JPS6446051A - Automatic operating mechanism for clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make the automatic mechanism of a clutch small and light by the use of a single motor by disengaging the clutch via a ball screw by the action of an actuator while engaging the clutch by means of a return spring by reducing the torque of the actuator. CONSTITUTION:By the operation of a motor M3, the turning force of an output gear 31 is transmitted to a ball screw nut 28 and a ball screw shaft 27 is linearly moved in the axial direction of an output shaft 10, to carry out deceleration and increase in power. Also, a clutch mechanism is linked to the end of the shaft 10 and normally pressed in the engaging direction by a spring force. As a pedal is stepped in against the spring force to disengage a clutch, a large thrust force acts on the shaft 10 causing a sliding resistance in the thrust direction to act on the supporting part of a gear 29. However, sliding resistance losses in the thrust and bending directions are reduced by the combined use of radial and thrust bearings 32, 33 and 34, 35. Then, the motor M3 generates a turning force against the spring force only in the disconnecting direction of the shaft 10, and the relative strength with the spring force is varied by controlling its torque to control the clutch accurately.