JPS6131329B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air clutch mainly for large-sized automobiles, and it is designed to be able to be easily replaced with a conventional spring-type clutch, and to reduce the amount of wear on facings by, for example, 2 to 3 times that of conventional products. The object of the present invention is to extend the service life of automobile clutches and reduce weight and cost by eliminating wear parts such as release levers and release bearings (first invention). It is also a part of the purpose of the present invention to prevent clutch disengagement and to actively cool the friction surface between the facing and the flywheel to further extend the life of the clutch.
invention).

Generally, in an automobile clutch, there is a flywheel, a clutch cover fixed to the flywheel, a pressure plate that is supported only in a reciprocating manner with respect to the clutch cover, and a pressure plate located between the flywheel and the pressure plate. A clutch disk is spline-fitted to the output shaft, a clutch spring is placed between the pressure plate and the clutch cover, and applies elasticity to the pressure plate toward the flywheel; It is equipped with a release mechanism (release lever, release bearing, shift fork, etc.) that pulls the clutch plate away from the flywheel.It is heavy due to the large number of parts, and if a coil spring is used as the clutch spring, it will be particularly large in the longitudinal direction. increase In addition, a master cylinder is required to transmit the clutch operating force to the shift fork, and a booster is essential, especially in large vehicles. Furthermore, when the facings wear out, the pressing force against the pressure plate decreases, making it impossible to take a sufficiently large amount of wear on the facings, and thus shortening the life of the clutch. When disengaging the clutch, a force is applied from the release bearing to the lever part of the release lever or diaphragm spring toward the flywheel, so the thrust on the engine side is
The weight can reach 600Kg, requiring a large capacity thrust bearing. If you want to change the maximum transmission torque of the clutch, you need to replace the clutch spring, which is time-consuming. Due to wear of various parts, the pressing force of the pressure plate changes partially, making it more likely that sagging will occur.

The present invention attempts to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional clutch using a clutch spring by using a pneumatic annular actuator having a variable axial length, and will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 in Fig. 1 is a compressor, which is generally installed in large vehicles to obtain compressed air for brakes. Its discharge port is connected to a tank 3 via a pipe 2, and the tank 3 is, for example, 8Kg/ ^cm2
of compressed air is accumulated. The discharge port of the tank 3 is connected to a pressure regulating valve 5 via a pipe 4.
The discharge port is connected to an inching valve 7 via a pipe 6. The pressure regulating valve 5 serves to maintain the air pressure supplied to the inching valve 7 at, for example, 4 kg/cm ² at all times so that a predetermined maximum transmission torque can be obtained depending on the model in which the clutch 8 according to the present invention is mounted. 9 is a pressure display lamp. Inching valve 7 is connected to clutch pedal 1 via rod 10.
1, and when the clutch pedal 11 is not depressed in the state shown in FIG. The degree of opening decreases as the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 11 increases, and the degree of opening of the connection between the supply and exhaust pipe 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 gradually increases. Therefore, the air pressure within the pipe 12 decreases linearly as the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 11 increases, as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a rotary joint, which is fixed to a clutch housing (not shown), and has two annular grooves 16 and 17 on its inner peripheral surface, the pipe 12 is connected to the groove 16, and the pipe 13 is connected to the groove 17. Connected.
A boss cylinder 19 of a clutch cover 18 is rotatably fitted to the inner periphery of the rotary joint 15 via an O-ring while maintaining airtightness. The clutch cover 18 is fixed to a flywheel 20 by a plurality of bolts, and the flywheel 20 is connected to the crankshaft of the engine. A clutch disk 22 has facings 23 on both sides of its outer periphery, and a spline hub 24 in the center is spline-fitted onto an output shaft 25. Reference numeral 26 designates an annular pressure plate whose outer periphery is connected to the clutch cover 18 via a circumferentially extending strap (not shown), and therefore cannot rotate with respect to the clutch cover 18.
It is movable in the axial direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 1). 27 is an annular metal bellows (clutch cylinder), one end face 28 faces the pressure plate 26, the other end is fixed to the clutch cover 18, and an internal annular space 29 (chamber) is located inside the clutch cover 18. It is connected to the annular groove 16 via a passage 30 provided within the wall thickness. 31 and 32 are continuous passages provided within the wall thickness of the clutch cover 18 and the flywheel 20, one end of which is connected to the annular groove 17, and the other end of which is open to the friction surface 33 facing the facing 23 of the flywheel 20. one or more nozzles 3
It is connected to 4.

While the engine is running, the compressor 1 is constantly driven by the engine, and the tank 3 is filled with pressurized air at a predetermined pressure. During normal running, pipes 6, 12, annular groove 1
6. The metal bellows 27 is fed directly through the passage 30, and the bellows 27 expands to press the facing 23 of the clutch disc 22 against the flywheel 20 via the pressure plate 26. As a result, the rotational power of the engine is supplied to the transmission via the flywheel 20, clutch disk 22, and output shaft 25, and is transmitted from there to the drive wheels. When the clutch is connected, the pressing force of the pressure plate 26 is determined by the air pressure inside the metal bellows 27 (for example, 4 kg/
cm ² ) and the area of the bellows end face 28, and the maximum transmission torque value depending on the model is determined. Therefore, if the torque of the drive system exceeds the above maximum torque value, slipping occurs between the facing 23 and the flywheel-side friction surface 33, making it possible to avoid unpleasant shock and wear and tear on various parts. In order to change the maximum transmission torque value of the clutch, the air pressure supplied to the metal bellows 27 can be changed by adjusting the pressure regulating valve 5. When the air pressure decreases, the maximum torque value decreases, and when the air pressure increases, the maximum torque value increases.

When the clutch pedal 11 is depressed, the pipes 6,1
2 and the connection opening between the pipes 12 and 13 increases according to the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 11, so the air pressure in the metal bellows chamber 29 is reduced to the second level.
It changes as shown in the figure. That is, when the clutch pedal 11 is depressed, the pressurized air in the chamber 29 passes through the passage 30, the annular groove 16, the pipe 12, the inching valve 7, the pipe 13, the annular groove 17, the passages 31, 32, and the nozzle 34, and then reaches the flywheel side friction surface. 33 facing the facing 23. Therefore room 2
In parallel with the contraction of the metal bellows 27 due to the vacuum in the clutch 9, the clutch disc 22 is actively pulled away from the flywheel 20 and the clutch disengages.

When the clutch pedal 11 is gradually released from the fully depressed state, the air pressure in the chamber 29 increases as shown in FIG. 2, the metal bellows 27 expands, and the pressure plate 26 begins to gently press the facing 23 against the flywheel friction surface 33. If the clutch pedal 11 is released slowly when starting, etc., the facing 23 will come into gentle pressure contact with the flywheel 20, and the clutch pedal 1 will be released when changing gears while driving.
1 is quickly released, the facing 23 is quickly pressed against the flywheel-side friction surface 33. That is, depending on how the clutch pedal 11 is operated, a half-clutch can be freely obtained.

Clutch cover 1 instead of metal bellows 27
8 is integrally formed with an annular cylinder that opens toward the pressure plate 26, and an annular piston is fitted into the cylinder through a seal ring while maintaining airtightness, so that the annular piston faces the pressure plate 26. You can let me.

As described above, the present invention includes a flywheel 20, a clutch cover 18 that is fixed to the flywheel 20 and has a boss tube 19 in the center that protrudes toward the opposite side of the flywheel, and an output power disposed concentrically within the boss tube 19. The shaft 25, a pressure plate 26 that is supported in a closed space between the flywheel and the clutch cover so as to be able to freely reciprocate only with respect to the clutch cover 18, and an output shaft 25 that is disposed between the flywheel and the pressure plate. a clutch disk 22 spline-fitted to the pressure plate 2;
A metal pneumatic annular actuator is fixed to the inner surface of the clutch cover 18 facing 6 and has a variable axial length, such as a metal bellows 27 or a cylinder/piston, which decreases in response to an increase in the amount of clutch pedal depression. This air clutch for an automobile comprises an air pressure supply mechanism that supplies air pressure directly to an actuator via a hollow annular rotary joint 15 on the outer periphery of the clutch cover boss cylinder, a boss cylinder 19, and a passage 30 in the clutch cover 18. As described above, in the present invention, a clutch cover having a boss tube 19 in the center that protrudes toward the side opposite to the flywheel is used, and a hollow annular rotary joint 15 is fitted and arranged on the outer circumference of the boss tube 19. Since a metal pneumatic annular actuator such as a metal bellows 27 is fixed to the inner surface of the clutch cover 18 facing the pressure plate 26, a metal pneumatic annular actuator such as a metal bellows 27 can be inserted from the rotary joint 15 to the boss cylinder 19 and the inside of the clutch cover 18. The metal bellows 2 only passes through the passage 30 of the metal bellows 2.
Air pressure can be supplied to the inside of the boss tube 1, eliminating the need for piping, minimizing air pressure leakage, and providing a sharp operating feel.
The output shaft 25 can be passed concentrically through the clutch 9, and can be easily replaced with a conventional spring type clutch. That is, the flywheel 20 receives the rotational force of the engine from the central shaft part, and the clutch output can be taken out from the part of the output shaft 25 that protrudes on the side opposite to the engine when viewed from the flywheel, and this power path is different from the conventional one. Since it is similar to a spring type clutch, it can be used in large automobiles and other automobiles in the same manner as conventional spring type clutches. Since the passage 30 from the rotary joint 15 to the bellows 27 is formed within the integral clutch cover 18, the number of parts is minimized, which also has the advantage of being able to be manufactured at low cost. Also, since the pressure plate 26, clutch disk 22, metal bellows 27, etc. can be arranged in the closed space between the flywheel 20 and the clutch cover 18, it is easy to use a wet clutch, and in the case of a dry clutch, the facing It is possible to prevent pollution caused by abrasion powder generated at the part 23. Since the inertia on the driven side is reduced, rapid switching can be accommodated even in a structure having a switching gear after the clutch. Also, in the present invention, a metal bellows 27 or a metal pneumatic annular actuator made of a cylinder and piston is arranged as a member that applies a pressing force to the pressure plate 26 in place of a conventional clutch spring (coil spring or diaphragm spring). In addition, since it is equipped with an air supply mechanism that supplies air pressure that decreases in response to an increase in the amount of clutch pedal depression to the actuator via the rotary joint 15 of the clutch cover boss tube 19 portion and the passage 30 in the clutch cover 18. This makes it possible to provide a highly durable air clutch that can be used in the same way as conventional clutches for automobiles. That is, when the metal bellows 27 is used, its end surface 28 comes into contact with the pressure plate 26, which tends to become hot due to the clutch on-off operation, and the end surface 28 of the piston comes into contact with the pressure plate 26 when the cylinder/piston is used. Since it is made of metal, it exhibits heat resistance, which increases the durability of the clutch. Moreover, the pneumatic annular actuator, such as the metal bellows 27, is attached to the clutch cover 18.
Since operating air is introduced or discharged from the passage 30 inside, the above-mentioned heat resistance is ensured even under severe operating conditions due to the cooling and heat dissipation effect of the operating air and the heat dissipation effect from the clutch cover 18. be. When the metal bellows 27 is used, the spring characteristics of the bellows itself are maintained stably for a long period of time, and the internal sealing mechanism does not wear out even when a cylinder/piston is used. Also, since the pressure plate 26, metal bellows 27, clutch disk 22, etc. can be built into the space surrounded by the flywheel 20 and clutch cover 18, it can be installed for automobile use in the same way as when installing a conventional clutch. The rotary joint 15 is simply installed in the boss cylinder part of the clutch cover 18, and the clutch cover 1
By simply providing an air passage 30 in the clutch 8, air pressure can be supplied to and discharged from an actuator such as the metal bellows 27, and the clutch can be easily replaced with a conventional clutch. In addition, since the inching valve 7 generates air pressure to the actuator that decreases in response to an increase in the amount of depression of the clutch pedal 11, the actuator can be driven with the same operational feeling as a conventional automobile clutch, and the An air clutch suitable for the actual situation can be obtained. When the metal barrows 27 is used, pressurized air does not leak, and there is an additional advantage that a return spring is not required. Further, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained compared to the clutch of the conventional structure described above.

(1) Since release mechanisms such as master cylinders, boosters, shift forks, release bearings, release levers, etc. are not required, the number of parts is reduced, weight is reduced, and manufacturing costs are also reduced. The longitudinal space can also be reduced.

(2) Since the pressing force of the pressure plate can be kept constant even when the facings are worn, the wear allowance of the facings can be increased by, for example, two to three times that of conventional products, and the life of the clutch is extended.

(3) Since there are no worn parts such as between the release bearing and the release lever, the pressing force of the pressure plate becomes uniform over the entire circumference, and it is possible to reliably prevent jamming.

(4) Since the metal bellows 27 does not apply force to the flywheel 20 when the clutch is disconnected, no thrust is applied to the engine in the direction of arrow A.
The life of the engine side thrust bearing can be extended.

(5) Clutch torque setting becomes extremely easy.
That is, the air pressure may be changed using the pressure regulating valve 5.

(6) Since the actuator consisting of the metal bellows 27 or cylinder/piston is pneumatic,
Operation is reliable as it is not affected by centrifugal force (if a hydraulic actuator is used, the centrifugal force acting on the oil in the actuator creates a pressing force on the pressure plate, which tends to make the operation unstable). , according to the present invention, such problems do not occur).

(7) According to the second invention, since the facing 23 is actively separated from the flywheel-side friction surface 33 by the pressurized air jetted from the nozzle 34 when the clutch is disconnected, poor cutting is reliably prevented.

(8) Since the entire friction surface is forcibly cooled by the pressurized air ejected from the nozzle 34, wear and tear on the facing 23 is reduced, and this also promotes a longer life of the clutch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an air clutch according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of depression of the clutch pedal and pressure. 7... Inching valve (air pressure supply mechanism),
18... Clutch cover, 20... Flywheel, 22... Clutch disk, 25... Output shaft, 26... Pressure plate, 27... Metal bellows (pneumatic annular actuator), 33...
...Friction surface on the flywheel side, 34...Nozzle.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Flywheel 20 and flywheel 20
A clutch cover 18 is fixed to the clutch cover 18 and has a boss tube 19 in the center that protrudes toward the opposite side of the flywheel, an output shaft 25 is disposed concentrically within the boss tube 19, and the clutch cover 18 is fixed to the clutch cover 18 in a closed space between the flywheel and the clutch cover. 18, a pressure plate 26 is supported for only reciprocating motion, and a flywheel
A clutch disk 22 disposed between the pressure plates and spline-fitted to the output shaft 25, and a clutch cover 1 facing the pressure plate 26.
8 A metal pneumatic annular actuator using a metal bellows 27 or a cylinder/piston that is fixed to the inner surface and has a variable axial length, and a clutch cover boss that reduces air pressure in response to an increase in the amount of clutch pedal depression. This air clutch for an automobile consists of a hollow annular rotary joint 15 on the outer periphery of the cylinder, a boss cylinder 19, and an air pressure supply mechanism that directly supplies air pressure to an actuator through a passage 30 in a clutch cover 18. 2 flywheel 20 and flywheel 20
A clutch cover 18 is fixed to the clutch cover 18 and has a boss tube 19 in the center that protrudes toward the opposite side of the flywheel, an output shaft 25 is disposed concentrically within the boss tube 19, and the clutch cover 18 is fixed to the clutch cover 18 in a closed space between the flywheel and the clutch cover. 18, a pressure plate 26 is supported for only reciprocating motion, and a flywheel
A clutch disk 22 disposed between the pressure plates and spline-fitted to the output shaft 25, and a clutch cover 1 facing the pressure plate 26.
8 A metal pneumatic annular actuator using a metal bellows 27 or a cylinder/piston that is fixed to the inner surface and has a variable axial length, and a clutch cover boss that reduces air pressure in response to an increase in the amount of clutch pedal depression. A hollow annular rotary joint 15 and a boss cylinder 19 on the outer periphery of the cylinder, an air pressure supply mechanism that directly supplies air pressure to the actuator via a passage 30 in the clutch cover 18, and a flywheel-side friction surface 33 facing the facing 23 of the clutch disk 22.
A nozzle 34 that opens at
An air clutch for an automobile, characterized in that the air is blown onto the clutch disk 22 from 4.