JP7427503B2 - clutch release device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch release device, and particularly to a clutch release device for releasing a clutch device disposed between an engine and a transmission.

2. Description of the Related Art A clutch release device is provided for performing an operation (hereinafter referred to as a release operation) to release a power transmission state in a clutch device for a vehicle. The release device operates a slave cylinder via hydraulic pressure, for example, by operating a clutch pedal, thereby causing the release bearing to move in the axial direction. This movement of the release bearing presses the release lever that constitutes the clutch device, and the pressing force on the clutch disk by the pressure plate is released. That is, the power transmission state in the clutch device is released. Here, the release lever is, for example, a diaphragm spring.

Furthermore, a Concentric Pneumatic Clutch Actuator (CPCA) type release device is used in order to reduce the pressing force during a release operation without increasing the size of the release device. The CPCA type release device has a cylinder and a piston that are coaxial with the input shaft of the transmission. Then, by supplying air pressure to the cylinder, the piston is actuated and moves in the axial direction.

Here, as wear of the friction member of the clutch disk progresses, the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm spring approaches the clutch disk side. At the same time, the vicinity of the center of the diaphragm spring moves away from the clutch disk. As a result, the clutch release device requires an amount of operation equal to the amount of movement of the diaphragm spring due to wear of the clutch disk in addition to the amount of operation required for release. Therefore, there is a need for a wear tracking technology that suppresses the axial dimension.

Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 (German Patent Application Publication No. 102017205925) and Patent Document (International Publication No. 2018/077464) set the position of the piston in a state where the friction member is not worn (hereinafter also referred to as the initial state). We propose a technology that follows wear by returning the material to its original position.

German Patent Application No. 102017205925 International Publication No. 2018/077464

However, in the methods of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is necessary to move the piston in the axial direction to the position in the initial state. In other words, the space required for the release operation (hereinafter also referred to as mounting axial space) becomes longer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clutch release device that can shorten the space for release operation.

(1) A clutch release device according to one aspect of the present invention is a clutch release device for releasing a clutch device having a release lever. The clutch release device includes a first piston, an intermediate member, a second piston, and an engagement mechanism. The first piston has a first slope on a first side in the axial direction and a first slope facing in the circumferential direction. The first piston presses the release lever toward the second side in the axial direction. The first piston is arranged to be axially movable and non-rotatable. The intermediate member has a second slope on the second side in the axial direction, facing in the circumferential direction and abutting the first slope. The intermediate member is rotatably disposed axially on a first side of the first piston. The second piston is axially movable and non-rotatably disposed on the first side of the intermediate member in the axial direction. The engagement mechanism engages the intermediate member and the second piston by moving the second piston to the second side in the axial direction.

The first piston has a first slope, and the intermediate member has a second slope. Therefore, when the first piston pushes the intermediate member, the first slope and the second slope slide relatively, and the intermediate member can rotate in the circumferential direction. When the intermediate member rotates, the first piston moves toward the first side in the axial direction. That is, the first piston and the intermediate member approach each other in the axial direction. This reduces the axial length of the clutch release device. As a result, the mounting axial space is reduced.

The clutch release device further includes an engagement mechanism. When the second piston moves to the second axial side, the engagement mechanism engages the intermediate member and the second piston. This makes the intermediate member unrotatable. Since the intermediate member cannot rotate, the first piston cannot move in the axial direction. Therefore, the thrust of the second piston can be transmitted to the first piston. Therefore, the release function can be operated even if the mounting axial space is shortened.

(2) The engagement mechanism may include an engagement portion and an engaged portion. The engaging portion is arranged on the second piston. The engaged portion is capable of engaging with the engaging portion and is disposed on the intermediate member.

(3) Preferably, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are serrations. Thereby, the effect of the engagement mechanism can be further enhanced.

(4) The engagement mechanism may include a first friction material and a second friction material. The first friction material is disposed on the second piston. The second friction material is engageable with the first friction material. The second friction material is arranged on the intermediate member.

(5) Preferably, the clutch release device further includes a cylinder and an engagement release mechanism. The disengagement mechanism includes a locked portion and a locking portion. The locked portion is arranged on the intermediate member. The locking portion is arranged on the cylinder. When the clutch release device is not operating, the locked portion contacts the locking portion and supports the intermediate member 3 so that the intermediate member 3 does not move further toward the first side in the axial direction. Therefore, a gap is generated between the engaging part and the engaged part, and the intermediate member 3 can be maintained rotatably in the circumferential direction.

(6) Preferably, the clutch release device further includes a biasing member. The biasing member biases the intermediate member toward the second circumferential side and radially inward, and biases the second piston toward the first circumferential side and radially outward. Here, when the clutch release device is operated and the circumferential rotation of the intermediate member 3 is engaged, the first cam surface and the second cam surface press against each other in the axial direction. Therefore, the cam mechanism can be engaged.

(7) Preferably, the biasing member in (6) is one selected from the group consisting of a tension coil spring, a coil spring, a spiral spring, and a torsion spring.

(8) The clutch release device may further include an air chamber. The air chamber is defined by the cylinder and the second piston.

According to the present invention as described above, in the clutch release device, the space required for the piston to move for the release operation can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a clutch release device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the engagement mechanism in a sectional view of the clutch release device at a different portion from FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the clutch release device of the present invention in a plane parallel to the radial direction. The figure which shows the position of the 1st piston in the state where the friction member of a clutch disc is worn. An enlarged view of the vicinity of the engagement mechanism when the clutch release device is activated. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the engagement mechanism in a cross-sectional view of a clutch release device according to an embodiment different from FIG. 1 .

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a clutch release device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The clutch release device 100 is a release device for operating a clutch device having a clutch lever.

In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, the OO line is the rotation axis. In the following description, the "axial direction" refers to the direction in which the rotating shaft O extends, and the lower side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the "first axial side" and the upper side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the "second axial side". . Moreover, "radial direction" means the radial direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O. "Circumferential direction" means the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis O. Further, the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 is referred to as a "first circumferential side," and the clockwise direction is referred to as a "second circumferential side."

In FIG. 1, a clutch device is arranged on the second side, and a transmission is arranged on the first side. This clutch release device 100 is a device for releasing a clutch device disposed between an engine and a transmission. That is, the clutch release device 100 releases the pressing force of the release lever that constitutes the clutch device, thereby releasing the power transmission state in the clutch device. Here, the release lever is a diaphragm spring 101.

Clutch release device 100 includes a first piston 2, an intermediate member 3, a second piston 4, and an engagement mechanism 5. The clutch release device 100 further includes a cylinder 6, a disengagement mechanism 7, a first biasing member 9, a second biasing member 10, and an air chamber C.

[Cylinder 6]
The cylinder 6 has an inner cylindrical portion 61 and a cylinder case 62.

The inner cylindrical portion 61 is disposed radially outside an input shaft (not shown) of the transmission and coaxially with the input shaft.

The cylinder case 62 has a disk portion 62a and an outer circumferential cylindrical portion 62b extending from the outer circumferential end of the disk portion 62a toward the second side in the axial direction.

The outer cylindrical portion 62b extends substantially parallel to the inner cylindrical portion 61. An air supply port (not shown) for supplying air to the air chamber C is arranged in the disc portion 62a.

The outer circumferential cylindrical portion 62b has a locking portion 71 at the second end in the axial direction.

[First piston 2]
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first piston 2 is disposed coaxially with the input shaft between the inner cylindrical portion 61 and the outer cylindrical portion 62b of the cylinder 6. The first piston 2 is axially movable. The first piston 2 is fixed so as not to rotate in the circumferential direction by a rotation stopper (not shown).

The first piston 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The first piston 2 includes a first sliding portion 21 , a bearing support portion 22 , and a plurality of inclined portions 23 . The slope portion 23 includes a first slope 23a.

The first sliding portion 21 is an end portion of the first piston 2 on the first axial side.

The bearing support portion 22 is an end portion of the first piston 2 on the second axial side. A bearing accommodating portion is formed in the inner peripheral portion of the bearing support portion 22 .

The outer ring of the release bearing 22a is fitted into the bearing housing. The bearing housing portion of the first piston 2 supports the entire release bearing 22a. The first piston 2 presses the diaphragm spring 101 toward the second side in the axial direction via the release bearing 22a.

The inclined portion 23 is a portion that protrudes radially outward from a portion between the first sliding portion 21 and the bearing support portion 22 in the axial direction. The plurality of inclined portions 23 are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the first piston 2 in a row at intervals in the circumferential direction. The slope portion 23 includes a first slope 23a on the end face on the first axial side. The first slope 23a faces the first side in the axial direction and the first side in the circumferential direction.

[Intermediate member 3]
The intermediate member 3 is arranged coaxially with the input shaft between the outer cylindrical portion 62b of the cylinder 6 and the first piston 2. The intermediate member 3 is arranged on the first side with respect to the first piston 2 in the axial direction.

The intermediate member 3 is movable in the axial direction along the outer cylindrical portion 62b of the cylinder 6. The intermediate member 3 is rotatable in the circumferential direction when the clutch release device 100 is not operating.

The intermediate member 3 includes a main body portion 31, a moving portion 32, and a locked portion 72.

The main body portion 31 has an annular shape. The main body portion 31 is disposed between the outer circumferential cylindrical portion 62b of the cylinder 6 and the first piston 2.

The main body portion 31 has a second slope 31a.

The second slope 31a contacts the first slope 23a of the first piston 2. The second slope 31a is arranged on the second axial side of the engaged portion 52. The second slope 31a faces the second side in the axial direction and the second side in the circumferential direction.

The moving part 32 has an annular shape. The moving part 32 extends radially outward from the end of the main body part 31 on the first axial side, and further extends from there to the first radial side. The moving part 32 is arranged radially inward with respect to the outer circumferential cylindrical part 62b of the cylinder 6. The moving part 32 is movable along the outer circumferential cylindrical part 62b of the cylinder 6. The engaged portion 52 is arranged on the first side of the moving portion 32 in the axial direction.

The locked portion 72 extends radially outward from the end on the second axial side of the main body portion 31, further extends from there to the second axial side, and further extends radially outward from there. The locked portion 72 can come into contact with the locking portion 71 of the cylinder 6 in the axial direction.

[Second piston 4]
The second piston 4 is disposed coaxially with the input shaft between the inner cylindrical portion 61 and the outer cylindrical portion 62b of the cylinder 6. The second piston 4 is arranged on the first axial side with respect to the intermediate member 3. The second piston 4 is fixed so as not to rotate in the circumferential direction by a rotation stopper (not shown).

The second piston 4 is movable in the axial direction along the inner cylindrical portion 61 of the cylinder 6. Specifically, the second piston 4 is movable along the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 61. The inner cylindrical portion 61 is a sliding surface of the cylinder 6.

The second piston 4 includes a second sliding portion 41 , an air chamber defining portion 42 , and a cylindrical portion 43 .

The second sliding portion 41 has a cylindrical shape. The second sliding portion 41 is movable along the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 61 of the cylinder 6 . The air chamber defining portion 42 extends radially outward from the first side end portion of the second sliding portion 41 .

The cylindrical portion 43 has a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical portion 43 extends from the radially outer end of the air chamber defining portion 42 toward the second axial side. The cylindrical portion 43 is movable along the outer cylindrical portion 62b. The first sliding portion 21 of the first piston 2 slides along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 43.

The cylindrical portion 43 has an outer peripheral protrusion 43a that projects outward in the circumferential direction from the outer peripheral surface. An engaging portion 51 is arranged at the end of the outer circumferential protrusion 43a of the cylindrical portion 43 on the second axial side. The engaging portion 51 is a serration including a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction.

[Engagement mechanism 5]
The engagement mechanism 5 includes an engagement portion 51 of the second piston 4 and an engaged portion 52 of the intermediate member 3.

The engaging portion 51 is a serration including a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction. The engaged portion 52 is a serration including a plurality of grooves arranged in the circumferential direction. The engaged portion 52 faces the engaging portion 51 . The engaged portion 52 is capable of engaging with the engaging portion 51 . Specifically, the plurality of protrusions of the engaging portion 51 and the plurality of grooves of the engaged portion 52 are capable of engaging with each other.

The engaging portion 51 engages the intermediate member 3 and the second piston 4 when the second piston 4 moves to the second side in the axial direction.

[Disengagement mechanism 7]
The disengagement mechanism 7 includes a locking portion 71 of the outer cylindrical portion 62b of the cylinder 6 and a locked portion 72 of the intermediate member 3. The locked portion 72 supports the intermediate member 3 and leaves a gap between the engaging portion 51 and the engaged portion 52.

In the disengagement mechanism 7, in the axial direction, the end surface of the locking portion 71 on the second axial side abuts the end surface of the locked portion 72 on the first axial side, so that the intermediate member 3 can no longer be axially moved. The movement of the intermediate member 3 in the axial direction is restricted so that it does not move in the first direction.

[First biasing member 9]
As shown in FIG. 3, a first biasing member 9 is disposed between the second piston 4 and the intermediate member 3. The first biasing member 9 biases the intermediate member 3 toward the second side in the circumferential direction and inwardly in the radial direction. The first biasing member 9 further biases the second piston 4 toward the first side in the circumferential direction and toward the outside in the radial direction. That is, the first biasing member 9 biases each member in the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. Thereby, the second piston 4 and the intermediate member 3 are always in a state where they are trying to separate in the axial direction. The first biasing member 9 is a tension coil spring.

[Second biasing member 10]
Referring to FIG. 1, a second biasing member 10 is arranged between the second piston 4 and the first piston 2. The second biasing member 10 biases the first piston 2 in the direction of releasing the clutch device. Thereby, the first piston 2 and the diaphragm spring 101 are always in contact with each other. Further, the second biasing member 10 is always in a state of trying to separate the second piston 4 and the first piston 2 in the axial direction. The second biasing member 10 is a coil spring.

[Air chamber C]
The air chamber C is defined by the cylinder 6 and the second piston 4. Specifically, the air chamber C is formed by the inner cylindrical portion 61 of the cylinder 6, the disk portion 62a, the outer cylindrical portion 62b, and the air chamber defining portion 42 of the second piston 4.

[motion]
In an initial state where there is no wear on the friction member of the clutch disk, the second piston 4 and the first piston 2 are separated from each other to the maximum extent in the axial direction, as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, as the friction member of the clutch disk progresses, the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm spring 101 moves toward the second side in the axial direction (towards the clutch disk). At the same time, the vicinity of the center of the diaphragm spring 101 moves toward the first side in the axial direction. Diaphragm spring 101 presses first piston 2 .

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, in the clutch release device 100, the first piston 2 has a first slope 23a, and the intermediate member 3 has a second slope 31a. Therefore, when the first piston 2 pushed by the diaphragm spring 101 pushes the intermediate member 3, the first slope 23a and the second slope 31a slide relative to each other, and the intermediate member 3 rotates in the circumferential direction. When the intermediate member 3 rotates, the first piston 2 moves toward the first side in the axial direction, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. That is, the first piston 2 and the intermediate member 3 approach each other in the axial direction. Thereby, the length of the clutch release device 100 in the axial direction is shortened. As a result, the mounting axial space is reduced.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 1, the clutch release device 100 includes an engagement release mechanism 7. The locked portion 72 of the disengagement mechanism 7 contacts the locking portion 71 and supports the intermediate member 3 so that the intermediate member 3 does not move further toward the first side in the axial direction. Therefore, when the clutch release device 100 is not operating, a gap is created between the engaging portion 51 and the engaged portion 52, and the intermediate member 3 is supported rotatably in the circumferential direction.

Air is taken in when the clutch pedal is depressed or when the electronic control unit issues a command to disengage the clutch. The air taken in is supplied to the air chamber C.

When air is supplied to the air chamber C, the second piston 4 is pushed out to the second side in the axial direction.

Here, the clutch release device 100 further includes an engagement mechanism 5. When the second piston 4 moves to the second side in the axial direction, the engagement mechanism 5 engages the intermediate member 3 and the second piston 4. Thereby, the intermediate member 3 becomes unable to rotate. Since the intermediate member 3 cannot rotate, the first piston 2 cannot move in the axial direction. Therefore, the thrust of the second piston 4 can be transmitted to the first piston 2. As a result, the first piston 2 presses the center of the diaphragm spring 101, releasing the pressing force of the pressure plate. This causes the clutch disc to separate from the flywheel, cutting off power transmission from the engine to the transmission. As described above, in the clutch release device 100, the release function can be operated even if the mounting axial space is shortened.

Note that when the clutch device is not released (for example, by pressing the clutch pedal), the clutch disc is held between the pressure plate and the flywheel by the pressing force of the diaphragm spring 101. Therefore, the clutch device is in a clutch-on state, and power from the engine is transmitted to the transmission.

In the state where the release operation is not performed, the first piston 2 is further pressed against the diaphragm spring 101 by the urging force of the second urging member 10. Here, there is no gap between the first piston 2 and the diaphragm spring 101.

On the other hand, when the clutch pedal is released, the air in the air chamber C is exhausted. When the air is exhausted from the air chamber C, the second piston 4 returns to the first side in the axial direction due to the pressing force of the diaphragm spring 101. At this time, the locked portion 72 of the disengagement mechanism 7 contacts the locking portion 71 and supports the intermediate member 3 so that the intermediate member 3 does not move further toward the first side in the axial direction. Therefore, a gap is created between the engaging portion 51 and the engaged portion 52, and the intermediate member 3 is again supported rotatably in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the intermediate member 3 can freely move in the circumferential direction with respect to the first piston 2, and the first piston 2 can move in the axial direction. Here, the thrust of the second piston 4 is not transmitted to the second piston 4. This causes the clutch disc to press against the flywheel, and power is transmitted from the engine to the transmission.

In the above operation, the first piston 2 moves to follow the wear. Thereby, the mounting axial space can be shortened.

Furthermore, by tracking wear, the ineffective capacity within the air chamber C can be kept at a minimum and constant. As a result, response is improved.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes or modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Modification example 1
In the above embodiment, the engagement mechanism 5 is a serration, but is not particularly limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the engagement mechanism 500 may include a friction material. In this case, the first friction material 501 is placed on the second piston 4. The second friction material 502 is engageable with the first friction material 501 and is disposed on the intermediate member 3 .

Modification example 2
In the embodiment described above, the locking portion 71 and the locked portion 72 of the disengagement mechanism 7 are arranged in the cylinder 6 and the intermediate member 3, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the locking portion 71 may be arranged on the first piston 2 so that the intermediate member 3 is not separated from the first piston 2 by more than a certain distance.

Modification example 3
Although the embodiment described above is directed to a diaphragm spring type clutch device, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. The clutch device may be a clutch device such as a coil spring.

Modification example 4
In the embodiment described above, the first biasing member 9 is a tension coil spring, but is not particularly limited thereto. The first biasing member 9 may be another biasing member. Other biasing members include, for example, other coil springs, spiral springs, and torsion springs.

2 First piston 3 Intermediate member 4 Second piston 5, 500 Engagement mechanism 6 Cylinder 7 Disengagement mechanism 9 First biasing member 10 Second biasing member 100 Clutch release device 101 Diaphragm spring (an example of a release lever)
C Air chamber

Claims (8)

A release device for operating a clutch device having a release lever, the release device comprising:
a first piston having a first slope facing in the circumferential direction on a first side in the axial direction, pressing the release lever toward the second side in the axial direction, and disposed to be movable in the axial direction and non-rotatable;
an intermediate member having a second slope facing the second side in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction and abutting the first slope, and rotatably disposed on the first side of the first piston in the axial direction;
a second piston that is axially movable and non-rotatably disposed on the first side of the intermediate member in the axial direction;
an engagement mechanism that engages the intermediate member and the second piston by moving the second piston to a second side in the axial direction;
Clutch release device.
The engagement mechanism is
an engaging portion disposed on the second piston;
an engaged portion capable of engaging with the engaging portion and disposed on the intermediate member;
has,
Clutch release device according to claim 1.
The engaging portion and the engaged portion are:
Serrations,
Clutch release device according to claim 2.
The engagement mechanism is
a first friction material disposed on the second piston;
a second friction material capable of engaging with the first friction material and disposed on the intermediate member;
has,
Clutch release device according to claim 1.
cylinder and
an engagement release mechanism that includes a locked portion disposed on the intermediate member and a locking portion disposed on the cylinder, and that releases the engagement between the intermediate member and the second piston ;
further comprising,
The clutch release device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
a biasing member that biases the intermediate member toward a second side in the circumferential direction and inward in the radial direction, and biases the second piston toward the first side in the circumferential direction and toward the outside in the radial direction;
further comprising,
The clutch release device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The biasing member is any one selected from the group consisting of a tension coil spring, a coil spring, a spiral spring, and a torsion spring.
The clutch release device according to claim 6.
further comprising an air chamber defined by a cylinder and the second piston;
The clutch release device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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