JP2021134820A - Fan coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

To discharge a working fluid from a labyrinth part when an internal combustion engine is brought into a stop state.SOLUTION: A fan coupling device comprises: a torque transmission chamber formed between a clutch disc and a clutch housing, and supplying a working fluid to a labyrinth part; a storage chamber partitioned into the torque transmission chamber by a partitioning plate, and storing the working fluid; a working fluid discharge path for making the working fluid which is discharged from the labyrinth part flow toward the storage chamber; a relief tank connected to the working fluid discharge path; a valve body for switching a release state for allowing the working fluid to flow into the relief tank, and a block state for limiting the flow-in of the working fluid into the relief tank; and a control part for bringing the valve body into the release state when an internal combustion engine is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a fan coupling device.

Conventionally, a fan coupling device that connects the clutch disc and the clutch housing in a coupled state by supplying a working fluid to a labyrinth portion that combines the unevenness provided in the outer peripheral region of the clutch disc and the unevenness provided in the outer peripheral region of the clutch housing. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The clutch disc is fixed to a drive shaft that transmits the rotation of the internal combustion engine, and the clutch housing is equipped with a fan. When the clutch housing and the clutch housing are in the coupled state, the fan rotates due to the rotation of the internal combustion engine.

The inside of the clutch housing is partitioned into a storage chamber in which the working fluid is stored by a partition plate and a torque transmission chamber provided with a labyrinth portion. The partition plate is provided with a communication hole that communicates the storage chamber and the torque transmission chamber, and the amount of working fluid in the torque transmission chamber changes when the communication hole is opened and closed by the valve body. When the amount of working fluid in the torque transmission chamber increases and the working fluid is introduced into the labyrinth portion, the fan coupling device is put into a coupled state. On the other hand, when the working fluid is discharged from the labyrinth portion, the fan coupling device is in a disconnected state.

Patent Document 1 prevents the working fluid from flowing back from the storage chamber to the labyrinth portion via the working fluid return passage (oil return passage) when the internal combustion engine is stopped and the fan coupling device is to be disconnected. The purpose is to do.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-107727

By the way, if the working fluid remains in the labyrinth portion when the internal combustion engine is started, the fan coupling device may be connected and the fan may rotate at the same time as the internal combustion engine is started. If the fan rotates when the internal combustion engine is started, the operating noise may be recognized as noise. Therefore, it is desirable that the working fluid is discharged from the labyrinth portion when the internal combustion engine is stopped so that the working fluid does not remain in the labyrinth portion when the internal combustion engine is started. Patent Document 1 prevents the backflow of the working fluid to the labyrinth portion, but does not actively discharge the working fluid from the labyrinth portion when the internal combustion engine is stopped.

Therefore, it is an object of the fan coupling device disclosed in the present specification to discharge the working fluid from the labyrinth portion when the internal combustion engine is stopped.

The fan coupling device disclosed in the present specification is separated from the torque transmission chamber by a partition plate and a torque transmission chamber for supplying a working fluid to a labyrinth portion formed between the clutch disc and the clutch housing. A storage chamber for storing the working fluid, a working fluid discharge passage for flowing the working fluid discharged from the labyrinth portion toward the storage chamber, a relief tank connected to the working fluid discharge passage, and the inside of the relief tank. A valve body that switches between an open state that allows the working fluid to flow into the relief tank and a closed state that limits the inflow of the working fluid into the relief tank, and the valve body that opens when the internal combustion engine stops. It is equipped with a control unit that is in a state.

According to the fan coupling device disclosed in the present specification, the working fluid can be discharged from the labyrinth portion when the internal combustion engine is stopped.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the fan coupling device of the embodiment. 2 (A) and 2 (B) are explanatory views showing an enlarged periphery of the first valve body included in the fan coupling device of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 (A) shows the communication hole of the first valve body. 2 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the first valve body has a communication hole opened. 3 (A) and 3 (B) are explanatory views showing an enlarged periphery of the second valve body included in the fan coupling device of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 (A) shows that the second valve body is a relief tank. 3 (B) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the second valve body closes the relief tank. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the fan coupling device of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the drawings, the dimensions, ratios, etc. of each part may not be shown so as to completely match the actual ones. Also, depending on the drawing, details may be omitted.

<Embodiment>
Referring to FIG. 1, the fan coupling device 100 includes a drive shaft 1, a clutch disk 2, a clutch housing 4, a partition plate 7, an electromagnet 13, a first valve body 15, a suction plate 17, and a second with the central axis as AX. It includes a valve body 19, a link mechanism unit 20, and a control unit 22. A working fluid is sealed in the clutch housing 4. In the present embodiment, silicon oil is used as the working fluid, but a conventionally known working fluid that can be used in the fan coupling device may be appropriately used.

A first bearing 3 is provided between the drive shaft 1 and the clutch housing 4. The clutch housing 4 is provided with a fan (not shown). The clutch disc 2 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 1. The clutch disc 2 is rotationally driven together with the drive shaft 1 by the driving force of the internal combustion engine.

The clutch housing 4 is formed by combining the first housing 5 and the second housing 6. The first housing 5 is located on the tip end side of the drive shaft 1. The second housing 6 is located on the base end side of the drive shaft 1. The inside of the clutch housing 4 is partitioned by a partition plate 7 into a working fluid storage chamber 8 and a torque transmission chamber 9. The storage chamber 8 is provided on the second housing 6 side. The torque transmission chamber 9 is provided on the side of the first housing 5. The partition plate 7 is provided with a communication hole 7a that communicates the storage chamber 8 and the torque transmission chamber 9.

The clutch disc 2 is housed in the torque transmission chamber 9. An uneven portion 2a is provided in the outer peripheral region near the outer peripheral edge of the clutch disc 2. Inside the first housing 5 forming the torque transmission chamber 9, an uneven portion 5a is provided in an outer peripheral region close to the outer peripheral edge thereof. The uneven portion 2a included in the clutch disc 2 and the uneven portion 5a provided in the first housing 5 are meshed with each other to form a labyrinth portion 10 having a narrow and intricate labyrinth groove. When the working fluid is supplied into the labyrinth portion 10, the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 rotate together.

The clutch disc 2 includes a working fluid supply path 11 provided so as to connect the central side and the outer peripheral edge side of the clutch disc 2. Further, the clutch disc 2 is provided with a working fluid discharge path 12 on the opposite side of the working fluid supply path 11 with a central portion thereof interposed therebetween. The working fluid discharge path 12 is also provided so as to connect the central side and the outer peripheral edge side of the clutch disc 2. The working fluid discharge path 12 causes the working fluid discharged from the labyrinth portion 10 to flow toward the storage chamber 8. The working fluid discharge path 12 includes an inflow portion 12a extending along the thickness direction of the clutch disc 2 on the outside of the outer peripheral edge of the clutch disc 2. A relief tank 18 is connected to the working fluid discharge path 12. The relief tank 18 will be described in detail later.

When a sufficient amount of the working fluid is supplied into the torque transmission chamber 9, the clutch disk 2 rotates to circulate the working fluid through the path including the working fluid supply path 11, the labyrinth section 10, and the working fluid discharge path 12. .. When such circulation of the working fluid occurs, the working fluid is supplied into the labyrinth portion 10, so that the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 rotate integrally.

The communication hole 7a provided in the partition plate 7 is opened and closed by the first valve body 15. When the first valve body 15 is opened and the communication hole 7a is opened, the amount of working fluid flowing from the storage chamber 8 into the torque transmission chamber 9 increases, and the working fluid in the torque transmission chamber 9 increases. .. In this way, when the storage chamber 8 and the torque transmission chamber 9 are in a state of communicating with each other through the communication hole 7a and a sufficient amount of working fluid is supplied into the torque transmission chamber 9, the torque transmission chamber 9 is used. Circulation of working fluid occurs. As a result, the working fluid is supplied into the labyrinth portion 10, and the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 rotate integrally.

On the other hand, when the first valve body 15 is closed and the communication hole 7a is closed, the amount of working fluid flowing from the storage chamber 8 into the torque transmission chamber 9 is reduced, and the working fluid in the torque transmission chamber 9 is reduced. Less. When the amount of working fluid in the torque transmission chamber 9 is small, the amount of working fluid entering the labyrinth portion 10 is small. As a result, the clutch housing 4 cannot rotate together with the clutch disc 2, and only the drive shaft 1 and the clutch disc 2 provided with the first bearing 3 between the clutch housing 4 and the clutch housing 4 rotate.

Here, the first valve body 15 that opens and closes the communication hole 7a will be described. The first valve body 15 is formed of a plate-shaped member having elasticity. The first valve body 15 is provided with a sealing portion 15a arranged at one end in accordance with the position of the communication hole 7a, and is provided with a fixing portion 15b at the other end. The fixing portion 15b is fixed to the second housing 6 by the fixing screw 16. The first valve body 15 is bent and molded so that the communication hole 7a can be opened and closed while the fixing portion 15b is fixed. A suction plate 17 is attached to the first valve body 15.

When the electromagnet 13 is not energized, as shown in FIG. 2A, the suction portion 13a of the electromagnet 13 and the suction plate 17 are separated from each other, and the communication hole 7a is the sealing portion of the first valve body 15. It is blocked by 15a. On the other hand, when the electromagnet 13 is energized, as shown in FIG. 2B, the suction plate 17 is attracted to the suction portion 13a of the electromagnet 13, the first valve body 15 is opened, and the communication hole 7a is opened. To open. The electromagnet 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 22, and the control unit 22 can energize the electromagnet 13 at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, the first valve body 15 can be opened and closed at an arbitrary timing.

The electromagnet 13 has an annular shape and is provided in a state of being inserted into the drive shaft 1. The electromagnet 13 is fixed to the vehicle on which the internal combustion engine is mounted, the internal combustion engine itself, and other auxiliary equipment. A second bearing 14 is provided between the drive shaft 1 and the electromagnet 13, and both can rotate relatively. Therefore, the drive shaft 1 is in a state where the electromagnet 13 is fixed to a vehicle or the like. Can rotate.

A link mechanism unit 20 is connected to a suction plate 17 that is attracted by the electromagnet 13 being energized. The link mechanism unit 20 switches between an open state that allows the working fluid to flow into the relief tank 18 connected to the working fluid discharge path 12 and a closed state that limits the inflow of the working fluid into the relief tank 18. The second valve body 19, which is a valve body, is driven. The link mechanism unit 20 is schematically drawn in each figure in order to make the explanation easy to understand.

The relief tank 18 can store the working fluid discharged from the labyrinth section 10, and facilitates the removal of the working fluid from the labyrinth section 10. By opening the second valve body 19 and allowing the working fluid to flow into the relief tank 18 when the internal combustion engine is stopped, the discharge of the working fluid from the labyrinth portion 10 can be promoted.

The relief tank 18 includes a first passage 18a, a second passage 18b, and an internal space 18c. The first passage 18a is located on the upstream side with respect to the internal space 18c, and the second passage 18b is located on the downstream side with respect to the internal space 18c. A second valve body 19 is slidably provided in the internal space 18c. The volume of the second valve body 19 in the internal space 18c can be changed depending on the position in the internal space 18c.

The link mechanism portion 20 includes a first member 20a, a second member 20b, and a third member 20c. The link mechanism unit 20 is operated by the moving operation of the suction plate 17. The first member 20a is connected to the suction plate 17 by a sliding pair even so as to function as a slider for the suction plate 17. The second member 20b is a bent-molded member, and one end of the second member 20b is connected to the first member 20a by a kinematic pair. The second member 20b has a bent portion 20b1 as a rotation fulcrum, and the bent portion 20b1 is rotatably supported by a meat portion of the second housing 6. The third member 20c is a rod-shaped member, and one end of the third member 20c is connected to the other end of the second member 20b by a kinematic pair. The other end of the third member 20c is connected to the second valve body 19 by a kinematic pair.

The suction plate 17 to which the link mechanism portion 20 is connected is urged by the spring member 21. The spring member 21 urges the side that opens the second valve body 19, that is, the suction plate 17 in the direction away from the suction portion 13a of the electromagnet 13. The suction plate 17 is urged by the elastic force of the first valve body 15 in a direction away from the suction portion 13a of the electromagnet 13. Therefore, the spring member 21 assists the elastic force of the first valve body 15. In addition, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the spring member 21 is schematically drawn in FIGS. 1, 3 (A) and 3 (B).

When the electromagnet 13 is not energized, as shown in FIG. 3A, the suction plate 17 of the electromagnet 13 is as shown by the arrow 32 due to the elastic force of the first valve body 15 and the urging force of the spring member 21. It is in a state of being separated from the suction portion 13a. At this time, the first member 20a of the link mechanism portion 20 moves as shown by the arrow 33. Along with this, the second member 20b rotates with the bent portion 20b1 as a fulcrum as shown by arrow 34. Then, when the second valve body 19 is pulled up via the third member 20c, the internal space 18c is formed, and the working fluid is allowed to flow into the relief tank 18 in an open state. Since the working fluid in the labyrinth portion 10 is pushed toward the outer peripheral side by the rotation of the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4, the working fluid is discharged to the working fluid discharge path 12 through the inflow portion 12a as shown by arrow 35. At this time, the second valve body 19 is opened and the working fluid can flow into the relief tank 18, so that the working fluid in the labyrinth portion 10 is quickly discharged to the working fluid discharge path 12. You will be able to do it. As a result, the engaged state between the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 can be released.

In the present embodiment, when the second valve body 19 is in the closed state, the internal space 18c of the relief tank 18 is reduced, and the internal space 18c is expanded by shifting the second valve body 19 to the open state. .. As a result, a negative pressure is generated in the relief tank 18. As a result, the working fluid is drawn into the relief tank 18, and the effect of discharging the working fluid from the labyrinth portion 10 can be improved.

On the other hand, when the electromagnet 13 is energized, as shown in FIG. 3B, the suction plate 17 is attracted to the suction portion 13a of the electromagnet 13 as shown by arrow 36. At this time, the first member 20a of the link mechanism portion 20 moves as shown by the arrow 37. Along with this, the second member 20b rotates with the bent portion 20b1 as a fulcrum as shown by arrow 38. Then, when the second valve body 19 is pulled down via the third member 20c, the internal space 18c is reduced, and a closed state that limits the inflow of the working fluid into the relief tank 18 is established.

Here, the relationship between the opening and closing of the first valve body 15 and the second valve body 19 will be summarized. Both the first valve body 15 and the second valve body 19 switch between the valve open state and the valve closed state depending on the energized state of the electromagnet 13. When the electromagnet 13 is energized and the suction plate 17 is attracted to the suction portion 13a, the first valve body 15 is in the valve open state, and the second valve body 19 is in the valve closed state (closed state). On the other hand, when the electromagnet 13 is turned off and the suction plate 17 is separated from the suction portion 13a, the first valve body 15 is in the valve closed state and the second valve body 19 is in the valve open state (open state). As described above, the opening and closing states of the first valve body 15 and the second valve body 19 are opposite to each other.

The control unit 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage unit (for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)), an input / output interface, and a drive for a portable storage medium. Etc. are provided. Each of these components of the control unit 22 is connected to a bus. In the control unit 22, the CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or HDD, and the function of the control unit 22 is realized. The water temperature sensor 23 and the ignition 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 22.

Next, an example of control of the fan coupling device 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S1, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the internal combustion engine has started. When the internal combustion engine is stopped, the electromagnet 13 is turned off, and the first valve body 15 is in a closed state as shown in FIG. 2A, and the second valve body 19 is in a closed state. Is in an open state as shown in FIG. 3 (A). When the control unit 22 makes a negative determination (NO determination) in step S1, the control unit 22 repeats the process of step S1 until an affirmative determination (YES determination) is made in step S1. When the control unit 22 determines YES in step S1, the control unit 22 proceeds to step S2. When the internal combustion engine starts, the drive shaft 1 and the clutch disc 2 start to rotate.

The control unit 22 determines in step S2 whether or not the water temperature has become higher than the preset threshold value based on the measurement information of the water temperature sensor 23. Here, the threshold value is a value that serves as a criterion for determining whether or not to rotate the fan. When the control unit 22 makes a NO determination in step S2, the control unit 22 repeats the process of step S2 until a YES determination is made in step S2. When the control unit 22 determines YES in step S2, the control unit 22 proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the control unit 22 issues an energization command to the electromagnet 13. When the electromagnet 13 is energized, in step S4, the first valve body 15 is in the valve open state as shown in FIG. 2 (B), and the second valve body 19 is in the valve closed state as shown in FIG. 3 (B). That is, it becomes a closed state. When the first valve body 15 is opened in step S4, the storage chamber 8 and the torque transmission chamber 9 are in a communicating state through the communication hole 7a, and the working fluid in the storage chamber 8 is introduced as shown by arrows 31a and 31b. It flows into the torque transmission chamber 9 and the amount of working fluid in the torque transmission chamber 9 increases. Since the clutch disk 2 is rotating in the torque transmission chamber 9, the working fluid is supplied to the labyrinth portion 10 through the working fluid supply path 11 as shown by arrows 31c and 31d by the rotational force (step S5). .. As a result, the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 are in a coupled state, and the fan provided in the clutch housing 4 rotates.

After the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 are engaged and the fan starts to rotate, the control unit 22 lowers the water temperature below a preset threshold value based on the measurement information of the water temperature sensor 23 in step S6. Determine if it has become. This threshold value is different from the value used in step S2 in order to prevent hunting. When the control unit 22 determines YES in step S6, the control unit 22 proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines NO in step S6, the control unit 22 proceeds to step S10.

In step S7, the control unit 22 stops energizing the electromagnet 13. As a result, in step S8, the first valve body 15 is in the valve closed state as shown in FIG. 2 (A), and the second valve body 19 is in the open state as shown in FIG. 3 (A). When the first valve body 15 is closed, the communication hole 7a is closed, and the amount of working fluid flowing from the storage chamber 8 into the torque transmission chamber 9 is reduced. As a result, the amount of working fluid in the torque transmission chamber 9 is reduced. Even when the working fluid in the torque transmission chamber 9 is reduced in this way, the clutch disc 2 continues to rotate. Therefore, the working fluid in the labyrinth portion 10 is pushed to the outer peripheral portion by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the clutch disc 2 and is discharged to the working fluid discharge path 12. When the working fluid is discharged from the labyrinth portion 10, the coupling state between the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 is eliminated, the rotation of the clutch housing 4 is stopped, and the fan is stopped accordingly.

When the energization of the electromagnet 13 is stopped and the second valve body 19 is opened, the working fluid can flow into the relief tank 18, and the internal space 18c of the relief tank 18 is expanded to generate negative pressure. Occurs. As a result, the working fluid in the labyrinth portion 10 is quickly discharged, and the fan stops responsively.

After step S8, the control unit 22 determines whether or not the ignition 24 has been turned off. When the control unit 22 determines YES in step S9, the control unit 22 does not take any measures as it is and stops the internal combustion engine (end). When the internal combustion engine is stopped through such a history, the working fluid is discharged from the inside of the labyrinth portion 10, and the coupling state between the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 is eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fan from rotating the next time the internal combustion engine is started. When the control unit 22 determines NO in step S9, the control unit 22 repeats the process from step S2.

When the NO determination is made in step S6, the control unit 22 determines in step S10 whether or not the ignition 24 has been turned off. When the control unit 22 determines NO in step S10, the control unit 22 repeats the process from step S6. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines YES in step S10, the control unit 22 proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, similarly to step S7, the control unit 22 stops energizing the electromagnet 13. As a result, in step S12, as in step S8, the first valve body 15 is in the valve closed state as shown in FIG. 2 (A), and the second valve body 19 is in the open state as shown in FIG. 3 (A). It becomes.

Here, the energization stop of the electromagnet 13 in step S11 is performed after the ignition 24 is turned off, unlike the energization stop of the electromagnet 13 in step S7. However, even after the ignition 24 is turned off, the internal combustion engine is rotating by inertia for a while, and the drive shaft 1 and the clutch disc 2 are also rotating. Even when the clutch disc 2 is rotated due to inertia, the working fluid in the labyrinth portion 10 is pushed to the outer peripheral portion by centrifugal force and discharged to the working fluid discharge path 12. Further, the working fluid can flow into the relief tank 18 as in the case where the second valve body is opened in step S8, and the internal space 18c of the relief tank 18 is expanded to reduce the negative pressure. Occurs. As a result, the working fluid in the labyrinth portion 10 is quickly discharged. As a result, the fan coupling device 100 is in a state in which the working fluid is discharged from the labyrinth portion 10 when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and the coupling state between the clutch disc 2 and the clutch housing 4 is eliminated. It becomes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fan from rotating the next time the internal combustion engine is started. By going through step S12, a series of processes is completed (end).

According to the present embodiment, when the internal combustion engine is stopped, the second valve body 19 is in an open state that allows the working fluid to flow into the relief tank 18 connected to the working fluid discharge path 12. As a result, the working fluid can be discharged from the labyrinth portion 10 when the internal combustion engine is stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fan from rotating the next time the internal combustion engine is started.

The second valve body 19 of the present embodiment is slidably provided in the internal space 18c of the relief tank 18, but the second valve body may be in the form of opening and closing the first passage 18a, for example. When adopting such a form, a one-way bals that prevents the backflow of the working fluid from the relief tank 18 may be attached. Further, when the second valve body having such a form is adopted, it may be provided as a guide member for smoothly flowing the working fluid to the working fluid discharge path 12.

In the present embodiment, the first valve body 15 and the second valve body 19 are driven by one suction plate 17, but a suction plate may be provided for each valve body.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example for carrying out the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications of these examples are within the scope of the present invention, and further, the present invention It is self-evident from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope.

1 Drive shaft 2 Clutch disk 2a Concavo-convex part 3 1st bearing 4 Clutch housing 5 1st housing 6 2nd housing 7 Partition plate 7a Communication hole 8 Storage room 9 Torque transmission room 10 Labyrinth part 11 Working fluid supply path 12 Working fluid discharge path 12a Inflow part 13 Electromagnetic magnet 13a Suction part 14 Second bearing 15 First valve body 15a Sealing part 15b Fixed part 17 Suction plate 18 Relief tank 18a First passage 18b Second passage 18c Internal space 19 Second valve body 20 Link mechanism part 21 Spring member 22 Control unit 23 Water temperature sensor 24 Ignition 100 Fan coupling device

Claims (1)

A torque transmission chamber that supplies working fluid to the labyrinth portion formed between the clutch disc and the clutch housing,
A storage chamber that is separated from the torque transmission chamber by a partition plate and stores the working fluid.
A working fluid discharge path for flowing the working fluid discharged from the labyrinth portion toward the storage chamber, and a working fluid discharge path.
A relief tank connected to the working fluid discharge path and
A valve body that switches between an open state that allows the working fluid to flow into the relief tank and a closed state that limits the inflow of the working fluid into the relief tank.
A control unit that opens the valve body when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and
A fan coupling device equipped with.

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