JP2744160B2 - Hydraulic power transmission coupling - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hydraulic power transmission coupling used for distributing driving force of a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The present applicant has proposed a hydraulic power transmission coupling as described below in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-283426. That is, the hydraulic power transmission coupling is provided between the input and output shafts that are rotatable relative to each other, and a hydraulic pump that is driven by differential rotation of the input and output shafts and a discharge pump that is provided at the outlet of the hydraulic pump. A hydraulic power transmission coupling, comprising: a control valve for controlling flow resistance; and an actuator for operating the control valve in response to an external signal, and transmitting a torque corresponding to the rotational speed difference between the input / output shaft and an external control signal. A magnetic frame fixed to an external member, surrounding the solenoid coil, and held in a non-contact state with the joint;
A movable magnetic body that generates a magnetic attraction force by energizing the solenoid coil, a spring member whose load changes stepwise with the movement of the movable magnetic body, and an energizing current to the solenoid coil that changes stepwise By doing so, an actuator for stepwise displacing the movable magnetic body is configured, and a valve whose opening area changes in accordance with the displacement of the movable magnetic body and which does not receive a hydraulic reaction force from pressure oil is provided. Things.

When the solenoid coil is not energized, as shown in FIG. 9, the movable magnetic body 101 does not move, and the second control valve 102 is connected to the high pressure chamber 104 of the valve body 103 and the suction passage 1.
05, the first control valve 106 is connected to the high pressure chamber 1
The orifice 107 communicating with the suction passage 105 from the suction port 104 is opened. Therefore, in this state, normal torque characteristics can be obtained.

When a weak current is applied to the solenoid coil, as shown in FIG. 10, the movable magnetic body 101 moves leftward in parallel, whereby both the first control valve 106 and the second control valve 102 move leftward. , The second control valve 102 maintains a state in which communication between the high-pressure chamber 104 and the suction passage 105 is shut off, and the first control valve 106
Is closed. Thereby, the characteristics of the lock can be obtained.

When the solenoid coil is energized strongly, as shown in FIG. 11, the movable magnetic body 101 further moves in parallel to the left, thereby causing the first control valve 106 and the second control valve 106 to move in parallel.
The second control valve 102 also moves in parallel to the left until it contacts the retainer 108, and the second control valve 102
The first control valve 106 keeps the state in which the orifice 107 is closed. Thereby, free characteristics can be obtained. In addition, 109 is a housing, 110 is a cover, 111 is an accumulator piston, and 112 is a stopper ring.

Further, Japanese Patent Application No. 3-245463 proposes a hydraulic power transmission coupling as described below.
That is, the hydraulic power transmission coupling is provided between the input and output shafts that are rotatable relative to each other, and is driven by differential rotation of the two shafts; and the flow of discharge oil provided at the outlet of the hydraulic pump. A control valve for controlling the resistance; an actuator for operating the control valve by an external signal; and a hydraulic power transmission coupling for transmitting a torque according to a rotational speed difference between the two shafts and an external control signal,
A ring-shaped high-pressure chamber for collecting oil discharged from the hydraulic pump, a magnetic frame fixed to an external member, containing a solenoid coil, and held in a non-contact state with a joint, and a magnetic field generated by energizing the solenoid coil A ring-shaped movable magnetic body as the actuator that generates an attractive force is provided, and the respective parts are arranged concentrically with respect to a joint axis, and the high-pressure chamber of the high-pressure chamber according to the magnetic attractive force of the movable magnetic body. A relief valve as the control valve for controlling pressure is provided at a distance from the center of the joint shaft.

[0007]

However, in such a conventional hydraulic power transmission joint, when only one control valve is operated, the movable magnetic body is fixed to the shaft center as in the former case. When the actuator structure is configured to move in parallel with the above, a long guide for maintaining the parallel state of the movable magnetic body is required, and there is a problem that the length of the joint becomes long.

Further, since the movable magnetic body and the member to be attracted are separated when the current is not supplied, the force acting on the movable magnetic body when the current is supplied is weak, a large current is required, and the coil is large and the cost is high. There is a problem. Further, even in the case of providing a support member for supporting an unbalanced load such as the latter, the movable magnetic body and the suction target member are separated by the thickness of the support member, for the same reason as the former. Therefore, the force acting on the movable magnetic body is weakened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can reduce the size of the coil, the current consumption, the cost, and the joint length. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydraulic power transmission coupling that can be shortened.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided between input / output shafts which are rotatable relative to each other,
A hydraulic pump driven by the differential rotation of the two shafts;
A control valve provided at an outlet of the hydraulic pump for controlling flow resistance of discharge oil; an actuator for operating the control valve in response to an external signal; a rotational speed difference between the two shafts and an external control signal A hydraulic power transmission coupling for transmitting torque according to: fixed to an external member,
A magnetic frame that surrounds the solenoid coil and is held in a non-contact state with the joint; and a movable magnetic body that generates a magnetic attractive force by energizing the solenoid coil, the actuator being configured by a joint shaft of the movable magnetic body. At a position distant from the center, the control valve is provided, and the movable magnetic body is always in contact with the control target valve at a position substantially axially symmetric with the control valve, and the contact point thereof is used as a fulcrum. The control valve is operated by oscillatingly positioning and energizing the solenoid coil.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the side of the movable magnetic body on which the control valve is not provided is inclined and attached in advance so as to be in close contact with the suction target member. Therefore, when no current is supplied to the solenoid coil, the movable magnetic body does not move,
Normal torque characteristics can be obtained.

When the solenoid coil is energized, an attractive force acts, the movable magnetic body moves around the contact point as a fulcrum, and the control valve operates. As a result, characteristics determined by the function of the control valve such as lock or free can be obtained. As described above, since the movable magnetic body, which is not provided with the control valve, is inclined and attached so as to be in close contact with the suction target member, a large current is not required, the solenoid coil can be reduced, and the current consumption can be reduced. can do. as a result,
Cost can be reduced.

In addition, a guide for moving the movable magnetic body in parallel is not required, and the length of the joint can be reduced.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention.
First, the configuration will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing, and the housing 1 is connected to an output shaft (not shown) and rotates integrally with the output shaft.

The housing has a housing non-magnetic part 1B made of a non-magnetic material and another part made of a magnetic material integrated. Reference numeral 2 denotes a cam, and the cam 2 is supported on the inner surface of the housing 1 so as to be rotatable at a predetermined angle. The cam 2 has a cam surface 2A composed of a plurality of cam ridges and cam valleys, and has a plurality of projections 2B for positioning and torque transmission on the outer periphery thereof where the cam ridges are located on the side surfaces.

The cam 2 engages a notch 1A formed in the housing 1 with its projection 2B, and rotates integrally with the housing 1 in the rotation direction of the rotor 3. When the rotation direction of the rotor 3 changes, the cam 2 Rotates with the rotor 3 and the cam 2
After rotating until the projection 2B of the housing 1 hits the notch 1A of the housing 1, the housing 2 rotates integrally with the housing 1. The rotor 3 is rotatably housed in the housing 1, is coupled to the input shaft 4, and rotates integrally with the input shaft 4.

A plurality of plunger chambers 5 are formed in the rotor 3 in the axial direction, and a plurality of plungers 6 are slidably housed in the plunger chamber 5 via a return spring 7. A plurality of suction / discharge holes 8 are formed in the rotor 3 so as to communicate with each plunger chamber 5. Reference numeral 9 denotes a magnetic valve in which a suction port 10, a suction path 11, and a discharge port 12 are formed.
The projection 13 is engaged with the notch 1 </ b> A of the housing 1 to be positioned and fixed to the housing 1.

The discharge port 12 communicates with the high-pressure chamber 14, and the high-pressure chamber 14 can communicate with the suction port 10 through an orifice (flow resistance generating means) 15 formed in the valve 9. When the plunger 6 is in the suction process, there is a positional relationship between the suction port 10 of the valve 9 and the suction and discharge hole 8 of the rotor 3, and the orifice 15 and the suction passage 1
1, the oil can be sucked into the plunger chamber 5 through the suction port 10 and the suction / discharge hole 8 of the rotor 3.

When the plunger 6 is in the discharge step, the relationship is reversed from that in the suction step, and the suction and discharge holes 8 of the rotor 3 communicate with the discharge port 12 of the valve 9 and the high-pressure chamber 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a retainer (a member to be suctioned) supported by a bearing 17. The retainer 16 is fixed to the inner periphery of the housing 1 and rotates integrally with the housing 1. An insertion hole 18 is formed in the retainer 16, and a protrusion 19 of the valve 9 is inserted into the insertion hole 18. Reference numeral 21 denotes a snap ring for preventing the oil seal 43 from coming off.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a magnetic frame. The magnetic frame 22 is fixed to an external member, and is held in a non-contact state with a joint. The magnetic frame 22 is disposed concentrically with respect to the joint axis.
A solenoid coil 23 is housed therein. Reference numeral 24 denotes a movable magnetic body that generates a magnetic attraction by energizing the solenoid coil 23. The movable magnetic body 24 is movably housed in the housing 1 relative to the retainer 16. A stopper ring 25 is provided on the inner periphery of the housing 1 as a stopper of the movable magnetic body 24 in the right direction in the figure.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a control valve as a lock valve. One end of the control valve 26 is slidably housed in a valve hole 27 of the valve 9, and the other end of the control valve 26 is formed in a movable magnetic body 24. It is inserted into the notch 28. A relief spring 29 is interposed between the control valve 26 and the movable magnetic body 24. Reference numeral 30 denotes a retaining pin. The movable magnetic body 24 is held by the retaining pin 30 at a position substantially axially symmetric with the control valve 26 so as to contact the retainer 16.
Are linked.

That is, the movable magnetic body 24 is attached to the retainer 16 while being tiltably swingable with the contact portion as a fulcrum. The movable magnetic body 24, the solenoid coil 23 and the magnetic frame 22 constitute an actuator as a whole,
The actuator controls the operation of the control valve 26. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, between the retainer 16 and the movable magnetic body 24, springs 35 with weak urging force are interposed at two lower positions. The springs 35 are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to a vertical line passing through the center of the joint axis of the movable magnetic body 24, and a control valve 26 is provided between the springs 35.

The control valve 26 and the retaining pin 30 are provided at symmetrical positions away from the center of the joint axis of the movable magnetic body 24.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 38 denotes an accumulator piston which rotates integrally with the housing 1;
Reference numeral 8 is provided to absorb the thermal expansion of the sealed oil. A return spring 40 is interposed between the accumulator piston 38 and the cover 39 fixed to the housing 1.

Incidentally, 41 is a spline, 42 and 43 are oil seals, 44 is a bearing, 45 is a needle bearing, and 46, 47 and 48 are seal rings. next,
The operation will be described. First, the normal characteristics will be described. When the solenoid coil 23 is not energized, the movable magnetic body 24 does not generate a magnetic attraction force, as shown in FIG.
It is held at the position shown. Therefore, the spring 35
Is not compressed. That is, the movable magnetic body 24 is held by the retaining pin 30 in a state of being attached to the retainer 16 at an angle.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
Since the orifice 15 is open, the oil flows as shown by the arrow. That is, the oil pushed out to the discharge port 12 is supplied to the suction passage 11 through the high-pressure chamber 14 and the orifice 15. At this time, the hydraulic pressure in the high-pressure chamber 14, the discharge port 12, and the plunger chamber 5 increases due to the resistance of the orifice 15, and a reaction force is generated in the plunger 6. By rotating the cam 2 against the plunger reaction force, a torque is generated, and the torque is transmitted between the cam 2 and the rotor 3.

The torque characteristic at this time is shown in FIG. 6A, and becomes a torque T proportional to the square of the differential rotation speed ΔN.
Next, the characteristics of the lock will be described. When the solenoid coil 23 is energized, the movable magnetic body 24 swings around the contact point as a fulcrum, compresses the spring 35 and comes into contact with the retainer 16 as shown in FIG.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
Closes the orifice 15 by the compression force of the relief spring 29. At this time, the torque characteristics are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, when the pressure of the oil in the high-pressure chamber 14 exceeds a predetermined value, the control valve 26 opens against the spring 29 and operates as a relief valve.

As described above, the control valve 26 of the movable magnetic body 24
The side not provided with is provided in close contact with the retainer 16, so that a large current is not required and the solenoid coil 23
Can be reduced, current consumption can be reduced, and as a result, cost can be reduced. In addition, since a guide for moving the movable magnetic body 24 in parallel is not required, the length of the joint can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the relief valve closes the orifice 15 when the control valve 26 operates. However, the orifice 15 may be closed by a spool-shaped valve. Similarly, a free state may be obtained as a control valve acting to open the high-pressure chamber 14. What functions the control valve has
The choice depends on the functions required by the vehicle.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, the side of the movable magnetic body on which the control valve is not provided is inclined so as to be in close contact with the retainer, so that a large current is not required and the solenoid is not required. The size of the coil can be reduced, and the current consumption can be reduced. As a result, costs can be reduced.

Further, a guide for moving the movable magnetic body in parallel is not required, and the length of the joint can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a retainer and a movable magnetic body.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a movable magnetic body.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a movable magnetic body.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a normal characteristic.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing torque characteristics.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a lock characteristic.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation of the relief valve at the time of locking.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional normal characteristic.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a conventional lock characteristic.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional free characteristic.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Housing 1A: Notch 1B: Non-magnetic portion of housing 2: Cam 2A: Cam surface 2B: Projection 3: Rotor 4: Input shaft 5: Plunger chamber 6: Plunger 7: Return spring 8: Suction / discharge hole 9: Valve 10: Suction port 11: Suction path 12: Discharge port 13: Projection 14: High pressure chamber 15: Orifice 16: Retainer (suction target member) 17: Bearing 18: Insertion hole 19: Projection 21: Snap ring 22: Magnetic frame 23: Solenoid coil 24: Movable magnetic body 25: Stopper ring 26: Control valve 27: Valve hole 28: Notch for insertion 29: Spring for relief 30: Retaining pin 35: Weak spring 38: Accumulator piston 39: Cover 40: return spring 41: spline 42, 43: oil seal 4: bearing 45: needle bearing 46, 47: seal ring 48: seal ring

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hydraulic pump provided between an input / output shaft that is rotatable relative to each other and driven by differential rotation of the two shafts; and a control provided at an outlet of the hydraulic pump to control a flow resistance of discharge oil. A hydraulic power transmission coupling for transmitting a torque according to a rotational speed difference between the two shafts and an external control signal; and an external member. A magnetic frame fixed around the solenoid coil and held in a non-contact state with the joint, and a movable magnetic body that generates a magnetic attractive force by energizing the solenoid coil, the actuator comprising: The control valve is provided at a position distant from the center of the joint shaft, and the movable magnetic body is always in contact with the suction target member at a position substantially axially symmetric with respect to the control valve. In so that, and a hydraulic power transmission joint, characterized in that for operating the control valve by the contact portion swingably positioned as a fulcrum, it is energized to the solenoid coil.