JPH04370450A - Variable capacity fluid coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform simple and accurate transmission of torque by transmitting rotation of a pump in a casing to a turbine coupled with an output shaft, through magnetic fluid viscosity of which is regulated through application of a voltage. CONSTITUTION:A pump 2, a turbine 3, and a stator 4 are contained in a casing 1, which is filled with magnetic fluid prepared by mixing magnetic powder in fluid. The pump 2 is coupled with an input shaft 5, and the turbine 3 is coupled with an output shaft 6 mounted on a subcasing 8. A voltage is applied from a power source 7 to the magnetic fluid through the output shaft 6 and the subcasing 8. In this constitution, by changing application of a voltage, viscosity of the magnetic fluid is changed to change capacity, and torque transmitted from the pump 2 to the turbine 3 is controlled.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a variable capacity fluid coupling, and more particularly to a variable capacity fluid coupling in which the fluid contained in a casing is a magnetic fluid so that the capacity can be easily changed.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A variable capacity fluid coupling in which a pump, a turbine, and a stator are disposed inside a casing is known as a torque converter. The torque converter generally controls the torque transmitted from the pump to the turbine by changing the displacement by adjusting the angle of the stator.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, it is extremely troublesome to configure the stator so that its angle can be adjusted, and as a result, the conventional torque converter has a problem in that the structure is extremely complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fluid coupling that allows simple and accurate control of the torque transmitted from a pump to a turbine.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve this, the present invention uses a magnetic fluid as the fluid housed in the casing, and is provided with a power source for applying a voltage to the magnetic fluid.

[0006]

[Operation] In the above configuration, the viscosity of the magnetic fluid changes depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied to it, so by changing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the magnetic fluid, the torque transmitted from the pump to the turbine can be adjusted. You can freely control the rotation speed.

[0007]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a variable displacement fluid coupling. A casing 1 houses a pump 2, a turbine 3, and a stator 4, and is filled with magnetic fluid. Pump 2 is mounted on the inner surface of casing 1 and connected to input shaft 5, and turbine 3 is mounted on sub-casing 8 and connected to output shaft 6. Further, the stator 4 is fixed to a bracket 9. 1
0 is a sealing member.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a power source that applies voltage to the magnetic fluid via the output shaft 6 and the sub-casing 8. The magnetic fluid filled in the casing 1 is a fluid mixed with magnetic powder, and its viscosity can be changed by changing the voltage applied to it.

The input shaft 5 is connected to a power source such as an engine or a motor, and when the pump 2 rotates due to being driven by the power source, the rotation is transmitted to the turbine 3 via the magnetic fluid. Therefore, by controlling the voltage applied to the magnetic fluid and changing its viscosity, the capacity can be changed and the torque and rotational speed transmitted from the pump 2 to the turbine 3 can be easily controlled.

[0011]

As explained above, in the present invention, the fluid housed in the casing is a magnetic fluid, and a power source is provided to apply voltage to the magnetic fluid, so that the torque transmitted from the pump to the turbine can be reduced. The rotation speed can be easily and accurately controlled.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

[Fig. 1] Cross-sectional view of a variable capacity joint according to the present invention

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Casing 2 Pump 3 Turbine 4 Stator 7 Power supply

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A casing, a pump housed inside the casing and connected to an input shaft, a turbine connected to an output shaft, and a stator, the rotation of the pump being housed inside the casing. What is claimed is: 1. A variable capacity fluid coupling configured to transmit the fluid to the turbine via the fluid in which the fluid is applied, wherein the fluid is a magnetic fluid and a power source is provided for applying a voltage to the magnetic fluid.