JP2005075177A - Actuator device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an actuator device capable of properly assisting clutch operation. <P>SOLUTION: A displacement member 31 moves in the same direction as a swing lever 23 by energizing force of a swing lever 23 direction of a coil spring 32 when a clutch lever 12 is operated. A moving amount relative to the swing lever 23 varies depending on the energizing force of the coil spring 32 and of a spring S of a clutch device, resistance of a cable or the like. When the energizing force of the clutch device S or the like is small, a relative displacement amount between the swing lever 23 and the displacement member 31 is small, and an output signal from a sensor 24 is also small. When the energizing force of the clutch device S or the like is increased, the relative displacement amount between the swing lever 23 and the displacement member 31 is increased, and the output signal from the sensor 24 is also increased. A CPU of a control means inputs a sensor 24 signal, calculates the relative displacement amount, and outputs a drive signal to an electric motor 22. Thus, the electric motor 22 outputs auxiliary operating force according to the resistance, and a rider requires only specified clutch operating force even when the electric motor 22 is deteriorated with the lapse of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an actuator device suitable for assisting clutch operation when a clutch operation of a motorcycle or the like is performed manually.

A motorcycle with a large displacement is usually provided with a multi-plate clutch device that selectively interrupts and restarts transmission of power from the engine to the wheels by operating a clutch lever. The clutch lever is connected to the pressure plate that presses the clutch plate of the multi-plate type clutch device with the urging force of the spring via a wire cable or the like, and if the rider grips the clutch lever, the pressure plate via the wire cable Is moved, and the power is cut off by freeing the clutch plate. However, in the case of a motorcycle with a large displacement, the transmitted torque is also large, so it is necessary to increase the urging force of the clutch plate, thereby increasing the force required to operate the clutch lever. There is a problem that the frequency of gripping the clutch lever is increased particularly in a city with many traffic lights, and the burden on the rider is further increased. A technique for assisting the clutch device using the power of the electric motor for such a problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 7-285482 A

  However, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, the output of the electric motor is transmitted to the reel via the speed reducer, and the wire cable wound around the outer periphery of the reel is moved to perform the clutch operation. Here, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, since the electric motor is simply controlled only by an on / off switch provided in the clutch lever, the wear of the clutch plate, the increase in resistance of the sliding portion, the performance of the electric motor Even when deterioration with time such as a decrease occurs, the auxiliary operation force by the electric motor is not possible, and thus there is a problem that the auxiliary operation expected by the rider is not always performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch operating device capable of assisting the clutch operation appropriately.

The clutch operating device of the present invention is
An operating force is transmitted between the clutch lever and the moving member via the first medium, and the second medium is transferred between the displacement member connected to the moving member via the elastic member and the clutch device. An operating force is transmitted through the power source, and in accordance with the operation of the clutch lever, the moving member moves the power between the prime mover and the wheel to a first position where power transmission between the prime mover and the wheel is interrupted. A clutch operating device adapted to operate the clutch device by moving between a second position at which transmission is resumed;
Detecting means for detecting a relative movement amount between the moving member and the displacement member;
An electric motor;
A power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the moving member;
Control means for driving and controlling the electric motor based on the detection result of the detection means.

  According to the clutch operating device of the present invention, the operating force is transmitted between the clutch lever and the moving member via the first medium, and the displacement member and the clutch connected to the moving member via the elastic member. An operating force is transmitted to the device via a second medium, and the first member is configured to interrupt the power transmission between the prime mover and the wheels in response to the operation of the clutch lever; A clutch operating device configured to operate the clutch device by moving between a second position at which power transmission between the prime mover and the wheels is resumed, the moving member and the wheel Detection means for detecting a relative movement amount with respect to the displacement member, an electric motor, a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the movement member, and driving the electric motor based on a detection result of the detection means control Therefore, even when deterioration with time such as wear of the clutch plate, increase in resistance of the sliding portion, performance deterioration of the electric motor occurs, the moving member and the displacement member are Since the amount of relative movement changes, it is possible to output a more appropriate auxiliary operation force by controlling the power of the electric motor according to the current load by detecting it with the detection means. it can.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the control means drive-controls the electric motor based on a differential value of a relative movement amount between the moving member and the displacement member detected by the detecting means.

  Further, the power transmission mechanism is disposed between a rotating element coupled to a rotating shaft of the electric motor, an axial moving element for moving the moving member, and the rotating element and the axial moving element. A rolling element and a ball screw mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the rotary element into the axial movement of the axial movement element, so that the configuration is compact compared to the case of decelerating using a multi-stage gear pair. Thus, as compared with the case of decelerating using the worm wheel mechanism, higher transmission efficiency can be obtained and energy saving can be achieved. Further, since the moving member can move to the first position independently of the axial movement element, a problem occurs in the electric motor or the like, and the axial movement element moves. Even if it disappears, it can move to at least the first position, so that it is possible to perform a clutch operation without assistance, and for example, it is possible to move by hand to a repair shop.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the first medium and the second medium are cables.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the first medium and the second medium are liquids in a hose.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle equipped with an actuator device used in the clutch operating device of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a clutch assist mechanism including the actuator device. FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of the actuator device.

  In FIG. 1, a motor 11 is mounted on a frame 10 of a motorcycle. A wire cable 14 extends between the clutch lever 12 (FIG. 2) and a clutch arm 13 that drives a clutch mechanism mounted on the engine 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the wire cable 14 includes a clutch lever side portion 14 </ b> A that is a first medium and an engine side portion 14 </ b> B that is a second medium, which are connected to each other via an actuator device 20. ing. The clutch mechanism is capable of interrupting or resuming power transmission between the engine 11 and the rear wheel 15 in accordance with the swinging position of the clutch arm 13 and is well known, and therefore will not be described in detail.

  In FIG. 3, the actuator device 20 includes a housing 21, an electric motor 22 attached to the housing 21, a swing lever 23 that is a movable member arranged to be pivotable with respect to the housing 21, and one end of the swing lever 23. , A displacement spring 31 that is pivotally mounted, a coil spring 32 that is an elastic member that connects the swing lever 23 and the displacement member 31, and a sensor 24 that is a detection means that detects the amount of displacement of the displacement member 31 relative to the swing lever 23. And a CPU (FIG. 2) that inputs an output signal from the sensor 24 and controls the driving of the electric motor 22, and a ball screw mechanism. More specifically, the actuator device 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rotating shaft 22 a of the electric motor 22 is connected to the screw shaft 26 via a coupling 25. The screw shaft 26 extends through the swing lever 23 in the housing 21, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported with respect to the housing 21 by bearings 27 and 28.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft 26, a male screw groove is formed. On the other hand, on the inner peripheral surface of the nut 29 arranged so as to surround the screw shaft 26, a female screw groove is formed facing the male screw groove, In a spiral space (transfer path) formed by both screw grooves, a large number of balls (not shown), which are rolling elements, are arranged so as to be able to roll. Although not shown, the nut 29 engages with a linear groove formed in the front lid of the housing 21, so that it can move in the axial direction but cannot rotate. In this embodiment, a nut 29 that is an axially moving element, a screw shaft 26 that is a rotating element in this embodiment, and a ball constitute a ball screw mechanism, that is, a power transmission mechanism. The nut 29 may be connected to the electric motor to serve as a rotating element, and the screw shaft 26 may be moved in the axial direction to serve as an axial moving element.

  The swing lever 23 has a hole 23a that fits in the pivot shaft 33 implanted in the housing 21 at the center. The swing lever 23 has a clutch connection position (second position) shown in FIG. The clutch can be pivoted between the contacted clutch disengagement position (first position). A wire cable portion 14A is attached to the lower end of the swing lever 23 in FIG. 2, and a wire cable portion 14B is attached to the lower end of the displacement member 31 in FIG. In addition, although wire cable part 14A, 14B is arrange | positioned on the straight line in the figure, it is not restricted to this and may be angled or offset. On the side surface of the swing lever 23, a gentle protrusion 23b having a substantially cylindrical surface is formed, and a nut 29 is in contact with the protrusion 23b.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the sensor 24 and the displacement member 31 arranged in the swing lever 23 are attached. In FIG. 4, the displacement member 31 has a circular opening 31a at the upper end and a long hole 31b at the center. A shaft 23d implanted in the swing lever 23 (FIG. 3) is inserted through the circular opening 31a, and the displacement member 31 can swing around the shaft 23d. A round shaft 24 b is provided near the tip of the probe 24 a of the sensor 24, which is a potentiometer, and this is engaged with the long hole 31 b of the displacement member 31.

  When the displacement member 31 pivots with respect to the swing lever 23, the round shaft 24b receives a force by the long hole 31b and displaces the measuring element 24a while moving in the direction along the long hole 31b. 24 detects and outputs it to the CPU as an electrical signal. If the amount of displacement can be measured, the load received by the swing lever 23 can be obtained from the known spring constant of the coil spring 32. In addition, the displacement amount measurement of the displacement member 31 can use a rotation type sensor etc., for example irrespective of the above aspect.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 2, the wire cable is always urged toward the engine side by a spring S (simplified in FIG. 2) of a clutch device for a motorcycle. Here, when the rider who rides the motorcycle grips the clutch lever 12 against the biasing force of the spring S, the clutch lever side portion 14A is pulled, and the swing lever 23 is moved around the pivot shaft 33 (in FIG. 3). Pivot (in the direction of arrow A).

  At this time, since the urging force toward the swing lever 23 is given to the displacement member 31 by the coil spring 32, the displacement member 31 moves in the same direction as the swing lever 23, but the relative movement amount (load) with respect to the swing lever 23 is the coil spring. It changes depending on the relationship between the urging force of 23 and the urging force of the spring S of the clutch device, cable resistance and the like. That is, if the urging force of the clutch device S is relatively small, the relative displacement amount between the swing lever 23 and the displacement member 31 is small, and therefore the output signal from the sensor 24 is small. On the other hand, if the urging force or the like of the clutch device S is relatively large, the relative displacement amount between the swing lever 23 and the displacement member 31 is large, and the output signal from the sensor 24 is also large. A CPU (FIG. 2) as a control means inputs a signal from the sensor 24, calculates a load from the relative displacement, and outputs a drive signal to the electric motor 22 based on the calculated load. Therefore, since the electric motor 22 can output an auxiliary operation force according to the load (for example, with a constant assist rate), the rider only needs to apply a constant clutch operation force regardless of deterioration over time. Become. Further, by using the differential value of the relative displacement amount for control, it is possible to cope with a sudden change in load, that is, a sudden change in operation speed.

  If the rotating shaft 22a of the electric motor 22 rotates, the screw shaft 26 rotates through the coupling 25, the nut 29 moves in the axial direction, and assists the swing lever 23 to pivot in the arrow A direction. . Therefore, the electric motor 22 immediately reacts to the action of the rider operating the clutch lever 12 to output auxiliary power to the swing lever 23, and the clutch device is powered by the engine side portion 14B connected to the swing lever 23. Since the cutting is performed, the burden on the rider is reduced. Further, since the ball screw mechanism is compact and has low friction and high efficiency, it is suitable for use in the actuator device 20 mounted on a motorcycle.

  On the other hand, when the clutch lever 12 held by the rider is released, the swing lever 23 pulled through the engine side portion 14B by the spring S pivots around the pivot shaft 33 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3). . At this time, the amount of relative displacement between the swing lever 23 and the displacement member 31 becomes zero, so the CPU does not supply power to the electric motor 22 and its rotating shaft 22a rotates freely. Further, the swing lever 23 pivots, so that when the nut 29 is pressed to the left in the drawing, the axial movement of the nut 29 is smoothly converted into the rotation of the screw shaft 26, thereby preventing the swing lever 23 from pivoting. Without this, the clutch device can resume power transmission via the wire cable portion 14B. In such a case, since the swing lever 23 remains in contact with the nut 29, if the rider stops releasing the clutch lever 12 halfway, the nut 29 also stops following it, and the rider grips the clutch lever 12 again. Then, since the electric motor 22 immediately reacts and outputs auxiliary power to the swing lever 23, it is possible to cope with delicate clutch work and not give the rider a sense of incongruity.

  In the present embodiment, the swing lever 23 moves together when being pushed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 from the nut 29, but independently of the nut 29 in the direction of arrow A (that is, the first It is free to move (to the position). Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in the electric motor 22 or the like in the state shown in FIG. 3, if the rider grips the clutch lever 12 as in the non-assist type clutch device, the swing lever via the wire cable portion 14A is used. 23 pivots in the direction of arrow A, and the clutch device can perform power disconnection via the wire cable portion 14B connected to the displacement member 31, so that it can reach the repair shop by itself. Although it is extremely infrequent, there is a possibility that a problem may occur in the electric motor 22 at the first position where the clutch is disengaged. In this case, for example, if a tool is inserted from the outside of the housing 21 and the screw shaft 26 is rotated to return to the position shown in FIG. 3, the clutch can be disconnected and connected only by the rider's gripping force as described above. .

  The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified or improved as appropriate. For example, the present invention can be used not only for motorcycles but also for three-wheels, four-wheel buggies, and the like that operate a clutch device with a clutch lever. The first medium and the second medium that transmit the clutch force may be hydraulic oil in the oil hose.

1 is a side view of a motorcycle equipped with an actuator device according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the clutch assist mechanism containing an actuator apparatus. It is front sectional drawing of an actuator apparatus. It is a figure which shows the attachment state of the sensor 24 arrange | positioned in the swing lever 23, and the displacement member 31. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

12 Clutch levers 14A, 14B Wire cable portion 20 Actuator device 21 Housing 22 Electric motor 23 Swing lever 24 Sensor 26 Screw shaft 29 Nut 31 Displacement member 32 Coil spring

Claims (5)

An operating force is transmitted between the clutch lever and the moving member via the first medium, and the second medium is transferred between the displacement member connected to the moving member via the elastic member and the clutch device. An operating force is transmitted through the power source, and in accordance with the operation of the clutch lever, the moving member moves the power between the prime mover and the wheel to a first position where power transmission between the prime mover and the wheel is interrupted. A clutch operating device adapted to operate the clutch device by moving between a second position at which transmission is resumed;
Detecting means for detecting a relative movement amount between the moving member and the displacement member;
An electric motor;
A power transmission mechanism for transmitting the power of the electric motor to the moving member;
And a control unit that controls driving of the electric motor based on a detection result of the detection unit.   2. The clutch operating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives and controls the electric motor based on a differential value of a relative movement amount between the moving member and the displacement member detected by the detecting unit. . The power transmission mechanism is
A rotating element connected to a rotating shaft of the electric motor; an axially moving element that moves the moving member; and a rolling element disposed between the rotating element and the axially moving element. A ball screw mechanism for converting the rotational movement of the element into the axial movement of the axial movement element;
The clutch operating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving member is movable to the first position independently of the axial direction moving element. The clutch operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first medium and the second medium are cables. The clutch operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first medium and the second medium are liquids in a hose.

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