JP2011021679A - Clutch device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify structure of a clutch device provided in every output shaft to drive selectively the plurality of output shafts by one motor. <P>SOLUTION: One of a plurality of protrusions 11 protruded in a prescribed portion on a circumferential face of a selector shaft 10 pushes radial-directional-outwards one clutch plate 35 out of a plurality of clutch mechanisms 30 arranged in the periphery of the selector shaft 10, when the selector shaft 10 is rotated by a dial 15, the clutch plate 35 pressure-contacts with a clutch gear 32 to connect the clutch mechanisms 30, and the power of the motor 20 is transmitted to the output shaft 36 via the clutch gear 32 and the clutch plate 35, to allow rotation. A clutch connected state is allowed when the selector shaft 10 is rotated, and when the rotating protrusion 11 corresponds to the clutch mechanism 30, and the output shaft 36 is selected therein. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a clutch device that selectively branches the power of one motor to a plurality of output shafts.

  For example, this type of clutch device is applied to a vehicle electric seat. The electric seat for a vehicle is configured such that the operation of a plurality of movable parts such as sliding in the front-rear direction and vertical movement of the seat cushion, reclining of the seat back (backrest), and the like are performed by the power of the motor. If a motor for driving a plurality of movable parts is provided for each movable part, there are unreasonable aspects such as an increase in the number of motors and an increase in weight and space, so a single motor can move a plurality of movable parts. Efficient. For this purpose, it is known that the power of a motor is transmitted to each output shaft connected to a plurality of movable parts via a clutch, and each movable part is selectively driven by connecting and disconnecting the clutch (patent) References 1-4).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-42853 JP-A-6-87363 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-30850 JP-A-6-156123

  Among the above patent documents, the electromagnetic clutches described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are disadvantageous in terms of weight reduction. In this regard, the clutches described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 contribute to weight reduction and cost reduction because they are mechanical, but because the motor is used to select the output shaft, further weight reduction and cost are achieved. Reduction is desired.

  Therefore, the present invention has a simpler structure for the clutch device provided for each output shaft in order to selectively drive a plurality of output shafts with a single motor, and as a result, achieves weight reduction and cost reduction. The purpose is to be able to.

  A clutch device according to the present invention includes a selector shaft that is rotatably provided, a plurality of clutch mechanisms that are disposed around the selector shaft, and that transmits power of a motor, and is coupled to the clutch mechanisms. In the connected state, the power of the motor is transmitted through the clutch mechanism and is provided at a position corresponding to the clutch mechanism on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft, and selectively to the clutch mechanism as the selector shaft rotates. And a clutch actuating means for acting to connect and disconnect the clutch mechanism.

  According to the present invention, when the selector shaft is rotated and the clutch operating means corresponds to the clutch mechanism, the output shaft connected to the clutch mechanism is selected as the output shaft to be driven, and in that state the clutch When the operating means mechanically acts on the clutch mechanism, the clutch mechanism is connected and the power of the motor is transmitted to the output shaft. The operation of branching the motive power of the motor to a plurality of output shafts and selecting the output shaft to be operated can be performed by a mechanical action, and thus can be manufactured with a simple structure.

  In the present invention, the clutch mechanism has a clutch movable member that reciprocates in the radial direction of the selector shaft and moves to either side of the radial direction so that the clutch mechanism is in a connected state. The actuating means is provided with at least one of the opposing surfaces of the selector shaft and the clutch movable member, and has a working part that moves the clutch movable member in the radial direction on the side to which the clutch mechanism is connected. This is a preferred form.

  In the present invention, the plurality of clutch mechanisms are arranged around the selector shaft in the circumferential direction of the selector shaft, or arranged in the axial direction of the selector shaft.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a manual operation member for rotating the selector shaft is integrally provided on the selector shaft. And it is set as a preferable form that the switch of a motor is provided in this manual operation member.

  According to the present invention, the mechanism for branching the power of the motor to a plurality of output shafts and the selection of the output shaft to be operated can all be achieved by mechanical action, and therefore the structure is simple and lightweight. There is an effect that the cost can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

1 is a perspective view of a clutch device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the clutch apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the structure of the clutch mechanism which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a side view of the selector shaft concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a perspective view of the clutch apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a bottom view of the clutch apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the structure of the clutch mechanism which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) 1st Embodiment (1-1) Structure of 1st Embodiment FIG.1 and FIG.2 has shown the clutch apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In these drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a selector axis. The selector shaft 10 is supported on a frame (not shown) so as to be rotatable about an axis. On the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10, a plurality of projections 11 (three of the first projection 11A, the second projection 11B, and the third projection 11C) projecting in the radial direction (radial direction) of the selector shaft 10 are formed. . A disc-shaped dial 15 is coaxially fixed to one end of the selector shaft 10.

  A motor 20 is disposed on the other end side of the selector shaft 10 opposite to the side on which the dial 15 is fixed. The motor 20 is fixed to the frame with the rotation axis being horizontal and orthogonal to the axis of the selector shaft 10. The motor 20 has two motor shafts 20a protruding from both ends. These motor shafts 20a are coaxial and rotate forward and backward in the same direction when the motor 20 operates. A first input gear 21 and a second input gear 22 are fixed to the tips of the motor shafts 20a.

  Around the selector shaft 10, a plurality (three in this case) of clutch mechanisms 30 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, the clutch mechanism 30 includes a cylindrical sleeve 31 fixed to the frame and a clutch plate 35. The sleeve 31 is fixed to the frame so that the axial direction is parallel to the radial direction of the selector shaft 10. A hook-shaped clutch gear 32 is formed at the tip of the sleeve 31 on the selector shaft 10 side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an output shaft 36 is slidably inserted into the shaft center of the sleeve 31. A hook-shaped clutch plate 35 facing the clutch gear 32 is formed on the tip end side of the output shaft 36. The peripheral edge of the clutch plate 35 facing the selector shaft 10 is formed as a conical tapered surface 35a. A click hole 35b is formed at the center of the flat surface surrounded by the tapered surface 35a. A flange 36 a is formed at the rear end of the output shaft 36. The distance between the clutch plate 35 and the flange portion 36a is longer than the entire length of the sleeve 31 including the clutch gear 32, and the output shaft 36 passes through the sleeve 31 along its own axial direction (radial direction of the selector shaft 10). It is slidable.

  However, the output shaft 36 is always urged radially inward of the selector shaft 10, which is the distal direction, by a compression spring 37 that engages with the flange portion 36 a. Abutting on the end, the clutch plate 35 is separated from the clutch gear 32. Normally, the mutually facing surfaces of the clutch plate 35 and the clutch gear 32 that are separated in this way are friction surfaces 35c and 32c, respectively, and the clutch plate 35 is clutched against the resilient force of the compression spring 37. When moved to the gear 32 side, the friction surface 35 c of the clutch plate 35 comes into contact with the friction surface 32 c of the clutch gear 32. In the clutch mechanism 30, the state in which the friction surfaces 35 c and 32 c are in strong pressure contact is the clutch connected state, and the clutch is disengaged when the clutch plate 35 is separated from the clutch gear 32.

  Hereinafter, the three clutch mechanisms 30 will be referred to as a first clutch mechanism 30A, a second clutch mechanism 30B, and a third clutch mechanism 30C as necessary, and the clutch plates of the first to third clutch mechanisms 30A to 30C will be referred to. The output shaft 36 integrated with 35 is referred to as a first output shaft 36A, a second output shaft 36B, and a third output shaft 36C.

  The first clutch mechanism 30A and the second clutch mechanism 30B are arranged in parallel so that the clutch gears 32 are engaged with each other. The third clutch mechanism 30C is disposed at a position 180 degrees away from the first clutch mechanism 30A with the selector shaft 10 interposed therebetween, and the tips are opposed to each other. That is, the first to third clutch mechanisms 30A to 30C are disposed in the circumferential direction around the selector shaft 10, and the second clutch mechanism 30B is in contrast to the first and third clutch mechanisms 30A and 30C. So that they are offset in the axial direction. These three clutch mechanisms 30 </ b> A to 30 </ b> C have the same horizontal axis as the motor 20.

  The first input gear 21 of the motor 20 meshes with the clutch gear 32 of the first clutch mechanism 30A, and the second input gear 22 meshes with the clutch gear 32 of the third clutch mechanism 30C. Therefore, when the motor 20 is operated to rotate each motor shaft 20a, the sleeve 31 of the first clutch mechanism 30A is rotated by the first input gear 21, and the sleeve 31 of the second clutch mechanism 30B is simultaneously rotated in the reverse direction. Be made. Further, the sleeve 31 of the third clutch mechanism 30C is rotated by the second input gear 22.

  A rectangular parallelepiped switch 16 for selecting ON / OFF of the motor 20 and the rotation direction of the motor 20 is attached to the surface of the dial 15. The switch 16 is incorporated in the selector shaft 10 so as to slide along the longitudinal direction of the switch 16 and to stop at an intermediate point of the sliding range by an urging member (not shown). The switch 16 has a length shorter than the diameter of the dial 15, extends through the center point of the dial 15, one end protrudes outward from the dial 15, and the protruding end is an indication of the switch 16. It is configured as a part 16a.

  The first to third protrusions 11A to 11C formed on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10 are formed corresponding to the first to third clutch mechanisms 30A to 30C, respectively, and the selector shaft 10 rotates. When the rotation angle reaches a predetermined rotation angle, the clutch mechanism 30 is formed in a position to be fitted into the click hole 35b of the clutch plate 35 and push the clutch plate 35 to the sleeve 31 side.

  That is, the first protrusion 11A corresponding to the first clutch mechanism 30A and the third protrusion 11C corresponding to the third clutch mechanism 30C are opposed to the click holes 35b of the clutch mechanisms 30A and 30C on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, they are formed at positions separated from each other by an angle θ (for example, about 120 °). Further, the second protrusion 11B corresponding to the second clutch mechanism 30B is formed on the circumferential surface of the selector shaft 10 facing the click hole 35b of the second clutch mechanism 30B, as shown in FIG. Are located between the first protrusion 11A and the third protrusion 11C (between the angle θ).

(1-2) Operation of the First Embodiment According to the clutch device, when the selector shaft 10 is rotated by grasping the dial 15, any one of the first to third protrusions 11A to 11C is the protrusion. The clutch mechanism 30 corresponding to the above is mounted on the tapered surface 35a of the clutch plate 35, and then fitted into the click hole 35b of the clutch plate 35.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, when the first protrusion is inserted into the click hole 35 b of the first clutch mechanism 30 </ b> A, the first protrusion 11 </ b> A is a tapered surface of the clutch plate 35 of the first clutch mechanism 30 </ b> A. By riding on 35a, the clutch plate 35 moves against the elastic force of the compression spring 37, being pressed outward in the radial direction of the selector shaft 10, and the friction surface 35c of the clutch plate 35 is opposed to the opposing clutch gear. The frictional surface 32c of 32 is brought into pressure contact, and the clutch is engaged. When the first protrusion 11A is fitted into the click hole 35b, the rotation of the dial 15 and the selector shaft 10 is restricted, and the connected state of the first clutch mechanism 30A is maintained.

  When the switch 20 is slid to operate the motor 20 with the first clutch mechanism 30A connected in this way, the power of the motor 20 is transmitted from the first input gear 21 to the clutch gear 32 of the first clutch mechanism 30A. . The rotation of the clutch gear 32 is transmitted to the clutch plate 35 that is in pressure contact with the clutch gear 32 and is in the clutch engaged state, whereby the first output shaft 36A integral with the clutch plate 35 rotates. Further, the rotation direction of the motor 20 is switched by changing the sliding direction of the switch 16, and the rotation direction of the first output shaft 36 is switched accordingly.

  When the first clutch mechanism 30A is connected, in the other second clutch mechanism 30B and the third clutch mechanism 30C, the second protrusion 11B and the third protrusion 11C are disengaged from the clutch plate 35, and the respective clutch plates Since 35 is away from the clutch gear 32, the clutch is disengaged. Therefore, the clutch gears 32 of the second clutch mechanism 30B and the third clutch mechanism 30C are idle, and the second output shaft 36B and the third output shaft 36C are maintained in a non-rotating state.

  The above is a state in which the first output shaft 36A is selected and rotated, but the output shaft 36 to be rotated is switched from the first output shaft 36A by selecting the second output shaft 36B or the third output shaft 36C. At this time, after the motor 20 is stopped by the switch 16, the selector shaft 10 is rotated in an appropriate direction by the dial 15, and the second protrusion 11B is made to correspond to the clutch plate 35 of the second clutch mechanism 30B, or the first The three protrusions 11C are made to correspond to the clutch plate 35 of the third clutch mechanism 30C, and the clutch 11 is in a clutch engaged state in which the protrusion 11B (11C) presses the clutch plate 35.

  The selection of the output shaft 36 by the dial 15 can be performed sensuously based on the circumferential correlation positions between the instruction portion 16a of the switch 16 and the protrusions 11A to 11C. For example, the second output shaft 36B is selected when the instruction section 16a is directed downward, the first output shaft 36A is selected when the dial 15 is rotated from one position to the other side, and the third output shaft 36C is selected when the dial 15 is rotated to the other side. It is a form that is done.

(1-3) Operational Effect According to the clutch device of the first embodiment, the mechanism for branching the power of one motor 20 to a plurality (in this case, three) output shafts 36 is provided to each input gear 21, 22. The clutch gear 32 integrated with each output shaft 36 in each clutch mechanism 30 is engaged. The output shaft 36 is selected by rotating the selector shaft 10 with the dial 15, and forming the projection 11 formed on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10 on the clutch plate 35 in each clutch mechanism 30 disposed around the selector shaft 10. It is made by pressing correspondingly.

  That is, the mechanism for branching the power of the motor 20 to the plurality of output shafts 36A to 36C and the selection of the output shafts 36A to 36C to be operated are all achieved by mechanical action. The members constituting the path for transmitting the power of the motor 20 to the output shafts 36A to 36C are the input gears 21 and 22, the sleeve 31 having the clutch gear 32 meshing with these input gears, and the clutch connected to and disconnected from the clutch gear 32. The number of plates 35 is small. For this reason, the structure is simple, and weight reduction and cost reduction can be achieved.

  Further, the space around the selector shaft 10 can be effectively used to incorporate as many output shafts 36 as possible, and a plurality of clutch mechanisms 30 can be arranged close to each other in the axial direction. Therefore, it is suitable for a mechanical device to which many output shafts are connected. On the other hand, by disposing all of the clutch mechanism 30 on the same horizontal plane as the motor 20 as in this embodiment, the overall height of the clutch device can be suppressed, and the clutch mechanism 30 can be installed in a narrow space. . In the above embodiment, the third clutch mechanism 30C is disposed at a position 180 ° away from the first clutch mechanism 30A and the second clutch mechanism 30B with the selector shaft 10 interposed therebetween. The arrangement angle of the clutch mechanism is not limited, and the clutch mechanism may be arranged at an arbitrary angular position around the selector shaft 10.

  Further, when the protrusion 11 is inserted into the click hole 35b of the clutch plate 35 by rotating the dial 15, the protrusion 11 rides on the tapered surface 35a while receiving the resistance of the compression spring 37, and then the protrusion 11 enters the click hole 35b. In order to insert, the output shaft 36 is selected with a click feeling. For this reason, the output shaft 36 can be reliably selected while feeling an accurate operation feeling. Further, there is an advantage that the switching of the output shaft 36 and the operation of the switch 16 for turning the motor 20 ON / OFF can be smoothly performed in a state where the dial 15 is held with one hand, and the operability is good. In order to obtain a click feeling when the output shaft 36 is selected by rotating the dial 15, in addition to forming the click hole 35 b in the clutch plate 35, other means can be used.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a clutch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention based on the configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The first clutch mechanism 30A and the second clutch mechanism 30B in the clutch device of the second embodiment are arranged in parallel with each clutch gear 32 being disengaged. In addition, a fourth clutch mechanism 30D incorporating a fourth output shaft 36D is arranged next to the third clutch mechanism 30C in parallel without similarly engaging the clutch gears 32. In the fourth clutch mechanism 30D, the tips of the second clutch mechanism 30B are opposed to each other with the selector shaft 10 interposed therebetween. The dial 15 is fixed to the end of the selector shaft 10 on the side opposite to the first embodiment.

  The motor 20 of the second embodiment is disposed below the selector shaft 10 in a state in which the extending direction of the motor shaft 20 a is orthogonal to the selector shaft 10. The first input gear 21 is engaged with the clutch gears 32 of the first clutch mechanism 30A and the second clutch mechanism 30B, and the second input gear 22 is engaged with the clutch gears 32 of the third clutch mechanism 30C and the fourth clutch mechanism 30D. Is engaged.

  Projections 11 corresponding to the first to fourth clutch mechanisms 30A to 30D are formed at predetermined locations on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10, and the selector shaft 10 is rotated by the dial 15 as in the first embodiment. When the projection 11 acts on the corresponding clutch mechanism 30, the clutch mechanism 30 is connected. In the second embodiment, since the input gears 21 and 22 of the motor 20 are directly meshed with the clutch gears 32 of the clutch mechanisms 30, a reduction in power transmission efficiency when the output shafts 36 are rotated is suppressed. It is possible to do.

  In addition, the clutch apparatus of each said embodiment is suitable as a clutch mechanism at the time of operating the electric seat for vehicles with the motor 20, for example. That is, each output shaft 36 is provided for a movable mechanism such as a mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat seat surface, a reclining mechanism for adjusting the angle of the seat back portion, and a mechanism for adjusting the front / rear position of the seat. Are connected via a torque cable or the like, and the power of the motor 20 can be selectively branched to each movable mechanism to operate these movable mechanisms. However, the clutch device of the present invention can be applied not only to an electric seat but also to a mechanical device in which a plurality of movable mechanisms are selectively driven.

(3) Third Embodiment FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, which is a modification of the first embodiment. In this case, each output shaft 36 protrudes from the clutch plate 35 formed integrally with the output shaft 36 toward the selector shaft 10, and the clutch gear 32 is supported at the protruding end portion so as to be rotatable relative to the output shaft 36. Has been. The output shaft 36 is inserted so as to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the clutch gear 32. The clutch gears 32 are engaged with each other, and the first input gear 21 is engaged with the clutch gear 32 of the first clutch mechanism 30A. On the other hand, on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10, a recess 12 into which the tip of the output shaft 36 is fitted is formed instead of the projection 11.

  According to the third embodiment, the output shaft 36 is always urged in the direction of the selector shaft 10 by the compression spring 37, and the tip portion is in pressure contact with the peripheral surface of the selector shaft 10. In this state, the friction surfaces 35c and 32c, which are the opposed surfaces of the clutch plate 35 and the clutch gear 32, are separated from each other, and the clutch is disengaged. When the selector shaft 10 is rotated by the dial 15 and the concave portion 12 corresponds to the tip portion of the output shaft 36, the tip portion is urged by the compression spring 37 to be fitted into the concave portion 12. Then, the friction surface 35c of the clutch plate 35 comes into pressure contact with the friction surface 32c of the clutch gear 32, the clutch is engaged, and the rotation of the clutch gear 32 is transmitted to the output shaft 36.

(4) Other Aspects Included in the Present Invention The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, with respect to the clutch mechanism 30, meshing in which a large number of teeth mesh with each other instead of a friction clutch by joining friction surfaces. Type clutches can be employed. In the case of a meshing clutch, a meshing detection means may be provided to ensure power transmission.

  Further, the manual operation member is not limited to the dial 15 and may be of a type in which one end portion such as a lever is rotated. In each of the above embodiments, the output shafts 36 are rotated one by one. However, the projections 11 may simultaneously act on the plurality of clutch mechanisms 30 so that the plurality of output shafts 36 rotate simultaneously. it can.

10 ... Selector shaft 11 (11A to 11C) ... Protrusion (clutch actuating means, action part)
12 ... concave portion (clutch operating means, operating portion)
15 ... Dial (manual operation member)
16 ... Switch 20 ... Motor 30 (30A-30D) ... Clutch mechanism 35 ... Clutch plate (clutch movable member)
36 (36A to 36D) ... output shaft 37 ... compression spring

Claims (7)

A selector shaft provided rotatably,
A plurality of clutch mechanisms disposed around the selector shaft and transmitting the power of the motor;
An output shaft coupled to these clutch mechanisms, the clutch mechanism being connected, and the power of the motor being transmitted through the clutch mechanism and rotating;
Clutch operating means provided at a position corresponding to the clutch mechanism on the peripheral surface of the selector shaft, and selectively acting on the clutch mechanism as the selector shaft rotates to connect and disconnect the clutch mechanism. A clutch device. The clutch mechanism has a clutch movable member that reciprocates in the radial direction of the selector shaft and moves to one side of the radial direction so that the clutch mechanism is connected.
The clutch actuating means has an action part that is provided on at least one side of the opposing surfaces of the selector shaft and the clutch movable member and moves the clutch movable member in the radial direction on the side where the clutch mechanism is connected. The clutch device according to claim 1.   The clutch device according to claim 2, wherein the action portion is a protrusion or a recess.   The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of clutch mechanisms are arranged around the selector shaft in a circumferential direction of the selector shaft.   The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of clutch mechanisms are arranged in the axial direction of the selector shaft around the selector shaft.   The clutch device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a manual operation member for rotating the selector shaft is integrally provided on the selector shaft.   The clutch device according to claim 1, wherein the manual operation member is provided with a switch of the motor.

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