JP2007225083A - Clutch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clutch device prevented from being abruptly connected/disconnected due to a slight change in a control input for connecting/disconnecting the clutch. <P>SOLUTION: The clutch device comprises a rotation part, a friction disk turning together with the rotation part when the friction disk is brought into pressure contact with the rotation part, a clutch spring, a pressure plate to be energized by the clutch spring for pressing the friction disk against the rotation part and a pressing force control means for controlling the energizing force exerted on the pressure plate by the clutch spring to connect/disconnect power transmission. The clutch spring is brought into contact with the pressure plate at least at two positions, i.e., a first position and a second position differentiated in distance from the rotation axis. In the process of controlling the energizing force for connecting/disconnecting power transmission by the pressing force control means, the ratio of the first energizing force exerted on the first position to the second energizing force exerted on the second position is varied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a friction clutch (clutch device) for intermittently transmitting power from a drive side to a driven side, and more specifically, a vehicle having a power generation source such as a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle (motorcycle, motorbike). The present invention relates to a friction clutch (clutch device) that is suitably used for, for example.

  BACKGROUND ART Clutchs have been widely used as a power source from a power generation source such as an automobile engine, which is interrupted by mechanical contact. The friction clutch transmits power by frictional force between two surfaces, transmits power by bringing the two surfaces into contact, and interrupts transmission of power by separating the two surfaces. This friction clutch is widely used in automobiles (including four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeled vehicles) because power can be smoothly interrupted and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

In Patent Document 1, as an explanation part (paragraph numbers 0021 to 0024) with reference to FIG. 1 in Patent Document 1, “the friction clutch 201 is a flywheel attached to the clutch cover 107 and the output shaft (crankshaft) of the engine. 103, a clutch disk 13, a pressure plate 215, and a diaphragm spring 117 (clutch spring), and the clutch disk 13 includes a center hub 15 and a friction disk 11. The friction disk 11 is composed of three sheets of a first friction disk 11a, a second friction disk 11b, and a third friction disk 11c, but the number of friction disks may be any number and may be limited in any way. (For example, it may be 1, 2, 4 or more). A transmission main shaft (not shown) is inserted into and fixed to a hollow cylindrical portion 15a of the center hub 15. The vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is pressure. The plate 215 (contact portion 216) is in contact, thereby urging the pressure plate 215 in the direction of the flywheel 103. By this urging force, between the pressure plate 215 and the flywheel 103, Since the first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, the third friction disk 11c, and the flywheel contact member 12c are sandwiched, the flywheel 103 and the center hub 15 are sandwiched. The power is transmitted to the On the other hand, the vicinity of the other end 117b of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact with a release bearing (not shown), and the release bearing is also directed to the flywheel 103 by a release arm (not shown). , The other end 117b of the diaphragm spring 117 is also pushed in this direction, whereby the vicinity of the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is separated from the pressure plate 215 (contact portion 216) (as described above, the diaphragm spring 117). 1 can be rotated in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1), and the pressure plate 215 eliminates the urging force that urges the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a) in the direction of the flywheel 103. As a result, the pressure is reduced. Plate 215 and plate The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, the third friction disk 11c, and the flywheel contact member 12c are not sandwiched between the lie wheel 103 and the flywheel 103. Power is not transmitted from the wheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state in which the clutch is disengaged. Is disclosed.
In this way, when viewed from the outside of the friction clutch 201, a type in which the clutch is disengaged by pressing the other end 117 b of the diaphragm spring 117 (pressing inward in the friction clutch 201) is referred to as a “push clutch”.

In addition, when viewed from the outside of the friction clutch, there is also a type in which the clutch is disengaged by pulling the other end of the diaphragm spring (pulling toward the outside of the friction clutch) (hereinafter referred to as “pull clutch”). It has been. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a pull-type clutch. A conventional pull clutch will be described with reference to FIG.
The friction clutch 301 (pull clutch) includes a clutch cover 107, a flywheel 103 attached to an engine output shaft (crankshaft), a clutch disk 13, a pressure plate 215, a diaphragm spring 317 (clutch spring), It is equipped with. The clutch disk 13 has a center hub 15 and a friction disk 11. Here, the friction disk 11 is composed of three sheets of the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c. However, the number of the friction disks may be any number and may be limited. (For example, it may be 1, 2, 4 or more). Further, a main shaft (not shown) of the transmission is inserted into and fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion 15a of the center hub 15.
The vicinity of one end 317 a of the diaphragm spring 317 is fixed to the clutch cover 107, and the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the pressure plate 215 (contact portion 216), thereby urging the pressure plate 215 in the direction of the flywheel 103. is doing. The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 215 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force. As a result, power is transmitted from the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state where the clutch is engaged.
On the other hand, the vicinity of the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is engaged with a release bearing 342, and the release bearing 342 is moved in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 12) by a release arm (not shown). Thus, the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is also moved in this direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 12). As a result, the diaphragm spring 317 is separated from the pressure plate 215 (contact portion 216), and the pressure plate 215 loses the urging force that urges the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a) toward the flywheel 103. Thus, the first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are not sandwiched between the pressure plate 215 and the flywheel 103. Power is not transmitted from the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state in which the clutch is disengaged.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-155734 (for example, paragraph numbers 0020 to 0025, FIG. 1 and the like in the detailed description of the invention) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-181072 (for example, paragraph numbers 0001 to 0005, FIG. 15 and the like in the detailed description of the invention)

In both the push-type clutch and the pull-type clutch, a slight change in the operation amount for clutch engagement / disengagement (that is, a change between the clutch engaged state and the clutch disengaged state) The clutch intermittently occurred suddenly. For example, in the case of operating a clutch on / off with a foot pedal, as in a normal four-wheeled vehicle, the clutch on / off state changes due to a slight change in the pedal depression amount. There were times when the car was jerky.
Such a sudden clutch intermittent change due to a slight change in the amount of pedal depression is caused by the fact that the friction disk is made of a CC composite (if the friction disk is made of a CC composite, the power that can be transmitted is small and light, with a large amount of heat (high temperature It has a high transmission power in a high range and a high rotation range) and is already widely used as a friction clutch used under severe conditions.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch device that does not cause sudden clutch engagement due to such a slight change in the operation amount for clutch engagement.

  The clutch device of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present clutch”) includes a rotating part that rotates, a friction disk that rotates together with the rotating part by being pressed against the rotating part, a clutch spring, and the clutch spring. A pressure plate that presses the friction disk against the rotating portion by being biased, and a pressure contact force adjusting means that intermittently transmits power by adjusting a biasing force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate. There are at least two positions where the clutch spring comes into contact with the pressure plate, the first position and the second position at different distances from the rotating shaft, and the pressure contact force adjusting means transmits power. In the process of increasing or decreasing the biasing force so as to be intermittent, the first biasing force to the first position and the second biasing force to the second position In which the rate is changed, a clutch device.

The clutch includes a rotating rotating portion, a friction disk that rotates together with the rotating portion by being pressed against the rotating portion, a clutch spring, and the friction disk that is biased by the clutch spring. A pressure plate that is in pressure contact with the pressure plate, and a pressure contact force adjusting means that interrupts power transmission by adjusting a biasing force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate. Such a clutch device has been conventionally known as a friction clutch, such as the push clutch disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the pull clutch described above with reference to FIG. Friction clutches are classified as single-plate clutches or multi-plate clutches (often two or three) depending on the number of friction disks, but this clutch is a friction clutch regardless of the number of friction disks. Can be configured.
The “rotating rotating part” means that the rotating part rotates relative to the friction disk in a state where power is not transmitted from the rotating part to the friction disk (that is, in a state where the clutch is disengaged). Say.
Further, the pressure contact force adjusting means for intermittently transmitting power by adjusting the urging force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate presses the friction disk that rotates together with the rotating portion by being pressed against the rotating portion. Is adjusted by adjusting the urging force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate, and the power transmission is intermittent (referred to as "interruption of the clutch. That is, between the state where the clutch is engaged and the state where the clutch is disengaged." For example, the release bearing in the conventional push clutch or pull clutch described above.

In this clutch, the position at which the clutch spring abuts on the pressure plate has a first position (P1) and a second position (P2) at different distances from the rotating shaft (referred to as the shaft on which the rotating portion rotates). ) Exists at least two times. It should be noted that the position where the clutch spring contacts the pressure plate is the first position (P1) at a distance d1 from the rotating shaft where the rotating portion rotates, and the distance from the rotating shaft is d2 (however, d1 and d2 are different from each other). )) At least the second position (P2) is sufficient, and it does not matter whether there is any other position.
Further, in the process of increasing / decreasing the urging force (the urging force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate) so that the power transmission is interrupted (ie, the clutch is intermittent) by the pressure contact force adjusting means, the first position (P1) to the first position (P1) is increased. The ratio (F1 / F2) of the urging force (F1) and the second urging force (F2) to the second position (P2) changes. In this way, by changing the ratio (F1 / F2) in the process of increasing or decreasing the urging force in order to engage / disengage the clutch, a slight amount of operation for engaging / disengaging the clutch (for example, the amount of depression of the clutch pedal) is small. In the change, even if this ratio (F1 / F2) is changed, the urging force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate does not change abruptly (the friction disk that rotates together with the rotating part by being pressed against the rotating part becomes the rotating part). Since the force for press contact does not change abruptly, sudden engagement / disengagement of the clutch can be prevented or reduced. It should be noted that the first position (in this case, the clutch is changed from the engaged state to the disconnected state, or the clutch is changed from the disconnected state to the connected state). In the state where the clutch spring and the pressure plate are in contact in P1) (whether or not the clutch spring and the pressure plate are in contact in the second position (P2) at this time) and in the second position (P2) Both the state in which the clutch spring and the pressure plate are in contact (regardless of whether the clutch spring and the pressure plate are in contact in the first position (P1) at this time) are realized. Cost.
This clutch is particularly useful in a clutch device in which a friction disk is formed of a CC composite because the clutch can be prevented or reduced even when the friction disk is formed of a CC composite. is there.

A transmission state in which power transmission is allowed without the pressing force adjusting means reducing the biasing force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate, and a cutoff state in which the pressing force adjusting means reduces the biasing force and the power transmission is cut off. In the transmission state, at least the first urging force is applied, and at the time of transition from the transmission state to the cutoff state, the first urging force is not applied and only the second urging force is applied. It may go through.
Thus, the clutch has a transmission state (a state where the clutch is engaged) and a disengagement state (a state where the clutch is disengaged). In the transmission state, the first urging force (to the first position (P1)) is applied. First urging force (F1)) is applied at least (in the transmission state, it is sufficient if the first urging force (F1) is applied, and whether or not the second urging force (F2) is applied) In the transition from the transmission state to the cutoff state, the first urging force (first urging force (F1)) is not applied and the second urging force (second position (P2) to the second position (P2)) is not applied. It may be through a state where only the power (F2) is applied. As described above, the first urging force (F1) is applied in the transmission state, and only the second urging force (F2) is applied in the transition from the transmission state to the cutoff state, so that the ratio (F1 / F2) Can be changed over a wide range, and the change in the operation amount for clutch engagement (for example, the depression amount of the clutch pedal) is sufficiently absorbed by the change in this ratio (F1 / F2), and is applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate. Since the urging force is not changed suddenly (the force for pressing the friction disk that rotates together with the rotating part by pressing against the rotating part does not change abruptly), it is possible to effectively prevent sudden clutch engagement. Or it can be reduced.

In this clutch, the pressure plate includes a first convex portion provided along a first circle centered on the first radius from the rotation shaft, and a second circle centered on the second radius from the rotation shaft. A second convex portion provided along the first convex portion, wherein the first position is present on the surface of the first convex portion, and the second position is present on the surface of the second convex portion. Existing one (hereinafter referred to as “pressure plate convex clutch”).
In this way, the first convex portion provided along the first circle centered on the first radius from the rotation axis (referred to as the axis on which the rotation portion rotates), and the second radius centered on the rotation axis. Since the pressure plate has the second convex portion provided along the second circle, the first position (P1) at the distance d1 from the rotation shaft, which is the position where the clutch spring contacts the pressure plate, is the first. If the second position (P2) of the distance d2 from the rotation axis (but different from d1 and d2) is positioned on the surface of the second convex portion, In the first position (P1) and the second position (P2) having different distances from the rotation shaft, the clutch spring can be brought into contact with the pressure plate relatively easily (the clutch spring and the pressure plate are brought into contact with each other). Make In order to prevent this, it may be necessary to project one of these to the other side. In such a case, the predetermined shape portion is relatively made rather than projecting the clutch spring to the pressure plate side. It is often easier to project a pressure plate that is easy to configure to the clutch spring side.

In the case of a pressure plate convex part clutch, at least one of the first convex part and the second convex part is a ridge provided continuously along a circle centered on a predetermined radius from the rotation axis. There may be.
In this way, a predetermined radius (approximately the first radius in the case of the first protrusion, and approximately the second radius in the case of the second protrusion) from the rotation axis (referring to the axis on which the rotation part rotates). (This circle is substantially present in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. In the case of the first convex portion, it is the first circle, and in the case of the second convex portion. If the first convex part and / or the second convex part are provided as convex lines continuously provided along the second circle, the pressure plate rotates to any position around the rotation axis. Even in this case, the clutch spring can be surely brought into contact with the pressure plate in the first position (P1) and / or the second position (P2).

In the case of a pressure plate convex clutch, a plurality of projections in which at least one of the first convex portion and the second convex portion is intermittently provided along a circle centered on a predetermined radius from the rotation axis. (Hereinafter referred to as “multiple protrusion pressure plate clutch”).
In this way, a predetermined radius (approximately the first radius in the case of the first protrusion, and approximately the second radius in the case of the second protrusion) from the rotation axis (referring to the axis on which the rotation part rotates). (This circle is substantially present in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. In the case of the first convex portion, it is the first circle, and in the case of the second convex portion. If the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion are provided as a plurality of protrusions provided intermittently along the second circle), the first protrusion and / or the second protrusion The material for providing the convex portion (usually, an expensive material with high hardness is often used) can be reduced, or the first convex portion and / or the second one with respect to the pressure plate main body. The convex portion can be easily provided as a separate body.

In the case of a multi-projection pressure plate clutch, the plurality of projections may be constituted by one end of a plurality of rod-shaped members embedded along the circle.
By doing so, a plurality of rod-shaped members are present on the pressure plate (main body) in the circle (this circle is substantially in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. In the case of the first convex portion, the first circle is the first circle. And the second protrusion is a second circle.) The plurality of protrusions are constituted by one end of the plurality of embedded rod-shaped members. The first convex part and / or the second convex part can be provided robustly and easily as separate bodies.

  The pressure plate that constitutes the pressure plate convex portion clutch can be suitably used to constitute the clutch.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a clutch device (main clutch) 14 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view of a pressure plate included in the main clutch 14 shown in FIG. 1 (FIG. 2A is a plan view). 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. 2 (a). The clutch 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The clutch 14 is an example of a push-type clutch (a friction clutch used in a four-wheeled vehicle). FIG. 1 shows a state cut along a plane including the center axis of the center hub 15 (which coincides with the rotation axis on which the rotating portion rotates), as in FIG. 12 and FIG. 1 in Patent Document 1. ing. For ease of illustration and understanding, the release arm for operating the release bearing 521 is not shown, and the hatching showing the cross section is the pressure plate 21, the friction disk 11 (first friction disk). 11a, the second friction disk 11b, the third friction disk 11c), the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b are omitted, but the others are omitted. 1 is different from the friction clutch 201 disclosed in No. 1 except that the pressure plate 21 is different.

  The clutch 14 includes a clutch cover 107, a flywheel 103 attached to an engine output shaft (crankshaft), a clutch disk 13, a pressure plate 21, and a diaphragm spring 117 (clutch spring). The clutch disk 13 has a center hub 15 and a friction disk 11. Here, the friction disk 11 is composed of three sheets of the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c. However, the number of the friction disks may be any number and may be limited. (For example, it may be 1, 2, 4 or more). Further, a main shaft (not shown) of the transmission is inserted into and fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion 15a of the center hub 15.

  The clutch cover 107 has a bottomless lid (the bottom surface is all open, and the top surface is covered except for the opening 107h. In the figure, the upper direction is the arrow B direction and the lower direction is the arrow C. The cylindrical container is shown in the direction.), And a circular opening 107h centering on the central axis of the cylinder is provided on the upper surface. A plurality of diaphragm springs 117 (clutch springs) constituting strip-shaped leaf springs are attached along the periphery of the circular opening 107 h (each of the strip-shaped diaphragm springs 117 is centered on the screw member 118 by a screw member 118. Can be rotated within a predetermined range in a plane including the direction (the direction of rotation is indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 1). The vicinity of one end 117 a of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact with the pressure plate 21, thereby urging the pressure plate 21 toward the flywheel 103. The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 21 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force. As a result, power is transmitted from the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state where the clutch is engaged.

  On the other hand, the vicinity of the other end 117b of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact with the release bearing 521, and the release bearing 521 is moved in the direction of the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow C in the figure) by a release arm (not shown). Thus, the other end 117b of the diaphragm spring 117 is also pushed in this direction (arrow C direction), whereby the vicinity of the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is separated from the pressure plate 21 (as described above, the diaphragm spring 117 is indicated by the arrow in FIG. The pressure plate 21 loses the urging force that urges the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11 a) in the direction of the flywheel 103. Thus, the first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are not sandwiched between the pressure plate 21 and the flywheel 103, Power is not transmitted from the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state in which the clutch is disengaged.

The center hub 15 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 15a in which a transmission main shaft (not shown) is inserted and fixed, and a shaft 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a (rotating with the shaft of the center hub 15). And a disk portion 15b formed so as to extend from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15a along a surface substantially perpendicular to the axis. The cylindrical portion 15a and the disc portion 15b are integrally formed of carbon steel.
Although not shown here, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 15a is formed at a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the main shaft (not shown) of the transmission that is inserted into the cylindrical portion 15a. A concave groove is formed to be fitted to the ridge of the spline shaft. The disk portion 15b has a disk shape with a predetermined radius from the shaft 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a, and the outer peripheral surface of the disk is a spline shaft. The spline shaft is formed by a ridge formed along the axis direction of the center hub 15 (which coincides with the axis 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a). The ridges constituting the spline shaft formed on the outer peripheral surface of the disk portion 15b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a, second friction disk 11b, third friction disk 11c). It is formed so as to fit into the recessed groove.
Thus, the friction disk 11 (the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c) is aligned with the axis of the center hub 15 (the axis 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a) with respect to the center hub 15. ) Is attached so that it cannot be rotated (rotated). Such a method for fixing the friction disk 11 to the center hub 15 is conventionally known.
Here, all of the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c are integrally formed of CC composite.

The pressure plate 21, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b are all fixed so as to rotate together with the rotation of the flywheel 103 (the pressure plate 21, the first mid plate 12a, All of the second mid plates 12b are attached to the flywheel 103 so as to be unrotatable (rotatable) around the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r). The mounting method and the like of the pressure plate 21, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b are the same as those in a known clutch device (multi-plate clutch device) (specifically, the pressure plate 21, the second mid plate 12b). On the outer peripheral surfaces of the first mid plate 12 a and the second mid plate 12 b, spline shaft ridges are formed along the axis direction of the center hub 15 (which coincides with the axis 15 r of the cylindrical portion 15 a). In the inner circumferential surface of the clutch cover 107 fixed to the concave groove, a concave groove that fits into the convex ridge is formed.
Here, both the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b are integrally formed of a CC composite. Further, the pressure plate 21 is integrally formed of a CC composite, and the structure thereof will be described in detail later. Needless to say, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, and the pressure plate 21 may be formed of a metal material that has been conventionally used to form them.

The pressure plate 21 includes a disk donut-shaped pressure plate main body 21a in contact with the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a), and an upper surface 22b (substantially parallel to the lower surface 22a) of the pressure plate main body 21a. Each of 22a includes a first annular ridge 21b formed so as to protrude upward from a rotation axis (generally belonging to a plane perpendicular to the axis 15r), and a pressure plate body 21a. The second annular ridge 21c is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface 22b of the steel plate, and is integrally formed of a CC composite. Needless to say, it may be formed of a metal material that has been used to form the. The first annular ridge 21b is continuously provided along the first circle centered on the first radius r1 from the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r), and the second annular ridge 21c is It is continuously provided from the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r) along the second circle centered on the second radius r2 (both the first circle and the second circle are the rotation axis (axis It substantially belongs to a plane perpendicular to 15r.). Further, as described above, the rotation axis coincides with the axis of the center hub 15 (the axis 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a) and substantially passes through the center of the donut shape formed by the pressure plate body 21a.
The first annular ridge 21b and the second annular ridge 21c are formed at positions where the pressure plate 21 is in good contact with the vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 when the pressure plate 21 is incorporated in the clutch 14 (FIG. 1). Yes. Further, the height of the first annular ridge 21b (the height from the lower surface 22a (parallel to the direction of the axis 15r), indicated by the height z1 in FIG. 2B), and the second annular ridge 21b. The height of 21c (the height from the lower surface 22a (parallel to the direction of the axis 15r). In FIG. 2B, this is indicated by the height z2). Here, z2 is greater than or equal to z1 (ie, z2> z1 or z2 = z1).

As described above, here, the pressure plate 21, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c are all formed of CC composite. However, these can be produced by appropriately using a method for producing a molded product using a CC composite, and are not particularly limited, but an example is as follows. That is, a carbon fiber woven fabric impregnated with a thermosetting resin such as a phenol resin is cut into 300 mm × 300 mm, and about 25 of them are laminated and introduced into a mold. In the mold, hot press molding is performed under conditions of a temperature of 150 to 200 ° C. and a pressure of 10 kg / cm ² , and then cured at 200 to 250 ° C. Next, it is fired at 1000 ° C. in a nitrogen gas stream using a carbonization furnace. The temperature rising rate at this time shall be 20 degrees C / hour. Since this fired product has a low density of 1.2 g / cm ³ , a material having a predetermined density is prepared by repeating pitch impregnation and firing. Thereafter, by performing graphitization at 2000 ° C. and then machining, the pressure plate 21, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c. Can be manufactured.
Further, as a method different from the above method, a preformed yarn described in Japanese Patent No. 1822657 (carbon fiber: 34% by volume, mixture of binder pitch and coke: 58% by volume, sleeve: 8% by volume) ) Is cut into 15-20 mm and introduced into the mold. In the mold, after molding at a temperature of 400 to 600 ° C. and a pressure of 100 kg / cm ² , carbonization at 800 ° C. and then graphitization at 2000 ° C. The obtained CC composite is machined to manufacture the pressure plate 21, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c. You can also.

The operation of the clutch 14 described above will be described.
In the state shown in FIG. 1, the vicinity of one end 117 a of the diaphragm spring 117 is mainly in contact with the second annular protrusion 21 c of the pressure plate 21, thereby urging the pressure plate 21 toward the flywheel 103. (The vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact with the first annular protrusion 21b with a slight force, but is much smaller than the contact force with the second annular protrusion 21c. For this reason, the diaphragm spring The majority of the biasing force that biases the pressure plate 21 near the one end 117a of 117 is caused by contact with the second annular ridge 21c.) The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 21 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force. As a result, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15 r) is transmitted to the center hub 15. That is, the state of FIG. 1 is a state where the clutch is engaged (hereinafter referred to as “complete transmission state”).

  1, the release bearing 521 is moved in the direction of the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow C in the figure) by a release arm (not shown) to move the other end 117b of the diaphragm spring 117 in this direction ( Press in the direction of arrow C in the figure. As a result, the diaphragm spring 117 rotates in a plane including the central axis of the screw member 118 (the rotation direction is indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 1), and the vicinity of the end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is the pressure plate 21. However, the pressure plate 21 is moved in the direction of the flywheel 103 to some extent in this case because the state in which the vicinity of the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact with the first annular protrusion 21b is maintained. The urging force is smaller (less than the urging force in the complete transmission state). The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 21 and the flywheel 103 by this urging force. As a result, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15 r) is transmitted to the center hub 15. However, since the urging force at this time when the pressure plate 21 is urged toward the flywheel 103 is smaller than the urging force in the complete transmission state, the ability to transmit the rotational force of the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15 is also achieved. It is smaller than that in the complete transmission state (that is, it is likely to be in a half-clutch state). This state is called “transition state”.

  Further, the release bearing 521 is moved in the direction of the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow C in the figure) by a release arm (not shown) from the transition state, so that the other end 117b of the diaphragm spring 117 is moved in the direction (arrow C in the figure). Direction). Thereby, the diaphragm spring 117 is further rotated in the plane including the central axis of the screw member 118 (the rotation direction is indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 1), and the vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is the pressure plate. 21 (also, of course, away from the second annular projection 21c, the vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is completely separated from the pressure plate 21. For this reason, the pressure plate 21 is fried. The urging force urging in the direction of the wheel 103 is lost, and the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotation axis coinciding with the shaft 15r) is not transmitted to the center hub 15. This state means that the clutch is completely disengaged. It is in the “blocking state”.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view (showing the same cross section as FIG. 1) showing this blocking state, and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. .) Compared with FIG. 1, as described above, the release bearing 521 moves in the direction of the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow C in the figure), so that the other end 117 b of the diaphragm spring 117 also moves in this direction (of the flywheel 103. Direction (arrow C direction in the figure). As a result, the diaphragm spring 117 rotates in the plane including the central axis of the screw member 118 (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1; the center of rotation is the screw member 118), and the vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is It is away from the pressure plate 21 (away from both the first annular ridge 21b and the second annular ridge 21c of the pressure plate 21). For this reason, there is no urging force to urge the pressure plate 21 in the direction of the flywheel 103, and the first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, and the second friction disk 11b are interposed between the pressure plate 21 and the flywheel 103. Since the second mid plate 12b and the third friction disk 11c are not brought into pressure contact with each other, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotation axis coinciding with the shaft 15r) is not transmitted to the center hub 15 (blocking). Status).
Note that a force for moving the release bearing 521 in the direction of the flywheel 103 (ie, in the direction of arrow C in the figure) from the shut-off state shown in FIG. 3 (applied to the release bearing 521 by a release arm (not shown)). , The release bearing 521 returns to the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) due to the urging force of the diaphragm spring 117, and the transition state (the vicinity of one end 117 a of the diaphragm spring 117 is the first annular shape). The state returns to the complete transmission state of FIG. 1 through a state in which the ridge 21b abuts and the second annular ridge 21c does not abut. By operating the clutch pedal or the like of the four-wheeled vehicle to which the clutch 14 is mounted in this way, the release bearing 521 is moved via the release arm (not shown) (the direction of the flywheel 103 (arrow C direction) or the flywheel 103). ) In the opposite direction (in the direction of arrow B)), the clutch 14 can be freely engaged (completely transmitted) and disconnected (disengaged). In the present clutch 14, since there is a transition state between a connected state (complete transmission state) and a disconnected state (disengaged state), sudden engagement / disengagement of the clutch can be prevented or reduced.

As described above, the clutch 14 includes the rotating part (here, the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b) and the rotating part (flywheel). 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b), and the friction disk 11 (here, the first disc) which rotates together with the rotating portion (the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b). A first friction disk 11a, a second friction disk 11b, and a third friction disk 11c), a diaphragm spring 117 as a clutch spring, and the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 117). The friction disk 11 (the first friction disk 11a and the second friction disk The pressure plate 21 that presses the disc 11b and the third friction disk 11c against the rotating portion (the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b), and the pressure plate from the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 117). Pressure contact force adjusting means for intermittently transmitting power by adjusting the urging force applied to 21 (here, configured to include a release bearing 521 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the release bearing 521). A position where the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 117) abuts on the pressure plate 21 is a first position where the distance from the rotation axis (here, the rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r) is different. (P1. Here, the second annular protrusion 21c. Surface, where the distance d1 from the rotation axis is the second radius r2 here and the second position (P2, here is the surface of the first annular ridge 21b. Here, the distance d2 from the rotation axis is here Then, there are at least two first radii r1), and the urging force (clutch spring (diaphragm spring) is interrupted so that power transmission is interrupted by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 521 and a release arm (not shown) for moving it). 117) in the process of increasing or decreasing the urging force applied to the pressure plate 21), the first urging force (F1) and the second position (P2) (P2) (surface of the second annular ridge 21c) This is a clutch device in which the ratio (F1 / F2) to the second urging force (F2) on the surface of the first annular ridge 21b is changed.
The ratio (F1 / F2) change will be described below. In the complete transmission state, as described above, the urging force F2 in which the vicinity of the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact with the first annular ridge 21b is much smaller than the urging force F1 in contact with the second annular ridge 21c. (Ie, in the complete transmission state, F1 >> F2). In the transition state, as described above, the vicinity of the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is separated from the second annular ridge 21c and is in contact with the first annular ridge 21b, so that the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is in contact. While the urging force F2 that contacts the first annular ridge 21b increases in the vicinity, the urging force F1 that contacts the second annular ridge 21c becomes 0 (that is, F2 >> F1 = 0 in the transition state). Furthermore, in the shut-off state, as described above, the vicinity of the end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 is separated from the pressure plate 21 (separated from both the first annular ridge 21b and the second annular ridge 21c of the pressure plate 21). ), Both the urging force F2 near the one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 abuts against the first annular ridge 21b and the urging force F1 abutted against the second annular ridge 21c become 0 (that is, in the shut-off state, F2 = F1 = 0). Therefore, when the state is changed between the disconnected state and the complete transmission state (that is, the clutch is engaged / disengaged) via the transition state, the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1). And the ratio (F1 / F2) of the second biasing force (F2) to the second position (P2) changes. When the state is changed between the disconnected state and the complete transmission state (that is, the clutch is engaged / disengaged) via the transition state, the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1). ) And the second biasing force (F2) to the second position (P2) (F1 / F2) in order to change in this way, a cross section by a plane including a rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r (For example, FIG. 1 and FIG. 3) In the vicinity of one end 117a of the diaphragm spring 117 (a straight line including a rotation axis that coincides with the shaft 15r, and the first annular ridge 21 and the second annular ridge in the vicinity of the one end 117a. And the angle formed by the portion in contact with 21c, and the position of the first annular ridge 21b (the position of the foot of a perpendicular line that includes a rotation axis that coincides with the shaft 15r. The height of this protrusion). The position of the second annular ridge 21c (which coincides with the axis 15r) Straight line down position of the perpendicular foot including a rotating shaft. The convex height. And), can be achieved by adjusting the.

Further, in this clutch 14, the urging force applied from the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 117) to the pressure plate 21 is reduced by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 521 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the urging force). And a transmission state that allows power transmission (here, a complete transmission state) and a cut-off state in which the urging force is reduced by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 521 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the biasing force) to cut off power transmission. (Same as the above-described cutoff state of F2 = F1 = 0), and in the transmission state (complete transmission state), at least the first urging force (F1) is applied, and the transmission state (completely The first urging force (F1) is applied at the time of transition from the transmission state) to the cut-off state (cut-off state). Only the second biasing force (F2) is that through the state (F2 transition state as a >> F1 = 0) applied.
Further, the pressure plate 21 is a first convex portion that is provided along a first circle centered on a first radius (here, r2) from the rotation axis (here, a rotation axis that coincides with the axis 15r). 2 annular protrusions 21c, and a first annular protrusion 21b that is a second protrusion provided along a second circle centered on a second radius (here r1) from the rotation axis. The first position (P1) exists on the surface of the first convex portion (second annular ridge 21c), and the second position on the surface of the second convex portion (first annular ridge 21b). Position (P2) exists.
In addition, at least one of the first protrusion (second annular protrusion 21c) and the second protrusion (first annular protrusion 21b) (both in this case) is predetermined from the rotation axis. It is a ridge provided continuously along a circle centered on a radius (r2 and r1 respectively).

  FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing another example of the clutch device (the present clutch) of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a view of a pressure plate of the present clutch 41 shown in FIG. 5 (FIG. 6A is a plan view). FIG. 6B is a KK cross-sectional view of FIG. The clutch 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The clutch 41 is an example of a pull-type clutch (a friction clutch used in a four-wheeled vehicle) similar to that shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state cut along a single plane including the center axis of the center hub 15 (which coincides with the rotation axis on which the rotating portion rotates), like FIG. 12 described above and FIG. 1 in Patent Document 1. ing. For ease of illustration and understanding, the release arm and the like for operating the release bearing 342 are not shown, and the hatching showing the cross section is the pressure plate 51, the friction disk 11 (first friction disk). 11a, the second friction disk 11b, the third friction disk 11c), the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b, but the others are omitted. The basic structure of the clutch 41 is the same as that of the friction clutch 301 shown in FIG. 12 except that the pressure plate 51 is different. For this reason, in this clutch 41, since the same reference number is attached | subjected to the element similar to the friction clutch 301 shown in FIG. 12, please refer to description of the friction clutch 301 shown in FIG. 12 as needed.

The clutch 41 (pull clutch) includes a clutch cover 107, a flywheel 103 attached to an engine output shaft (crankshaft), a clutch disk 13, a pressure plate 51, a diaphragm spring 317 (clutch spring), It is equipped with. The clutch disk 13 has a center hub 15 and a friction disk 11, and here the friction disk 11 is constituted by three sheets of a first friction disk 11 a, a second friction disk 11 b, and a third friction disk 11 c. However, the number of friction disks may be any number and is not limited (for example, it may be 1, 2, 4 or more). Further, a main shaft (not shown) of the transmission is inserted into and fixed to the hollow cylindrical portion 15a of the center hub 15.
The vicinity of one end 317 a of the diaphragm spring 317 is fixed to the clutch cover 107, and the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the pressure plate 51, thereby urging the pressure plate 51 toward the flywheel 103. The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 51 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force. As a result, power is transmitted from the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state where the clutch is engaged.
On the other hand, the vicinity of the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is engaged with a release bearing 342, and the release bearing 342 is moved in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5) by a release arm (not shown). Thus, the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is also moved in this direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5). Thereby, the diaphragm spring 317 is separated from the pressure plate 51, and the urging force that urges the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a) toward the flywheel 103 is lost. Accordingly, the first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are not sandwiched between the pressure plate 51 and the flywheel 103. Power is not transmitted from the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a state in which the clutch is disengaged.

  The clutch cover 107 has a bottomless lid (the bottom surface is all open, and the top surface is covered except for the opening 107h. In the figure, the upper direction is the arrow B direction and the lower direction is the arrow C. The cylindrical container is shown in the direction.), And a circular opening 107h centering on the central axis of the cylinder is provided on the upper surface. A plurality of diaphragm springs 317 (clutch springs) constituting strip-shaped leaf springs are attached along the periphery of the circular opening 107h (the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is fixed to the clutch cover 107). The vicinity of one end 317 a of the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the pressure plate 51, thereby urging the pressure plate 51 toward the flywheel 103.

Since the center hub 15 and the friction disk 11 (the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c) are the same as those of the clutch 14, the description thereof is omitted here.
The pressure plate 51, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b are all fixed so as to rotate together with the rotation of the flywheel 103 (the pressure plate 51, the first mid plate 12a, All of the second mid plates 12b are attached to the flywheel 103 so as to be unrotatable (rotatable) around the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r). The mounting method of the pressure plate 51, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b is the same as that in the known clutch device (multi-plate clutch device) or the main clutch 14, so here. Description is omitted. Here, both the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b are integrally formed of a CC composite. Further, the pressure plate 51 is integrally formed of a CC composite, and the structure thereof will be described in detail later. Needless to say, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, and the pressure plate 51 may be formed of a metal material that has been conventionally used to form them.

The pressure plate 51 includes a disk donut-shaped pressure plate main body 51a in contact with the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a), and an upper surface 52b (substantially parallel to the lower surface 52a) of the pressure plate main body 51a. Each of 52a includes a first annular ridge 51b formed so as to protrude upward from a rotation axis (generally belonging to a plane perpendicular to the axis 15r), and a pressure plate body 51a. The second annular ridge 51c is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface 52b of the metal plate, and is integrally formed of a CC composite. Needless to say, it may be formed of a metal material that has been used to form the. The first annular ridge 51b is continuously provided along the first circle centered on the first radius r1 from the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r), and the second annular ridge 51c is It is continuously provided from the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r) along the second circle centered on the second radius r2 (both the first circle and the second circle are the rotation axis (axis It substantially belongs to a plane perpendicular to 15r.). Further, as described above, the rotation axis coincides with the axis of the center hub 15 (the axis 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a) and substantially passes through the center of the donut shape formed by the pressure plate body 51a.
The first annular ridge 51b and the second annular ridge 51c are formed at positions where the pressure plate 51 is in good contact with the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 when the pressure plate 51 is incorporated in the clutch 41 (FIG. 5). Yes. Further, the height of the first annular ridge 51b (the height from the lower surface 52a (parallel to the direction of the axis 15r), indicated by the height z1 in FIG. 6B), and the second annular ridge 51b. The height 51c (the height from the lower surface 52a (parallel to the direction of the axis 15r). In FIG. 6B, it is indicated by the height z2). Here, z1 is greater than or equal to z2 (that is, z1> z2 or z1 = z2).

  As described above, here, the pressure plate 51, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c are all formed of CC composite. However, since these can be manufactured by appropriately using a method of manufacturing a molded product using a CC composite as in the case of the clutch 14, the description thereof is omitted here.

The operation of the clutch 41 described above will be described.
In the state shown in FIG. 5, the vicinity of one end 317 a of the diaphragm spring 317 is mainly in contact with the first annular protrusion 51 b of the pressure plate 51, thereby urging the pressure plate 51 in the direction of the flywheel 103. (The vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the second annular ridge 51c with a slight force, but is much smaller than the contact force on the first annular ridge 51b. For this reason, the diaphragm spring The majority of the biasing force that biases the pressure plate 51 in the vicinity of the one end 317a of 317 is generated by contact with the first annular ridge 51b. The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 51 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force. As a result, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15 r) is transmitted to the center hub 15. That is, the state of FIG. 5 is a state where the clutch is engaged (hereinafter referred to as “complete transmission state”).

  From the state where the clutch of FIG. 5 is engaged, the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is moved by moving the release bearing 342 in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) by a release arm (not shown). Pull in the direction (arrow B direction in the figure). As a result, the diaphragm spring 317 is curved so that the other end 317b moves in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) (centering on one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317), and the diaphragm spring. The vicinity of one end 317a of 317 is separated from the first annular ridge 51b of the pressure plate 51, but the state in which the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the second annular ridge 51c is maintained. 51 is urged toward the flywheel 103 by a certain amount of urging force (smaller than the urging force in the complete transmission state). The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 51 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force to some extent. As a result, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15 r) is transmitted to the center hub 15. However, since the urging force at this time that the pressure plate 51 is urged toward the flywheel 103 is smaller than the urging force in the complete transmission state, the ability to transmit the rotational force of the flywheel 103 to the center hub 15 is also achieved. It is smaller than that in the complete transmission state (that is, it is likely to be in a half-clutch state). This state is called “transition state”.

  Further, by moving the release bearing 342 in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) by a release arm (not shown) from the transition state, the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is moved in this direction (in the figure, Pull in the direction of arrow B). Thereby, the diaphragm spring 317 is further curved (centering on one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317) so that the other end 317b moves in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure). The vicinity of one end 317a of the spring 317 is also separated from the second annular ridge 51c of the pressure plate 51 (of course, since it is also separated from the first annular ridge 51b, the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is completely separated from the pressure plate 51. For this reason, the urging force that urges the pressure plate 51 in the direction of the flywheel 103 is eliminated, and the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotation axis that coincides with the shaft 15r) is not transmitted to the center hub 15. In this state, the clutch is completely The is a "cut-off state".

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (showing the same cross section as FIG. 5) showing this shut-off state, and FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7 (the enlarged position is schematically shown by arrow F in FIG. 7). .) Compared with FIG. 5, as described above, the release bearing 342 moves in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure), so that the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is also in that direction (in the figure). , Arrow B direction). As a result, the diaphragm spring 317 is curved so that the other end 317b moves in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) (centering on one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317), and the diaphragm spring. The vicinity of one end 317a of 317 is away from the pressure plate 51 (away from both the first annular ridge 51b and the second annular ridge 51c of the pressure plate 51). For this reason, the urging force that urges the pressure plate 51 in the direction of the flywheel 103 (the direction of arrow C in the figure) is eliminated, and the first friction disk 11a and the first mid plate are interposed between the pressure plate 51 and the flywheel 103. 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are not brought into pressure contact with each other, so that the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r) is caused by the center hub 15 Is not transmitted to the terminal (blocking state).
Note that a force (from the release arm not shown) is applied to the release bearing 342 from the shut-off state shown in FIG. 7 to move the release bearing 342 in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure). .) Is weakened, the release bearing 342 returns to the direction of the flywheel 103 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure) by the urging force of the diaphragm spring 317, and the transition state (the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is the second annular ridge). The state returns to the complete transmission state of FIG. 5 through a state in which it is in contact with 51c and is not in contact with the first annular protrusion 51b. By operating the clutch pedal or the like of the four-wheeled vehicle equipped with the clutch 41 in this way, the release bearing 342 is moved via the release arm (not shown) (the direction of the flywheel 103 (arrow C direction) or the flywheel 103). ) In the opposite direction (in the direction of arrow B)), the clutch 41 can be freely connected (completely transmitted) and disconnected (disconnected). In the present clutch 41, since there is a transition state between a connected state (complete transmission state) and a disconnected state (disengaged state), sudden engagement / disengagement of the clutch can be prevented or reduced.

As described above, the clutch 41 includes a rotating part (here, the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b), and the rotating part (flywheel). 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b), and the friction disk 11 (here, the first disc) which rotates together with the rotating portion (the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b). A first friction disk 11a, a second friction disk 11b, and a third friction disk 11c.), A diaphragm spring 317 as a clutch spring, and the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317). The friction disk 11 (the first friction disk 11a and the second friction disk The pressure plate 51 that presses the disc 11b and the third friction disk 11c against the rotating portion (the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b), and the pressure plate from the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317). Pressure contact force adjusting means for intermittently transmitting power by adjusting the urging force applied to 51 (here, configured to include a release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the release bearing 342); A position where the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317) abuts on the pressure plate 51 is a first position where the distance from the rotation axis (here, the rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r) is different. (P1. Here, the first annular protrusion 51b. Surface, where the distance d1 from the rotation axis is here the first radius r1) and the second position (P2, here is the surface of the second annular ridge 51c. Here, the distance d2 from the rotation axis is here Then, there are at least two second radii r2), and the urging force (clutch spring (diaphragm spring)) interrupts power transmission by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) for moving the same). 317) in the process of increasing or decreasing the urging force applied to the pressure plate 51), the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1) (the surface of the first annular ridge 51b) and the second position (P2) ( It is a clutch device in which the ratio (F1 / F2) to the second urging force (F2) to the surface of the second annular ridge 51c is changed.
The ratio (F1 / F2) change will be described below. In the complete transmission state, as described above, the urging force F2 in which the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 contacts the second annular ridge 51c is much smaller than the urging force F1 that contacts the first annular ridge 51b. (Ie, in the complete transmission state, F1 >> F2). In the transition state, as described above, the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is separated from the first annular ridge 51b of the pressure plate 51 and is in contact with the second annular ridge 51c. The urging force F2 that contacts the second annular ridge 51c increases near the one end 317a of 317, while the urging force F1 that contacts the first annular ridge 51b becomes 0 (that is, F2 >> F1 in the transition state). = 0). Further, in the shut-off state, as described above, the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is separated from the pressure plate 51 (separated from both the first annular protrusion 51b and the second annular protrusion 51c of the pressure plate 51). ), The urging force F1 near the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 and the urging force F2 abutting against the second annular ridge 51c are both 0 (that is, F2 = F1 = 0). Therefore, when the state is changed between the disconnected state and the complete transmission state (that is, the clutch is engaged / disengaged) via the transition state, the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1). And the ratio (F1 / F2) of the second biasing force (F2) to the second position (P2) changes. When the state is changed between both the disconnected state and the complete transmission state (that is, the clutch is engaged / disengaged) via the transition state, the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1). In order to change the ratio (F1 / F2) of the second urging force (F2) to the second position (P2) in this way (F1 / F2), a cross-section by a plane including the rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r ( For example, in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the gradient (a straight line including the rotation axis coinciding with the shaft 15r) in the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 and the first annular ridge 51b and the second annular ridge 51c in the vicinity of the one end 317a. And the angle formed by the portion that is in contact with the first and second protrusions 51b, the position of the leg of the perpendicular line that includes a rotation axis that coincides with the axis 15r, and the height of the protrusion. The position of the second annular ridge 51c (which coincides with the axis 15r) Straight line down position of the perpendicular foot including a rotating shaft. The convex height. And), can be achieved by adjusting the.

Further, in the present clutch 41, the urging force applied from the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317) to the pressure plate 51 is reduced by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the urging force). And a transmission state that allows power transmission (here, a complete transmission state), and a cut-off state in which the pressing force adjusting means (release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the biasing force) is reduced to cut the power transmission. (Same as the above-described cutoff state of F2 = F1 = 0), and in the transmission state (complete transmission state), at least the first urging force (F1) is applied, and the transmission state (completely The first urging force (F1) is applied at the time of transition from the transmission state) to the cut-off state (cut-off state). Only the second biasing force (F2) is that through the state (F2 transition state as a >> F1 = 0) applied.
Further, the pressure plate 51 is a first convex portion that is provided along a first circle centered on a first radius (here, r1) from the rotation axis (here, a rotation axis that coincides with the axis 15r). A first annular ridge 51b, and a second annular ridge 51c, which is a second protrusion provided along a second circle centered on a second radius (here, r2) from the rotation axis. The first position (P1) exists on the surface of the first protrusion (first annular protrusion 51b), and the second position on the surface of the second protrusion (second annular protrusion 51c). Position (P2) exists.
In addition, at least one of the first convex portion (first annular ridge 51b) and the second convex portion (second annular ridge 51c) (both in this case) is predetermined from the rotating shaft. It is a ridge provided continuously along a circle centered on a radius (respectively r1 and r2).

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the clutch device (the present clutch) 61 of the present invention (showing a “disengaged state” in which the clutch is completely disengaged), and FIG. 10 is a view of the book shown in FIG. It is a top view of the pressure plate 71 which the clutch 61 has. The clutch 61 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The clutch 61 is an example of a pull-type clutch (a friction clutch used in a four-wheeled vehicle). FIG. 9 shows a state cut along a single plane including the center axis of the center hub 15 (which coincides with the rotation axis on which the rotating portion rotates), like FIG. 12 described above and FIG. 1 in Patent Document 1. ing. For ease of illustration and understanding, the release arm and the like for operating the release bearing 342 are not shown, and the hatching showing the cross section is the pressure plate 71, the friction disk 11 (first friction disk). 11a, the second friction disk 11b, the third friction disk 11c), the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b, but the others are omitted. Further, the basic structure of the clutch 61 is the same as that of the clutch 41 described above, and only the pressure plate 71 is different. For this reason, in the present clutch 61, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements as those in the present clutch 41. The description of the clutch 41 is omitted here, and the pressure plate 71, which is the difference between the clutch 41 and the clutch 61, will be mainly described. Therefore, refer to the description of the clutch 41 as necessary.

The pressure plate 71 includes a disk donut-shaped pressure plate main body 71a in contact with the friction disk 11 (first friction disk 11a) and an upper surface 72b (substantially parallel to the lower surface 72a) of the pressure plate main body 71a. 72a is an annular ridge 71b formed so as to protrude upward from a rotation axis (generally belonging to a plane perpendicular to the axis 15r), and an upper surface of the pressure plate body 71a. And a plurality of pins 71c (made of metal, rod-shaped members) embedded in the pressure plate main body 71a so that one end side protrudes upward from 72b. The pressure plate main body 71a and the annular ridge 71b are integrally formed of a CC composite (Note that the pressure plate main body 71a and the annular ridge 71b are metals that have been used to form a pressure plate conventionally. Needless to say, it may be formed of a material.) A plurality of pins 71c made of metal have the same shape and size, and each pin 71c is located between one end and the other end of the parallel pin on the side (the axis passing through the one end and the other end). On the other hand, a flange portion is formed so as to protrude toward the vertical direction) and one end thereof is rounded. In each of the plurality of pins 71c, the rounded one end protrudes upward from the upper surface 72b of the pressure plate main body 71a (the axis passing through the one end and the other end is substantially parallel to the shaft 15r. The other end side is embedded in the pressure plate main body 71a so that the flange portion comes into contact with the upper surface 72b of the pressure plate main body 71a. Also, all of the rounded ends of the plurality of pins 71c (here, any of the twelve rounded ends) are in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (the axis 15r). (The height from the lower surface 72a (parallel to the direction of the axis 15r) is substantially the same for each of the rounded ends.) The annular ridge 71b is continuously provided along the first circle centered on the first radius r1 from the rotation axis (coincidence with the axis 15r), and the plurality of pins 71c are connected to the rotation axis (axis 15r). Are provided at equal intervals along a circle centered on the second radius r2 (shown by a virtual line M in FIG. 10, hereinafter referred to as “virtual circle”). (A circle and an imaginary circle both belong to a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (which coincides with the axis 15r).) Further, as described above, the rotation axis coincides with the axis of the center hub 15 (the axis 15r of the cylindrical portion 15a) and substantially passes through the center of the donut shape formed by the pressure plate body 71a.
The annular ridge 71b and the plurality of pins 71c (the one ends of the plurality of pins 71c) are in good contact with the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 when the pressure plate 71 is incorporated in the clutch 61 (FIG. 9). Formed in position. The height of the annular ridge 71b (height from the lower surface 72a (parallel to the axis 15r direction)) is the same as the height of the first annular ridge 51b (from the lower surface 52a (parallel to the axis 15r direction). 6) The height (shown as height z1 in FIG. 6B) is the same as the height of the plurality of pins 71c (the one end of the plurality of pins 71c) from the lower surface 72a (in the direction of the shaft 15r). The height (parallel to the height) is the height of the second annular protrusion 51c (the height parallel to the direction of the axis 15r) from the lower surface 52a, which is indicated by the height z2 in FIG. )).

Here, the pressure plate main body 71a and the annular ridge 71b, the first mid plate 12a, the second mid plate 12b, the first friction disk 11a, the second friction disk 11b, and the third friction disk 11c of the pressure plate 71 are all CC. Although these are formed by composites, these can be manufactured by appropriately using a method of manufacturing a molded product using CC composites as in the case of the present clutch 14, and the description thereof is omitted here.
Then, the pressure plate 71 may be formed by embedding a plurality of prepared pins 71c (made of metal, rod-shaped members) in the pressure plate main body 71a and the annular ridge 71b integrally formed of CC composite.

The operation of the clutch 61 described above will be described.
Since the plurality of pins 71 c included in the pressure plate 71 can function in the same manner as the second annular protrusion 51 c of the pressure plate 51, the main clutch 61 can operate in the same manner as the main clutch 41. The state shown in FIG. 9 shows a “disengaged state” in which the clutch is completely disengaged (it is difficult to recognize in FIG. 9, but the one end of the plurality of pins 71 c is slightly from the vicinity of the one end 317 a of the diaphragm spring 317. is seperated.). Specifically, the release bearing 342 is moved in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) by a release arm (not shown), so that the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 is moved in this direction (in the figure, Pulled in the direction of arrow B). As a result, the diaphragm spring 317 is curved so that the other end 317b moves in a direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) (centering on one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317), and the diaphragm spring. The vicinity of one end 317a of 317 is separated from the one end of the pin 71c of the pressure plate 71 and the annular ridge 71b. For this reason, the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is completely separated from the pressure plate 71, and the urging force for urging the pressure plate 71 in the direction of the flywheel 103 is eliminated, so that the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15r). Is not transmitted to the center hub 15 ("disengaged state" in which the clutch is completely disengaged).

  9 is a force that moves the release bearing 342 in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (ie, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) from the disengaged state in which the clutch is completely disengaged. If it is weakened, the release bearing 342 returns to the direction of the flywheel 103 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure) by the urging force of the diaphragm spring 317. As a result, the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 moves in the direction of the flywheel 103 (the direction of arrow C in the figure), and the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 comes into contact with the one end of the pin 71c (at this time) The vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 does not contact the annular ridge 71b. As a result, the pressure plate 71 can be urged in the direction of the flywheel 103 by a certain amount of urging force (smaller than the urging force in the complete transmission state described later). The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 71 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force to some extent. As a result, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15 r) is transmitted to the center hub 15. However, since the urging force at this time when the pressure plate 71 is urged toward the flywheel 103 is smaller than the urging force in the complete transmission state described later, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 is transmitted to the center hub 15. The capacity is also smaller than that in the complete transmission state described later (that is, it is likely to be in a half clutch state). This state is called “transition state”.

  Further, from the transition state, the force (which is applied to the release bearing 342 by a release arm (not shown)) that moves the release bearing 342 in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, the arrow B direction in the drawing) is weakened. Then, the release bearing 342 is moved in the direction of the flywheel 103 (the direction of arrow C in the figure) to move the other end 317b of the diaphragm spring 317 in the direction (the direction of arrow C in the figure). As a result, the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 comes into contact with both the one end of the pin 71c and the annular ridge 71b. When the force (which is applied to the release bearing 342 by a release arm (not shown)) that moves the release bearing 342 in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) is completely removed. The vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 mainly comes into contact with the annular ridge 71b of the pressure plate 71, thereby urging the pressure plate 71 with sufficient force in the direction of the flywheel 103 (at this time) The vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the one end of the pin 71c with a slight force, but is much smaller than the contact force with the annular protrusion 71b. Urges the pressure plate 71 Forces are largely caused by the contact of the annular ridge 71b.). The first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c are sandwiched between the pressure plate 71 and the flywheel 103 by the biasing force. As a result, the rotational force of the flywheel 103 (rotation around the rotational axis that coincides with the shaft 15 r) is transmitted to the center hub 15. That is, this state is a complete transmission state in which the clutch is engaged.

In addition, when a force (applied to the release bearing 342 by a release arm (not shown)) that moves the release bearing 342 in the direction opposite to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure) from the complete transmission state is applied. The release bearing 342 moves in the opposite direction to the flywheel 103 (that is, in the direction of arrow B in the figure), and the transition state (the vicinity of one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is in contact with the one end of the pin 71c and from the annular ridge 71b). After the state of not being in contact with each other, the state returns to the shut-off state of FIG. By operating the clutch pedal or the like of the four-wheeled vehicle equipped with the clutch 61 in this way, the release bearing 342 is moved via the release arm (not shown) (the direction of the flywheel 103 (arrow C direction) or the flywheel 103). ) (In the direction opposite to arrow B)), the clutch 61 can be freely engaged (completely transmitted) and disconnected (disconnected). In the present clutch 61, since there is a transition state between a connected state (complete transmission state) and a disconnected state (disengaged state), sudden engagement / disengagement of the clutch can be prevented or reduced.
As described above, the plurality of pins 71c of the pressure plate 71 function in the same manner as the second annular ridge 51c of the pressure plate 51 here, but can also function as the annular ridge 71b in the same manner. Therefore, a plurality of pins 71c can be used instead of the annular ridge 71b (that is, either one of the two ridges 51b and 51c of the first annular ridge 51b and the second annular ridge 51c of the pressure plate 51 or Both can be replaced with a plurality of pins 71c).

As described above, the clutch 61 includes a rotating part (here, the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a, and the second mid plate 12b) and the rotating part (flywheel). 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b), and the friction disk 11 (here, the first disc) which rotates together with the rotating portion (the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b). A first friction disk 11a, a second friction disk 11b, and a third friction disk 11c.), A diaphragm spring 317 as a clutch spring, and the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317). The friction disk 11 (the first friction disk 11a and the second friction disk The pressure plate 71 that presses the disc 11b and the third friction disk 11c) against the rotating portion (the flywheel 103, the first mid plate 12a and the second mid plate 12b), and the clutch plate (diaphragm spring 317). Pressure contact force adjusting means (which is configured to include a release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) for moving the release bearing 342) that intermittently transmits power by adjusting the urging force applied to 71; A position where the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317) abuts on the pressure plate 71 is a first position where the distance from the rotation shaft (here, the rotation shaft coinciding with the shaft 15r) is different. (P1. Here, the surface of the annular ridge 71b The distance d1 from the rotation axis is here the first radius r1) and the second position (P2; here, the one end of the pin 71c. Here, the distance d2 from the rotation axis is the second distance here. There are at least two of the radius r2), and pressure is applied from the urging force (clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317) to interrupt power transmission by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) for moving the same). In the process of increasing or decreasing the biasing force applied to the plate 71, the first biasing force (F1) and the second position (P2) (the one end of the pin 71c) to the first position (P1) (the surface of the annular ridge 71b) This is a clutch device in which the ratio (F1 / F2) to the second urging force (F2) is changed.
The ratio (F1 / F2) change will be described below.
In the complete transmission state, as described above, the urging force F2 in the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 abuts on the one end of the pin 71c is much smaller than the urging force F1 in contact with the annular ridge 71b ( That is, in the complete transmission state, F1 >> F2). In the transition state, as described above, the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is separated from the annular protrusion 71b of the pressure plate 71 and is in contact with the one end of the pin 71c. The urging force F2 that contacts the one end of the pin 71c increases in the vicinity of 317a, while the urging force F1 that contacts the annular ridge 71b becomes 0 (that is, F2 >> F1 = 0 in the transition state). Furthermore, in the shut-off state, as described above, the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 is separated from the pressure plate 71 (separated from both the annular protrusion 71b of the pressure plate 51 and the one end of the pin 71c). Both the urging force F1 in the vicinity of the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 and the urging force F2 in contact with the one end of the pin 71c become 0 (that is, F2 = F1 = 0 in the cut-off state). . Therefore, when the state is changed between the disconnected state and the complete transmission state (that is, the clutch is engaged / disengaged) via the transition state, the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1). And the ratio (F1 / F2) of the second biasing force (F2) to the second position (P2) changes.
When the state is changed between both the disconnected state and the complete transmission state (that is, the clutch is engaged / disengaged) via the transition state, the first urging force (F1) to the first position (P1). In order to change the ratio (F1 / F2) of the second urging force (F2) to the second position (P2) in this way (F1 / F2), a cross-section by a plane including the rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r ( For example, in FIG. 9), a gradient near the one end 317a of the diaphragm spring 317 (a straight line including a rotation axis that coincides with the shaft 15r, a portion that contacts the one end of the annular ridge 71b and the pin 71c in the vicinity of the one end 317a, ), The position of the annular ridge 71b (the position of the leg of the perpendicular line that includes the rotation axis that coincides with the axis 15r, the height of this protrusion), and the position of the one end of the pin 71c ( The rotation axis that coincides with the axis 15r No straight line down position of the perpendicular foot. The one end height. And), can be achieved by adjusting the.

Further, in this clutch 61, the urging force applied to the pressure plate 71 from the clutch spring (diaphragm spring 317) is reduced by the pressure contact force adjusting means (release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the urging force). And a transmission state that allows power transmission (here, a complete transmission state), and a cut-off state in which the pressing force adjusting means (release bearing 342 and a release arm (not shown) that moves the biasing force) is reduced to cut the power transmission. (Same as the above-described cutoff state of F2 = F1 = 0), and in the transmission state (complete transmission state), at least the first urging force (F1) is applied, and the transmission state (completely The first urging force (F1) is applied at the time of transition from the transmission state) to the cut-off state (cut-off state). Only the second biasing force (F2) is that through the state (F2 transition state as a >> F1 = 0) applied.
Further, the pressure plate 71 is an annular first convex portion provided along a first circle centered on a first radius (here, r1) from the rotation axis (here, a rotation axis coinciding with the axis 15r). A protrusion 71b and the one end of a plurality of pins 71c as second protrusions provided along a second circle (imaginary circle M) centered on a second radius (here r2) from the rotation axis; Having the first position (P1) on the surface of the first convex portion (annular ridge 71b), and on the surface of the second convex portion (the one end of the plurality of pins 71c). The second position (P2) exists.
In addition, at least one of the first protrusion (annular protrusion 71b) and the second protrusion (the one end of the plurality of pins 71c) (here, the first protrusion (annular protrusion 71b)). ) Are ridges continuously provided along a circle centered on a predetermined radius r1 from the rotation axis.
Furthermore, at least one of the first protrusion (annular protrusion 71b) and the second protrusion (the one end of the plurality of pins 71c) (here, the second protrusion (the plurality of pins 71c) One end)) is a plurality of protrusions provided intermittently along a circle (imaginary circle M) centered on a predetermined radius r2 from the rotation axis. Further, the plurality of protrusions are constituted by one ends of pins 71c which are a plurality of rod-shaped members embedded along the circle (virtual circle M).

  Any of the clutch 14, the clutch 41, and the clutch 61 described above has the first position P1 (the surface of the second annular ridge 21c, the surface of the first annular ridge 51b) as a position where the clutch spring contacts the pressure plate. , The surface of the annular ridge 71b) and the second position P2 (the surface of the first annular ridge 21b, the surface of the second annular ridge 51c, the one end of the pin 71c), and the transmission state (complete transmission) Force) that holds the first friction disk 11a, the first mid plate 12a, the second friction disk 11b, the second mid plate 12b, and the third friction disk 11c between the pressure plate and the flywheel in the state). The pressure contact force has a great influence on the transmission force that transmits the rotational force of the flywheel to the center hub. With determining intermittent position of the clutch is determined (i.e., the position where the clutch is shifted from the cutoff state to the transition state, or position to shift the cutoff state from the transition state) of at the second position. Therefore, in the clutches 14, 41, 61, the pressure contact force and the clutch on / off position can be freely set by independently changing the first position and the second position.

The ability to freely set the pressure contact force and the clutch engagement / disengagement position can improve operability when using a carbon clutch (for example, a clutch in which the friction disk 11 is formed of a CC composite).
The carbon clutch has a very good intermittent state compared to a normal clutch (so-called clutch disconnection or connection is rapid), and sometimes the clutch engagement / disconnection operation is uncomfortable. This sense of incongruity is often seen when replacing the clutch of an automobile equipped with a general clutch (not a carbon clutch) with a carbon clutch. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the clutch on / off position by the clutch pedal. Referring to FIG. 11, problems that may occur when carbon clutch replacement is performed in a general commercial vehicle (the carbon clutch is not mounted in a commercially available state) will be described. First, the clutch pedal 601 has one end 603 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) so as to be rotatable, and a pedal portion 605p is attached to the other end 605. Normally, the pedal portion 605p is located at the position S1 due to the urging force of the clutch spring, and in this state, the clutch is in a completely connected state. Further, the clutch is completely disengaged at the position S3 where the pedal portion 605p is depressed to the lowest position. When a driver (not shown) steps down on the pedal portion 605p at the position S1, the clutch is disengaged at the position S2 in the case of the vehicle not equipped with the carbon clutch, whereas the vehicle is moved to the position S4 in the case of the vehicle equipped with the carbon clutch. The clutch may be intermittently engaged, and a driver (not shown) feels uncomfortable due to the difference between the position S2 and the position S4.
In order to eliminate this uncomfortable feeling, it is necessary to make an adjustment such that the clutch engagement / disengagement position of the vehicle equipped with the carbon clutch is substantially at the position S2, and there is a problem that costs, time and labor associated with the adjustment are required. In addition, depending on the vehicle type, there is a case where the clutch engagement position cannot be adjusted. In such a vehicle type, when a carbon clutch is mounted, there is a problem that driving is forced in a state where the clutch engagement position remains at the position S4 and the operability is poor. .
On the other hand, in the present clutch, the pressure contact force and the clutch intermittent position can be freely set as described above, so that it is possible to set the clutch intermittent position with good operability while ensuring the necessary pressure contact force. The above problems can be solved or reduced.

It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the clutch apparatus (this clutch) of this invention. It is a figure of the pressure plate which this clutch shown in FIG. 1 has. It is sectional drawing which shows the interruption | blocking state of this clutch shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the clutch apparatus (this clutch) of this invention. It is a figure of the pressure plate which this clutch shown in FIG. 5 has. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a disengaged state of the clutch shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of the clutch apparatus (this clutch) of this invention. It is a top view of the pressure plate which this clutch shown in FIG. 9 has. It is a figure explaining the problem which may arise when replacing a clutch with a carbon clutch in a general commercial vehicle in which a carbon clutch is not attached. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the conventional pull type clutch.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Friction disk 11a 1st friction disk 11b 2nd friction disk 11c 3rd friction disk 12a 1st mid plate 12b 2nd mid plate 13 Clutch disk 14 This clutch 15 Center hub 15a Cylindrical part 15b Disk part 15r Shaft 21 Pressure plate 21a Pressure plate main body 21b First annular ridge 21c Second annular ridge 22a Lower surface 22b Upper surface 41 Main clutch 51 Pressure plate 51b First annular ridge 51c Second annular ridge 51a Pressure plate main body 52a Lower surface 52b Upper surface 61 Main clutch 71 Pressure Plate 71a Pressure plate main body 71b Annular convex 71c Pin 72a Lower surface 72b Upper surface 103 Flywheel 107 Clutch cover 107h Opening 117 Diaphragm spring 117a One end 117b Other end 118 Screw member 201 Friction clutch 215 Pressure plate 216 Abutting portion 301 Friction clutch 317 Diaphragm spring 317a One end 317b Other end 342 Release bearing 521 Release bearing 601 Clutch pedal 603 One end side 605 Other end side 60

Claims (7)

A rotating part that rotates, a friction disk that rotates together with the rotating part by being pressed against the rotating part, a clutch spring, and a pressure that presses the friction disk against the rotating part when biased by the clutch spring A clutch device comprising: a plate; and a pressing force adjusting means for intermittently transmitting power by adjusting a biasing force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate,
There are at least two positions where the clutch spring contacts the pressure plate, ie, a first position and a second position that are different in distance from the rotation shaft, and the biasing force is adjusted so that power transmission is interrupted by the pressure contact force adjusting means. The ratio of the first urging force to the first position and the second urging force to the second position changes in the process of increasing or decreasing,
Clutch device. A transmission state in which power transmission is allowed without the pressing force adjusting means reducing the biasing force applied from the clutch spring to the pressure plate, and a cutoff state in which the pressing force adjusting means reduces the biasing force and the power transmission is cut off. , And
The first urging force is applied at least in the transmission state, and only the second urging force is applied when the transition from the transmission state to the cutoff state is performed, and only the second urging force is applied. The clutch device according to 1. The pressure plate is provided along a first convex portion provided along a first circle centered on a first radius from the rotating shaft and a second circle centered on a second radius from the rotating shaft. A second convex portion,
3. The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein the first position exists on a surface of the first convex portion, and the second position exists on a surface of the second convex portion.     The at least one of said 1st convex part and said 2nd convex part is a protruding item | line provided continuously along the circle | round | yen centering on the predetermined radius from the said rotating shaft. Clutch device.     5. The at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is a plurality of protrusions provided intermittently along a circle centered on a predetermined radius from the rotation axis. The clutch device according to 1.     The clutch device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured by one ends of a plurality of rod-shaped members embedded along the circle.     The pressure plate of the clutch device according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

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