machined smooth for braking; spacers (4) are distributed between the two discs and at the periphery to maintain the spacing. On an inner circumference are rollers (5) cylindrical hard metal and machined small diameter (10 mm max) distributed and separated from each other by a space equal to their diameter, they rotate freely on their axis.  4) Device according to claim (3) including the so-called "secondary" plate characterized in that it consists of three parts a) A support disc rotating in solidarity with 1 t axis (1) supporting in 3 equidistant poles and at the periphery braking and locking systems. b) The actual braking part fixed and driven by the poles. c) The driving part acting on the poles.  5) Device according to claim (4) characterized in that each pole comprises - a base (8) sliding back and forth rectilinear and radiating on two slides (7) fi-ées to the disc (6). This base supports on its outer edge a cylindrical roller (9) made of hard and machined metal, rotating on its axis, positioned at right angles to the plane of the disc (6). In operation this roller (a) will be housed in the intervals of the rollers (5) of the "primary" plate. This base (8) supports in its center and on a pivot a plate (13) of thick metal of oval shape, coated on its outer edge with a braking coating. This plate is free on the pivot axis, its mass is eccentric relative to the latter. A power spring antagonistic to the braking force is coiled around the pivot; it is fixed on one side to the base (8) on the other side to the brake plate (13) imparting thereto permanently a force directed towards the outside of the "secondary" plate. Depending on the edge of the brake plate (13) will come into progressive contact with the edge of the crown (3) of the "primary" plate ensuring braking. 6) Device according to claims 1) and 4) characterized in that the driving part is placed on a plate (14) a motor (15) with direct current but of low power prints on the 3 bases a movement back and forth rectilinear and radiating through the worm and lever arm (16) to a central disc (11). This oscillates around the axis of the disc (6); it has at its periphery 3 equidistant articulation points rotating in sectors around the central axis. This oscillation movement is transmitted in movements to the base of the poles by the lever arms and connecting rods (10); a pivot is brought to the disc (6), on one side the arm oscillates in a sector and transmits this oscillation to another lever arm placed at right angles in the plane of 1 ". This 2 lever arms drives the base (8) by a connecting rod articulated from its center to the lever arm. 7) Device according to claims 1) and 6) characterized in that the electrical supply passes through the center of the axis (1), via conductive rings and brushes. 8) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it can be made of molded metal or machined sheets.