JPH01176820A - Temperature sensitive type fluid fan coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stabilize the transmission of torque so as to aim at obtaining a satisfactory rise-up of rotational speed by controlling the amount of liquid led from a rear chamber into a front chamber through a liquid leading amount adjusting part in a liquid leading mechanism with the use of a temperature sensing element so as to control the amount of residual liquid in the rear chamber. CONSTITUTION:A fan casing 21 is sectioned by a partition plate 23 in a front chamber 24 reserving therein liquid 25 having a predetermined viscosity and a rear chamber 25. Further, a liquid lead-out mechanism 32 composed of a center shaft 28, a link 29 and a lead-out pipe 31 leads the liquid 26 from the front chamber 24 into the rear chamber 25 through a temperature sensing element 27, and a fluid coupling 35 transmits a power from a rotary shaft 33 to a fan casing 21. It is noted that a passage means 45 is actuated by the temperature sensing element 27 so as to adjust the amount of the liquid 26 from the rear chamber 25 into the front chamber 24 with the use of a passage 45a, an introduction hole 45a and an adjusting hole 45c. Accordingly, the amount of residual liquid in the rear chamber 25 is suitably controlled so as to restrain the transmission torque from varying, thereby it is possible to stabilize the drive force and to give a satisfactory rise-up of the rotational speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device, and more particularly to a temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device for mounting a radiator cooling fan or the like in an automobile. .

(Prior art) Generally, a temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device has a function of adjusting the fan rotation speed by changing the slip ratio of the fluid coupling using temperature sensing operation based on deformation of a temperature sensing element, etc. For example, it is installed between a radiator cooling fan of an automobile and an engine that drives the fan. Such a temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device increases the fan rotation speed to forcibly send cooling air to the radiator when the temperature of the air passing through the radiator increases when the vehicle is running at low speed or idling. On the other hand, when the temperature of the air passing through the radiator becomes low during normal driving, the fan is prevented from rotating more than necessary to improve engine fuel efficiency, reduce fan noise, and shorten warm-up time.

A conventional temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device of this type is described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-open No. 58-6996, as shown in FIG. 3.4. Third
．． In FIG. 4, when the rotating shaft 2 is rotationally driven by an engine (not shown) via a power transmission means 1 such as a pulley, fluid is transferred from the rotating shaft 2 to the fan casing 4 via the fluid 5 in the fan casing 4 by the fluid coupling 3. Torque is transmitted to the fan casing 4, and a fan (not shown) attached to the outer periphery of the fan casing 4 rotates. At this time, the liquid 5 in the front chamber 6 and rear chamber 7 of the fan casing 4 is urged radially outward in the fan casing 4 by centrifugal force and remains in an annular shape. Further, the dam 9 engaged with the rotating plate 8 of the fluid coupling 3 wipes off the liquid 5 adhering to the outer peripheral surface 8a of the rotating plate 8, and introduces the liquid 5 into the front chamber 6 via the liquid passage 10. Therefore, the amount of liquid 5 in the rear chamber 7 is reduced, the torque transmitted by the fluid coupling 3 is reduced, and the fan rotation speed is reduced. On the other hand, when the temperature of the air passing through the radiator received by the front part of the fan casing 4 increases, the temperature sensing element 11
is deformed in response to the air temperature, and performs a temperature sensing operation to rotate the valve body 12. At this time, the valve hole 13a of the partition plate 13
The valve element 12 forms an opening 14 for discharging liquid according to the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element 11, and an end 14a of the opening 14 discharges radiation from the inside of the fan casing 4 according to the temperature of the air passing through the radiator. I'm trying to move outward. The liquid 5 in the front chamber 6 that remains radially inward from the end 14 a of the opening 14 is led out to the rear chamber 7 through the opening 14 and supplied to the fluid coupling 3 . Therefore, when the temperature of the air passing through the radiator increases, the transmission torque of the fluid coupling 3 becomes thicker, and the fan rotation speed increases. In other words,
The fan rotation speed is adjusted according to the temperature of the air passing through the radiator to prevent the fan from rotating more than necessary.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a conventional temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device, the dam 9 that introduces liquid from the rear chamber 7 to the front chamber 6 is connected to the rotating shaft 2 and the fan. Since the casing 4 was configured to come into sliding contact with the rotary plate 8 according to the relative rotational speed (sliding speed) and wipe off the liquid 5 adhering to the rotary plate 8, problems caused by differences in the viscosity of the liquid used or changes in liquid temperature may occur. The amount of introduced liquid increases or decreases due to changes in the viscosity of the liquid, and the amount of liquid in the rear chamber 7 changes, making it easy for the transmission torque of the fluid coupling to vary. For this reason, there is a problem in that the fan driving force is not stable and it is not possible to obtain good startup characteristics that smoothly increase the fan rotation speed when the fan driving force is started up.

(Purpose of the Invention) Therefore, the present invention aims to control the amount of liquid in the rear chamber to an appropriate amount by adjusting the amount of liquid introduced from the rear chamber into the front chamber according to the amount of liquid led out to the rear chamber. The purpose is to suppress variations in the transmission torque of the fluid coupling, stabilize the fan driving force, and ensure good startup characteristics of the fan rotation speed.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fan casing having a front chamber and a rear chamber partitioned by a partition plate, and a fan casing that is attached to the front part of the fan casing.
A temperature sensing element that operates in response to the temperature of the air received by the fan casing, and a liquid delivery mechanism that operates in response to the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element and can draw liquid from the front compartment to the rear compartment. , a fluid coupling that has a rotating shaft attached to the rear of the fan casing and a rotating plate fixed to the rotating shaft, and transmits torque from the rotating shaft to the fan casing via the rotating plate and liquid led out to the rear chamber. and a liquid introduction mechanism that cooperates with a rotary plate of a fluid coupling to introduce liquid from the rear chamber into the front chamber, and the liquid introduction mechanism controls the amount of liquid introduced from the rear chamber to the front chamber by temperature sensing. An introduction liquid amount adjustment section is provided to adjust the amount of liquid introduced according to the body's temperature sensing operation.

(Function) In the present invention, the amount of liquid introduced from the rear chamber to the front chamber is adjusted by the introduced liquid amount adjustment section provided in the liquid introduction mechanism in accordance with the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element. Therefore, the amount of liquid introduced into the front chamber from the liquid introduction mechanism is adjusted according to the amount of liquid introduced into the rear chamber from the liquid introduction mechanism by the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element, and the amount of liquid in the rear chamber is controlled to an appropriate amount. be done. As a result, variations in the transmission torque of the fluid coupling are suppressed, and the fan driving force is stabilized, thereby ensuring good startup characteristics of the fan rotation speed.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. FIG. 1.2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an example in which the present invention is applied to a coupling for a radiator cooling fan of an automobile.

First, the configuration will be explained. In FIG. 1.2, 21 is a fan casing, and the fan casing 21 has a radiator cooling fan (not shown) attached to its outer periphery and is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle body of the radiator 22. The fan casing 21 has a partition plate 23, and inside the fan casing 21 there is a front chamber 24 partitioned off by the partition plate 23.
and a rear chamber 25 are defined. A liquid 26 having a predetermined viscosity is stored in the front chamber 24 of the fan casing 21, and the liquid 26 is, for example, silicone oil with a small viscosity temperature coefficient. Reference numeral 27 denotes a temperature sensing body made of bimetal or the like, and the temperature sensing body 27 is formed in a spiral shape. The temperature sensing element 27 has one end 27a attached to the front part 21a of the fan casing 21 and the other end 27b connected to the central shaft 28. It deforms in response to the temperature of the air passing through it, and performs a temperature-sensing operation to rotate the central shaft 28. The center shaft 28 passes through the front portion 21a of the fan casing 21 and is connected to the center portion of a link 29 within the front chamber 24, and the link 29 has a swing end portion 29a that swings as the center shaft 28 rotates. It is rotatably connected to the outlet pipe 31.

The outlet pipe 31 has a smooth liquid outlet passage 31 with a substantially circular cross section.
The outlet pipe 31 has a radial outer end opening 31b that opens into the rear chamber 25 and a radial inner end opening 31c that opens into the front chamber 24. The radiating outer end opening 31b of the outlet tube 31 is rotatably connected to the radiating outer end of the partition plate 23, and when the link 29 swings due to the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element 27, the outlet tube 31 radiates. Inner end opening 3
1c is adapted to rotate in response to the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element 27 so that it approaches and separates from the inner circumferential wall 21b of the fan casing 21. At this time, the fan casing 2
The liquid 26 in the fan casing 21
Since it is biased toward the side and retained in an annular shape, the rotation of the outlet pipe 31 causes the radial inner end opening 31c to sink into the liquid 26, causing the liquid 26 to flow from the front chamber 24 through the outlet pipe 31 to the rear chamber 25. so that it can be derived. That is, the central shaft 28, the link 29, and the outlet pipe 31 form a liquid outlet mechanism 3 that can guide the liquid 26 from the front chamber 24 to the rear chamber 25 in accordance with the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensor 27.
2.

Further, a rotating shaft 3 is provided at the rear part 21c of the fan casing 21.
3 is rotatably attached, and the rotating shaft 33 is rotationally driven by an engine (not shown) via a power transmission means 34 such as a pulley. 35 is a fluid coupling, and the fluid coupling 35 has a power transmission section 36 on the front side and a power transmission section 37 on the rear side. Power transmission section 36
．． Reference numeral 37 is made up of a driving-side uneven portion each having a plurality of coaxial annular protrusions and a driven-side uneven portion formed to engage with the driving-side unevenness with a slight gap. The driven side uneven portion is formed on the fan casing 21 .

When the rotary shaft 33 rotates, the power transmission parts 36 and 37 transmit torque from the driving side unevenness of the rotating plate 38 to the driven side unevenness of the fan casing 21 by fluid friction based on the viscosity of the liquid 26 in the rear chamber 25. It is supposed to be done.

That is, the fluid coupling 35 has a rotating plate 38 fixed to the rotating shaft 33, and transmits torque from the rotating shaft 33 to the fan casing 21 via the rotating plate 38 and the liquid 26 led into the rear chamber 25. The fan casing 21 is thereby driven.

On the other hand, a dam 41 is engaged with the outer peripheral portion 38a of the rotating plate 38, and the dam 41 is attached to the fan casing 21. The dam 41 comes into sliding contact with the outer circumferential portion 38a of the rotary plate 38 according to the sliding speed of the fan casing 21 and the rotary plate 38 when the fluid coupling 35 is operated, and wipes off the liquid 26 adhering to the rotary plate 38 and also removes the liquid 26 from the fan casing 21. The liquid is introduced into the front chamber 24 through a liquid passage 42 formed in the front chamber 24. That is, the dam 41 and the liquid passage 42 are connected to a liquid introduction mechanism 43 that cooperates with the rotating plate 38 of the fluid coupling 35 to introduce the liquid 26 in the rear chamber 25 into the front chamber 24.
By the pumping action of the liquid introduction mechanism 43, the liquid 26 is circulated through the front chamber 24, the liquid discharge mechanism 32, the rear chamber 25, and the liquid introduction mechanism 43.

Further, an introduced liquid chamber 44 and a passage member 45 having a predetermined volume are provided on the downstream side of the liquid passage 42 in the liquid introduction direction, and the liquid passage 42 communicates with the front chamber 24 via the introduced liquid chamber 44 and the passage member 45. are doing. The introduced liquid chamber 44 is defined by the fan casing 21 and the partition plate 23 so as to be located on the inner peripheral wall 21b side of the fan casing 21, and the introduced liquid chamber 44 has a predetermined volume between the liquid passage 42 and the passage member 45. It is a storage room with The passage member 45 includes a passage 45a extending in the radial direction of the fan casing 21;
It has an introduction hole 45b and an adjustment hole 45C, and the passage 4
5a is always in communication with the front chamber 24 via the introduction hole 45b. The adjustment hole 45c of the passage member 45 is the introduction hole 45b.
The adjustment hole 45c is located more radially outward than the link 2.
9. link 29
When the temperature of the air passing through the radiator 22 is high, the swinging end portion 29b swings in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2 about the central axis 28 to narrow the adjustment hole 45c of the passage member 45. The adjustment hole 45c functions as a valve hole that changes the valve opening degree by the swinging end portion 29b. That is, the introduced liquid chamber 44 and the passage member 45, together with the central shaft 28 and the link 29, adjust the amount of liquid 26 introduced from the rear chamber 25 to the front chamber in accordance with the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element 27. , the liquid introduction mechanism 43 includes an introduction liquid amount adjustment section 46 consisting of a central shaft 28, a link 29, an introduction liquid chamber 44, and a passage member 45.
have.

Note that 47 is a bearing such as a radial ball bearing, and the bearing 47 pivotally supports the rotating shaft 33 and also restricts movement of the fan casing 21 and the rotating shaft 33 in the axial direction when the fan is driven. There is. 48.49
are seal rings, and seal rings 48 and 49 are respectively attached to the fan casing 21 and are attached to the front chamber 24.
Alternatively, the rear chamber 25 is kept liquid-tight.

Next, the effect will be explained.

When the rotating shaft 33 is driven by the engine via the power transmission means 34, the liquid 26 remaining in the rear chamber 25 is transferred from the rotating shaft 33 to the fan casing 2 by the fluid coupling 35.
Torque is transmitted to the fan casing 21 and the fan rotate at a relatively low rotation speed. At this time, the liquid 26 in the fan casing 21 is urged toward the inner circumferential wall 2Lb side of the fan casing 21 by centrifugal force based on the rotation of the fan casing 21, and the liquid 26 in the front chamber 24 has an annular shape with the inner circumferential wall 21b as the bottom surface. stay in. At the same time, the liquid 26 adhering to the outer peripheral portion 38a of the rotary plate 38 is wiped off by the dam 41 of the liquid introduction mechanism 43, and then introduced into the front chamber 24 via the liquid passage 42. Therefore, the liquid 26 in the rear chamber 25 is gradually Kffi, the effective power transmission area of the fluid coupling 35 gradually decreases, the sliding speed of the fluid coupling 35 increases, and the fan rotation speed decreases. During this time, the radially inner end opening 31c of the outlet pipe 31 is located slightly above the liquid level of the liquid 26 that remains in the fan casing 21 in a tubular shape, that is, on the radially inward side of the fan casing 21.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the passing air from the radiator 22 that is received by the front part 21a of the fan casing 21 increases, the temperature sensing element 27 deforms in response to the air temperature and performs a temperature sensing operation.
The link 29 swings in response to the temperature sensing operation. At this time,
The radial inner end opening 31c of the outlet pipe 31 sinks into the liquid 26 while approaching the inner peripheral wall 21b of the fan casing 21,
The liquid 26 in the front chamber 24 is led out to the rear chamber 25 through the liquid outlet passage 31a, and at the same time, the adjustment hole 45c of the passage member 45 is narrowed by the swinging end 29b of the link 29, and the liquid 26 is drawn out from the rear chamber 25 to the front chamber 24. The liquid amount is adjusted so that the amount of liquid introduced is reduced. Therefore, the rear compartment 25
The amount of liquid 26 staying inside is controlled to increase to an amount a corresponding to the temperature rise of the air passing through the radiator, the effective power transmission area of the fluid coupling 35 gradually increases, and the fan rotation speed increases. That is, the fan rotation speed is adjusted according to the temperature of the air passing through the radiator 22, which improves the fuel efficiency of the engine that is the driving source.
This helps shorten warm-up time and reduce fan noise.

As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of liquid 26 introduced from the rear chamber 25 to the front chamber 24 is controlled by the introduced liquid amount adjusting section 46 provided in the liquid introduction mechanism 43.
It is adjusted according to the temperature sensing operation of the Therefore, rear compartment 2
The amount of liquid flowing into and out of the rear chamber 2 is adjusted according to the temperature of the air that has passed through the radiator 22.
The amount of liquid 26 that stays within 5 is controlled to an appropriate amount. As a result, variations in the transmission torque of the fluid coupling 35 are suppressed, the fan driving force is stabilized, and good rise characteristics of the fan rotation speed are ensured.

(Effects) According to the present invention, the amount of liquid introduced from the rear chamber to the front chamber is adjusted by the introduced liquid amount adjusting section of the liquid introducing mechanism in accordance with the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element. The liquid introduction mechanism can control the amount of liquid remaining in the rear compartment to affl corresponding to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensing element, and it is possible to suppress variations in the transmission torque of the fluid coupling.

As a result, it is possible to stabilize the fan driving force and ensure good startup characteristics of the fan rotation speed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1.2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the device, and FIG. 3.4 is a diagram showing a conventional temperature-sensitive fluid fan coupling device, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the device, and FIG. 4 is an IV-rV of FIG. 'It is a sectional view taken along the line. 21... Fan casing, 21a... Front, 21c... Rear, 23... Partition plate, 24... Front chamber, 25 ... Rear chamber, 26 ... Liquid, 27 ... Temperature sensing element, 32 ... Liquid ejection mechanism, 33 ... Rotating shaft, 35...Fluid coupling, 38...Rotary plate, 43...Liquid introduction mechanism, 46...Introduced liquid amount adjustment section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A fan casing having a front chamber and a rear chamber separated by a partition plate, a temperature sensing element attached to the front part of the fan casing and operating in response to the temperature of the air received by the fan casing, and a temperature sensing element It has a liquid ejection mechanism that operates in response to temperature sensing and can draw liquid from the front chamber to the rear chamber, a rotating shaft attached to the rear of the fan casing, and a rotating plate fixed to the rotating shaft. A fluid coupling that transmits torque from the rotating shaft to the fan casing via the rotary plate and the liquid led to the rear chamber, and a liquid introduction that cooperates with the rotary plate of the fluid coupling to introduce the liquid in the rear chamber into the front chamber. A temperature-sensitive mechanism, wherein the liquid introducing mechanism includes an introduced liquid amount adjusting section that adjusts the amount of liquid introduced from the rear chamber to the front chamber in accordance with the temperature sensing operation of the temperature sensing element. type fluid fan coupling device.