JPH0384226A - Torque transmitting device using electroviscous fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obviate a slip ring and improve the durability and reliability by constructing a torque transmitting device using electroviscous fluid in such a way as to apply voltage to a rotating member on one side through a transformer formed of a primary coil fixed outside and connected to AC power and a secondary coil wound around an axis of rotation, and a circuit for rectifying and smoothing the AC voltage in the axis of rotation. CONSTITUTION:When voltage is applied to a primary coil 61 from AC power, AC voltage enlarged for instance by 20 times by electromagnetic induction is generated to a secondary coil 62. This AC voltage is rectified and smoothed by a circuit 70 to be made into DC voltage to be applied to a rotating plate 21. On the other hand, a drum 11 is earthed through an input shaft 12. Accordingly, the DC voltage controlled from the AC power is applied to an electroviscous fluid 3 so as to heighten its viscosity according to the strength of the voltage and transmit the torque of an input side rotating member 1 to the rotating plate 21 and an output shaft 22 from the drum 11 through the electroviscous fluid 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a torque transmission device used, for example, as a clutch or damper in an automobile, which transmits torque through an electrorheological fluid whose viscosity changes due to an external electric field. Concerning those who communicate.

(Prior Art) A fluid clutch as shown in FIG. 4 is known as an example of the above-mentioned torque transmission device. In the figure, 1 is an input side rotating member, 2 is an output side rotating member, and the drum 11 of the input end rotating member 1 and the rotating plate 21 of the output side rotating member 2.
An electrorheological fluid 3 is filled between the two. The electrorheological fluid 3 is an insulating oily liquid (dispersion medium) with solid particles (
It is a suspension whose viscosity increases significantly due to the Winslow effect caused by an external electric field. The rotating shaft (input shaft) 12 of the input side rotating member 1 is grounded, and the rotating shaft (output shaft) 22 of the output side rotating member 2 is connected to the DC power supply 4 via a slip ring 23. .2, torque is transmitted from the input end rotating member 1 to the output side rotating member 2 via the electrorheological fluid 3 with increased viscosity.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the above structure, the rotating shaft 22 is connected to the DC power source 4 via the slip ring 23.

Therefore, when used for a long time, there is a risk that the contact portion between the slip ring 23 and the output shaft 22 will wear out or the electrical connection will become defective, which poses problems in terms of durability and reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a torque transmission device with improved durability and reliability by connecting a rotating member to a power source without using a slip ring.

(Means for Coupling the Object) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention arranges an input-side rotating member and an output-side rotating member at a distance, and creates a viscosity between the two rotating members by an external electric field. A torque transmission device that transmits torque from the input-side rotating member to the output-side rotating member via the highly viscous electrorheological fluid by filling a variable electrorheological fluid and applying a DC voltage between both rotating members. , a transformer is provided on one side of the rotating member, consisting of a primary coil fixed externally and connected to an AC power source, and a secondary coil wound around the rotating shaft of the rotating member so as to face the primary coil with a gap between them. A circuit for rectifying and smoothing the alternating current voltage generated by the secondary coil is installed in the rotating shaft,
The present invention is characterized in that a voltage is applied to the one rotating member through the transformer and the circuit.

(Function) In one rotating member, the AC power source is connected to the rotating shaft via a transformer and a circuit, so a slip ring is not required.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a fluid clutch which is an example of the torque transmission device of the present invention. In the figure, the same symbol ° as in FIG. 4 indicates the same or equivalent thing.

The input side rotating member 1 and the output side rotating member 2 are made of conductive material. The drum 11 is constructed by fitting an input side plate 11a and an output side plate 11b and fixing them at the outer periphery with bolts 4, and the input shaft 12 is connected to the center of the input end plate 11a. Input end k11a, output side plate 11b
Recesses 110a which form the chamber 5 by being fitted together are formed on each opposing surface of the recesses 110a.

110b is formed. A hole 111b into which the output shaft 22 is slidably inserted is formed in the center of the output side plate 11b, and the output shaft 22 is housed in the chamber 5 so as not to come into contact with the input end plate 11a and the output side plate 11b. The rotary plate 21 is connected by embedding a bolt 22a at the end in the center thereof.

The chamber 5 is filled with an electrorheological fluid 3. As explained in the prior art section, the electrorheological fluid 3 is made by dispersing solid particles (dispersoids) in an insulating oily liquid (dispersion medium), and the Winslow effect occurs due to an external electric field, resulting in a significant increase in viscosity. It is a suspension. A ring-shaped seal 51 for preventing the electrorheological fluid 3 from leaking from the chamber 5 is provided at the portion of the output shaft 22 that fits into the hole 111b.

A cylindrical body 6 is slidably fitted onto the output shaft 22 by means of a bearing mechanism 7 with a gap spaced between the cylindrical body 6 and the circumferential surface of the output shaft 22 . The cylindrical body 6 is fixed to a support column 9 fixed to an external frame 8 with bolts 10. A primary coil 61 is wound around the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 6, and a recess 63 is formed on the peripheral surface of the output shaft 22 at a portion facing the primary coil 61.
A secondary coil 62 is wound with a number of turns, for example, 20 times the number of turns of the primary coil 61, so as to fill the recess 63, and both coils 61 and 62 constitute a transformer 60. 61a and 61b are terminals of the primary coil 61,
The primary coil 61 is connected to an AC power source (not shown). Note that the primary coil 61 may be connected to a DC power source via an inverter. The primary coil 61 is covered with insulating rings 64a and 64b on both sides in the axial direction and an insulating cylindrical cover 65, and the secondary coil 62 is also covered with an insulating cylindrical cover (not shown). covered.

Note that there is a gap between both force bars. 66 is the primary coil 6
This is a C-ring that prevents 1 from moving in the axial direction.

A rectification/smoothing circuit 70 for rectifying and smoothing the alternating current voltage generated by the secondary coil 62 is provided within the output shaft 22 . The circuit 70 has the configuration shown in FIG. 2, for example,
Each electric element is mounted on a circuit board (PCB) 71 and molded with resin, and is provided within the output shaft 22.

Note that as the circuit 70, one having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 may be used.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, 72 is a diode, 73 is a capacitor, and 74 is a choke. Positive terminal 7 of circuit 70
0a is connected to the rotary plate 21 through a washer 24 that ensures insulation between the output shaft 22 and the rotary plate 21, and the negative terminal 70b (FIGS. 2 and 3) is connected to the output shaft 22. Grounded.

Next, the operation will be explained. Primary coil 6 from AC power supply
When a voltage is applied to the secondary coil 62, an AC voltage magnified by, for example, 20 times is generated in the secondary coil 62 due to electromagnetic induction. This AC voltage is rectified and smoothed by the circuit 70 to become a DC voltage, which is applied to the rotating plate 21. On the other hand, the drum 11 is grounded via an input shaft 12. Therefore, a DC voltage controlled by an AC power supply is applied to the electrorheological fluid 3, the viscosity of the electrorheological fluid 3 increases according to the intensity of the voltage, and the torque of the input side rotating member 1 increases the electrorheological fluid 3 from the drum 11. It will be transmitted to the rotary plate 21 and the output shaft 22 via it. Note that the arrow ASB in FIG. 1 indicates the rotation direction of each rotating member 1.2.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the cylinder body 6 fixed to the outside is provided on the output side rotating member 2 side, and the primary coil 61 is wound around the cylinder body 6 and the output shaft 22 is wound around the cylinder body 6. A transformer 60 is configured with the secondary coil 62, and the secondary coil 62 is disposed within the output shaft 22.
A circuit 70 is provided to rectify and smooth the AC voltage generated in the AC power source, and the voltage from the AC power source is applied to the rotary plate 21 via the transformer 60 and the circuit 70. The ring 23 can be made unnecessary, and the durability and reliability of the device can be improved.

In addition, by simply controlling the AC voltage, you can easily control the electrorheological fluid 3.
Torque capacity can be controlled by controlling the viscosity of

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a fluid clutch which is an example of the torque transmission device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a rectification/smoothing circuit used in the example of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a rectification/smoothing circuit. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional hydraulic clutch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] By arranging the input-side rotating member and the output-side rotating member with a gap between them, filling the space between both rotating members with an electrorheological fluid whose viscosity changes due to an external electric field, and applying a DC voltage between both rotating members, the viscosity can be adjusted. In a torque transmission device that transmits torque from an input-side rotating member to an output-side rotating member via an electrorheological fluid with a high A transformer is provided, which consists of a secondary coil wound around the rotating shaft of a rotating member so as to face the primary coil at a distance, and rectify and smooth the alternating current voltage generated by the secondary coil within the rotating shaft. 1. A torque transmission device using an electrorheological fluid, characterized in that a circuit is provided to apply a voltage to one of the rotating members through the transformer and the circuit.