JPH02253017A - Viscous coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve a response to a variation in characteristic so as to simplify the arrangement and control of a control system by providing such an arrangement that a pair of transmission members are moved by counter screws in direction reverse to each other in association with rotation of a motor, and the overlapping margins between resistance members in working chambers are increased or decreased simultaneously. CONSTITUTION:When a manipulating member 51 is rotated by a motor, rotary members 15, 17 are moved simultaneously in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows, by means a clockwise screw 53 and a counterclockwise screw 55, and accordingly, the overlapping margins L between clutch cylinders 47, 49 in working chambers 39, 41 are increased and decreased simultaneously at the right and left sides. Further, when the overlapping margins L increases, the shearing resistance of silicone oil increases so that the differential motion limiting function and the transmission torque are increased. Meanwhile when the overlapping margins L decreases, the sharing resistance of the silicone oil is decreased so that the differential motion limiting function and the transmission torque are decreased. With this arrangement, since the control may be made within one system, the control system has an extremely simple structure and is miniaturized, and further, since the left and right rotary members 15, 17 are moved simultaneously in association with a manipulation by a control system in the one system, the control thereof may be also simple.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a viscous coupling that transmits torque through a viscous fluid.

(Prior Art) A viscous clutch (viscous coupling) is described in JP-A-62-10-6130.

This viscous coupling uses a clutch cylinder as a resistance member, and is configured so that torque transmission characteristics can be adjusted by changing the overlapping margin of the clutch cylinders.

Therefore, if the moving distance of the clutch cylinder is long and the moving speed is slow, the response of characteristic changes is poor. In addition, the means for moving the clutch cylinder and controlling its characteristics consists of an operating system including a fork, a hydraulic actuator, a hydraulic source, piping, etc.
In the case of a twin-type viscous coupling (twin visco) in which a pair of viscous couplings are combined in the axial direction, there are two systems of control means, making the device even larger and more complicated. Furthermore, control is complicated because each of these control means must be operated separately.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a viscous coupling that can improve the response to changes in characteristics and has a simple control system configuration and control.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The viscous coupling of the present invention includes three transmission members arranged to be relatively rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction, and a viscous coupling formed between these members. an operating chamber filled with fluid;
In this working chamber, a plurality of clutch cylinders are engaged with respective transmission members arranged alternately in the radial direction, and a pair of transmission members are moved in the axial direction via screws in opposite directions, so that the clutch cylinders overlap. The invention is characterized in that it is equipped with a motor that adjusts the distance.

(Function) For example, when a torque of 1~1 is input to one of the transmission members and it rotates, this rotation is caused by the shear resistance of the viscous fluid in each working chamber from the clutch cylinder on the transmission member side to the clutch cylinder on the other transmission member side. and rotates these transmission members. At this point, in a situation where a large rotational difference occurs,
This rotational difference is limited and a large torque is transmitted, and in a state where the rotational difference is small, this rotational difference is lost to the passenger and the transmitted torque is small.

When the motor is rotated, the pair of transmission members move in opposite directions due to the reverse screw, and the overlapping margin of the resistance members increases or decreases at the same time in each working chamber.

The transmitted torque increases as the overlap margin widens, and decreases as the overlap margin narrows.

Furthermore, by selecting the output transmission member, the response to characteristic changes can be improved by simultaneously adjusting the clutch hour wheel deflection range.

(Example) A first example (twin visco) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The left and right directions are the left and right directions in these drawings.

First, the configuration will be explained.

The housing 1 (transmission member) consists of a cylindrical main body 3, left and right side walls 5, 7, and a sleeve 11 connected to the inner circumference of the main body 3 via a flange 9. The main body 3 is equipped with a ring gear for torque input. 13 is fixed.

Rotating members 15.17 (transmission members at both ends) are arranged through the side wall 5.7 so as to be rotatably and axially movable relative to the housing 1. Each transmission member 15.17 has an outer cylinder 19,
2L inner cylinder 23.25, these are connected. Side wall 27,2
9. 7 langes 31.33 connected to each outer cylinder 19°21
It consists of A hollow output shaft 35.37 is connected to each side wall 27,29.

Annular working u39.41 is formed between the housing 1 and each rotary member 15.17, and these are filled with highly viscous silicone mail (viscous fluid). Housing 1 and rotating part 'jtA15.

17, between the side walls 5, 7 and the outer cylinders 19, 21 and between the sleeve 11 and the inner cylinders 23, 25 are X-rings 43.4.
5 (sealing material with an X-shaped cross section) is arranged, and the working chamber 3
9.4.1 is kept liquid-tight.

In each working chamber 39.41, a plurality of clutch cylinders 47. are arranged alternately in the radial direction. /1.9 are fixed to the 7 flange 31, 33 and flange 9 separately.

An operating member 51 is arranged inside the rotating member 15.17, and the operating member 51 and the inner cylinder 23.25 are connected by a left-hand thread 53 and a right-hand thread 55, respectively. This operating member 5
1 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a motor (not shown).

Next, the functions will be explained.

When torque is input from the ring gear A713 and the housing 1 rotates, this rotation is transmitted from the clutch cylinder 49 to the clutch cylinder 47 in each working chamber 39.41, thereby rotating each rotating member 15.17. At this time, when a large rotational difference occurs between the housing 1 and each rotating member 15, 17, this rotational difference is limited and the transmitted torque is large, and when the rotational difference is small, the transmitted torque is small.

When the operating member 51 is rotated by the motor, the rotating members 15 and 17 are simultaneously moved in opposite directions by the left-hand screw 53 and the right-hand screw 55, as shown by arrows in FIG.
At 9.41, the overlap of the clutch cylinders 4, 7, and 49 increases and decreases simultaneously on the left and right sides.

When the amount of overlap increases, the shearing resistance of the silicone oil increases, and the differential limiting ability and transmission torque become large; when the amount of overlap decreases, the shearing resistance decreases, and the differential limiting ability and transmission torque become smaller.

As mentioned above, the control means of this embodiment, which is composed of a motor and left and right screws 53.55, has a significantly fewer number of parts than the conventional control means, and has a simple and lightweight structure, and has a diameter similar to that of a fork. It does not protrude in any direction, does not require any members, and there is no need to arrange a hydraulic actuator or the like around it, so the arrangement space can be small. Moreover, since it is configured so that control is performed in one system, the control system is extremely
It is easy to construct, small and lightweight. Further, since the left and right rotating members 15 and 17 move simultaneously by operation using this one system of control means, their control is simple.

FIG. 2 shows a front engine/front drive (FF) based four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle using this embodiment. The power system of this vehicle includes an engine 57, a transmission 59, a transfer 61, a propeller shaft 63,
Freon 1 to differential 65 (front wheel side differential device)
, A7 differential 67 (rear wheel side differential device), front axle 69
, a front wheel 71, a rear axle 73, a rear wheel 75, etc. Ring gear 13 of rear differential 67 Propeller shaft 6
The output shaft 35 meshes with the drive pinion gear 77 on the 3rd side.
．． 37 are connected to the left and right rear axles 73 and 73, respectively.

When the rotation difference between the front and rear wheels is small, such as when driving on a good road, the driving force transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 75 via the V-differential 67 is small, so it is practically similar to a FF two-wheel drive vehicle. Power characteristics are obtained and fuel efficiency is improved compared to 4WD driving conditions. This tendency can be further promoted by reducing the transmission torque of the rear differential 67 using the control means.

Furthermore, when the front wheels 71 slip on rough roads and the rotation difference between the front and rear wheels becomes large, a large amount of driving force is transmitted to the left and right rear wheels 75 via the rear differential 67, preventing the vehicle from becoming stuck. You can escape from rough roads while maintaining smooth running.

In this way, running performance is improved. At this time, rear differential 67
If the transmitted torque is increased, the driving force transmitted to the rear wheels 75 will increase, and the running performance will further improve.

When the vehicle body attempts to rotate due to a disturbance factor such as an uneven road surface while driving straight, the differential limiting function of the rear differential 67 restricts the rotation of the outer rear wheel 75 and rotates the inner rear wheel 75.
This accelerates the rotation of the vehicle and generates a moment that attempts to return the vehicle to its original position, improving straight-line stability.

Furthermore, by reducing the differential limiting function of the rear differential 67, the rotational difference between the outer and inner rear wheels 75 is allowed when turning.
Allows for smooth turns.

The difference in rotation that occurs between the front and rear wheels during a low-speed sharp turn, such as when parking the vehicle, is absorbed by the rear differential 67, so tight corner braking does not occur.

Further, as described above, since the rear differential 67 control system requires a small installation space, the differential carrier A779 can be made small, which is advantageous in designing the layout of the surrounding area, and the minimum ground clearance can be increased.

Next, the second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. The left and right directions are the left and right directions in this figure.

The housing 81 (transmission member) includes a cylindrical main body 83 and an inner cylinder 87 connected to the inner circumference of the main body 83 via a flange 85.
Eight hollow input shafts are connected to the outer periphery of the main body 83.

The rotating members 91 and 93 (transmission members at both ends) each consist of outer cylinders 95 and 97, inner cylinders 99 and 101, and side walls 103 and 105 connecting them, and rotate and rotate from left and right in the axial direction with respect to the housing 81. It penetrates freely in the axial direction. Between the housing 81 and each rotating member 91.93 is an annular working chamber 107. ．． 109 are formed, each of which is filled with high viscosity silicone oil (viscous fluid). In the housing 81 and the rotating part IJ91.93, between the main body 83 and each outer cylinder 95, 97, and between the inner cylinder 87 and each inner cylinder 9
X-rings 111 and 113 are arranged between the X-rings 9 and 101, respectively, to keep each of the working chambers 107 and 109 liquid-tight.

In each working chamber 107, 109, l
[A plurality of clutch cylinders 115, 117 are connected to the flange 85 of the housing 81 and the side walls 103, 1 of the rotating member 91, 93.
05 respectively.

Connecting cylinders 119 and 121 are fixed to the inner edges of the side walls 103 and 105 of each rotating member 91 and 93, and these are connected by splines 123 and 125 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. There is. Moreover, an operating barrel 127 is arranged inside these, and the operating barrel 127 and the connecting barrel 119,
121 are connected by left-hand threads 129 and right-hand threads 131, respectively. This operating cylinder 127 is driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions by a motor 135 connected via a clutch 133. Further, a hollow output shaft 137 is connected to the left rotating member 91.

Next, the functions will be explained.

When torque is applied to the input shaft 89 and the housing 81 rotates, this rotation is transmitted from the clutch cylinder 115 to the clutch cylinder 117 due to the viscous resistance of the silicone oil, rotates the rotating members 91 and 93, and the rotation is transmitted from the output shaft 137 to the clutch cylinder 117. Torque is output.

When the operation barrel 127 is rotated forward and backward by the motor 135, each rotating member 91.9 is
3 simultaneously move in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows in FIG. Accordingly, the overlap between the clutch cylinders 115 and 117 increases and decreases simultaneously in each of the working chambers 107 and 109, thereby increasing and decreasing the differential limiting ability and the magnitude of the transmitted torque, making it possible to control the torque transmission characteristics.

Unless the motor 135 is controlled, the motor 135 may be left in a co-rotating state or may be disconnected by the clutch 133.

Also, if the motor 135 is rotated in the opposite direction to the output shaft 137 to increase the rotation difference with the eight input shafts, the output 111
137's output torque can be greatly increased.

In this way, in this embodiment, there are two rotating members 91 and 93.
are moved simultaneously, the moving speed is doubled and the response is extremely fast compared to the conventional example in which one rotary member is moved. Therefore, if this embodiment is arranged, for example, in the drive power transmission system of the non-directly connected wheels of a 4WD vehicle, the required power characteristics can be obtained at the required wheels without losing timing.

Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the viscous coupling of the present invention has a simple configuration and control of the control system, and is advantageous in terms of space because it is a small eave UT. Moreover, it is also possible to improve the response during characteristic control.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a skeleton mechanism diagram of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a skeleton mechanism diagram not showing the power system of a vehicle using this embodiment,
FIG. 3 is a skeleton mechanism diagram of the second embodiment. 1.81...Housing (transmission member) 15, 17,
91.93...Rotating member (transmission member at both ends) 39.4'1.107,109...Working chamber 47.49
, 115.1" 17...Clutch cylinder (resistance member) 53.129...Left-hand thread 55.131...Right-hand thread 135...Motor agent Patent attorney Miyoshi, LI') of

Claims (1)

[Claims] Three transmission members arranged to be relatively rotatable and relatively movable in the axial direction, a working chamber filled with viscous fluid formed between these members, and three transmission members arranged alternately in the radial direction in the working chamber. The present invention is characterized by comprising a plurality of clutch cylinders each individually engaged with a transmission member, and a motor that moves the pair of transmission members in the axial direction via screws in opposite directions to adjust the overlapping margin of the clutch cylinders. viscous coupling.