JP5715008B2 - Clutch unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a clutch unit having a function of transmitting input torque from the input side to the output side and not transmitting reverse input torque from the output side to the input side.

  Some apparatuses that transmit input torque to an output-side mechanism and adjust its position require a function of holding the position of the output-side mechanism when no input torque is applied. In such a device, in order to provide the position holding function of the output side mechanism, the input torque applied to the input side member is transmitted to the output side member between the input side operation member and the output side mechanism, and output When a reverse input torque is applied to the side member, a reverse input cutoff clutch of a type (hereinafter referred to as a “lock type”) that locks the output side member with the stationary side member and does not transmit the reverse input torque to the input side. May be incorporated.

  For example, in a seat lifter that adjusts the height of an automobile seat (seat), a lock-type reverse input cutoff clutch is incorporated between the operation member and the output side (seat side) mechanism to adjust the seat height. After the operation member is operated, it is conceivable that the height position of the seat can be maintained even if the weight of the seat or the weight of the seated person is added.

  However, in the seat lifter incorporating the lock type reverse input cutoff clutch as described above, when the operation member is a lever, the position of the operation lever after the seat height adjustment is also maintained, so that the operation lever is in operation. There is a risk of getting in the way.

  This problem can be solved by using the clutch unit proposed in Patent Document 1 instead of the lock-type reverse input cutoff clutch. That is, the clutch unit includes an input side member to which torque is input, an output side member to which torque is output, a control member interposed between the input side member and the output side member, and a stationary member whose rotation is restricted. The input member and the control member are locked against the input torque from the side member and the input member, and when the input member is released, the input member is returned to the neutral position before the input torque is input. The first clutch portion to be transmitted and the input torque applied from the input side member via the first clutch portion and the control member are transmitted to the output side member, and when the reverse input torque is applied to the output side member, the output side member is stopped. And a second clutch portion that is locked by the side member, so that the position adjustment and position holding of the output side mechanism and the return of the position of the operation member can be realized. Incorporating during the operation lever and the output side mechanism, operated after seat height adjustment lever can be automatically returned to a predetermined position that do not interfere with the operation or the like.

Japanese Patent No. 4278844

  However, the clutch unit proposed in Patent Document 1 is a combination of a clutch (first clutch portion) having a function of returning the position of the input side member and a lock-type reverse input cutoff clutch (second clutch portion). Therefore, there is a difficulty that the structure becomes complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a clutch unit that can change the position of the operation lever while maintaining the state of the clutch with a simple structure including a lock-type reverse input cutoff clutch and an operation lever. To do.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an input side member to which torque is input, an output side member to which torque is output, a stationary side member to which rotation is constrained, and a reverse from the output side member. Lock means for locking the output side member and the stationary side member with respect to the input torque, lock release means for releasing the lock state by the lock means with respect to input torque from the input side member, and lock by the lock means When the state is released, a reverse input cutoff clutch provided with torque transmitting means for transmitting input torque from the input side member to the output side member, and applying input torque to the input side member of the reverse input cutoff clutch In the clutch unit comprising an operating lever for rotating the operating lever, the operating lever is rotatably mounted on an input side member of the reverse input cutoff clutch. An engagement means for engaging the material and an engagement release means for releasing the engagement state by the engagement means, and when the operation lever is rotated in the engagement state by the engagement means, When an input torque is applied to the input side member and the operation lever is rotated in a state where the engagement by the engagement means is released, the operation lever is idled around the input side member. According to this configuration, it is possible to freely change the position of the operation lever while maintaining the state on the clutch side.

  Here, the engaging means includes a convex portion on one of the operation lever and the input side member, and a concave portion on the other, respectively, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion. The convex part can escape from the concave part.

  Moreover, the said convex part can be used as the pin slidably attached to the said operation lever, and the said recessed part can be used as the pin hole provided in the said input side member.

  More specifically, the operation lever includes an annular portion that is fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft portion of the input side member, and a grip portion that protrudes from the outer periphery of the annular portion, and the annular portion extends from the tip of the grip portion. The pin and a spring that urges the pin toward the distal end side of the gripping portion are housed in a pin housing hole that penetrates to the inner peripheral surface, and one end portion of the pin is held in a state that the pin is prevented from coming off on the distal end side of the gripping portion. The pin hole is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion of the input side member at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of a portion into which the annular portion of the operation lever is fitted, and the pin of the operation lever and the pin hole And the other end of the pin from the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion of the operating lever by pushing one end of the pin into the gripping portion of the operating lever against the elastic force of the spring. Uses a configuration that protrudes and fits into the pin hole It is possible.

  As described above, the clutch unit of the present invention is provided with the disengagement means for releasing the engagement state between the operation lever and the input side member of the reverse input cutoff clutch, and the operation lever is rotated in the released state. When operated, the control lever idles around the input side member, so it has a simpler structure than the conventional clutch unit that combines two clutches, and maintains the clutch side state. The position of the control lever can be changed freely.

  Therefore, in an apparatus incorporating this clutch unit, after adjusting the position of the output side mechanism connected to the output side member of the clutch by rotating the operation lever while being engaged with the input side member of the clutch The operation lever can be rotated (idle) to a desired position in the disengaged state so that the operation lever does not interfere with work around the apparatus.

Longitudinal front view of the clutch unit of the embodiment Sectional view along the line II-II in FIG. Sectional view along line III-III in FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the engagement state of an operation lever in the cross section corresponding to FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an automobile seat provided with a seat lifter incorporating the clutch unit of FIG. Schematic showing the structure of the sheet lifter of FIG. a to d are explanatory diagrams of how to use the sheet lifter of FIG. Time chart explaining another method of using the sheet lifter of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch unit 1 of this embodiment includes a reverse input cutoff clutch 2 and an operation lever 3 for applying an input torque to the clutch 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reverse input cutoff clutch 2 includes an input side member 4 to which torque is input from an operation lever 3, an output side member 5 to which torque is output, and a stationary rotation whose rotation is restricted. And a side member 6. The input side member 4 includes an input shaft (shaft portion) 7 and a lock release member 8 that is fitted on the outer periphery of the input shaft 7 and rotates integrally with the input shaft 7. The output side member 5 has an output shaft 9 and an inner ring 10 formed integrally, and the stationary side member 6 has a fixed side plate 13 attached to the large diameter side of a two-stage cylindrical housing 12 formed integrally with the outer ring 11. It is a thing. In addition, a sintered oil-impregnated bearing 14 that rotatably supports the output shaft 9 is fitted into a small diameter portion of one end of the housing 12 of the stationary member 6.

  The stationary side member 6 has a plurality of claws 13a formed on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed side plate 13, and these claws 13a are fitted into a notch 12a formed on the flange outer peripheral portion of the other end of the housing 12 and bent. Thus, the fixed side plate 13 is fixed to the housing 12. The fixed side plate 13 is provided with fixing holes 13c for fixing to a plurality of bracket portions 13b protruding from the outer periphery thereof.

  The input side member 4 is provided with a pin hole 7 a on the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft 7 that forms an engaging means with an operation lever 3 described later. The input shaft 7 has an engaging portion 7b having two planes parallel to each other on the distal end side, and this engaging portion 7b is inserted into an engaging hole 10a provided in the center portion of the inner ring 10 of the output side member 5. Thus, it rotates around the same axis as the output shaft 9. Here, the engagement hole 10a of the inner ring 10 has substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the engagement portion 7b of the input shaft 7, but a slight clearance in the rotational direction is generated when the engagement portion 7b of the input shaft 7 is inserted. Thus, torque transmitting means for transmitting the input torque applied to the input side member 4 to the output side member 5 with a slight angular delay is formed. Note that the number of pin holes provided in the input shaft is not limited to one and may be plural. For example, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of pin holes at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the input shaft.

  The unlocking member 8 of the input side member 4 has a plurality of column portions 8a inserted between the inner ring 10 and the outer ring 11 of the stationary side member 6, and will be described later between each of these column portions 8a. In this way, a pair of cylindrical rollers 15 and a leaf spring 16 are arranged.

  A plurality of cam surfaces 10b inclined on both sides in the circumferential direction are provided on the outer periphery of the inner ring 10, and a wedge-shaped space that gradually narrows on both sides in the circumferential direction between the cam surfaces 10b and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface of the outer ring 11. 17 is formed. The pair of cylindrical rollers 15 are arranged in each wedge-shaped space 17 with the leaf spring 16 interposed therebetween, and the leaf spring 16 pushes each roller 15 into the narrow portion of the wedge-shaped space 17. And the column part 8a of the lock release member 8 is inserted in the circumferential direction both sides (position facing the leaf | plate spring 16 on both sides of the roller 15) of each wedge-shaped space 17. As shown in FIG.

  Therefore, even if reverse input torque is applied to the output shaft 9, the roller 15 on the rear side in the rotational direction is pushed into the narrow portion of the wedge-shaped space 17 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 16 and engages with the inner ring 10 and the outer ring 11. Therefore, the inner ring 10 is locked to the outer ring 11 via the rollers 15, and the reverse input torque is not transmitted to the input side member 4.

  On the other hand, when the input shaft 7 starts to rotate with the input torque applied, the unlocking member 8 that rotates integrally with the input shaft 7 causes the rollers 15 on the rear side in the rotational direction to be wedge-shaped against the elastic force of the leaf spring 16. The inner ring 10 is released from the locked state because the engagement between the roller 15 and the inner ring 10 and the outer ring 11 is released. Then, when the input shaft 7 is further rotated and the engaging portion 7 b and the engaging hole 10 a of the inner ring 10 are engaged, torque applied to the input shaft 7 is transmitted to the inner ring 10 and the output shaft 9.

  That is, a locking means for locking the output side member 5 and the stationary side member 6 against the reverse input torque from the output side member 5 is provided between the output side member 5 and the stationary side member 6. The input side member 4 is provided with a lock release means for releasing the locked state by the lock means with respect to the input torque from 4.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the operation lever 3 protrudes from the outer periphery of the annular portion 18 that is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the input shaft 7 of the reverse input cutoff clutch 2. A slidable pin 21 having small diameter portions 21a and 21b at both ends in a pin housing hole 20 provided with a gripping portion 19 and penetrating from the tip of the gripping portion 19 to the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 18, and gripping the pin 21 A coil spring 22 that urges the distal end of the portion 19 is housed. Although not shown, retaining rings are fitted on both sides of the annular portion 18 of the operation lever 3 on the outer periphery of the input shaft 7 so that the operation lever 3 does not move in the axial direction.

  The pin housing hole 20 is formed with a small diameter so that the opening on the distal end side of the gripping part 19 prevents the one end side of the pin 21 from falling off. The opening on the annular part 18 side prevents the coil spring 22 from falling off, An annular lid 23 through which the small-diameter portion 21b on the other end side of the pin 21 passes is fitted. Accordingly, the pin 21 is pressed by the coil spring 22 on the step surface between the small-diameter portion 21 b on the other end side and the central portion, and the small-diameter portion 21 a on one end side protrudes from the tip of the grip portion 19.

  And the pin hole 7a is provided in the predetermined position of the circumferential direction of the site | part by which the annular part 18 of the operation lever 3 is engage | inserted in the outer peripheral surface of the said input shaft 7 as mentioned above, as shown in FIG. With the pin 21 of the operating lever 3 and the pin hole 7a of the input shaft 7 aligned, the small diameter portion 21a on one end side of the pin 21 is pushed into the grip portion 19 of the operating lever 3 against the elastic force of the coil spring 22. As a result, the small-diameter portion 21 b on the other end side of the pin 21 protrudes from the lid 23 (the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 18) of the operation lever 3 and fits into the pin hole 7 a of the input shaft 7. Further, if the force to push the pin 21 is lost, the small-diameter portion 21b on the other end side of the pin 21 escapes from the pin hole 7a by the elastic force of the coil spring 22.

  That is, a pin as a concave portion provided in the input side member 4 with a pin other end side small diameter portion 21b as a convex portion provided in the operation lever 3 between the operation lever 3 and the input side member 4 of the reverse input cutoff clutch 2. Engagement means for engaging the operating lever 3 and the input side member 4 by fitting in the hole 7a, and the pin other end side small-diameter portion 21b escape from the pin hole 7a, and the engagement state by the engagement means And a disengagement means for releasing the.

  Then, when the operation lever 3 is rotated in the engaged state by the engaging means (the state shown in FIG. 4), input torque is applied to the input shaft 7 of the input side member 4, and the engagement by the engaging means is performed. When the operation lever 3 is rotated in a state in which is released (for example, the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 3), the operation lever 3 is idled around the input shaft 7.

  The clutch unit 1 is configured as described above, and is provided with an engaging means for engaging the operation lever 3 and the input side member 4 of the reverse input cutoff clutch 2 and an engagement releasing means for releasing the engaged state. Therefore, the position of the operation lever 3 can be freely changed while maintaining the state of the clutch side.

  Next, a vehicle seat lifter 31 incorporating the clutch unit 1 of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the seat lifter 31 moves back and forth without interfering with the lever L of the device in which the operation lever 3 of the clutch unit 1 adjusts the inclination of the backrest 30 b on the side of the seat 30 a of the vehicle seat 30. It is installed to line up. As shown in FIG. 6, the structure includes a base member 32 disposed below the seat seating portion 30a, and first to third link members 33 disposed between the seat seating portion 30a and the base member 32. , 34, 35, a sector gear 36 rotatably attached to the seat seating portion 30a, and a pinion gear 37 attached to the seat seating portion 30a via the clutch unit 1 and meshing with the sector gear 36.

  The first link member 33 has a lower end rotatably attached to the base member 32, and an upper end connected to the sector gear 36 via a third link member 35. On the other hand, the second link member 34 is rotatably attached to the base member 32 at the lower end and to the seat seating portion 30a at the upper end. Although not shown, the clutch unit 1 is fixed to the seat seating portion 30a by a fixed side plate 13 of the stationary member 6, and a pinion gear 37 is attached to the output shaft 9 of the clutch unit 1 so as to be integrally rotatable. Yes.

  When the operation lever 3 of the clutch unit 1 is operated to rotate the pinion gear 37 counterclockwise, the sector gear 36 rotates clockwise, and the first link member 33 causes the third link member 35 to move. Then, the first and second link members 33 and 34 are raised and the seat seating portion 30a is lifted by pulling the sector gear 36 to the right side of the drawing, and the operation lever 3 is operated in reverse to rotate the pinion gear 37. When it is rotated in the direction, the seat seating portion 30a is lowered.

  Next, a method of using the above-described sheet lifter 31 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7A, the clutch unit 1 incorporated in the seat lifter 31 previously blocks the reverse input when the seat seating portion 30a is lowered and the gripping portion 19 of the operation lever 3 faces the horizontal direction. The pin hole 7a of the input shaft 7 of the clutch 2 is aligned so as to face the small diameter portion 21b of the other end side of the pin 21 of the operation lever 3 (see FIG. 4).

  When the seat lifter 31 is used, first, in the state shown in FIG. 7A, the grip portion 19 of the operation lever 3 is grasped by hand, and the pin 21 is pushed into the grip portion 19 with the thumb to operate the operation lever 3 and the input shaft 7. The operating lever 3 is rotated counterclockwise while engaging. As a result, the seat seating portion 30a is raised as described above, and the state shown in FIG. 7B is obtained.

  Then, from the state of FIG. 7B, without pushing the pin 21 of the operation lever 3 (with the engagement between the operation lever 3 and the input shaft 7 being released), the operation lever 3 is rotated clockwise. Idle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, without changing the position of the seat seating portion 30a, the gripping portion 19 of the operation lever 3 is directed horizontally so as not to obstruct the driving of the automobile. it can.

  When the seat seating portion 30a is lowered from the state of FIG. 7C, the operation lever 3 is once rotated counterclockwise (idle), and the pin 21 is held by the gripping portion as shown in FIG. 7D. After stopping at the position where it can be pushed into 19 (the same position as in FIG. 7B), the pin 21 is pushed into the gripping part 19 and the operation lever 3 is rotated clockwise.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, by operating the operation lever 3, the seat seating portion 30a can be held at any intermediate position between the lowered position (position of FIG. 7A) and the maximum raised position. . And also in the intermediate position, the holding part 19 of the operation lever 3 can be turned horizontally by rotating the operation lever 3 like the description in FIG. That is, in the seat lifter 31, the holding position of the seat seating portion 30a can be adjusted steplessly, and the operation lever 3 can be in a desired posture regardless of the holding position.

  Note that the clutch unit of the present invention can be incorporated not only in the above-described seat lifter but also in a height adjustable step or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Clutch unit 2 Reverse input interruption clutch 3 Operation lever 4 Input side member 5 Output side member 6 Stationary side member 7 Input shaft (shaft part)
7a Pin hole 8 Unlocking member 18 Annular portion 19 Holding portion 20 Pin receiving hole 21 Pins 21a, 21b Small diameter portion 22 Coil spring 31 Seat lifter 32 Base members 33, 34, 35 Link member 36 Sector gear 37 Pinion gear

Claims (4)

An input side member to which torque is input, an output side member to which torque is output, a stationary side member whose rotation is restricted, an output side member and a stationary side member with respect to reverse input torque from the output side member, Locking means for locking the lock, unlocking means for releasing the locked state by the locking means with respect to the input torque from the input side member, and when the locked state by the locking means is released from the input side member A reverse input cut-off clutch provided with torque transmission means for transmitting the input torque to the output side member;
In the clutch unit comprising an operation lever for applying input torque to the input side member of the reverse input cutoff clutch,
The operation lever is rotatably mounted on the input side member of the reverse input shut-off clutch, and an engagement means for engaging the operation lever with the input side member, and a mechanism for releasing the engagement state by the engagement means. A release means,
When the operating lever is rotated in the engaged state by the engaging means, an input torque is applied to the input side member, and the operating lever is rotated in a state where the engagement by the engaging means is released. The clutch unit is characterized in that the operation lever is idled around the input side member.   The engaging means includes a convex portion on one of the operation lever and the input side member, and a concave portion on the other, respectively, and the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion. The clutch unit according to claim 1, wherein the clutch unit is allowed to escape from the recess.   The clutch unit according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion is a pin slidably attached to the operation lever, and the concave portion is a pin hole provided in the input side member.   The operating lever includes an annular portion fitted on the outer periphery of the shaft portion of the input side member, and a grip portion protruding from the outer periphery of the annular portion, and penetrates from the tip of the grip portion to the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion. The pin housing hole accommodates the pin and a spring that biases the pin toward the distal end side of the gripping portion, and projects one end of the pin while preventing the pin from coming off on the distal end side of the gripping portion, The pin hole is provided at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the portion where the annular portion of the operation lever is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion of the input side member, and the pin and the pin hole of the operation lever are aligned with each other The other end of the pin protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion of the operating lever and fits into the pin hole by pushing one end of the pin against the gripping portion of the operating lever against the elastic force of the spring. It is characterized by being adapted Clutch unit according to claim 3.

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