JP3321193B2 - Clutch cooling device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clutch cooling device, and more particularly to a clutch cooling device for cooling a dry friction clutch used in a vehicle or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, a dry friction clutch is provided between the engine and the manual transmission.
A dry friction clutch generally includes a clutch cover and a clutch disk. The clutch cover has a pressure plate movable along the axial direction of the drive shaft, a spring such as a diaphragm spring that applies a load to the pressure plate along the axial direction,
And is fixed to the flywheel. On the other hand, the clutch disc is arranged between the flywheel and the pressure plate. The clutch disc is engaged with a spline provided on the outer periphery of the input shaft connected to the transmission, and is movable along the axial direction of the shaft.

In a normal state, the pressure plate presses the clutch disc against the flywheel by the urging force of the spring. For this reason, the driving force of the engine is transmitted from the flywheel to the transmission and the propeller shaft via the pressure plate and the clutch disk due to the frictional force between the clutch disk and the pressure plate. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the release means operates to move the pressure plate in the axial direction, so that the pressure plate is separated from the clutch disc and transmission of the driving force of the engine is stopped.

[0004] In a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, under a driving condition in which start and stop are frequently repeated, or in a vehicle in which a clutch is frequently used, for example, a commercial vehicle such as a taxi, a bus, a truck, etc., the clutch disc and the clutch disc are used. The friction surface between the pressure plate and the clutch disk and the friction surface between the clutch disk and the flywheel become hot due to friction between the pressure plate and the friction material of the friction material of the clutch disk, and the durability decreases. Problem arises. Particularly, when the temperature of the friction material exceeds about 250 ° C., the friction characteristics rapidly deteriorate.

In order to solve the above problem and effectively cool the friction surface, it is preferable from the viewpoint of efficiency to cool the pressure plate and the flywheel by the flow of air generated by the rotation of the pressure plate and the flywheel. For this reason, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, guide fins 102 for generating an air flow are formed radially on the back surface of the friction surface 100A so as to increase cooling air for cooling the friction surface. Pressure plate 100
(See Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 56-2429).

However, when such a guide fin is used, the blown air is generated by the pressure plate 10.
If the cooling air is not efficiently discharged out of the housing after the cooling of the pressure plate 100 to a high temperature,
And the pressure in the portion where air stays increases. For this reason, the high-temperature air flows into the inner peripheral side having a relatively low pressure again along the inner wall of the housing and is circulated again. This recirculation mixes the hot air with the fresh air and increases the temperature of the air flow supplied to the pressure plate 100, reducing the cooling efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 10, in order to suppress the recirculation of high-temperature air used for cooling, a housing 112 accommodating a clutch 110 is provided between a clutch cover 114 and a suction-side chamber 116. It has been proposed to attach a baffle plate 118 for shielding the air (see JP-A-64-74236). However, when the same guide fin as described above is provided in order to increase the amount of air blown to cool the pressure plate 122, the guide fin blows air to the chamber 120 on the discharge side on the outer periphery of the pressure plate 122 to increase the dynamic pressure. The hot air flow has its flow velocity greatly reduced by the baffle plate 118,
Dynamic pressure decreases.

With the decrease of the dynamic pressure, the discharge-side chamber 120
The static pressure of the chamber 11 rises relatively to the suction side chamber 11 as described above.
Since the pressure in the clutch cover 6 is low, the baffle plate 118 cannot be mounted between the clutch cover 114 and the suction-side chamber 116 as shown by an imaginary line in FIG.
Hot air flows backward through the gap between the baffle plate 14 and the baffle plate 118 and circulates again.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its object to provide a clutch cooling device capable of effectively cooling a friction surface of a clutch. Things.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a clutch cooling device according to the present invention has an air introducing means for introducing air from outside of a housing accommodating a clutch to an inner peripheral side of a pressure plate of the clutch. Air flow generating means for generating an air flow flowing from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate; and a circulation path for circulating the air flow flowing to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate along a circumferential direction of the pressure plate. And the circuit and the housing
Partially narrows the air flow path between the
Increased resistance to air flowing from the road to the other part
In this case, there are provided an outflow preventing means for preventing the air flow from flowing out from the circulation path to the other portion, and a discharge hole for discharging air in the circulation path to the outside of the housing. Further, it is preferable that the air flow generating means includes a ventilation hole provided inside the pressure plate and communicating the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate. In addition, the outflow prevention means includes a circulation path, and other parts in the circulation path and the housing.
It is preferably configured to include a projection or labyrinth packing partitioning minutes and.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the rotation of the pressure plate having the air flow generating means generates an air flow flowing from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate. As a result, the pressure decreases on the inner peripheral side of the pressure plate and increases on the outer peripheral side. Since the pressure (static pressure) on the inner peripheral side of the pressure plate becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure, low-temperature air is sucked from outside the housing by the air introducing means. This cools the friction surface between the pressure plate and the clutch disk. The air that has been heated to a high temperature by cooling the friction surface flows to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate as an air flow by the air flow generating means, and circulates in a circulation path along the circumferential direction of the pressure plate as the pressure plate rotates. This increases the pressure in the circuit (dynamic pressure of the air flow) but increases the air gap between the circuit and other parts in the housing.
Partially narrow the air flow path and flow from the circulation path to the other part
Increase the resistance to air flow
Outflow prevention means for preventing the outflow of the air flow to other parts
Since the step is provided , the air in the circulation path passes through the exhaust hole.
As a result, it is quickly discharged out of the housing. For this reason,
High-temperature air in the circulation path is re-introduced to the inner peripheral side of the pressure plate due to a rise in static pressure in the circulation path, etc. Thus, the friction surface of the clutch can be effectively cooled. Further, when the air flow generating means is configured to include a ventilation hole provided inside the pressure plate and communicating between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate, the friction surface of the pressure plate that becomes hot and the air flow are generated. Since the distance to the passing ventilation hole (ventilation path) can be reduced, the friction surface can be cooled more efficiently. Further, when the outflow prevention means includes a projection or a labyrinth packing for partitioning the circulation path and another part in the housing , the projection or the labyrinth packing allows the high-temperature air in the circulation path to be formed. Can effectively be prevented from leaking to a portion inside the housing other than the circulation path and recirculating, and the friction surface can be cooled more efficiently.

[0012]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a clutch 10 having a clutch cooling device according to the present invention. The clutch 10 is a dry single-plate type friction clutch, and a clutch cover 16 and a clutch disk 18 are housed in a housing 14 attached to the engine block 12.
Inside the housing 14 is the crankshaft 2 of the engine.
A flywheel 22 connected to the flywheel is disposed.
The flywheel 22 is rotated with the rotation of the crankshaft. Flywheel 22 has a predetermined mass (mass)
And accumulates pulsating rotational energy transmitted through the crankshaft 20 to suppress minute fluctuations in the rotational speed of the crankshaft 20.

An input shaft 24 connected to a manual transmission (not shown) protrudes inside the housing 14. Input shaft 2
The tip of 4 is rotatably supported by a bearing 26. A support portion 24A on which a spline is formed is provided near the tip of the input shaft 24, and a clutch disk 18 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the support portion 24A. A spline corresponding to the spline is formed on a peripheral surface of a hole provided at a central portion of the clutch disc 18, and the clutch disc 18 is splined with respect to the input shaft 24 in the axial direction of the input shaft 24 (see FIG. (1 arrow A direction and B direction).

An annular facing portion 18A is attached to both outer peripheral surfaces of the clutch disk 18. The facing portion 18A is configured to include a friction material such as an inorganic or organic material, and can contact the flywheel 22 and a pressure plate 28 described later.

The flywheel 22 is provided with a clutch cover 16. An annular pressure plate 28 is attached to the clutch cover 16 via a strap (not shown) formed of a flexible thin steel plate. The pressure plate 28 can be moved in the directions of arrows A and B with respect to the clutch cover 16 by bending the strap. A diaphragm spring 30 is interposed between the clutch cover 16 and the pressure plate 28.

An outer peripheral portion of the diaphragm spring 30 is sandwiched between the pressure plate 28 and the retract spring 35, and an inner peripheral portion is formed of the release bearing 3
2 is in contact. The intermediate portion is sandwiched between two pivot rings 34, and the pivot ring 34 is supported by the clutch cover 16. Therefore, the diaphragm spring 30 is rotatable about a portion supported by the pivot ring 34 as a fulcrum.

The diaphragm spring 30 urges the pressure plate 28 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 in the state shown in FIG.
Pressed against. Therefore, the facing portion 18A of the clutch disc 18 is in close contact with the flywheel 22 and the pressure plate 28, and when the flywheel 22 and the clutch cover 16 are rotated by the driving force of the engine, the connection between the pressure plate 28 and the clutch disc 18 is made. Friction and clutch disc 18 and flywheel 22
As a result, the driving force of the engine is transmitted, and the clutch disk 18 and the input shaft 24 are rotated.

A support 36 is mounted on the housing 14, and the support 36 pivotally supports a fork 38. One end of the fork 38 is connected to a clutch release cylinder (not shown), and the other end is a release sleeve 40 attached to the release bearing 32.
Is in contact with When a clutch pedal (not shown) is depressed, the clutch release cylinder rotates the fork 38 in the direction of arrow C in FIG.

As a result, the release sleeve 40 and the release bearing 32 move in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 and press the inner peripheral end of the diaphragm spring 30. The diaphragm spring 30 rotates around a portion supported by the pivot ring 34 as a fulcrum, and the pressure plate 2
8 is released. Therefore, the flywheel 22 and the clutch disk 18 and the clutch disk 18 and the pressure plate 28 are separated from each other, and the transmission of the driving force is stopped.

When the depressed clutch pedal is released, the clutch release cylinder is moved to the fork 38.
Is rotated in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 1, and the release sleeve 40 and the release bearing 32 move in the direction of arrow B in FIG. As a result, the pressing of the inner peripheral end of the diaphragm spring 30 is released, and the diaphragm spring 30 again urges the pressure plate 28 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 so that the facing portion 18A of the clutch disk 18 is brought into close contact with the flywheel 22. Let it.

On the other hand, a suction chamber 42 is formed on the side opposite to the flywheel 22 with the pressure plate 28 interposed therebetween, and the housing 14 corresponding to the suction chamber 42 communicates the suction chamber 42 with the outside of the housing 14. An inlet 44 is provided. The suction chamber 42 and the inlet 44 constitute air introducing means, and low-temperature air outside the housing 14 is sucked into the suction chamber 42 through the inlet 44.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,
The pressure plate 28 is formed hollow, and a plurality of substantially arc-shaped inner fins 46 are provided in the hollow portion. An air passage 48 that connects the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate 28 is formed by the adjacent inner fins 46. The inner fin 46 and the ventilation path 48
Constitutes an air flow generating means, and the pressure plate 28 rotates counterclockwise to thereby control the pressure plate 2.
8 generates an airflow flowing from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. Therefore, the pressure (static pressure) decreases on the inner peripheral side, and the low-temperature air described above is introduced from the suction chamber 42 to the inner peripheral side.

Each inner fin 46 is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the pressure plate 28 in order to efficiently generate an air flow and to increase the area of a portion for transmitting heat to the air flow passing through the ventilation passage 48. are doing. That is, the inner fin 46 has a pressure plate 2
8 at an angle of about 15 to 25 ° (θ
₁ ), and the outer peripheral side is formed at an angle (θ ₂ ) of about 25 to 35 ° with respect to the tangent line 52 on the outer periphery of the pressure plate 28. Accordingly, a smooth flow of the air flow is formed without the air flow passing through the ventilation passage 48 separating from the surface of the inner fin 46 and the heat transfer area can be increased. The flow can effectively cool the wall surface of the ventilation passage 48 of the pressure plate 28.

The inner fin 46 also has a role as a reinforcing rib of the pressure plate 28.
As shown in FIG. 3, since the thickness gradually increases from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side, the pressure plate 28 has sufficient strength and inertia to absorb the friction and vibration generated when the clutch 10 is engaged. Have a mass. On the other hand, the clutch cover 16 passes through the ventilation passage 48 and the pressure plate 2.
16A through which the air flow discharged to the outer peripheral side of the nozzle 8 passes
Are provided.

On the inner periphery of the housing 14, a first plate is formed along the outer periphery of the pressure plate 28 and the clutch cover 16.
Are provided. The first protrusion 54 is formed so as to have a necessary minimum space between the first protrusion 54 and the clutch cover 16 in order to avoid contact with the clutch cover 16, and further has an arc-shaped cross section on the flywheel 22 side. An arc-shaped portion 54A is formed. A second protrusion 56 is provided on the outer wall of the engine block 12 near the flywheel 22. The second protrusion 56 is formed with an arc-shaped portion 56A having an arc-shaped cross section on the housing 14 side. These arc-shaped portions 54A and arc-shaped 56A
Corresponds to the outflow prevention means of the present invention. Further, the arc-shaped portions 54A of the first projections 54 and the arc-shaped portions 56 of the second projections 56 on the outer periphery of the clutch cover 16 and the flywheel 22.
A, an annular space surrounded by a portion of the inner wall of the housing 14 between the first projection 54 and the second projection 56
8 is set.

The housing 14 is provided with a pipe 60 and a pipe 84 as discharge holes at positions corresponding to the first projection 54 and the second projection 56 of the circulation path 58. Conduit 60
3 is formed in a substantially crank shape as shown in FIG. 3 so that the air guiding direction changes smoothly. As shown in FIG. It is formed substantially in a tangential direction, and communicates a circulation path 58 inside the housing 14 with the outside of the housing 14.
As shown in FIG. 3, the conduit 60 is attached to the housing 14, and an air flow circulating in the circulation passage 58 with rotation of the pressure plate 28 from a predetermined portion corresponding to the circulation passage 58 inside the housing 14. Is extended to the outside of the housing 14 toward the downstream side in the flow direction (the direction of the arrow E in FIG. 3) at the predetermined portion.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When the engine is started and the crankshaft 20 is rotated,
The flywheel 22, the clutch cover 16, and the pressure plate 28 rotate. When the pressure plate 28 rotates, a difference in peripheral speed between the inner circumference and the outer circumference of the pressure plate 28 and the inclination of the inner fin 46 form an airflow that passes from the inner circumference of the pressure plate 28 through the inner fin 46 to the outer circumference. You. As a result, the pressure on the inner peripheral side of the pressure plate 28 decreases, and low-temperature air is sucked into the suction chamber 42 from the outside of the housing 14 through the inlet 44.

With the use of the clutch 10, the clutch disc 18 and the pressure plate 28 are rubbed, and the friction surface 28A becomes high in temperature. However, the air sucked into the suction chamber 42 is introduced into the inner peripheral side of the pressure plate 28. Then, the friction surface 28A is cooled by passing through the ventilation passage 48. In the conventional pressure plate, fins are provided on the back surface of the friction surface. However, since the pressure plate has a large thickness between the friction surface and the back surface (cooling surface) so that the pressure plate has a certain mass, cooling is difficult. However, in this embodiment, since the thickness between the ventilation passage 48 and the friction surface 28A is reduced, the frictional heat of the friction surface 28A is reduced by the ventilation passage 4A.
8 is efficiently transmitted to the airflow passing through it.

On the other hand, the high-temperature air that has passed through the ventilation passage 48 is given a dynamic pressure by the rotation of the pressure plate 28, and flows through the circulation passage 58 in FIG.
The air is discharged to the circulation path 58 on the outer periphery of the clutch cover 16 as an airflow flowing in the direction of arrow E. The discharged air flow strikes the inner wall of the housing 14 and flows in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. 3 and flows along the inner wall of the housing 14 toward the first projection 54, and flows in the direction indicated by the arrow E in FIG. And an air flow 65 directed to the second projection 56 along the inner wall of the housing 14.

When the airflow 63 toward the first projection 54 reaches the first projection 54, the airflow 63 reaches the arc-shaped portion 5 of the first projection 54.
4A, and the vortex 6
4 are formed. Therefore, the air flow spirally circulates in the circulation path 58. As described above, the airflow 63 that has reached the first protrusion 54 is swirled by the arc-shaped portion 54A of the first protrusion 54 without greatly reducing the flow velocity.
4 is formed and the total pressure in the circulation path 58 is constant,
The rise in the static pressure in the circulation path 58 is small. Therefore, the high-temperature air in the circulation path 58 hardly leaks into the suction chamber 42. The air flow in which the vortex 64 is formed as described above circulates in the circulation path 58 in the direction of arrow E in FIG.
(See FIG. 3), and is easily guided into the pipe 60 and discharged to the outside of the housing 14.

On the other hand, the high-temperature air between the flywheel 22 and the engine block 12 receives a frictional force and a centrifugal force due to the rotation of the flywheel 22, and becomes an air flow 67 flowing outward in the circumferential direction. The speed of the air flow 67 is increased by the throttle-shaped portion 56 </ b> B of the projection 56 and mixed with the air flow 65. At this time, the air flow 65 generated by applying energy by the pressure plate 28 has a higher flow velocity than the air flow 67, and as a result, flows along the arc-shaped portion 56A of the second projection 56, and a vortex flow 66 is formed. You. As described above, the vortex 66 in the arc-shaped portion 56A of the second projection 56 does not decrease in flow velocity and does not decrease in dynamic pressure, but increases in static pressure and passes through the portion where the second projection 56 is provided. Hot air does not leak from the circulation path 58. Furthermore, the circulation path 5
The vortex 66 on the side of the second protrusion 56 in 8 is discharged to the outside of the housing 14 via the conduit 84. As described above, since the high-temperature air does not stay in the circulation path 58 for a long time, the friction surface 28A of the pressure plate is efficiently cooled.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second
In the embodiment, an outer fin 70 that extends the inner fin 46 to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate 28 is integrally formed at a tip portion of six of the inner fins 46 of the pressure plate 28. The tip of the outer fin 70 has an opening 16A provided in the clutch cover 16 so as not to interfere with the clutch cover 16.
And protrudes toward the outer periphery of the clutch cover 16.

As described above, when the pressure plate 28 rotates, an air flow is generated along the inner fin 46 and the outer fin 70 from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate 28. Here, considering the velocity triangle on the outflow (discharge) side as shown in FIG.
If the peripheral speed of 0 and ω are the relative speed of the air flow with respect to the peripheral speed of the outer fin 70, and c is the absolute speed of the air flow, the amount of air blown by the outer fin 70 depends on the absolute speed c, and the absolute speed c depends on the peripheral speed u. Since it is determined, it is effective to increase the peripheral speed u, that is, to lengthen the entire length of the outer fin 70 as long as there is a flow along the outer fin 70.

When the pressure plate 28 is further rotated, the outer fins 70 pass through the circulation path 58 and agitate the high-temperature air retained between the clutch cover 16 and the housing 14 in the circulation path 58. Accordingly, the discharge of high-temperature air in the circulation path 58 is promoted, so that the friction surface 28A of the pressure plate 28 can be cooled more efficiently.

Although the inner fin 46 and the outer fin 70 are integrally formed in the second embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. The outer fin 46 of the pressure plate 28 of the first embodiment is separately provided. 7
0 may be attached.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the third embodiment, a protrusion 74A is provided between the clutch cover 16 and the housing 14.
And a labyrinth packing 74 comprising a recess 74B. The convex portion 74A is formed by attaching a metal annular member to the surface of the clutch cover 16 on the suction chamber 42 side along the outer periphery of the clutch cover 16 and bending the edge portion toward the transmission. On the other hand, the recess 7
4B is made of rubber, and is attached to the housing 14 so as to face the bent edge portion of the convex portion 74A.
The labyrinth packing 74 divides the circulation path 58 and the suction chamber 42, thereby greatly increasing the resistance to air flowing between the circulation path 58 and the suction chamber 42. For this reason, the high-temperature air in the circulation path 58
And is recirculated into the pressure plate 28.

The flywheel 22 and the housing 1
A labyrinth packing 76 composed of a convex portion 76A and a concave portion 76B is provided between them. The convex portion 76A is also formed of a metal and annular member attached to the surface of the flywheel 22 on the cylinder block 76 side along the outer periphery of the flywheel 22, and the edge portion is bent toward the transmission. The concave portion 76B is made of rubber, and is attached to the housing 14 so as to face the bent edge portion of the convex portion 76A. Labyrinth packing 7
Reference numeral 6 defines a circulation path 58 and a space 78 on the cylinder block 76 side, whereby the ventilation resistance against the air flowing between the circulation path 58 and the space 76 becomes very large.
The labyrinth packings 74 and 76 correspond to the outflow prevention means of the present invention.

The high-temperature air flow discharged to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate 28 is supplied to the circulation path 58 similarly to the first embodiment.
The labyrinth packing 74 flows in the direction of arrow E in FIG.
3 and an air flow 65 flowing in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 3 and flowing toward the labyrinth packing 76. The high-temperature and high-speed air flow 63 toward the labyrinth packing 74 is interrupted when it reaches the labyrinth packing 74, so that the flow velocity is reduced and the static pressure is increased. Is prevented from leaking and recirculating.

The high-speed and high-speed air flow 65 toward the labyrinth packing 76 is also provided by the labyrinth packing 76 to the flywheel 22 and the engine block 1.
2 is prevented from flowing into the space 78, the space 78 is prevented from having a high-temperature atmosphere, and the relatively low-speed airflow 67 generated by the rotation of the flywheel 22 is directed toward the crankshaft 20. It is smoothly discharged from the pipe 84 as a discharge hole without being pushed back. Therefore, the friction surface 28A is efficiently cooled.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, the first projection 54 and the second projection 56 of the first embodiment are combined with the labyrinth packing 74 of the third embodiment. The high-temperature airflow generated by the inner fins 46 and the ventilation passages 48 forms vortices 64 and 66 by the arc-shaped portions 54A of the first projections 54 and the arc-shaped portions 56A of the second projections 56.
It is discharged to the outside of the housing 14 via 84. Also,
When the vortices 64 and 66 are formed, the dynamic pressure slightly decreases, and the static pressure in the circulation path 58 increases.
4 prevents hot air from leaking from the circulation path 58 and recirculating. Therefore, the friction surface 28A is more efficiently and reliably cooled.

The shape of the pipe 60 as the discharge hole is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. For example, FIG.
As shown in (A), if the conduit 80 has a smaller inclination of the air guiding direction with respect to the surface of the housing 14,
The air in the circulation path 58 can be more smoothly exhausted. As shown in FIG. 7B, the flow of the air discharged to the outside of the housing 14 is controlled by using a pipe 82 in which the edge of the opening on the outer side of the housing 14 is formed obliquely with respect to the air guiding direction. You may make it rectify. FIG.
As shown in (C), the pipe 14 is omitted and the housing 14 is omitted.
A hole 84 can be formed as a discharge hole.

Also, the inlet for introducing air outside the housing 14 into the suction chamber 42 is shown in FIGS.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the inlet 44 for guiding the air flow to the suction chamber 42 by making the air flow U-turn is not limited. For example, as shown in FIG. An inlet 86 for guiding the suction chamber 42 to the suction chamber 42 can also be used.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the dry single-plate clutch 10 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a multi-plate clutch.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, air is introduced from the outside of the housing to the inner peripheral side of the pressure plate of the clutch, and the pressure plate generated by the air flow generating means is moved from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. Circulates the airflow flowing to the circulation path along the circumference of the pressure plate, and between the circulation path and other parts in the housing.
Partially narrow the air flow path from the circulation path to the other part
By increasing the resistance to flowing air,
Outflow prevention to prevent the air flow from flowing out to the other part
Since the stopping means is provided and the air flow in the circulation path is discharged to the outside of the housing by the discharge hole, an excellent effect that the friction surface of the clutch can be effectively cooled can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a clutch to which a clutch cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the pressure plate according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a housing showing a state in which a pipe (a discharge hole) is attached.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a pressure plate according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a clutch according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a clutch according to a fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 7A to 7C are schematic cross-sectional views of a housing showing another example of a conduit as a discharge hole and a hole.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a housing showing another example of the inlet.

FIG. 9A is a plan view showing a conventional pressure plate to which guide fins are attached, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which followed the IX line.

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a conventional clutch to which a baffle plate is attached.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Clutch 18 Clutch disk 28 Pressure plate 42 Suction chamber 44 Inlet 54 First projection 56 Second projection 58 Circulation path 60 Pipe line (discharge hole) 70 Outer fin 74 Labyrinth packing 76 Labyrinth packing

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuo Nimura 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Corporation (56) References JP-A-3-56718 (JP, A) JP-A-64-74326 (JP, A) Actually open sho 56-2429 (JP, U) Actually open sho 61-77428 (JP, U) Actually open sho 53-35350 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) F16D 11/00-23/14

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air introducing means for introducing air from outside a housing accommodating a clutch to an inner peripheral side of a pressure plate of the clutch, and air generating an air flow flowing from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side of the pressure plate. A flow generating means, a circulation path for circulating the air flow flowing to the outer peripheral side of the pressure plate along a circumferential direction of the pressure plate, and an air flow path between the circulation path and another portion in the housing.
Partially narrowed sky flowing from the circuit to the other part
By increasing the resistance to the air,
A clutch cooling device comprising: an outflow prevention unit configured to prevent the air flow from flowing out to another portion; and a discharge hole configured to discharge air in the circulation path to the outside of the housing. 2. The air flow generating means according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating means includes a ventilation hole provided inside the pressure plate and communicating an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side of the pressure plate. Clutch cooling device. 3. The outflow prevention means includes a projection or a labyrinth packing for partitioning the circulation path, the circulation path and another part in the housing. Clutch cooling device.