JPH1113788A - Viscous fluid coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a viscous fluid coupling to perform direct detection or direct control of a state of silicone oil in a viscous fluid chamber. SOLUTION: A viscous fluid coupling comprises an outer plate 21 mounted on a front housing 2; an inner plate 11 mounted on a hub 5; viscous fluid located between the outer plate 21 and the inner plate 11; and a viscous fluid chamber B1 filled with the viscous fluid. A front cover 24, a rear cover 26, and a cover 27 are arranged in a fixed state at the peripheries of the front housing 2 and the hub 5, a temperature detecting sensor 28 is attached to the front cover 24, and a feed pipe 30 and a discharge pipe 31 are attached to the rear cover 26.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a viscous fluid coupling used for a torque transmitting device or a differential device of a four-wheel drive vehicle or a differential limiting device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a viscous fluid coupling includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member arranged to be relatively rotatable. In addition, a viscous fluid chamber surrounded by the first rotating member and the second rotating member is formed, and the viscous fluid chamber is filled with a viscous fluid. Furthermore, annular first torque transmitting members and annular second torque transmitting members are alternately arranged in the viscous fluid chamber. And each 1st torque transmission member is attached to the 1st rotation member, and each 2nd torque transmission member is attached to the 2nd rotation member.

[0003] This viscous fluid coupling is sometimes used as a torque transmission device for connecting front and rear wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle. Here, when the rotation speeds of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are substantially equal, no torque is transmitted between the first torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member, and the two-wheel drive state is maintained. .

[0004] On the other hand, when differential rotation occurs between the first rotating member and the second rotating member, the first torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member rotate differentially, and viscous depending on the rotation difference. A shear force of the fluid is generated, and the torque is transmitted between the first torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member. That is, a four-wheel drive state is set.

When the differential rotation between the first torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member is continuously performed for a predetermined time, the first torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member are thermally expanded by viscous fluid.
A so-called hump phenomenon occurs in which the torque transmitting member is directly connected.

On the other hand, one example of a viscous fluid coupling capable of preventing the occurrence of the hump phenomenon is described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-93531. The viscous fluid coupling described in this publication suppresses a rise in temperature of the viscous fluid caused by frictional heat between the first and second torque transmitting members and the viscous fluid. Specifically, it includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the viscous fluid, and a pipe that controls the temperature of the viscous fluid based on the temperature detection result.

[0007]

However, in the viscous fluid coupling described in the above publication, the first rotary member and the second rotary member forming the viscous fluid chamber are configured to rotate. For this reason, it is impossible to attach a temperature sensor and a pipe to each rotating member, and the temperature sensor and the pipe are arranged outside the viscous fluid chamber. Then, the temperature of the viscous fluid is indirectly detected from outside the viscous fluid chamber, and the temperature of the viscous fluid is indirectly controlled from outside the viscous fluid chamber based on the detection result. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the temperature of the viscous fluid may be reduced, and a response delay of the temperature control may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a viscous fluid coupling in which an external mechanism for detecting or controlling the state of a viscous fluid can be arranged inside a viscous fluid chamber. It is an object.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a first rotating member and a second rotating member arranged so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a ring attached to the first rotating member. A first torque transmitting member, an annular second torque transmitting member attached to the second rotating member, a viscous fluid interposed between the first torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member, In a viscous fluid coupling having a viscous fluid chamber filled with the viscous fluid, a fixing member is disposed around at least one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member, and the fixing member is used to fix the viscous fluid. A chamber is formed.

According to the present invention, the viscous fluid chamber is formed by the fixing member, and the state of the viscous fluid changes within the viscous fluid chamber. Therefore, it is possible to dispose a mechanism for detecting or controlling the state of the viscous fluid at a position facing the viscous fluid chamber in the fixing member.

[0011]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a viscous fluid coupling (a viscous coupling) 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the viscous fluid coupling 1 is used as a torque transmission device for connecting front and rear wheels of a standby four-wheel drive vehicle.

The viscous fluid coupling 1 has an annular front housing (input member) 2. The front housing 2 is configured to be rotatable about an axis A1, and a flange 3 is formed on the outer periphery of one end of the front housing 2 in the direction of the axis A1. A plurality of bolt holes 4 are formed in the flange 3 in the circumferential direction. A bolt (not shown) is arranged in each bolt hole 4. And flange 3
And the propeller shaft 4A are fastened and fixed by bolts. Note that a flange 2 </ b> A is formed on the inner periphery of the front housing 2.

The viscous fluid coupling 1 has a cylindrical hub (output member) 5. The hub 5 is configured to be rotatable about the axis A1. The hub portion 5 has an axis A
Small-diameter portions 5A and 5C are formed on both sides in one direction, and the axis A1
A large diameter portion 5B is formed substantially at the center of the direction. The outer diameter of the large diameter portion 5B is set larger than the outer diameters of the small diameter portions 5A and 5C.

The small diameter portion 5A is arranged inside the front housing 2, and a bearing 6 is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the front housing 2 and the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 5A. The bearing 6 connects the front housing 2 and the hub 5 so as to be relatively rotatable. The bearing 6 is a seal bearing with a seal (not shown).

A cylindrical member 7 is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the front housing 2. And the bearing 6 is arrange | positioned between the cylindrical member 7 and the flange 2A. Bearing 6
Is in contact with the step 5D of the small diameter portion 5A. The front housing 2 and the hub 5 are positioned in the direction of the axis A1 by the bearing 6 and the cylindrical member 7. Internal teeth 8 are formed on the inner periphery of the hub 5, and a drive pinion shaft 9 is spline-fitted to the internal teeth 8.

External teeth 10 are formed on the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion 9, and a disk-shaped (annular) inner plate 11 is spline-fitted to the external teeth 10. Inner plate 1
A plurality of slits 1 (not shown) are arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of each inner plate 11.

On the other hand, an annular rear housing 12 is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 5C. A bearing 13 is arranged between the rear housing 12 and the small-diameter portion 5C, and the bearing 13 allows the rear housing 12 and the hub 5 to be relatively rotatable. A flange 14 is formed on the outer periphery of the rear housing 12, and a plurality of passages 15 are formed in the flange 14 in a circumferential direction. Each passage 15
Penetrates the flange 14 in the direction of the axis A1.

A flange 16 is formed on the outer periphery of the front housing 2. The outer diameter of the flange 16 is set substantially equal to the outer diameter of the flange 14. The outer diameters of the flanges 14 and 16 are set larger than the outer diameters of the respective inner plates 11. Flange 1
6, a plurality of passages 17 are formed in the circumferential direction.
Each passage 17 penetrates the flange 16 in the direction of the axis A1.

The flange 14 has a plurality of shaft holes 18 formed in the circumferential direction. . Each shaft hole 18 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of each passage 15. The diameter of the inscribed circle (not shown) of each shaft hole 18 is
Is set to be larger than the outside diameter. A plurality of shaft holes 19 are formed in the flange 16 in the circumferential direction. Each shaft hole 19 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of each passage 17. The diameter of an inscribed circle (not shown) of each shaft hole 19 is set larger than the outer diameter of each inner plate 11. The diameter of the inscribed circle of each shaft hole 18 and the diameter of each shaft hole 19
Are set to have substantially the same diameter as the inscribed circle (not shown). Further, the number of each shaft hole 18 and the number of each shaft hole 19 are set to be the same. In this embodiment, four shaft holes 18 and four shaft holes 19 are formed at substantially equal intervals.

Each inner plate 11 is arranged between the flanges 12 and 16 having the above-described configuration. Further, fixing pins 20 are arranged outside each inner plate 11. Four fixing pins 20 are arranged on the same circumference around the axis A1, and both ends of each fixing pin 20 are fitted and fixed to each of the shaft holes 10 and each of the shaft holes 19. That is, each fixing pin 20 is arranged substantially parallel to the axis A1.

A disk-shaped (annular) outer plate 21 is arranged between the flanges 14 and 16. A plurality of outer plates 21 are arranged in the direction of the axis A1. A plurality of slits (not shown) are formed in each outer plate 21 in the circumferential direction. This slit is opened on the inner peripheral side of the outer plate 21. Further, the inner diameter of each outer plate 21 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 9.

Each of the inner plates 11 and each of the outer plates 21 having the above configuration are alternately arranged in the direction of the axis A1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing each inner plate 11, each outer plate 21, and the fixing pin 20. Four shaft holes 22 are formed in each outer plate 21 in the circumferential direction. Then, each fixing pin 20 is inserted into each shaft hole 22, and the front housing 2, the rear housing 12, and each outer plate 21 are integrated.

An annular spacer ring 23 is attached to each fixing pin 20. Spacer ring 2
3 are arranged between the outer plates 21 respectively. That is, the gap between the outer plates 21 in the direction of the axis A1 is maintained by the spacer ring 23.

On the other hand, the outer periphery of the front housing 2
Specifically, an annular front cover 24 is arranged between the flange 3 and the flange 16. The front cover 24 and the front housing 2 are configured to be rotatable relative to each other, and an X ring 25 is mounted on the inner periphery of the front cover 24. The outer diameter of the front cover 24 is determined by the outer diameter of each outer plate 21 and the flanges 14 and 16.
Is set to be larger than the outside diameter.

An annular rear cover 26 is attached to the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 5C. That is, between the front cover 24 and the rear cover 26, the flanges 14,
16, each inner plate 11 and each outer plate 21 are arranged. Further, the rear cover 26
And the hub 5 are rotatable relative to each other.
An X ring 26A is mounted on the inner periphery of the. Further, the outer diameter of the rear cover 26 is set substantially equal to the outer diameter of the front cover 24.

A cylindrical cover 27 is arranged between the front cover 24 and the rear cover 26. The inner diameter of the cover 27 is set larger than the outer diameter of each outer plate 21 and the outer diameter of the flanges 14 and 16. One end of the cover 27 in the direction of the axis A1 is welded and fixed to the outer periphery of the front cover 24.
The other end of the cover 27 in the direction of the axis A <b> 1 is welded and fixed to the outer periphery of the rear cover 26. With the above configuration, the front cover 24, the rear cover 26, and the cover 27 are integrated. Further, the front cover 24, the rear cover 26, and the cover 27 are fixed to a differential carrier (not shown).

A viscous fluid chamber B1 is formed in an annular space surrounded by the front cover 24, the rear cover 26, the cover 27 and the hub 5 having the above configuration. The interior of the viscous fluid chamber B1 is filled with silicon oil (not shown) as a viscous fluid. Silicon oil is interposed between the facing surfaces of each outer plate 21 and each inner plate 36. The viscous fluid chamber B1 is liquid-tightly sealed by various sealing devices such as seals for the X rings 25 and 26A and the bearing 6.

On the other hand, a temperature sensor 28 and a valve 29 are mounted on the front cover 24 at a position facing the viscous fluid chamber B1. The temperature sensor 28 is a mechanism for detecting the temperature inside the viscous fluid chamber B1, in other words, the temperature of the silicon oil. Also, the valve 29
Is a mechanism for controlling the pressure inside the viscous fluid chamber B1, in other words, the pressure of the silicon oil. Valve 29
Is specifically constituted by a relief valve or the like, and a discharge port thereof is connected to a tank (not shown).

Further, a supply pipe 30 and a discharge pipe 31 are arranged on the rear cover 26. The supply pipe 30 is a mechanism for supplying the silicone oil to the viscous fluid chamber B1, and is opened on the wall surface of the viscous fluid chamber B1. The supply pipe 30 is connected to a pump (not shown) or the like. The discharge pipe 31 is a mechanism for discharging the silicone oil from the viscous fluid chamber B1, and is opened on the wall surface of the viscous fluid chamber B1. This discharge pipe 31 is connected to the tank. The opening positions of the supply pipe 30 and the discharge pipe 31 in the radial direction of the rear cover 26 are set to be substantially the same as the opening positions of the passage 25 in the radial direction of the rear housing 12.

Next, the control system of the viscous fluid coupling 1 will be briefly described. The temperature sensor 28 and the pump are connected to an electronic control unit (not shown). This electronic control device is configured by a microcomputer mainly including a storage device, an arithmetic processing device, and an input / output interface. The detection signal of the temperature sensor 28 is input to the electronic control unit, and the electronic control unit is configured to output a control signal to the pump.

Here, the correspondence between the configuration of the embodiment and the configuration of the present invention will be described. That is, the front housing 2, the rear housing 14, and the fixing pin 20
This corresponds to the first rotating member of the present invention. Also, the hub 5
This corresponds to a second rotating member of the present invention. Further, each outer plate 21 corresponds to a first torque transmitting member of the present invention, and each inner plate 11 corresponds to a second torque transmitting member of the present invention. Furthermore, front cover 2
4 and the rear cover 26 and the cover 27 correspond to the fixing member (non-rotating member) of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the viscous fluid coupling 1 during traveling of the standby four-wheel drive vehicle will be described. First, the torque of the propeller shaft 4A is transmitted to the front housing 2, and the front housing 2, the rear housing 12, and each outer plate 21 rotate integrally. When the rotation speed of the front housing 2 and the rotation speed of the hub 5 are substantially the same, no shearing force is generated in the silicone oil, so that the torque of the front housing 2 is not transmitted to the hub 5. That is, the two-wheel drive state is maintained.

On the other hand, the rotational speed of the front housing 2
When there is a difference between the rotation speed of the hub 5 and each of the outer plates 21 and each of the inner plates 11, differential rotation occurs.

Then, a shearing force is generated in the silicone oil in accordance with the difference in the number of rotations between each outer plate 21 and each inner plate 36, and torque is transmitted between the front housing 2 and the hub 5. In other words, torque is transmitted by viscous resistance of silicon oil. That is, the four-wheel drive state is maintained.

In the viscous fluid coupling 1 of this embodiment,
The front cover 24, the rear cover 26, and the cover 27 are fixed to the differential carrier. Therefore, when torque is transmitted between front housing 2 and hub housing 5, and when torque is interrupted, front cover 24, rear cover 26 and cover 27, front housing 24, hub 5 and rear housing are also provided. 12 and each inner plate 11 and each outer plate 21 rotate relative to each other.
Therefore, the silicone oil filled in the viscous fluid chamber B1 is filled with the front housing 24, the hub 5, the rear housing 12, each inner plate 11, and each outer plate 2
And stirred.

In the case where the front wheels of the four-wheel drive vehicle are detached, the differential rotation between the outer plates 21 and the inner plates 36 may be continued for a long time.
In this case, the so-called hump phenomenon, in which the silicone oil thermally expands due to frictional heat between each outer plate 21 and each inner plate 36 and the silicone oil, and each outer plate 21 and each inner plate 36 are directly connected, may occur. There is.

In this embodiment, the temperature of the silicone oil is detected by the temperature sensor 28, and when the temperature of the silicone oil becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the pump operates based on the control signal of the electronic control unit. As a result, the silicon oil in the tank is supplied to the viscous fluid chamber B1 via the supply pipe 30, and the silicon oil in the viscous fluid chamber B1 is returned to the tank via the discharge pipe 31. In this way,
The silicon oil in the viscous fluid chamber B1 is circulated, and the temperature of the silicon oil inside the viscous fluid chamber B1 is controlled. As a result, the temperature rise of the silicon oil in the viscous fluid chamber B1 is suppressed, and the hump phenomenon is suppressed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the viscous fluid chamber B1 is formed by the front cover 24, the rear cover 26, the cover 27, and the hub 5, and the state of the silicone oil changes inside the viscous fluid chamber B1.
Therefore, the temperature of the silicon oil can be directly detected by the temperature sensor 28 attached to the front cover 24. The rear cover 26 is maintained in a fixed state, and a supply pipe 30 and a discharge pipe 31 are attached to the rear cover 26. The supply pipe 30 and the discharge pipe 31 are opened on the wall surface of the viscous fluid chamber B1. For this reason, the silicone oil in the viscous fluid chamber B1 can be forcibly circulated. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the temperature of the silicon oil can be improved, and the control responsiveness of the temperature of the silicon oil can be enhanced as much as possible.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Of the supply pipe 30 and the discharge pipe 31 in the radial direction of the rear housing 12 and the passage 2 in the radial direction of the rear housing 12.
5 are set substantially the same as the opening position. Therefore, the silicone oil supplied from the supply pipe 30 is
5, and is supplied between the rear cover 12 and the flange 16 to promote the supply. In addition, the silicone oil between the rear cover 12 and the flange 16 is discharged to the discharge pipe 31 through the passage 15, thereby facilitating the discharge of the silicon oil. Therefore, the circulation mechanism of the silicon oil is further improved.

In this embodiment, the front cover 2
4 or a cover 27 or a rear cover 26, a pressure sensor (not shown) is provided at a position facing the viscous fluid chamber B1.
Can also be arranged. The pressure sensor can directly detect the pressure of the silicon oil in the viscous fluid chamber B1, and control the pressure in the viscous fluid chamber B1 by operating the valve 29 based on the detection result. Specifically, the pressure of the viscous fluid in the viscous fluid chamber B1 is suppressed by the operation of the valve 29. As a result, frictional heat between the silicone oil and each of the inner plates 11 and each of the outer plates 21 is suppressed, and the hump phenomenon is prevented.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor is attached to the front cover 24, the cover 27, or the rear cover 26 which is maintained in a fixed state, and
A valve 29 is attached to the front cover 24 which is maintained in a fixed state. Therefore, the pressure of the viscous fluid can be directly detected, and the pressure detection accuracy is improved. Further, since the pressure of the silicone oil is directly controlled by the operation of the valve 29, the control response of the pressure is improved.

When the valve 29 is constituted by a relief valve, when the pressure of the viscous fluid becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the silicone oil is automatically released from the discharge port to suppress the rise in the pressure of the viscous fluid. You. Therefore, when the valve 29 is constituted by a relief valve, it is not necessary to separately provide a pressure sensor.

In this embodiment, the front cover 2
It is also possible to arrange an air supply pipe (not shown) at a position constituting the wall surface of the viscous fluid chamber B1 in the cover 4 or the cover 27 or the rear cover 26. On the other hand, pipes and tanks are formed separately from the viscous fluid coupling 1, and the pipes and tanks are kept in a state where silicon oil and air are mixed therein. Further, an environmental temperature detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the operating environment of the viscous fluid coupling 1 is provided. This environmental temperature detection sensor is connected to the aforementioned electronic control unit.

Then, the detection signal of the environmental temperature detection sensor is input to the electronic control unit, and when it is determined that the environmental temperature has reached a predetermined value, the electronic control unit outputs a control signal to the pump. Then, the silicon oil and the air held in the tank or the pipe are supplied to the viscous fluid chamber B1 via the air supply pipe.

As a result, the filling amount of the silicone oil in the viscous fluid chamber B1, that is, the filling rate can be controlled. In other words, in the viscous fluid coupling 1, torque is transmitted by the shearing force of the silicone oil. Therefore, by performing control to change the filling rate of the silicone oil,
The torque output from the hub 5 can be changed.

Specifically, as the temperature of the use environment rises,
Control is performed to increase the filling rate of silicon oil. The reason is that the viscosity of the viscous fluid coupling 1 is such that the viscosity of the silicone oil decreases with an increase in the temperature of the use environment, and the transmitted torque decreases.

By performing the above control, even when the temperature of the environment in which the viscous fluid coupling 1 is used changes,
An appropriate output torque can be obtained according to the temperature of the use environment. Therefore, the traveling performance and drivability of the four-wheel drive vehicle are improved.

In the manufacturing process of the viscous fluid coupling 1, the design specifications of the viscous fluid coupling 1, in other words, the torque transmission characteristics are determined. Therefore, the above control can be performed in the manufacturing process of the viscous fluid coupling 1. In particular,
The torque output from the hub 5 is measured while operating the viscous fluid coupling 1, and the filling rate of the silicone oil can be changed according to the torque. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the viscous fluid coupling 1, it is possible to easily set and change the torque transmission characteristic of the viscous fluid coupling 1.

Although not particularly shown, the viscous fluid chamber B1
It is also possible to arrange a cooling mechanism such as a water jacket in the inside. According to this configuration, the cooling mechanism is controlled based on the detection signal of the temperature detection sensor 28 or other conditions, and the silicon oil can be directly cooled.

Furthermore, a heating mechanism such as a nichrome wire can be arranged inside the viscous fluid chamber B1. According to this configuration, the heating mechanism is controlled based on the detection result of the temperature detection sensor 28 or other conditions, and the silicon oil can be directly heated.

Further, according to the present invention, the second rotating member is disposed inside the first rotating member, and the torque input to the second rotating member is transmitted to the first rotating member by the shearing force of the viscous fluid. It is also applicable to viscous fluid couplings.

Further, the viscous fluid coupling of the present invention can be used as a differential limiting device for a center differential of a four-wheel drive vehicle, or as a differential limiting device for a front differential or a rear differential. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a viscous fluid coupling having a configuration in which the fixing member is disposed on the outer peripheral side of one of the first rotating member and the second rotating member.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a first cylindrical member.
The present invention is also applicable to a viscous fluid coupling including a torque transmitting member and a cylindrical second torque transmitting member. That is, a plurality of first torque transmitting members having different diameters are arranged concentrically with each other, and each first torque transmitting member is fixed to the first rotating member. Further, a plurality of second torque transmitting members having different diameters are arranged concentrically with each other, and each second torque transmitting member is fixed to the second rotating member. Then, the first torque transmitting members and the second torque transmitting members are alternately arranged.

Here, the characteristic features of the present invention disclosed based on the above specific examples will be listed as follows. That is, a first rotating member and a second rotating member arranged to be relatively rotatable, an annular first torque transmitting member attached to the first rotating member, and an annular first torque transmitting member attached to the second rotating member. (2) a torque transmitting member;
A viscous fluid coupling including a viscous fluid interposed between a torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member, and a viscous fluid chamber filled with the viscous fluid; A fixing member is arranged around at least one of the first and second members, and a sealing device is provided for sealing between the fixing member and the first rotating member or the second rotating member in a liquid-tight manner. A chamber is formed.

It is also possible to attach an external mechanism for detecting or controlling the state of the viscous fluid at a position facing the viscous fluid chamber in the fixing member. Here, the state of the viscous fluid includes the temperature of the viscous fluid, the pressure of the viscous fluid, and the filling rate of the viscous fluid chamber with respect to the viscous fluid chamber.

As an external mechanism for detecting the state of the viscous fluid, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the viscous fluid,
And a pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the viscous fluid. External mechanisms that control the state of the viscous fluid include a pressure control mechanism that controls the pressure of the viscous fluid, a temperature control mechanism that controls the temperature of the viscous fluid, and a filling rate that controls the filling rate of the viscous fluid in the viscous fluid chamber. And a control mechanism.

The pressure control mechanism can be constituted by a supply pipe (inlet) opened in the viscous fluid chamber and a discharge pipe (exhaust port) opened in the viscous fluid chamber. Further, the pressure control mechanism can be constituted by a relief valve. Further, the temperature control mechanism includes a cooling mechanism for cooling the viscous fluid and a heating mechanism for heating the viscous fluid. Further, the filling rate control mechanism can be constituted by an air supply pipe for supplying air to the viscous fluid chamber.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the viscous fluid chamber is formed by the fixing member, and the state of the viscous fluid changes within the viscous fluid chamber. Therefore, it is possible to attach an external mechanism for detecting or controlling the state of the viscous fluid at a position facing the viscous fluid chamber in the fixing member. Therefore, the state of the viscous fluid can be directly detected or directly controlled, and the detection accuracy and control responsiveness of the viscous fluid are improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a viscous fluid coupling according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an outer plate and an inner plate and a fixing pin used in the viscous fluid coupling of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Front housing 5 Hub 11 Inner plate 12 Rear housing 20 Fixing pin 21 Outer plate 24 Front cover 26 Rear cover 27 Cover B1 Viscous fluid chamber

Claims (1)

[Claims] A first rotating member and a second rotating member arranged so as to be relatively rotatable; an annular first torque transmitting member attached to the first rotating member; and an annular first torque transmitting member attached to the second rotating member. An annular second torque transmitting member;
In a viscous fluid coupling including a viscous fluid interposed between a torque transmitting member and the second torque transmitting member, and a viscous fluid chamber filled with the viscous fluid, the first rotating member or the second rotating member A viscous fluid coupling, wherein a fixing member is disposed around at least one of the above, and the viscous fluid chamber is formed by the fixing member.