JP2009063156A - Starting device having viscous coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a starting device exhibiting good responsiveness and high response due to its compactness and reduced inertia as it transmits power from a crank shaft of an engine to a transmission. <P>SOLUTION: A shell 1 having a front cover 2 connected by a connection plate 9 attached to an end of the crank shaft 6 contains a clutch 3 capable of operating when a predetermined rotational speed is reached to be directly connected to an output shaft, a damper 4 for absorbing impact torque produced when the clutch 3 operates and engine torque variations during clutch operation, and a viscous coupling 5 for transmitting torque in a low-speed range to an output side, where a housing 16 of the viscous coupling 5 is connected to the shell-1 side as an input side to connect an inner shaft 17 to the output side to which the output shaft 7 is connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a starting device interposed between an engine of a vehicle and an automatic transmission, and relates to a starting device configured using viscous coupling.

  Generally, a fluid transmission device such as a torque converter and a fluid coupling is used as a vehicle starting device. In an internal combustion engine or the like in which the drive source continues to rotate even when the vehicle is in a stopped state, the fluid transmission device is caused to slip between the automatic transmission input shaft and the engine output shaft due to fluid slippage of the fluid transmission device. The relative rotation of the drive source is allowed and the rotation of the drive source is maintained. When the vehicle is started, the engine power can be transmitted to the automatic transmission input shaft by smoothly starting by sliding of the fluid of the fluid transmission device.

  A fluid power transmission device such as a torque converter has a good start function by automatically starting by the above-mentioned relative rotation and slip, but it has a pump impeller and a turbine runner, and is a complicated structure and a large-scale device. This is an obstacle to making the vehicle compact and lightweight. In addition, since power is transmitted via fluid, power loss occurs, and a lock-up clutch is provided to prevent this, but the structure is further complicated. Moreover, the provision of the lock-up clutch does not eliminate the power loss due to the fluid.

  In recent years, with the increase in the number of automatic transmissions and the emergence of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), the demand for an increase in the torque ratio by a torque converter and the like, and the impact mitigating action by the fluid at the time of gear shifting have decreased. Based on the demand for downsizing the automatic transmission, a starting device that does not use a fluid has been proposed.

  As such a starting device, for example, a “starting clutch” according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-3955 includes a multi-plate clutch, a damper device, and a one-way clutch housed in a housing connected to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. And a multi-plate clutch is connected by a pressing spring when the vehicle is stopped, and a predetermined creep force is generated. At the start of the vehicle, the multi-plate clutch is engaged by pressing the piston based on the hydraulic pressure supply to the hydraulic chamber, and the damper device The engine driving force is transmitted to the input shaft by absorbing the shock through the vehicle, and the vehicle is prevented from retreating when the hill starts.

  That is, this starting clutch is a starting clutch in which an input side element and an output side element are frictionally engaged by receiving an axial load, and a non-rotating element is arranged in the starting clutch, and the non-rotating element and the output clutch There is a feature in that a one-way clutch is provided between the side element portion, but the capacity as a starting device, for example, a response is reduced by downsizing.

In some cases, the starting device is configured with a fluid coupling. However, in order to increase the torque capacity, the outer diameter of the starting device needs to be enlarged, and the starting device is not compact. Moreover, if the outer diameter is increased, the inertia increases, the responsiveness decreases, and the response deteriorates.
"Starting clutch" according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-3955

  Thus, the conventional starting device has the above-described problems. The problem to be solved by the present invention is this problem, and provides a starting device using a viscous coupling that is compact, has good responsiveness by reducing inertia, and has high response.

  The starting device according to the present invention has a structure having a clutch and a damper and further having a viscous coupling. These are accommodated in the outer shell and filled with oil (lubricating oil), and the viscous coupling is connected to the outer shell side and the output shaft side or the hub side to which the output shaft is fitted. That is, torque can be transmitted by being interposed between the outer shell and the output shaft.

  Here, the specific structure of the viscous coupling is not particularly limited, but the inner plate and the outer plate are alternately stacked in a sealed space formed by the housing and the inner shaft. Engage with splines. The outer plate is maintained at a certain gap by a spacer ring that restricts the movement in the axial direction, and the inner plate can move in the axial direction on the spline of the inner shaft by the pressure distribution in the housing. And between each plate, silicone oil etc. which are viscous fluids are enclosed with appropriate amount of air.

  The clutch and damper are also interposed between the outer shell and the output shaft, and if the clutch works, torque transmitted from the crankshaft of the engine to the outer shell can be directly transmitted to the output shaft. In this case, in the torque transmission path from the outer shell, the order of the clutch and the damper may be reversed, but the impact torque when the clutch is operated is relieved by the damper, and when the clutch is operating Engine torque fluctuations are absorbed. Therefore, the positional relationship between the clutch and the damper attached in the outer shell is not limited.

  The starting device of the present invention includes a viscous coupling. Accordingly, in the low speed rotation region, the power from the engine is transmitted to the output shaft through the viscous coupling. That is, power is transmitted from the housing → outer plate to the inner plate → inner shaft via the viscous fluid. Here, the housing is connected to the outer shell side, and the inner shaft is connected to the output side, but the car can be stopped by slipping the inner plate via the viscous fluid at a low rotational speed, Further, since the transmission torque is proportional to the differential rotational speed between the outer plate and the inner plate, the vehicle can travel through the viscous coupling in the low speed range.

  When the engine speed increases, the clutch works to transmit the rotational torque of the outer shell directly to the output shaft without passing through the viscous coupling. When the clutch is operated, an impact torque based on the speed difference is generated. The impact torque is relieved by the damper and can be absorbed by the viscous coupling at the same time. Furthermore, engine torque fluctuations with the clutch operating are also absorbed by the damper and viscous coupling.

  FIG. 1 is a skeleton diagram schematically showing a starting device having a viscous coupling according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an outer shell, 2 is a front cover, 3 is a clutch, 4 is a damper, 5 is a viscous coupling, 6 is a crankshaft, and 7 is an output shaft. A crankshaft 6 extending from the engine rotates the front cover 2 and the outer shell 1, and this rotation is transmitted to the output shaft via the viscous coupling 5.

  In the viscous coupling 5, the outer plate on the housing side and the inner plate on the inner shaft side can slip through silicon oil which is a viscous fluid. Therefore, at low speed rotation, the vehicle can be stopped by applying a brake, and if the foot is released from the brake, the vehicle can travel slowly. Of course, the clutch 3 is not working in this state.

  When the engine speed increases to some extent, the clutch 3 operates. As a result, the rotational torque of the outer shell 1 rotated by the crankshaft 6 is directly transmitted to the output shaft 7 without passing through the viscous coupling 5. When the clutch 3 is operated, the rotational speed of the output shaft 7 is rapidly increased. At that time, an impact torque is generated, but the impact torque is relieved by the damper 4.

  The impact torque when the clutch is operated exhibits not only the damper 4 but also the viscous coupling 5 that works to absorb part of the impact. While the clutch 3 is operating, the rotational torque of the outer shell 1 is transmitted to the output shaft 7 without passing through the viscous coupling 5. The engine torque fluctuation in this state is caused not only by the damper 4 but also by the viscous coupling 5. Is also absorbed.

  FIG. 2 is an embodiment showing a case where the starting device having the viscous coupling according to the present invention is accommodated in the transmission case 8, and shows a section thereof. The starting device shown in FIG. 1 has a structure embodying FIG. 1, and a connecting plate 9 is fixed to the front end of the crankshaft 6 with bolts 10. It is bolted to the block 11 fixed to the head. Accordingly, the rotational torque of the crankshaft 6 causes the front cover 2 and the outer shell 1 to rotate via the connecting plate 9.

  The outer shell 1 contains a clutch 3, a damper 4, and a viscous coupling 5, and the inside is filled with oil (lubricating oil). A center piece 12 provided at the center of the front cover 2 is positioned by fitting the outer shell 1 into a center hole of the crankshaft 6, and a sleeve 13 extends rearward at the center of the outer shell 1. The sleeve 13 is supported by a bearing 14 provided in the transmission case 8.

  A viscous coupling 5 is attached to an auxiliary outer shell 15 having a smaller outer diameter at the rear portion of the outer shell 1. The viscous coupling 5 is arranged in a sealed space constituted by the housing 16 and the inner shaft 17 by alternately superposing a plurality of inner plates and a plurality of outer plates, and a spacer ring is interposed between the outer plates. ing.

  Here, spline teeth are provided on the outer periphery of the outer plate, the spline teeth mesh with the splines provided on the inner periphery of the housing, and the spline teeth formed on the inner periphery of the inner plate are splines provided on the outer periphery of the inner shaft 17. It meshes with teeth. Spline teeth are also provided on the outer periphery of the housing 16 to mesh with the inner spline teeth of the auxiliary outer shell 15, and the spline teeth formed on the inner periphery of the inner shaft 17 are connected to the spline teeth provided on the outer periphery of the hub 18. I'm engaged.

  Accordingly, the housing 16 rotates with the outer shell 1 and the auxiliary outer shell 15, and the inner shaft 17 can rotate with the hub 18 and the output shaft 7 fitted to the hub 18. If the outer shell 1 and the auxiliary outer shell 15 are rotated by the crankshaft 6, the housing 16 of the viscous coupling 5 is rotated, and the outer plate engaged with the housing 16 through the spline is also rotated.

  Since silicon oil is interposed between the outer plate and the inner plate, torque is generated in the inner plate through the silicon oil, and the inner shaft 17 engaged with the inner plate through the spline rotates. If the inner shaft 17 rotates, the hub 18 and the output shaft 7 fitted to the hub 18 rotate. However, if the brake is applied when the engine speed is low, the rotation of the output shaft 7 stops, and the inner plate slips between the outer plate via the silicone oil.

  If the engine speed increases and the clutch 3 operates to engage the front cover 2, the rotation of the front cover 2 and the outer shell 1 is directly transmitted to the hub 18 to rotate the output shaft 7. In this case, the damper 4 reduces the impact torque when the clutch 3 is engaged with the front cover 2. Although there are various structures of the damper 4, a damper spring 19 is provided, and the impact torque is absorbed by the compression deformation of the damper spring 19. The viscous coupling 5 also partially absorbs the impact torque when the clutch 3 is engaged.

  The hub 18 is attached to the center of the damper 4, and the impact torque generated when the clutch 3 is engaged with the front cover 2 is absorbed by the damper spring 19, and the torque rises smoothly to the output shaft 7. Communicated. Then, fluctuations in engine torque when the clutch 3 is engaged are absorbed by the damper 4 and the viscous coupling 5.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the starting device provided with the viscous coupling 5 according to the present invention. The basic structure of this starting device is the same as that of the above embodiment, and the damper 4, the clutch 3, and the viscous coupling 5 are accommodated in the outer shell 1. The specific structures of the clutch 3 and the damper 4 are different from those of the above embodiment, and the mounting position of the viscous coupling 5 is also different, but the operation of the starting device is common.

  If the outer shell 1 rotates with power from the engine, the spring receiving plate 20 welded to the front cover 2 rotates. The housing 16 of the viscous coupling 5 rotates via a connecting plate 22 welded to the front cover 2. As a result, the inner shaft 17 rotates and the hub 18 connected to the inner shaft 17 and the output shaft 7 fitted to the hub 18 rotate.

  By the way, if the engine speed increases, the piston 3 moves to the left, and the clutch 3 is activated. In the clutch 3, a plurality of outer plates and a plurality of inner plates are alternately arranged, and the outer plate and the inner plate are brought into close contact with each other as the piston 21 moves. The outer plate meshes with an outer ring 23 having an L-shaped cross section, and the inner plate meshes with an inner ring 24 having an L-shaped cross section.

  When the piston 21 moves and presses the clutch 3, the piston 21 rotates together with the clutch 3, and the clutch 3 rotates by obtaining torque from the spring retainer plate 25 attached to the outer ring 23. The rotational torque is transmitted to the inner ring 24, and the hub 18 connected to the inner ring 24 and the output shaft 7 fitted to the hub 18 can rotate. In this case, if the piston 21 moves and the clutch 3 works, the rotational speed of the clutch 3 rises rapidly and an impact torque is generated, but the damper spring 19 is compressed and deformed by the spring retainer plate 25 extending from the outer ring 23. Thus, the impact torque is absorbed.

  Since the piston 21 is biased by a spring force returned to the right side by the leaf spring 26, the piston 21 is returned and the clutch 3 is released if the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic chamber decreases. The starting device of the present invention is provided with a viscous coupling 5, and the impact torque when the clutch 3 operates and the engine torque fluctuation in the state where the clutch 3 operates are absorbed by the damper 4, and the viscous Part of the absorption can be achieved by the action of the coupling 5.

The skeleton figure which shows typically the start apparatus provided with the viscous coupling which concerns on this invention. The Example of the starting apparatus provided with the viscous coupling which concerns on this invention. Another embodiment of a starting device provided with a viscous coupling according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 outer shell 2 front cover 3 clutch 4 damper 5 viscous coupling 6 crankshaft 7 output shaft 8 transmission case 9 connecting plate
10 volts
11 blocks
12 Centerpiece
13 sleeve
14 Bearing
15 Auxiliary shell
16 Housing
17 Inner shaft
18 Hub
19 Damper spring
20 Spring support plate
21 piston
22 Connecting plate
23 Outer ring
24 inner ring
25 Spring retainer plate
26 Leaf spring

Claims (3)

In order to transmit the power from the crankshaft of the engine to the transmission, the outer shell having a front cover to which a connecting plate attached to the tip of the crankshaft is connected operates when a predetermined rotational speed is reached. In a starting device provided with a clutch that can be directly connected to the output shaft, and a damper for absorbing the impact torque when the clutch is operated and the engine torque fluctuation during the operation of the clutch, the outer shell has a low speed range. A viscous coupling that transmits the torque of the output to the output side, the housing of the viscous coupling is connected to the outer side which is the input side, and the inner shaft is connected to the output side to which the output shaft is connected Starting device with a coupling. The spline teeth provided on the outer periphery of the hub, in which the spline teeth provided on the outer periphery of the housing of the viscous coupling are meshed with the spline teeth on the inner periphery of the auxiliary outer shell whose outer diameter is reduced, A starting device comprising the viscous coupling according to claim 1 meshed with teeth. In order to transmit the power from the crankshaft of the engine to the transmission, the outer shell having a front cover to which a connecting plate attached to the tip of the crankshaft is connected operates when a predetermined rotational speed is reached. In a starting device provided with a clutch that can be directly connected to an output shaft, and a damper for absorbing impact torque when the clutch is operated and engine torque fluctuation during clutch operation, the housing of the viscous coupling is attached to the outer shell. Connected via a connecting plate attached to the front cover, the spline teeth provided on the inner periphery of the inner shaft mesh with the spline teeth provided on the outer periphery of the hub, and the clutch engages with the spline teeth of the outer ring. An inner plate that meshes with the spline teeth of the inner ring, a hub in the center of the inner ring, and a spring retainer A viscous coupling characterized by attaching a rate and providing a spring receiving plate on the front cover, sandwiching a damper spring between the spring receiving plate and the spring holding plate, and attaching a piston for operating the clutch Starting device with

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