JP2007146971A - Electromagnetic clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electromagnetic clutch having lower impact noises and less vibration during clutch-on while suppressing a time delay during power transmission from an input side clutch member to an output side clutch member. <P>SOLUTION: In the electromagnetic clutch, an input rotor 1 for inputting power and an output rotor 2 for outputting power are loosely fitted to each other in a relatively rotatable manner and the input clutch member 10 to be rotated together with the input rotor 1 and the output clutch member 9 to be rotated together with the output rotor 2 are constructed to be changeable over between clutch-on where they are attracted to each other with the energization of an electromagnetic coil 13 for power transmission and clutch-off where they are separated from each other with deenergization for power cut-off. To one of the input and output side clutch members 9, 10, a vibration suppressing member 12 formed of a material having a vibration loss coefficient greater than one clutch member 10 is joined on the opposite face to the attracting face to the other clutch member 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, an input rotator for inputting power and an output rotator for outputting power are loosely fitted to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other, and rotate together with the input-side clutch member and the output rotator. The present invention relates to an electromagnetic clutch in which a side clutch member is configured to be switchable between a clutch-on in which power is transmitted by energizing each other by energizing an electromagnetic coil, and a clutch-off in which power is interrupted by being separated from each other by de-energization. .

Such an electromagnetic clutch is used, for example, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer to rotationally drive a paper feed roller at a predetermined timing. For example, an input side clutch member is used by energizing an electromagnetic coil. A certain armature and a rotor which is an output side clutch member are attracted to each other to be turned on. Therefore, when the clutch is turned on, a large impact sound is generated due to the collision between the armature and the rotor, and vibration is also generated, which is one of the problems to be solved.
Therefore, conventionally, a plurality of recesses are provided on the armature suction surface side of the rotor, and a viscoelastic member, which is an impact mitigation member, is arranged in the recesses to suppress the generation of impact noise and vibration during clutch-on. The thing comprised so that was proposed was proposed (for example, refer patent document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-190369

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, since the viscoelastic member that suppresses the generation of impact noise and vibration is provided on the surface of the rotor that is attracted to the armature, the armature and the rotor are completely attracted to each other. There is a drawback that a slight time delay occurs, for example, a timing shift occurs before the rotor rotates at the same rotational speed as the armature.

  The present invention pays attention to such conventional drawbacks, and its purpose is to suppress the generation of impact noise and vibration when the clutch is turned on, and from the input side clutch member to the output side clutch. An object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic clutch capable of suppressing a time delay during power transmission to a member.

  According to a first characteristic configuration of the present invention, an input rotary member for inputting power and an output rotary member for outputting power are loosely fitted to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and rotate together with the input rotary member. The output-side clutch member that rotates together with the rotating body can be switched between clutch-on, where the power is transmitted by energizing the electromagnetic coil to be separated from each other, and clutch-off, where the power is separated and separated from the power when deenergized. A vibration suppression member made of a material having a larger loss factor of vibration than either one of the input side and output side clutch members is the other clutch member. It is in the place where it is joined to the surface opposite to the adsorption surface.

According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, either one of the input side clutch member that rotates together with the input rotator and the output side clutch member that rotates together with the output rotator is more vibrated than the one clutch member. Since the vibration suppression member made of a material with a large loss factor is joined, both clutches are engaged when the clutch is turned on so that the input side clutch member and the output side clutch member are attracted to each other by energizing the electromagnetic coil to transmit power. Impact sound and vibration generated by the adsorption of the member are effectively suppressed.
And since the vibration suppression member joined to the one clutch member is joined to the surface opposite to the suction surface to the other clutch member, the vibration suppression member causes the power transmission. There is no time delay, and as a result, power transmission can be performed at a desired timing.

  According to a second characteristic configuration of the present invention, the input rotator is an input gear that is externally fitted to an output shaft as the output rotator, and the input-side clutch member is externally rotatable relative to the output shaft. The armature is fitted and faces the rotor as the output side clutch member, and the vibration suppressing member is joined to the armature.

According to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, since the input rotator is an input gear externally fitted to an output shaft as an output rotator, for example, by interlockingly connecting a paper feed roller to the output shaft, Paper feeding can be reliably executed at a predetermined timing.
The input-side clutch member is an armature that is externally fitted to the output shaft so as to be relatively rotatable and faces the rotor as the output-side clutch member, and since the vibration suppression member is joined to the armature, the armature and the rotor are When the clutch to be attracted is turned on, it is possible to reliably suppress the generation of impact sound and vibration generated particularly on the armature side.

  According to a third characteristic configuration of the present invention, the armature is made of a steel plate, and the vibration suppressing member is made of plastic or synthetic rubber.

According to the third characteristic configuration of the present invention, since the armature is made of a steel plate, the armature is surely excited and attracted to the rotor side as the electromagnetic coil is energized.
And since the vibration suppression member to be joined to the armature is made of plastic or synthetic rubber, the generation of impact sound and vibration in the armature can be reliably suppressed with plastic or synthetic rubber having a larger vibration loss factor than steel. Can do.

An embodiment of an electromagnetic clutch according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
This electromagnetic clutch is used, for example, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer to rotate and drive a paper feed roller at a predetermined timing. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, power is input. And used between an input gear 1 as an input rotator and an output shaft 2 as an output rotator for outputting power.
Then, the input gear 1 and the output shaft 2 are interlocked to each other, the clutch-on in which the power from the input gear 1 is transmitted to the output shaft 2 is cut off, and the interlocking connection between the input gear 1 and the output shaft 2 is interrupted. The power supply from the gear 1 is switched to a clutch-off state where power is not transmitted to the output shaft 2, and a sheet feed roller (not shown) linked to the output shaft 2 is rotationally driven at a predetermined timing.

A flat side surface 3 by milling is formed at the tip of the output shaft 2, and the cross-sectional shape is substantially D-shaped, and the D-shaped tip matches the D-shaped tip. A hollow output cylinder 4 having a shape-shaped hole is externally fitted so as to rotate integrally with the output shaft 2.
The output cylinder 4 includes a retaining flange 5, a large diameter part 6, a small diameter part 7, etc., and a small diameter part 7 adjacent to the large diameter part 6 is provided with a different diameter part 8. A rotor 9 serving as an output side clutch member having a hole having a shape matching the diameter portion 8 is externally fitted so as to rotate integrally with the output cylinder 4.
That is, the rotor 9 as the output side clutch member is configured to rotate integrally with the output shaft 2 as the output rotating body via the output cylinder 4.

An armature 10 as an input side clutch member and an input gear 1 are externally fitted to the output cylinder 4 so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the output cylinder 4 with the armature 10 positioned on the rotor 9 side.
The input gear 1 and the armature 10 are interlocked so as to rotate integrally with each other, and the armature 10 facing the rotor 9 is pressed toward the input gear 1 by the annular leaf spring 11, A predetermined gap G is maintained between the armature 10 and the suction surface.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a total of six fitting protrusions 1 a are integrally provided on the side surface of the input gear 1, and a total of six fitting recesses 10 a are provided on the armature 10. The armature 10 as the input side clutch member is configured to rotate integrally with the input gear 1 as the input rotating body by externally fitting the fitting recess 10a to the fitting protrusion 1a.
Further, a total of three locking claws 1b that can be elastically deformed radially inward are provided on the side surface of the input gear 1, and as shown in FIG. In a state where the armature 10 is assembled so as to rotate integrally, the armature 10 is pushed to the input gear 1 side by the leaf spring 11 by engaging the leaf spring 11 with the latching claw 1 b, and between the rotor 9 and the armature 10. A predetermined gap G is formed.

The armature 10 is formed of a steel plate material, and a material having a vibration loss coefficient larger than that of the steel that is the material of the armature 10 is formed on the surface of the armature 10 opposite to the surface to be attracted to the rotor 9. For example, a thin plate-like vibration suppressing member 12 made of plastic or synthetic rubber is bonded and bonded with an adhesive.
Then, the output cylinder 4 fitted on the output shaft 2 is rotatably held by a casing 14 that houses the electromagnetic coil 13, and the electromagnetic coil 13 is fitted on the output cylinder 4 with the armature 10. It is configured to be positioned with the rotor 9 interposed therebetween.
Note that retaining rings 17 and 18 are attached to the ring groove 15 provided near the end of the output shaft 2 and the ring groove 16 provided near the end of the output cylinder 4. .

Next, the operation of the electromagnetic clutch according to the present invention will be described.
For example, when the image forming apparatus is in operation, power is always transmitted to the input gear 1 and both the input gear 1 and the armature 10 are rotating. However, in a non-energized state where the electromagnetic coil 13 is not energized, the armature 10 is pushed toward the input gear 1 by the leaf spring 11 and a predetermined gap G is maintained between the attracting surface with the rotor 9. The power from the input gear 1 is not transmitted to the output shaft 2 side, and the clutch is turned off.
When a current is supplied to the electromagnetic coil 13 by a control means (not shown), the rotor 9 made of a magnetic material is magnetized, and the leaf spring 11 is elastically deformed by the magnetic force to pull and attract the armature 10. As a result, the power from the input gear 1 is transmitted to the output shaft 2 via the armature 10, the roller 9, the output cylinder 4, and the like, and the clutch is turned on to rotationally drive the paper feed roller (not shown).

〔The invention's effect〕
According to the present invention, since the vibration suppression member 12 made of plastic or synthetic rubber having a larger vibration loss coefficient than steel is joined to the steel armature 10, the rotor 9 and the armature 10 are connected to the electromagnetic coil. At the time of clutch-on in which power is transmitted by attracting each other by energizing 13, impact sound and vibration generated by the suction are effectively suppressed.
And since the vibration suppression member 12 is joined to the surface opposite to the adsorption surface to the rotor 9, there is no time delay during power transmission due to the vibration suppression member 12, Power transmission can be performed at a desired timing.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the previous embodiment, an example in which the gear 1 is an input gear as an input rotator and the shaft 2 is an output shaft as an output rotator has been shown. Conversely, the shaft 2 is an input rotator. And the gear 1 can be configured as an output gear as an output rotating body.
Moreover, although the example which joined the vibration suppression member 12 to the surface on the opposite side to the adsorption | suction surface to the rotor 9 in the armature 10 was shown, it replaces with joining of the vibration suppression member 12 to the armature 10, or to the armature 10. In addition to the joining of the vibration suppressing member 12, the vibration suppressing member 12 may be joined to the surface of the rotor 9 opposite to the surface to be attracted to the armature 10. In that case, as the vibration suppressing member 12 to be joined to the rotor 9, a material having a vibration loss coefficient larger than that of the material of the rotor 9 is naturally selected.

(2) In the previous embodiment, an example was shown in which an electromagnetic clutch was used for rotationally driving a paper feed roller in an image forming apparatus. However, various types of office equipment other than OA equipment as well as various types of OA equipment are used. Can be used for equipment.

Cross section of electromagnetic clutch The exploded perspective view of the principal part of an electromagnetic clutch Exploded perspective view and assembly perspective view of input gear and armature Assembly front view of input gear and armature

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input gear as input rotary body 2 Output shaft as output rotary body 9 Rotor as output side clutch member 10 Armature as input side clutch member 12 Vibration suppression member 13 Electromagnetic coil

Claims (3)

An input rotator for inputting power and an output rotator for outputting power are loosely fitted relative to each other, and an input side clutch member that rotates together with the input rotator and an output side clutch member that rotates together with the output rotator are provided. An electromagnetic clutch configured to be switchable between a clutch-on in which power is transmitted by being attracted to each other by energization of the electromagnetic coil, and a clutch-off in which power is separated by being separated from each other by de-energization,
A vibration suppression member made of a material having a larger vibration loss coefficient than one of the input side and output side clutch members is opposite to the suction surface to the other clutch member. An electromagnetic clutch joined to the surface.   The input rotator is an input gear externally fitted to an output shaft as the output rotator, and the input-side clutch member is externally fitted to the output shaft so as to be relatively rotatable, and serves as the output-side clutch member. The electromagnetic clutch according to claim 1, wherein the armature faces the rotor, and the vibration suppressing member is joined to the armature.   The electromagnetic clutch according to claim 2, wherein the armature is made of a steel plate, and the vibration suppressing member is made of plastic or synthetic rubber.

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