JP6352111B2 - Torque transmission device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a torque transmission device that controls torque transmission between a case and a rotation shaft that rotate relative to each other.

  As a conventional torque transmission device, for example, there are a torque transmission device described in Patent Document 1 and a power transmission device described in Patent Document 2.

  The torque transmission device of Patent Document 1 includes a clutch plate group that is attached to each of a case and a rotation shaft that can be relatively rotated and includes a plurality of fixed plates and rotation plates that are alternately arranged in the axial direction.

  In this clutch plate group, a friction sliding material is fixed to one side between the fixed plate and the rotating plate. The friction sliding material is configured to change the friction coefficient in accordance with energization control while friction sliding on the other of the fixed plate and the rotating plate.

  The energization control is performed through the path of the case, the fixed plate, the rotating plate, and the rotating shaft. By this energization control, a voltage is applied to the frictional sliding member, and the transmission torque between the case and the rotating shaft can be controlled.

  The power transmission device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality of outer clutch plates and inner clutch plates that are alternately arranged in the axial direction so as to engage with each of a relatively rotatable housing and an input shaft.

  A friction sliding material is fixed to one of the outer clutch plate and the inner clutch plate. The friction sliding material is configured to change the friction coefficient in accordance with energization control while friction sliding on the other of the outer clutch plate and the inner clutch plate.

  The energization control is performed through the path of the housing, the outer clutch plate, and the inner clutch plate input shaft. By this energization control, a voltage is applied to the frictional sliding member, and the transmission torque between the case and the rotating shaft can be controlled.

  However, the torque transmission device of Patent Document 1 has a structure in which energization control is performed between the case and the rotating shaft, and the power transmission device of Patent Document 2 has a structure in which the current control is similarly performed between the housing and the input shaft. .

  For this reason, in both Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a limit to the energization structure, and there is a limit to simplification of the structure and diversification of usage modes.

JP 2013-177907 A JP 2012-12797A

  The problem to be solved is that the energization structure is limited, and there is a limit to the simplification of the structure and the diversification of usage modes.

  In order to simplify the structure and expand the range of usage, the present invention is provided between the outer member and the inner member that can be rotated relative to each other, and is controlled between the two members by energization control between the relatively rotating electrodes. A clutch portion capable of controlling torque transmission, wherein one of the outer member and the inner member is provided in one of the first and second members divided in the axial direction and the first or second member; An engaging portion that engages and connects the clutch portion in the rotational direction; and an insulating portion that integrally couples the first and second members while insulating the first and second members; An energization path from one side to the clutch part via the engagement part is formed.

  Since the present invention is configured as described above, an energization path from one of the first or second members to the clutch portion via the engaging portion can be formed, and energization control is performed on one of the outer member and the inner member. Performing through the first and second members and the engaging portion and the clutch portion, or through one of the outer member or the inner member, one of the first or second member, the engaging portion and the clutch portion. it can.

  For this reason, the restriction | limiting of an electricity supply structure is suppressed and the breadth of the simplification of a structure and the diversification of a use aspect can be expanded.

It is sectional drawing of a torque transmission device. Example 1 It is sectional drawing which shows the rotating shaft of the torque transmission apparatus of FIG. Example 1 It is a front view which shows the 1st axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is a left view which shows the 1st axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is a right view which shows the 1st axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is a front view which shows the 2nd axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is a right view which shows the 2nd axial part of the rotating shaft of FIG. Example 1 It is an expanded sectional view which shows partially the clutch part of the torque transmission device of FIG. Example 1 It is a front view which shows the saucer of the clutch part of FIG. Example 1 It is sectional drawing which shows the combination of the spacer of a clutch part of FIG. 10, and a saucer. Example 1 It is a front view of the fixed plate of the clutch part of FIG. Example 1 It is a front view of the rotating plate of the clutch part of FIG. Example 1 It is a front view of the disk spring of the clutch part of FIG. Example 1 It is a side view of the disc spring of FIG. Example 1 The functional material of the clutch part of FIG. 10 is shown, (a) is a conceptual cross-sectional view at the time of non-energization, (b) is a conceptual cross-sectional view at the time of energization. Example 1 The modification of the functional material of FIG. 10 is shown, (a) is a conceptual cross-sectional view at the time of non-energization, (b) is a conceptual cross-sectional view at the time of energization. Example 1

  For the purpose of simplifying the structure and increasing the range of diversification of usage modes, the first member and the first member in which either the outer member or the inner member provided with the clutch portion is divided in the axial direction are provided. The two members, the engaging portion that is provided on one of the first or second members and engages the clutch portion in the rotational direction and is conductively connected, and the first and second members are integrally coupled while being insulated. And a torque transmission device having an insulating portion.

  The clutch portion may be any member that can control torque transmission between the outer member and the inner member by controlling energization between the relatively rotating electrodes, and a functional material may be used. In this case, an outer plate and an inner plate that are separately supported by the outer member and the inner member and are arranged to face each other at regular intervals in the axial direction, and both plates that are interposed between the outer plate and the inner plate. It is good also as a structure provided with the functional material which controls the torque transmission between both plates by the energization control which uses as an electrode. In the functional material, electrorheological particles are dispersed in an electrically insulating adhesive medium, and adsorbs between the outer plate and the inner plate by energization control.

  The torque transmission device is provided between one of the outer member and the inner member and facing one end of the first or second member, and between the one end of the first and second members and the substrate. And a connecting portion that electrically connects one end portion of the first and second members to the circuit of the substrate so as to be relatively rotatable.

  In addition, the torque transmission device has a conducting portion disposed between the other of the first or second member and the clutch portion, and the energization path is routed from the clutch portion to the other of the first or second member via the conducting portion. You may comprise so that it may reach.

  In this case, the conducting portion can be the other of the outer member or the inner member.

  The inner member is a shaft, the first and second members are first and second shaft portions of the shaft, and the insulating portion coaxially connects the first and second shaft portions. May be.

  In addition, the torque transmission device includes a hollow portion provided on one of the first and second shaft portions and having an engagement portion on the outer periphery and a fitting shaft hole on the inner periphery, and the first or second shaft portion. A fitting shaft portion that is provided on the other side and fits into the fitting shaft hole and performs coaxial coupling via an insulating portion may be provided.

  The shaft may be a rotating shaft, and the outer member may be a stationary case that houses the clutch portion.

[Torque transmission device]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the torque transmission device. In the following description, the axial direction means the rotational axis direction, the radial direction means the rotational radial direction, the circumferential direction means the front-rear direction, and the left and right mean the left and right in the axial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the torque transmission device 1 is provided with a clutch portion 7 between a case 3 that is an outer member capable of relative rotation and a shaft that is an inner member, in particular, a rotation shaft 5. The torque transmission between both members of the case 3 and the rotating shaft 5 can be controlled by energization control between the electrodes.

  In the present embodiment, the case 3 is a fixed side where it does not rotate, and the rotating shaft 5 is a rotating side where it rotates with respect to the case 3 on the fixed side. However, the case 3 side can be the rotating side, the rotating shaft 5 can be the fixed side, and both the case 3 and the rotating shaft 5 can be the rotating side.

  The clutch portion 7 is engaged with the case 3 and the rotating shaft 5 and transmits torque by energization control via the substrate 9. As a result, the torque transmission device 1 can be used as a brake with the case 3 or the rotation shaft 5 as a fixed side, a coupling with both sides as a rotation side, or the like.

[Case]
As shown in FIG. 1, the case 3 is made of a conductive metal such as aluminum. The case 3 of this embodiment includes a case main body 10 and case lids 11 and 13. The case body 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the case lids 11 and 13 are formed in a disk shape and are arranged to face each other. The case lids 11 and 13 are integrally coupled and fixed by a plurality of bolts 15 at both ends of the case main body 10 by forming an inlay. Thus, the case 3 has a space defined on the inner periphery of the case main body 10, and the clutch portion 7 is accommodated in the space.

  Three bolts 15 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, for example, every 120 degrees. Each bolt 15 is disposed through the space in the case 3 on the inner periphery of the case main body 10. A hollow cylindrical fixed plate guide pin 16 is fitted to the outer periphery of the bolt 15. Both ends of the fixed plate guide pin 16 are closely fitted in the holes 14 of the case lids 11 and 13. The outer periphery of the clutch portion 7 is engaged with the fixed plate guide pin 16.

  One case lid 11 is formed with a plurality of screw holes 11a on the end face outside the case 3 at fixed intervals in the circumferential direction for attachment to the fixed side. A power source cover 17 is fastened and fixed to the other case lid 13 with screws 19 so as to cover an end face outside the case 3. For example, the screws 19 are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. A power source space 21 is defined between the end surface of the case lid 13 and the power source cover 17. The case lid 13 is provided with a recess 13a for wiring, and a grommet 23 is attached to a hole that allows the recess 13a to communicate with the outside.

  Holes 20a and 20b are formed through the inner periphery of the case lids 11 and 13 in the axial center, and shield bearings 25 and 27 are attached in the holes 20a and 20b. The rotating shaft 5 is rotatably supported by the shaft core portion of the case 3 by the shield bearings 25 and 27.

  The case 3 can be entirely formed of resin or the like. In this case, in order to perform energization control of the clutch portion 7 via the rotating shaft 5, an electrical conduction portion is appropriately set for the inner surface of the resin case 3 and the like.

[Axis of rotation]
2 to 9 relate to the rotation shaft, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the rotation shaft, FIGS. 3 to 6 are a front view, a sectional view, a left side view of the first shaft portion of the rotation shaft of FIG. 7 to 9 are a front view, a cross-sectional view, and a right side view of the second shaft portion of the rotation shaft of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating shaft 5 includes first and second shaft portions 29 and 31, a hub portion 33 as an engaging portion, and an insulating portion 35.

  The rotating shaft 5 is configured as one of an outer member or an inner member as described above, and includes the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 as first and second members divided in the axial direction. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the first shaft portion 29 has a male screw portion 39 on one end side of the solid shaft-shaped first shaft portion main body portion 37 and a hub portion 33 on the other end side. doing.

  The male screw portion 39, the first shaft main body portion 37, and the hub portion 33 are formed in a stepped shape so that the diameter increases in this order. A hole 41 is formed in the end surface of the male screw portion 39. The hole 41 is for accommodating and supporting a carbon brush described later.

  The hub portion 33 engages the clutch portion 7 in the rotational direction and is conductively connected. The hub portion 33 is provided on the outer periphery of a hollow portion 43 formed on the other end side of the first shaft portion main body portion 37, and the hollow portion 43 has a fitting shaft hole 45 on the inner periphery.

  The cross section of the hub portion 33 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially square cross section in the left side view of FIG. 5, and the corner portion 33a has a curvature of the basic circle 33b. The hub portion 33 is formed by cutting a cylindrical base material outer surface having a base circle 33b.

  The fitting shaft hole 45 is formed in a substantially circular cross section, and a semicircular concave groove 45a having a semicircular cross section is formed along the axial direction corresponding to the corner portion 33a. The semicircular concave groove 45 a has a function of preventing the insulating portion 35 from rotating. An axial through hole 47 is formed in the inner wall of the fitting shaft hole 45. In this embodiment, a plurality of, for example, three through holes 47 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The through-hole 47 penetrates through the end surface of the first shaft main body 37 and serves as a resin passage during insert molding described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the second shaft portion 31 has a fitting shaft portion 51 on one end side of the second shaft portion main body portion 49 and an external engagement portion 53 on the other end side. ing.

  The fitting shaft portion 51 is formed in a substantially circular cross section and has a larger diameter than the second shaft portion main body portion 49. The fitting shaft portion 51 is inserted into the fitting shaft hole 45 and is fitted through the insulating portion 35.

  The outer periphery of the fitting shaft portion 51 is a knurled portion 51a that is knurled. The knurled portion 51 a is used to improve the biting property between the fitting shaft portion 51 and the insulating portion 35 and to prevent relative rotation. A cross-shaped cross groove 51 b is formed on the end surface of the fitting shaft portion 51 when viewed from the end surface side. The cross groove 51b inserts the resin of the insulating portion 35 by insert molding to ensure rotation transmission.

  The external engagement portion 53 is formed in a substantially circular cross section and has the same diameter as the second shaft portion main body portion 49. A key groove 53 a is formed in the external engagement portion 53. A key is attached to the key groove 53a, and is connected to an external device such as an object to be braked.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the insulating portion 35 is formed by resin insert molding using the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31. As the resin of the insulating portion 35, polybutylene terephthalate or the like is used. Glass fiber and carbon fiber can also be mixed in this resin. In this case, contraction of the insulating portion 35 due to insert molding is suppressed, and the rotating shaft 5 can be formed with higher accuracy.

  The insulating portion 35 insulates the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 and couples them together in a coaxial manner. The insulating portion 35 fills the semicircular concave groove 45 a and the cross groove 51 b between the fitting shaft hole 45 and the fitting shaft portion 51 in the radial direction and the opposed portions in the axial direction. The insulating part 35 is also formed on the outer surface of the first shaft body part 37 with a uniform outer diameter. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface 35 a of the insulating portion 35 in the first shaft body 37 is in accordance with the diameter of the inner race of the shield bearing 27.

  The insulating portion 35 has a flange shape along the end surface outside the hollow portion 43 on the first shaft portion main body portion 37 side, the first shaft portion main body portion 37 side and the fitting shaft hole 45 side being continuous through the through hole 47. The spacer protrusion 35b is formed. The spacer protrusion 35b is in contact with the inner race of the shield bearing 27 and prevents a short circuit between the hollow portion 43 and the shield bearing 27 for an energization path to be described later.

  In the state of the rotating shaft 5, the end surface 51 c of the fitting shaft portion 51 protrudes from the end surfaces of the insulating portion 35 and the hollow portion 43 by a dimension t. The end surface 51c of the fitting shaft portion 51 is in contact with the inner race of the shield bearing 25 to prevent a short circuit between the hollow portion 43 and the shield bearing 25 for an energization path described later.

  In the assembled state of FIG. 1, the rotating shaft 5 is disposed at the axial center portion of the case 3 so that the hub portion 33 faces the inside of the case 3. The second shaft main body 49 is rotatably supported by being positioned on the inner periphery of the shield bearing 25, and the outer peripheral surface 35 a of the insulating portion 35 in the first shaft main body 37 is the inner surface of the shield bearing 27. It is located around the circumference and is supported rotatably.

  In this supported state, the external engagement portion 53 protrudes from the case lid 11, and a part of the first shaft portion main body portion 37 and the male screw portion 39 protrude from the case lid 13 and are located in the power supply space 21. Gaps are formed between the case lid 11 and the external engagement portion 53 and between the case lid 13 and the outer peripheral surface 35a.

  The hub portion may be any hollow portion provided on one of the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 so as to engage the clutch portion 7 in the rotational direction and to conduct the connection. 43 may be provided on the second shaft portion 31 and the fitting shaft portion 51 may be provided on the first shaft portion 29 side.

  Further, one of the outer member and the inner member may be a case 3 that is an outer member, and the case 3 may be configured to include first and second members divided in the axial direction, a hub portion, and an insulating portion. . For example, a structure in which the case body 10 of the case 3 is formed of resin and the bolts 15 are screwed to the case lid 11 through the resin can be considered. The hub portion can also be formed by an uneven portion such as a spline.

  Further, the rotary shaft 5 only needs to be insulated from each other by coupling the first shaft portion 29 and the second shaft portion 31 in the axial direction via the insulating portion 35. It is also possible to appropriately change the coupling structure with the second shaft portion 31.

[Clutch part]
10 to 16 relate to the clutch portion, FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing the clutch portion, FIG. 11 is a front view of the tray, FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a combination of the spacer and the tray, and FIG. Is a front view of the fixed plate, FIG. 14 is a front view of the rotating plate, FIG. 15 is a front view of the disc spring, FIG. 16 is a side view of the disc spring, and FIG. 17 is a functional material. ) Is a conceptual cross-sectional view during non-energization, and (b) is a conceptual cross-sectional view during energization.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the clutch unit 7 has a unit clutch set 60 that is a combination of a fixed plate 55 that is an outer plate, a rotating plate 57 that is an inner plate, and a suction sheet 59 that is a functional material. It has more than one in the direction.

  The unit clutch set 60 is disposed so that a pair of the unit clutch sets 60 are aligned with the back of the rotary plate 57. A pair of unit clutch sets 60 is housed in a tray set 61 as a partition member, and a disc spring 63 is interposed between the back-to-back rotating plates 57.

  A plurality of saucer sets 61 are provided so as to be adjacent in the axial direction. Thereby, the space part which accommodates the clutch part 7 is isolate | separated into the some accommodation space S by the saucer set 61 provided with two or more in the axial direction, and the some unit clutch set 60 is distributed and accommodated in the some accommodation space S. Therefore, the unit clutch set 60 accommodated in the accommodation space S can be separated from the unit clutch sets 60 accommodated in other accommodation spaces S. For this reason, even if the torque transmission device 1 is arranged so that one side in the axial direction in which a plurality of unit clutch sets 60 are provided is positioned above the other side in the vertical direction, the unit clutch set 60 in the accommodation space S is arranged. It is possible to prevent the weights of the unit clutch sets 60 in the other accommodation spaces S from being integrated, and to suppress fluctuations in characteristics. Note that although the pair of unit clutch sets 60 is housed in the housing space S, a single unit clutch set 60 may be housed.

  Each tray set 61 includes a tray 65 and a spacer 67 that also function as a heat radiating plate. The saucer 65 and the pacer 67 are engaged with the fixed plate guide pin 16 of the case 3 in the rotational direction, and the housing space S with a constant interval for housing the unit clutch set 60 is axially opposed to each other in the axial direction. Have.

  The outer peripheries of the saucer 65 and the spacer 67 are protruded more outward than the outer perimeter of the unit clutch set 60.

  The spacer 67 is shared by the adjacent saucer sets 61, and the pair of saucers 65 of the adjacent saucer sets 61 are arranged to face each other and sandwich the spacer 67 therebetween. However, the spacer 67 can also be provided in each saucer set 61. In this case, the orientation of the tray 65 is arbitrary. It is also possible to connect a plurality of trays 65 directed in the same direction. In this case, the spacer 67 is omitted and the tray 65 constitutes a partition member. Moreover, as a partition member, it is also possible to fix only the some spacer 67 at intervals in an axial direction.

  For example, five combinations of the pair of trays 65 and spacers 67 of this embodiment are provided and are connected in the axial direction. The trays 65 at both ends in the axial direction are in contact with the inner surfaces in the axial direction of the case lids 11 and 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, and 12, the tray 65 is formed of aluminum or the like in a donut disk shape, that is, a disk shape having a hole in the axial center. A loose fitting hole 65a is formed through the shaft center portion of the tray 65, and a peripheral wall portion 65b protruding in the axial direction is formed on the outer periphery. The peripheral wall portion 65 b of the tray 65 abuts on the spacer 67 and forms the accommodation space S between the tray 65 and the spacer 67. The loose fitting hole 65a is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the base circle 33b of the corner portion 33a of the hub portion 33 of the rotating shaft 5.

  On the outer peripheral side of the tray 65, three guide pin through holes 65c are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, for example, every 120 degrees.

  The spacer 67 is formed in a donut board shape with aluminum or the like. The spacer 67 is formed with a loose fitting hole 67a having the same diameter as the loose fitting hole 65a of the tray 65 and a guide pin through hole 67c having the same diameter and the same position as the guide pin through hole 65c. The outer periphery of the spacer 67 is formed straight in the radial direction so as to abut the peripheral wall portion 65b of the tray 65.

  Therefore, a tray set 61 in which a pair of trays 65 are disposed facing each other with the spacer 67 interposed therebetween is loosely fitted to the hub portion 33 by loose fitting holes 65a and 67a, and the guide pin through holes 65c and 67c are fixed plate guides. It arrange | positions so that the pin 16 may be fitted. With this arrangement, the fixed plate guide pin 16 passes through the tray set 61 and engages in the rotational direction.

  In this penetrating state, a heat radiating space is formed in the tray set 61 at the outer peripheral portion protruding from the suction sheet 59.

  The fixed plate guide pin 16 can also be formed by an uneven portion such as an inner spline formed on the inner peripheral surface of the case 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the fixing plate 55 forms one electrode plate for the suction sheet 59 and is formed in a donut disk shape with aluminum or the like. In the fixed plate 55, a loose fitting hole 55a having the same diameter as the loose fitting hole 65a of the tray 65 is formed in the shaft center portion. On the outer peripheral edge of the fixed plate 55, recesses 55b for engagement are formed at three locations at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, for example, every 120 degrees.

  Therefore, the fixed plate 55 is disposed along the tray 65 and the spacer 67, the loose fitting hole 55a is loosely fitted to the hub portion 33, and the concave portion 55b is engaged with the fixed plate guide pin 16 in the rotational direction. Since the fixed plate guide pin 16 is fixed to the case 3 side which is an outer member, the fixed plate 55 is supported by the outer member.

  A donut disk-like suction sheet 59 is fixed to the fixing plate 55 by bonding with a conductive adhesive or the like. The suction sheet 59 will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, the rotary plate 57 forms the other electrode plate with respect to the suction sheet 59 and is formed in a donut disk shape with aluminum or the like. The rotary plate 57 is formed with a rectangular fitting hole 57a at the axial center.

  The fitting hole 57a is formed corresponding to the outer peripheral rectangular shape of the hub portion 33 of the rotating shaft 5, and the fitting hole 57a is fitted to the hub portion 33 to engage in the rotation direction. The straight line portion comes into contact with the straight line portion of the hub portion 33 to make electrical connection. Since the hub portion 33 is a component on the rotating shaft 5 side that is an inner member, the rotation plate 57 is supported by the inner member.

  Thus, the rotating plate 57 is disposed so as to sandwich the suction sheet 59 with respect to the fixed plate 55, and torque can be transmitted by energization control using the fixed plate 55 and the rotating plate 57 as electrodes.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 15, and 16, the disc spring 63 is interposed between the back-to-back rotating plates 57 and biases the rotating plate 57 toward the fixed plate 55. The disc spring 63 has a main portion 63a formed in a substantially donut disk shape. The disc spring 63 is formed with a rectangular fitting hole 63b in the axial center portion of the main portion 63a. The fitting hole 63 b is formed corresponding to the outer peripheral rectangular shape of the hub portion 33 of the rotating shaft 5, and engages in the rotation direction when the fitting hole 63 b is fitted to the hub portion 33.

  Six notches 63c in the circumferential direction are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the main portion 63a of the disc spring 63, and cantilever spring portions 63d are formed in the circumferential direction in each notch 63c. The spring portion 63d includes a straight surface portion 63da on the distal end side and an inclined surface portion 63db on the base side, and the straight surface portion 63da is offset in the axial direction with respect to the main body portion 63a via the inclined surface portion 63db. The offset of the straight surface portion 63da is such that, with respect to the six spring portions 63d, every other three locations are on the side of the one rotating plate 57, and every other remaining three locations sandwich the main body portion 63a and the other rotating plate. 57 side.

  Accordingly, in the disc spring 63, the straight surface portion 63da of the spring portion 63d protruding to both sides in a state where the fitting hole 63b is fitted to the hub portion 33 elastically contacts the rotating plates 57 on both sides, and the rotating plate 57 is fixed to the fixing plate 55. Energize to the side.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the adsorption sheet 59 is formed by forming an electrorheological gel into a plate shape or a sheet shape, and a plurality of electrorheological particles 59b (hereinafter referred to as “ER particles”) are dispersed in an electric insulating medium 59a. ing.

  The electrically insulating medium 59a of the present embodiment is made of, for example, adhesive fluorine-based resin or silicon resin, and the ER particles 59b are made of solid particles such as silica gel or carbon.

  The ER particles 59b are held in a protruding state on the surface of the suction sheet 59, and are relatively immersed in the electrical insulating medium 59a in accordance with the application of voltage to the suction sheet 59. Thereby, the suction sheet 59 sucks the rotating plate 57 by the adhesive force of the electrically insulating medium 59a.

That is, at the time of non-energization in FIG. 17A, the ER particles 59b dispersed on the surface support the rotating plate 57, so that the rotating plate 57 slides relative to the fixed plate 55 while sliding relative to the ER particles 59b. To do.
At the time of energization in FIG. 17B, the surface bulging phenomenon occurs in the highly insulating electric insulating medium 59a due to the immersing action of the ER particles 59b. The suction sheet 59 comes into contact with and adheres to the surface of the rotating plate 57 due to the rising phenomenon of the surface and the biasing force of the disc spring 63.

  Due to this adhesion, when the suction sheet 59 receives a shearing force when attempting to rotate relatively between the fixed plate 55 and the rotating plate 57, a high yielding force is exhibited. Torque is transmitted between the fixed plate 55 and the rotating plate 57 by this high yielding force. When torque is transmitted, friction is generated between the rotating plate 57 and the suction sheet 59. This frictional heat is radiated through the tray set 61 at a plurality of positions in the axial direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the heat is transmitted to the tray 65 or the spacer 67 on the one hand and is radiated on the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side of the tray 65 or the spacer 67. At this time, since the outer peripheries of the tray 65 and the spacer 67 protrude from the outer peripheries of the unit clutch set 90, heat can be effectively radiated at the outer peripheries. On the other hand, the frictional heat is radiated through a gap portion on the outer periphery of the unit clutch set 60 due to the protrusion of the tray 65 or the spacer 67. Thus, heat is reliably radiated at the inner and outer peripheral portions that are displaced in the radial direction with respect to the portion where the frictional heat is generated. Even if the outer periphery of the tray set 61 does not protrude from the outer peripheral portion of the unit clutch set 60 to the outer peripheral side, it is possible to conduct frictional heat and ensure heat dissipation.

  The suction sheet 59 may change its viscosity when a voltage is applied. Further, the suction sheet 59 may be one that performs suction by electric force.

  18A and 18B show a functional material according to a modified example, in which FIG. 18A is a conceptual cross-sectional view during non-energization, and FIG. 18B is a conceptual cross-sectional view during energization.

  In the adsorbing sheet 59 of FIG. 18, the ER particles 59b are exposed and held on the surface both when energized and when not energized. This holding can be set by the hardness of the electrically insulating medium 59a.

  The ER particles 59b on the surface of the electrical insulating medium 59a are processed together with the surface of the suction sheet 59, such as cutting, and have the same cross section as the surface of the suction sheet 59. However, the ER particles 59b on the surface of the electrical insulating medium 59a may protrude from the surface of the electrical insulating medium 59a as shown in FIG.

  When a voltage is applied, the electrorheological particles 59b on the surface of the adsorption sheet 59 generate an electric force by the electric lines of force between the fixed plate 55 and the rotating plate 57, as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be generated. In the modification, the adhesiveness of the electrically insulating medium 59a is not necessary.

  Even in the modified example, friction occurs between the rotating plate 57 and the suction sheet 59, but this frictional heat is radiated through the tray set 61. In the present embodiment, similarly to the above, it is possible to reliably radiate heat at the inner and outer peripheral portions that are displaced in the radial direction with respect to the portion where frictional heat is generated.

[Power supply etc.]
As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate 9 disposed in the power supply cover 17 is fastened and fixed to the end surface of the case lid 13 via a collar 69 by bolts 68. The substrate 9 faces the end of the rotating shaft 5.

  A connecting portion 71 is provided between the end of the rotating shaft 5 and the substrate 9. The connecting portion 71 is for electrically connecting the end portion of the first shaft portion 29 of the rotating shaft 5 to the circuit of the substrate 9 so as to be relatively rotatable. The connecting portion 71 includes a carbon brush 71a on the rotating shaft 5 side and a contact portion 9a on the substrate 9 side. A spring 71b is provided on the rotating shaft 5 side, and the carbon brush 71a is elastically contacted with the contact portion 9a.

  Thereby, an energization path from the first shaft portion 29 of the rotating shaft 5 to the clutch portion 7 via the hub portion 33 is formed. This energization path extends from the clutch portion 7 to the second shaft portion 31 via the fixed plate guide pin 16, the saucer set 61, and the case lid 11. In this case, the second shaft portion 31 is connected to the ground side. Further, the energization path may be only the case lid 11 from the clutch portion 7 via the fixed plate guide pin 16 and the tray set 61. In this case, the case lid 11 is connected to the ground side.

  A transformer 73 is attached to the substrate 9, and power supply wiring 75 connected to the substrate 9 is drawn out of the power supply cover 17 through the grommet 23.

  In addition, the board | substrate 9 should just oppose any one edge part of a 1st, 2nd member, and the connection part 71 is between one edge part of a 1st, 2nd member, and a board | substrate. It may be provided in. Therefore, electrical connection may be performed with the substrate 9 facing the end of the second shaft portion 31.

  Further, the substrate 9 can be provided on the rotating shaft 5 side, and the connecting portion 71 can be provided between the end portion on the case 3 side and the substrate 9.

  Even when the case 3 that is the outer member is configured to include the first and second members divided in the axial direction, the hub portion, and the insulating portion, the substrate 9 is placed on either the case 3 side or the rotating shaft 5 side. The connecting portion 71 can be provided between the end portion on the case 3 side and the substrate 9, and between the end portion on the rotating shaft 5 side and the substrate 9. A configuration in which the case 3 side rotates and the rotary shaft 5 side is fixed, or both of them rotate can be configured similarly.

  A reflective slit plate 77 is fastened and fixed to the male thread portion 39 of the rotary shaft 5 by a lock nut 81 via a metal washer 79. A sensor 83 is attached to the side surface of the case lid 13 so as to detect the number of rotations with the reflective slit plate 77. The signal wiring 85 connected to the sensor 83 is drawn out of the power supply cover 17 through the grommet 23.

[Energization control]
In FIG. 1, the torque transmission device 1 is attached to the fixed side via an insulator, with the case 3 having a fixing bolt fitted in the screw hole 11a.

  The energization control of the torque transmission device 1 is performed through the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31, the hub portion 33, and the clutch portion 7.

  That is, when the substrate 9 is connected to the power supply via the power supply wiring 75, it is transformed by the transformer 73, and the first shaft portion 29, the hub portion 33, and the rotating plate 57 are transformed from the contact portion 9a via the carbon brush 71a. The suction sheet 59, the fixed plate 55, the fixed plate guide pin 16, the tray 61 and the spacer 63 of the tray set 61, the case lid 11, the shield bearing 25, the second shaft portion 31, and the second shaft portion 31 are combined. Current flows to the ground outside the figure.

  With this current flow, the suction sheet 59 generates a suction force as shown in FIG. 17 (b) or FIG. 18 (b).

  Due to this suction force, the suction sheet 59 sucks the rotary plate 57 and transmits torque between the fixed plate 55 and the rotary plate 57.

  If the second shaft portion main body 49 is insulated from the case lid 11, the first shaft portion 29, the hub portion 33, the rotating plate 57, the suction sheet 59, the fixed plate 55, the fixed plate guide pin 16, and the saucer set 61. A current flows to the grounding side (not shown) to which the receiving tray 61 and the spacer 63, the case lid 11, and the case lid 11 are coupled, so that energization control can be performed. The insulation between the second shaft main body 49 and the case lid 11 may be achieved by extending the insulating portion 35 of FIG. 1 to the second shaft main body 49 side.

When the case 3 side is divided in the axial direction, a current flows between one of the first and second members (case lids 11 and 13) and the rotary shaft 5 so that energization control can be performed.
[Effect of Example]
As described above, the torque transmission device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided between the case 3 and the rotary shaft 5 by energization control between the relatively rotatable electrodes 3 provided between the case 3 and the rotary shaft 5. A clutch portion 7 capable of controlling torque transmission is provided.

  The rotary shaft 5 includes first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 that are divided in the axial direction, and a hub portion 33 that is provided on the first shaft portion 29 and engages the clutch portion 7 in the rotational direction and is electrically connected. And an insulating portion 35 that insulates and integrally couples the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31.

  Thereby, in this embodiment, the energization path can be formed so as to reach at least the first shaft portion 29, which is one of the first or second shaft portions 29, 31, to the clutch portion 7 via the hub portion 33. .

  As a result, the energization control of the clutch portion 7 can be performed through the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31, the hub portion 33, and the clutch portion 7.

  Further, the energization control can be performed through the first shaft portion 29, the hub portion 33, the clutch portion 7, and the case lid 11.

  For this reason, the limit of the current-carrying structure can be suppressed, and the range of simplification of the structure and diversification of usage modes can be expanded.

  That is, structurally, although the rotation shaft 5 is a simple structure in which the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 are integrated via the insulating portion 35, the limit of the energization structure is suppressed, and the rotation shaft 5 Side energization, energization on the case 3 side, energization between the rotating shaft 5 and the case 3 can be selected, and it is possible to respond to diversification of usage modes.

  Further, when energization on the rotating shaft 5 side, that is, energization control of the clutch portion 7 is performed through the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31, the hub portion 33, and the clutch portion 7, the second shaft portion 31 and the clutch By using the case lid 11 including the shield bearing 25 between the part 7 and the energizing part, an energizing path from the clutch part 7 to the second shaft part 31 can be easily formed.

  The clutch unit 7 is supported between the case 3 and the rotary shaft 5 and is disposed between the fixed plate 55 and the rotary plate 57, which are respectively supported by the case 3 and the rotary shaft 5. A suction sheet 59 that controls torque transmission between the plates 55 and 57 by energization control using both plates 55 and 57 as an electrode, and the suction sheet 59 has electrorheology in which ER particles 59b are dispersed in an electrical insulating medium 59a. It is a gel and adsorbs between the fixed plate 55 and the rotating plate 57 by energization control.

  As a result, it is possible to simplify the structure and facilitate control by using an electrorheological gel, further suppress the limit of the current-carrying structure, and expand the range of simplification of the structure and diversification of usage modes. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the substrate 9 is provided on the case 3 and faces the end of the first shaft portion 29, and is provided between the end of the first shaft portion 29 and the substrate 9. And a connection portion 71 for electrically connecting the end portion of the shaft portion 29 to the circuit of the substrate 9 so as to be relatively rotatable.

  For this reason, a voltage can be applied to the rotating shaft 5 side via the connection portion 71 with a simple structure in which wiring is provided from the power source to the substrate 9 on the case 3 side.

  In this embodiment, the inner member is the rotating shaft 5, the first and second members are the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 of the rotating shaft 5, and the insulating portion 35 is the first, The second shaft portions 29 and 31 are coupled coaxially.

  For this reason, the insulation part 35 can be handled integrally as the rotating shaft 5, and assembly | attachment, component management, etc. can be performed easily.

  In the present embodiment, a hollow portion 43 provided on the first shaft portion 29, having a hub portion 33 on the outer periphery and a fitting shaft hole 45 on the inner periphery, and a fitting shaft provided on the second shaft portion 31. A fitting shaft portion 51 that fits into the hole 45 and performs coaxial coupling via the insulating portion 35 is provided.

  For this reason, the hub portion 33 that is electrically connected to the first shaft portion 29 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 5 while the first and second shaft portions 29 and 31 are integrally coupled to each other by the insulating portion 35 in a coaxial manner. be able to.

  In this embodiment, the shaft is the rotating shaft 5, and the outer member is the fixed-side case 3 that houses the clutch portion 7.

  For this reason, it is possible to cause the clutch portion 7 to function by applying a voltage to the rotating shaft 5, to reliably apply a resistance torque to the rotating shaft 5 with respect to the stationary case 5, and to perform braking or the like.

1 Torque transmission device 3 Case (outside member)
5 Rotating shaft (inner member)
7 Clutch portion 9 Substrate 29 First shaft portion (first member)
31 Second shaft portion (second member)
33 Hub portion 35 Insulating portion 43 Hollow portion 45 Fitting shaft hole 51 Fitting shaft portion 55 Fixing plate (outer plate, electrode)
57 Rotating plate (inner plate, electrode)
59 Adsorption sheet (functional material)
59a Electrically insulating medium 59b ER particles (electrorheological particles)
71 connection

Claims (8)

Provided between a relatively rotatable outer member and an inner member, a clutch portion capable of controlling torque transmission between both members by controlling energization between the relatively rotating electrodes,
One of the outer member or the inner member is provided with one of the first and second members divided in the axial direction and one of the first and second members, and engages the clutch portion in the rotational direction and is conductive. An engaging portion to be connected; and an insulating portion that is integrally coupled while insulating the first and second members;
Forming an energization path from one of the first or second members to the clutch portion via the engagement portion;
A torque transmission device characterized by that. The torque transmission device according to claim 1,
The clutch portion is supported by the outer member and the inner member, and is disposed between the outer plate and the inner plate, and is arranged between the outer plate and the inner plate. And a functional material that controls torque transmission between both plates by energization control using both plates as electrodes,
The functional material has electrorheological particles dispersed in an electrically insulating medium and adsorbs between the outer plate and the inner plate by the energization control.
A torque transmission device characterized by that. The torque transmission device according to claim 1 or 2,
A substrate provided on one of the outer member or the inner member and facing one end of the first or second member;
A connecting portion provided between one end of the first or second member and the substrate, and electrically connecting one end of the first or second member to the circuit of the substrate so as to be relatively rotatable. When,
A torque transmission device comprising: The torque transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A conducting portion is disposed between the other of the first or second member and the clutch portion;
The energization path extends from the clutch part to the other of the first or second member via the conduction part.
A torque transmission device characterized by that. The torque transmission device according to claim 4,
The conducting portion is the other of the outer member or the inner member.
A torque transmission device characterized by that. The torque transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The inner member is a shaft;
The first and second members are first and second shaft portions of the shaft,
The insulating portion coaxially couples the first and second shaft portions.
A torque transmission device characterized by that. The torque transmission device according to claim 6,
A hollow part provided on one of the first or second shaft part and having the engagement part on the outer periphery and a fitting shaft hole on the inner periphery;
A fitting shaft portion provided on the other of the first or second shaft portions and fitted in the fitting shaft hole to perform the coaxial coupling via the insulating portion;
A torque transmission device comprising: The torque transmission device according to claim 6 or 7,
The axis is a rotation axis;
The outer member is a fixed-side case that houses the clutch portion.
A torque transmission device characterized by that.

Images