JPH05126189A - Spring assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase a manufacturing freedom degree of a retainer and manufacturing efficiency, and set a distortion regulation means easily. CONSTITUTION:A plural ring springs 1 are disposed circularly at circumferential surfaces or ring-like retainers R1, R2. For this spring assembly, the retainers R1, R2 are moulded of synthetic resin material integrally with an installation part 2 to the coil spring 1. By thus converting the retainers R1, R2 from metal material into the resin material limitation in manufacturing of the retainers can be reduced. Integrally moulded regulation members are extended from the retainers R1, R2 facing each other to be engaged, thereby an angular displacement generated between the retainers R1, R2 is regulated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spring assembly incorporated in an automatic transmission for vehicles and the like, and more particularly to a spring retainer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a retainer) formed of a synthetic resin material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an automatic transmission of an automobile is provided with a piston mechanism for disengaging and engaging a clutch by hydraulic pressure, and a spring assembly for mechanical return to the piston mechanism is provided on an input shaft. The body is assembled. A spring assembly incorporated in such an automatic transmission has a structure as shown in FIG. 2, for example, and is usually a clutch / piston return spring (hereinafter referred to as a clutch type).
It is called. The spring assembly used for the above-mentioned clutch type is generally one in which a plurality of coil springs are annularly arranged on a retainer formed of a metal material in a ring shape, and the coil springs are directly applied to the counterpart. However, recently, for the convenience of handling, a type in which a coil spring as shown in FIG. 2 is sandwiched by a pair of retainers from both sides is increasing.

Conventionally, when a coil spring is mounted on a retainer, a burring hole is preliminarily formed in the peripheral surface of the retainer, and one end of the coil spring is fitted into the burring hole and then the burring cylinder is caulked to prevent the coil spring from coming off. It has been done. However, the conventional spring assembly has the following problems because the retainer is made of a metal material.

[0004]

The number of coil springs used in the spring assembly is set according to the required spring force, and when a strong spring force is required, the coil spring is required. It is necessary to increase the diameter of the wire to reduce the diameter of the coil, that is, to reduce the outer diameter of the burring cylinder so that as many burring cylinders as possible can be erected on the retainer. On the other hand, as the required spring force increases, a thicker retainer will be used, but it is not easy to machine a small diameter burring cylinder into a thickened retainer. Therefore, conventionally, the thickness of the retainer and the number of burring cylinders cannot be freely set, and the degree of freedom in design has been lowered.

In addition to the spring assembly incorporated in the transmission mechanism as described above, there is also an assembly incorporated in the speed reducing mechanism of an automobile. The type incorporated in such a reduction mechanism is generally called a brake / piston return spring (hereinafter referred to as a brake type), and most retainers used have a structure as shown in FIG. The retainer R ′ is formed in an annular shape, and the protruding portions 20 are provided at four positions on the periphery of the retainer R ′.
Each attachment portion 21 is formed, and a coil spring (not shown in the figure) is attached to the attachment portion 21 and assembled so that it can be applied to a counterpart.

Not only the brake type but also the retainer of the spring assembly is required to have no flash. Therefore, barrel polishing has been generally performed as a process for removing the flash after the burring process. However, when barrel polishing is performed, a problem of warp deformation of the retainer becomes a problem particularly for the brake type retainer.
This is because the brake type retainer has a larger diameter than the clutch type retainer, and the rigidity as a whole is low. Therefore, after the barrel polishing, a warp correction process must be performed, and the manufacturing efficiency is deteriorated due to the increase in the number of processes.

In addition to these problems, the spring assembly must also consider the following points. That is, in the clutch type in which the coil spring is sandwiched between the pair of retainers described above, there is a problem of relative angular displacement (torsion) that occurs between the retainers, and measures must be taken to regulate this. Examples of conventional countermeasures include Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-124332 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-2934.

However, in the case of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-124332, it is troublesome to separately prepare and attach a rotation stop pin that is loosely inserted in one retainer, and in the case of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-2934, one of them is used. There is a problem that a large number of working steps are required, such as a plurality of projecting pieces must be integrally bent and formed on the retainer, and a cutout portion that fits with these projecting pieces must be formed on the other side.

Further, the spring assembly is often a dedicated product for each vehicle type, and some sort of identification mark must be attached to the assembly line. At present, the color paint is sprayed onto the coil spring, but the work is troublesome and the paint peels off relatively easily, and the paint that peeled off reduces the cleanliness of the oil and blocks the hydraulic valve. There was something that caused it.

The present invention has been devised and devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objects is to provide a spring assembly having a high degree of freedom in manufacturing a retainer and a high manufacturing efficiency. Yet, another object is to provide a spring assembly having a twist restraint that can be easily formed.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, the structure of the present invention is a spring assembly in which a plurality of coil springs are arranged circumferentially in a ring-shaped spring retainer. The spring retainer is formed of a synthetic resin material, and a mounting portion for the coil spring is integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the spring retainer.

A structure for achieving another object includes first and second spring retainers each formed in a ring shape, and a plurality of coil springs annularly arranged between the retainers. In the spring assembly
Both the retainers are integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, and the restricting pieces are integrally extended so as to face each other from both the retainers, and these restricting pieces are mutually opposed when the spring retainers are angularly displaced. It is characterized in that it is arranged to engage with each other.

[0013]

Therefore, in the first aspect of the invention, since the retainer is formed of the synthetic resin material, the mounting portion can be formed without being restricted by the thickness of the retainer, and the one end side of the coil spring can be formed here. The spring assembly is constructed by engaging the spring assembly. It is also easy to color-form the retainer.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when a relative angular displacement occurs between the retainers, the restricting pieces of the retainers engage with each other, and the occurrence of twisting is avoided in advance. ..

[0015]

The effects of the present invention are as follows. According to the first aspect of the invention, the retainer is less restricted in manufacturing than the conventional case of processing a metal material, and the degree of freedom in design is increased accordingly. Further, unlike the conventional case, since a deburring process for the mounting portion is not required, the manufacturing efficiency is improved. Further, since it is possible to easily color the retainer as a whole, there is no special step for coloring and there is no fear of paint peeling off, which contributes to maintaining the cleanliness of the oil.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the restricting piece can be formed integrally with the retainer, the setting of the twist prevention means becomes simpler than in the conventional case. Further, the coil spring can be held in a proper posture by the twist restriction, and the set load can be reliably applied to the counterpart.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated as being applied to a clutch type spring assembly. The spring assembly S of this example comprises first and second retainers R1 and R2 and a plurality of coil springs 1 interposed between the retainers R1 and R2.
It consists of and.

Both the retainers R1 and R2 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin material (reinforced plastic), and both are formed in a ring shape having the same diameter. Also, both retainers R
A mounting portion 2 for the coil spring 1 is provided on the peripheral surfaces of 1 and R2.
, Are arranged at equal angles. Each mounting portion 2 integrally projects from the peripheral surfaces of the retainers R1 and R2 into a substantially circular trapezoidal shape. In this embodiment, the base portion of each mounting portion 2 is formed with a constriction 3 along the circumferential direction, so that the coil spring 1 inserted into the mounting portion 2 can be prevented from coming off. The constriction 3 is formed by crimping the mounting portion 2 after inserting the coil spring 1, but the constriction 3 need not be provided in particular, and the coil spring 1 can be simply press-fitted and fixed. Is.

However, the mounting portions 2 of the retainers R1 and R2 are arranged so that the phases are shifted between the retainers R1 and R2, and the coil springs 1 project alternately from the retainers R1 and R2. Therefore, both retainers R1,
By combining R2, one end side of the coil spring 1 is fixedly inserted into the mounting portion 2, and the other end side is loosely inserted into the projection T formed on the mating retainer. The angle is maintained and buckling is prevented.

The first embodiment is constructed as described above, and the spring assembly S is incorporated into the automatic speed change mechanism in a state where the coil spring 1 is applied with a predetermined preload (compressed state), and is operated. At times, each coil spring 1 is compressed and returned to be displaced.

According to the first embodiment as described above, the mounting portion 2 is formed at the same time when the retainers R1 and R2 are molded, and the deburring process as in the conventional case is not required, so that the retainers R1 and R2 can be efficiently used. It is possible to manufacture well. Further, since the retainers R1 and R2 are resin molded products, the height, the outer diameter, etc. of the mounting portion 2 can be set regardless of the wall thickness of the retainer, so that the degree of freedom in design can be increased. Further, regarding the shape of the retainer, it is possible to form the retainer relatively easily even if it is difficult by metal working, and the restriction on the assembling of the spring assembly S is relieved remarkably.

By the way, depending on the structure of the speed change mechanism, if through holes are formed in the retainers R1 and R2, oil will be leaked from the retainers R1 and R2. In such a case, in the conventional case, the coil spring 1 is simply applied to both ends of the retainer, which makes the mounting state unstable. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the retainers R1 and R2 have burring holes. Since such a through hole is not formed, it can be widely applied to various mounting environments in which the spring assembly S is incorporated.

Further, in the first embodiment, the retainer R1,
Since the entire R2 can be color-molded, the cleanliness of the oil can be maintained without the fear of the paint peeling off as in the conventional case. At the same time, the discriminability on the assembly line is enhanced and erroneous assembly can be avoided.

Although FIGS. 3 to 6 show modifications of the mounting portions, such modifications can be made extremely easily with the use of resin retainers R1 and R2. Briefly described below, in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a chamfered portion 4 is formed at the tip of the mounting portion 2 in order to facilitate insertion of the coil spring 1.
The mounting portion 2 of the third embodiment shown in (1) has a rounded end 5 at its tip. FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, a small diameter portion 6 is formed at the tip, and a rib 7 is formed on the peripheral surface along the height direction to prevent the rib 7 from bending. By utilizing this, the coil spring 1 can be easily assembled. In FIG. 5, the rib 7 is projected in the radial direction, but it may be projected in the tangential direction to make it easier to bend.

In FIG. 6 showing the fifth embodiment, the mounting portion 2 is formed in a prismatic shape (the illustrated one is a hexagonal prism).

In any of the embodiments, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be exhibited.

Although not shown, a member (for example, a screw) for mounting the coil spring 1 may be insert-molded and integrated with the retainer. Further, it is possible to dispose metal sheets at a plurality of positions on the peripheral surface of the retainer by inserts, thereby partially reinforcing the retainer.

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, reinforcing projections 8 are radially provided between the coil springs 1 on the peripheral surface of the retainer R1 (R2). It is formed by projecting. With this configuration,
The strength of the retainer can be increased and the thickness of the retainer can be prevented from increasing more than necessary. This effect is remarkable when applied to a brake type that tends to lack rigidity.

FIG. 8 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the spring assembly S is provided with a twist restricting means. As a twist restricting means, a pair of first restricting pieces 9 are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the first retainer R1, and are arranged corresponding to two of the continuous coil springs 1 on both sides. ing. Each of the first restricting pieces 9 is integrally formed upright from the outer peripheral edge of the retainer R1, and is formed on the inner surface side thereof so as to be curved along the height direction so as to cover substantially half the circumference of the corresponding coil spring 1. Has been done. Therefore, each restriction piece 9 also plays a role of guiding the expansion and contraction operation of the coil spring 1. On the other hand, from the second retainer R2, the second restricting piece 10 extends so as to be inserted between both the first restricting pieces 9 and, although not shown in the drawing, corresponds to the first restricting piece 9 as well. The coil spring 1 can cover almost half of the circumference. Although not shown in detail, the twist restricting means is arranged at, for example, two positions at symmetrical positions of the spring assembly S.

When the seventh embodiment is incorporated into the automatic transmission mechanism, the first and second restricting pieces 9 and 10 are overlapped with each other in the height direction, and there is substantially a gap between them in the circumferential direction. I try not to occur.

In the seventh embodiment constructed as described above, the retainers R1 and R1 are formed by engaging the restricting pieces 9 and 10 with each other.
The angular displacement between the two can be regulated. Moreover, since the restriction pieces 9 and 10 can be formed integrally with the retainers R1 and R2, unlike the conventional case, no special work is required to set the twist restriction means. Therefore, reduction in manufacturing cost and improvement in manufacturing efficiency can be expected.

FIG. 9 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is applied to a spring assembly S having a retainer R arranged on only one side. If only the free end side of the coil spring 1 is abutted against the object as in this embodiment, the posture of the coil spring 1 is not maintained at a right angle, and buckling is likely to occur during operation. To eliminate the problem, coil spring 1 is attached to the peripheral surface of retainer R.
Forms a guide tube 11 that is loosely inserted to a predetermined height, and has a mounting portion 2 formed on the bottom surface thereof.

In the eighth embodiment, it is possible to correct the bending and tilting of the coil spring 1 and maintain the coil spring 1 in a normal posture, thereby ensuring the set load to be applied to the opponent.

It should be noted that any of the above-described embodiments can be applied to the brake type, and in this case, there is an advantage that the conventional straightening process after the deburring process can be omitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an essential part of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spring assembly.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main part of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a main part of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an essential part of an eighth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a brake type spring assembly.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coil spring 2 ... Mounting part 9, 10 ... Restricting piece R1, R2 ... Retainer S ... Spring assembly

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A spring assembly in which a plurality of coil springs are arranged along a circumferential direction with respect to a ring-shaped spring retainer, the spring retainer being formed of a synthetic resin material, A spring assembly, wherein a mounting portion for the coil spring is integrally formed on the surface. 2. A spring assembly comprising first and second spring retainers each formed in a ring shape, and a plurality of coil springs annularly arranged between the retainers, wherein both retainers are provided. Is integrally molded with a synthetic resin material, and the restricting pieces are integrally extended so as to face both retainers, and these restricting pieces engage with each other when both spring retainers undergo angular displacement. A spring assembly characterized in that they are arranged to meet each other.