JP2004125140A - Clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clutch allowing a mechanism to be simplified and engageable in short time even if a difference in rotation between the drive side and the driven side thereof is large. <P>SOLUTION: Grooves 2a parallel with the rotating center X of the clutch are formed in the outer peripheral surface of a drive side member 2 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Balls 4 are stored in the grooves 2a. A position control means 6 controlling the balls 4 in the grooves 2a between a first position and a second position is disposed on the outside of the drive side member 2. Grooves 8a are formed in the inner peripheral surface of a driven side member 8 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. One ends of the grooves 8a are opened, and the balls 4 are stored in the grooves 8a when positioned at the first position and, when positioned at the second position, disengaged from the grooves 8a and positioned in contact with the inner peripheral surface 8b. The position control means 6 comprises a through-hole 6a in which the balls 4 are disposed. The grooves 8a comprise sloped surfaces 8a' formed so that the widths thereof are reduced gradually from one end to the other end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to the technical field of torque transmission, and more particularly to a clutch having a feature in a mechanism.
[0002]
Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention
In the torque transmission system, a clutch is used to intermittently transmit torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft, if desired. In a clutch, in particular, when the transmission of rotational force is interrupted, the difference in the number of rotations between the rotating member on the driving shaft side and the rotating member on the driven shaft side may increase. Even in such a case, it is required to couple the driving shaft side rotating member and the driven shaft side rotating member in a short time for transmitting the rotational force.
[0003]
However, a conventionally used clutch employs a complicated mechanism in order to satisfy the above-described demands for the connection in a short time, and thus has to be expensive.
[0004]
Therefore, the present invention provides a clutch having a simplified mechanism and capable of being engaged in a short time even when the rotational speed difference between the driving shaft side rotating member and the driven shaft side rotating member is large. It is intended to do so.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, as achieving the above objects,
A clutch for intermittently transmitting rotational force between a first rotating member and a second rotating member which are coaxially rotatable with each other around a rotation center,
On the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating member, a plurality of first grooves extending with an axial component parallel to the rotation center are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction around the rotation center, and formed.
In each of the first grooves, a rotational force transmitting ball is partially accommodated and positioned so as to be movable along the first groove.
Outside the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating member, the ball is moved between a first position and a second position within the first groove, and the ball is moved with respect to the first groove. Ball position control means for controlling the position is arranged,
The same number of second grooves as the first grooves are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating member, and the ball is placed in the first groove. When the ball is in the first position, the ball is located partially accommodated in the second groove, and when the ball is in the second position in the first groove, A clutch, wherein one end of the second groove is opened in the axial direction so that the ball is positioned apart from the second groove;
Is provided.
[0006]
In one aspect of the present invention, the first groove extends in the axial direction. In one aspect of the present invention, the ball position control means includes a plurality of abutting portions that abut against each of the balls, and the abutting portions include the ball in both directions with respect to the direction of the first groove. It is possible to press. In one aspect of the present invention, the ball position control means has a cylindrical shape, and the contact portion is formed in the cylindrical ball position control means so as to be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction, and the ball is partially formed. It is a through-hole that can be accommodated.
[0007]
In one aspect of the present invention, the second groove has a portion on the one end side, the width of which gradually decreases from the one end to the other end. In one aspect of the present invention, the portion gradually narrowing from the one end to the other end is formed by continuously changing the shape of the side surface in one direction with respect to the circumferential direction. In one aspect of the present invention, the second rotating member has a portion adjacent to the portion where the second groove is formed in the axial direction with respect to the ball at the second position. It has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotation center so as to form a contact surface.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
1 and 2 are sectional views showing an embodiment of the clutch according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof.
[0010]
As shown in these figures, the clutch of the present embodiment has a substantially cylindrical driving shaft side rotating member (first rotating member) 2, a rotational force transmitting ball 4, and a substantially cylindrical ball position. The control unit includes a control unit 6 and a driven shaft side rotating member (second rotating member) 8 having a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 1, a gear 3 is keyed to the driving shaft side rotating member 2. A gear 9 is fixed to the driven shaft side rotating member 8 by bolting. The driving shaft-side rotating member 2 and the driven shaft-side rotating member 8 are coaxially rotatable about a rotation center X via a bearing 10.
[0011]
A plurality (eight in the figure) of first grooves 2a extending parallel to the rotation center X are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the driving shaft side rotating member 2. These grooves 2a do not necessarily extend in a direction (axial direction) parallel to the rotation center X, and may be inclined at the same angle in the same direction with respect to the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 2, In short, what is necessary is just to extend with an axial component. These grooves 2a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation center X. A rotational force transmitting ball 4 is fitted in each of the grooves, and the ball 4 is partially (for example, １ ／ of the ball diameter) housed in the groove so as to be movable along the groove 2a.
[0012]
The ball position control means 6 has through holes 6 a arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation center X corresponding to the ball 4. The ball is partially (for example, 1/3 of the ball diameter) housed in the through hole 6a. That is, in the portion where the through hole 6a is formed, the dimension (that is, the thickness) of the control means 6 in the radial direction (radial direction with respect to the rotation center) is smaller than the ball diameter. The ball position control means 6 functions as a contact portion where the inner surface of the through hole contacts the ball 4. The control means 6 has an annular groove 6b formed on the outer peripheral surface at a position separated from the through hole 6a in the direction of the rotation center X. An operating means (not shown) is fitted in the annular groove 6b, and the control means 6 is rotatable around the rotation center X with respect to the operating means. The operating means can move the control means 6 in both directions in the direction of the groove 2a. During this movement, the inner surface of the through hole 6a pushes the ball 4.
[0013]
On the inner peripheral surface of the driven shaft side rotating member 8, the same number of second grooves 8a as the grooves 2a of the driven shaft side rotating member are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The rotational force transmitting balls 4 can be respectively fitted to the grooves 8a. The ball 4 is partially (for example, ３ of the ball diameter) housed in the groove so as to be movable along the groove 8a. The groove 8a extends in the axial direction, but does not necessarily have to extend in the axial direction. The groove 8a may be inclined at the same angle in the same direction with respect to the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating member 8; May extend as long as it has an axial component. The groove 8a is open at one end (the left end in FIG. 1) in the direction of the center of rotation, and a portion adjacent to the axial direction following the end is provided for the ball 4 moving from the open end of the groove 8a. A cylindrical inner peripheral surface 8b rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotation center X is formed so as to form a contact surface.
[0014]
The groove 8a has a portion that gradually narrows toward the other end on the side of the open end. This portion is formed by forming the slope 8a 'such that the shape of the side surface of the groove in one direction in the circumferential direction is continuously changed.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The ball position control means 6 is moved in the axial direction by the operation means, whereby the ball 4 is moved to the first position (the position shown below the rotation center X in FIG. 1) in the first groove 2a. It can be moved between the second position (the position shown above the rotation center X in FIG. 1). When the ball 4 is in the first position in the groove 2a, the ball 4 is partially received and positioned in the second groove 8a, whereby the driving shaft side rotating member 2 is driven by the driven shaft side rotating member 8 A coupling state in which the rotational force is transmitted to is realized. On the other hand, when the ball 4 is at the second position in the groove 2a, the ball 4 is separated from the second groove 8a and abuts on the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 8b. A state in which the transmission of the rotational force from the motor 2 to the driven shaft side rotating member 8 is interrupted is realized. Regarding the direction of rotation of the driving shaft side rotating member 2, the inclined surface 8a 'of the groove of the driven shaft side rotating member 8 is located on the rear side of the ball 4 accommodated in the groove.
[0016]
As described above, by moving the control means 6 in the axial direction, it is possible to interrupt the transmission of the rotational force. In this embodiment, since the inclined surface 8a 'is formed in the second groove 8a, even if the driving shaft side rotating member and the driven shaft side rotating member greatly differ in the number of rotations, the ball can be moved into the second groove 8a'. It is possible to quickly and accurately perform an operation of adjusting the inside of the frame 8a.
[0017]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the clutch according to the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are an exploded perspective view and a perspective view, respectively. In these drawings, members or portions having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
[0018]
In the present embodiment, as the operating means of the ball position control means 6, a cam groove 14a formed in an annular cam member 14 supported by the support base 12 and a radially extending fit to the cam groove are provided. And an operation lever 16 attached to the control lever. By moving the operation lever 16 in the circumferential direction (ie, rotating around the rotation center X), the operation lever is guided by the cam groove 14a and moves in the axial direction together with the control means 6. When the operating lever is at the circumferential position 161 shown in FIG. 7, the control means 6 is at the position shown below the rotation center X in FIG. The first position is partially received in the second groove 8a. When the operating lever is at the circumferential position 162 shown in FIG. 7, the control means 6 is at the position shown above the rotation center X in FIG. Is located at a second position where it is separated from the second groove 8a and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 8b.
[0019]
In the present embodiment, the output end 3 ″ of the driving-side device is attached to the driving shaft-side rotating member 2 via the attaching member 3 ′, and the attaching member 9 ′ is attached to the driven-side rotating member 8. I have.
[0020]
FIG. 8 is a developed view showing a section of a cylindrical surface parallel to the rotation center X of the driven shaft side rotating member.
The slope 8a 'of the groove 8a forms an angle θ with respect to a plane orthogonal to the rotation center X. This angle θ is, for example, 30 °.
[0021]
Also in the present embodiment, the operation and effect as described with reference to the embodiment in FIGS.
[0022]
In the above embodiment, the first rotating member is the driving shaft side rotating member and the second rotating member is the driven shaft side rotating member. However, in the present invention, the first rotating member is the driven shaft side rotating member. The second rotating member may be a driving shaft side rotating member as the side rotating member. In this case, it may be rotated in the direction opposite to that shown in FIG.
[0023]
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a rotational force transmission system to which the clutch according to the present invention is applied.
[0024]
In this example, the clutch 20 is applied to an automobile transmission. The torque of the output shaft of the engine (E) 21 is transmitted to the main shaft 23 of the transmission via the fluid coupling 22. A plurality of gear trains are arranged between the main shaft and the counter shaft 24 arranged in parallel with the main shaft, and a clutch 20 is attached to each of the gear trains. By selectively connecting any one of the clutches 20, torque is transmitted from the main shaft 23 to the counter shaft 24 at various speed ratios, and the wheels 26 are transmitted from the counter shaft via the output rotation shaft 25. The torque is transmitted to. In this example, the on / off of all clutches 20 can be controlled by the computer in the required manner. Note that a torque converter may be used instead of the fluid coupling 22.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the ball is used for transmitting the rotational force, a simplified mechanism is used, and the rotational speed difference between the driving shaft side rotating member and the driven shaft side rotating member is large. A clutch that can be engaged in a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a partial plan view showing an embodiment of a clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a developed sectional view showing an embodiment of the clutch according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a rotational force transmission system to which the clutch according to the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Drive shaft side rotating member (first rotating member)
2a First groove 3 Gear 3 'Mounting member 3 "Output end 4 of the driving device 4 Rotating force transmitting ball 6 Ball position control means 6a Through hole 6b Annular groove 8 Driven shaft side rotating member 8a Second groove 8a' Slope 8b Cylindrical inner peripheral surface 9 Gear 9 'Mounting member 10 Bearing 12 Support base 14 Annular cam member 14a Cam groove 16 Operating levers 161, 162 Circumferential position X of operating lever Rotation center

Claims (7)

A clutch for intermittently transmitting rotational force between a first rotating member and a second rotating member which are coaxially rotatable with each other around a rotation center,
On the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating member, a plurality of first grooves extending with an axial component parallel to the rotation center are arranged at equal intervals in a circumferential direction around the rotation center, and formed.
A rotational force transmitting ball is partially accommodated and located in the first groove so as to be movable along the first groove, respectively.
Outside the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating member, the ball is moved between a first position and a second position within the first groove, and the ball is moved with respect to the first groove. Ball position control means for controlling the position is arranged,
The same number of second grooves as the first grooves are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the second rotating member, and the ball is disposed in the first groove. When the ball is in the first position, the ball is partially housed and located in the second groove, and when the ball is in the second position in the first groove, The clutch, wherein one end of the second groove is opened in the axial direction so that the ball is separated from the second groove. The clutch according to claim 1, wherein the first groove extends in the axial direction. The ball position control means includes a plurality of contact portions that contact each of the balls, and the contact portions can push the ball in both directions with respect to the direction of the first groove. The clutch according to claim 1, wherein the clutch is provided. The ball position control means has a cylindrical shape, and the contact portion is a through hole formed in the cylindrical ball position control means so as to be evenly arranged in the circumferential direction and partially receiving the ball. The clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second groove has a portion on the one end side, the width of which gradually decreases from the one end to the other end. The part whose width gradually decreases from the one end to the other end is formed by continuously changing a shape of a side surface in one direction with respect to the circumferential direction, wherein The clutch as described. The second rotating member is configured such that, at a portion adjacent to the portion where the second groove is formed in the axial direction, a contact surface with the ball at the second position is formed. The clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cylindrical inner peripheral surface that is rotationally symmetric with respect to a rotation center.

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