Patent Application
20180073572
The present invention relates generally to the field of clutch of variable speed mechanisms, and more particularly to a variable speed mechanism based on mechanical engagement and disengagement operation to improve coupling power and reliability of engagement and disengagement and that allows for stepless lockup in order to reduce unnecessary wear and abrasion.
A variable speed mechanism achieves the purpose of speed variation by means of different gear ratio established with engagement conducted among gears of different diameters arranged between a driving shaft and a driven wheel. The speed variation of a conventional variable speed mechanism is generally based on an arrangement of at least two clutches on a driving shaft for respectively driving transmission wheels of different gear ratios to drive the driven wheel. Such clutches is made up of a clutching assembly and an arresting assembly, wherein the clutching assembly comprises a plurality of clamp plates connected to the driving shaft and a plurality of clamp plates connected to the transmission wheel, which are set in a stacking and mutually spaced arrangement, and the arresting assembly is operable to cause the clamp plates to tightly clamp or to separate from each other in order to achieve an operation of transmission.
The arresting assembly of the known clutch has various configurations of design, one of which involves an electromagnetic valve, wherein an electromagnetic valve that is arranged in front of the clutching assembly and is capable of reciprocal motion as energized by electrical power so that the linear movement of the electromagnetic valve drive a disc of the clutching assembly to selectively achieve tight engagement. However, since electrical components and wires must be arranged in the clutch, the entire structure becomes complicated and the width expanded. In addition, the operation power is supplied in the form of electromagnetic attraction forces, which provide limited forces acting on the clutching assembly so that the coupling or engagement force realized in the clutching assembly in weak, leading to numerous events of malfunctioning. In addition, manufacturing and assembling are difficult and thus, the cost is extremely high.
Another one of the various configurations of the arresting assembly involves a hydraulic assembly, which comprises a hydraulic pushing structure that is arranged in the clutching assembly of the clutch to generated, through hydraulic power, reciprocal motion so that the hydraulic pushing structure may drive the disc of the clutching assembly to selectively achieve tight engagement. However, a hydraulic channel must be provided inside the clutch, such as a hydraulic passage formed in the rotating shaft. This complicates the structure and also suffers compression ratio and quality deterioration of hydraulic fluid, leading to events of instability of pressure. Further, for the purpose of preventing undesired leaking, no high pressure may be involved and thus, the coupling or engagement power of the clutch may not be sufficient to meet desired levels. Further, there are numerous chances of malfunctioning and in addition, the same issue of high cost exists.
For clutches relying on arresting achieved with electromagnetic valve or hydraulic power, the driving or pushing force is generally very limited, and this leads to a limited coupling power, and thus, operation correctness and reliability are poor. Also, the structures are complicated, leading to issues of manufacturing and assembling, and also increasing the manufacturing cost.
Further, due to the complicated structures of the clutches of the variable speed mechanisms, it is generally impossible to provide a modularized configuration. Thus, to maintain or replace parts, all the parts must be removed one by one and this increases the difficulty and time of maintenance or part replacement, and a great amount of time would be wasted particularly for those clutches that are arranged internally. Further, the driving shaft is often locked for security purpose during car parking. A conventional way is to make a parking pawl selectively engage one of the tooth grooves. This way suffers incorrect positioning and local position shifting may result so that engagement and disengagement may readily cause wear and abrasion. It is desired to provide a solution that overcomes the above problems.
Thus, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a variable speed mechanism that has excellent operation correctness and provides an operation force for pushing a clutch achieved direct mechanical pushing so that the driving force is small; the pushing force is large, and the coupling force can be quickly established.
Another primary objective of the present invention is to provide a variable speed mechanism of high reliability, which has a simple structure, low malfunction rate, and allows for effective reduction of size and lowering down manufacturing cost.
A further primary objective of the present invention is to provide a modularized variable speed mechanism, which allows for assembly of a complete module so that for needs of maintenance or replacement, the clutch can be removed or installed in a one time manner, whereby the operation is easy and convenient so as to effectively reduce maintenance time and improve efficiency.
Yet a further primary objective of the present invention is to provide variable speed mechanism allowing for car parking, wherein at least two clutches are synchronously coupled so as to lock a driving shaft by means of different gear ratios.
The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.
The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
The structure of the present invention, as shown in
the clutches 2, 5 are arranged between the driving shaft 10 and the first and second transmission wheels 80, 90 to selectively make the driving shaft 10 and the first and second transmission wheels 80, 90 generate inter-connecting relationship, and further, the clutches 2, 5 are made up of a clutching assembly 20, 50 and a ball arresting assembly 30, 60 that operates the clutching assembly 20, 50, the present invention being characterized in that the ball arresting assembly 30, 60 at least comprises a driving disc 31, 63 and a driven disc 32, 64 corresponding to each other and adjacent surfaces of the driving and driven discs 31, 32/63, 64 are respectively and correspondingly formed with at least two curved guide grooves 311, 321/631, 641 of equal distance and varying from deepness to shallowness, and further, the corresponding curved guide grooves 311, 321/631, 641 of the driving and driven discs 31, 32/63, 64 are respectively provided therein with a guide bead 33, 65 so that when the driving disc 31, 63 is rotate relative to the driven disc 32, 64, the driven disc 32, 64 generates a linear motion of leaving or approaching with respect to the driving disc 31, 63 to correspondingly operate the clutching assembly 20, 50 to generate an operation of engagement or disengagement.
Referring to
the first clutch 2 is made up of a clutching assembly 20 and a ball arresting assembly 30 that operates the clutching assembly 20, and as shown in
the lining assembly 22 is made up of a series of first clamp plates 221 and a series of second clamp plates 222 that are arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the first clamp plates 221 comprises engagement teeth formed on an inner circumference thereof and engageable with the elongated teeth 211 of the inner tooth sleeve 21 and the second clamp plates 222 comprises engagement teeth formed on an outer circumference thereof and engageable with the raised tooth bars 240 formed on the inner circumference of the outer enclosure sleeve 24 so that when the first and second clamp plates 221, 222 of the lining assembly 22 are set in tight engagement with each other, the inner tooth sleeve 21 may drive the outer enclosure sleeve 24 in synchronization therewith, otherwise when the first and second clamp plates 221, 222 are not in tight engagement with each other, the inner tooth sleeve 21 does not drive the outer enclosure sleeve 24, and further, an elastic body 23 is arranged between the lining assembly 22 and a rear wall surface of the outer enclosure sleeve 24 for providing an effect of position returning and compensative energy accumulation when the lining assembly 22 compresses the elastic body 23 and the outer circumference of the outer enclosure sleeve 24 receives, through a lining sleeve 28, an outer casing 29 to fit thereto for jointing with other components;
the ball arresting assembly 30 comprises a driving disc 31 and a driven disc 32, wherein the driving disc 31 is rotatably mounted, by means of a lining sleeve 34 and a lining plate assembly 35, to the front stepped section 215 of the inner tooth sleeve 21, and with reference to
the ball arresting assembly 30 is further provided with a driving assembly 40 that operates the driving disc 31, and the driving assembly 40 comprises a fixing lid 41 that is fit, through a bearing 48, to the shaft sleeve 36 of the ball arresting assembly 30, the fixing lid 41 comprising a plurality of guide holes 410 set at equal angular interval, the guide holes 410 respectively receiving guide posts 411 formed on a corresponding surface of the driven disc 32 of the ball arresting assembly 30 to slidably extend therethrough so that the driven disc 32 is allowed for frontward-rearward linear movement with respect to the driving disc 31, and further, the fixing lid 41 comprises a fixing plate 42, and the fixing plate 42 is provided with a servo motor 45 mounted thereto and the servo motor 45 comprises a driving gear 46 that is operated through a reduction assembly 450, the driving gear 46 corresponding to the driving disc 31 of the ball arresting assembly 30, the driving disc 31 having a circumference that comprises an engagement toothed section 315 that engages with the driving gear 46 so that the servo motor 45 may selectively operate the driving disc 31 of the ball arresting assembly 30 to rotate forward and backward so as to operate, through the guide bead 33, the driven disc 32 to move frontward and backward;
the second clutch 5 is arranged between the driving shaft 10 and the second transmission wheel 90 to selectively make the driving shaft 10 and the second transmission wheel 90 generate inter-connecting relationship, and further, the second clutch 5 is made up of the clutching assembly 50 and the ball arresting assembly 60 that operates the clutching assembly 50, and with reference to
the open end of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 is formed, on a circumference thereof, with a plurality of projection blocks 541 arranged at equal interval, and the outer enclosure sleeve 54 is formed, on an outer edge of each of the projection blocks 541, with an annular engagement slot 542 corresponding to each for engagement with the outer disc 66 of the ball arresting assembly 60, and further, a wall surface of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 that is opposite to the opening is provided with a plurality of transmission rods 543 for connection with the second transmission wheel 90, and further, the wall surface of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 is formed, in a center thereof, with a shaft seat hole 545 for mounting the rear thrust bearing 56, and further, the inner tooth sleeve 51 is provided, in the rear-end stepped section 513, with a position-constraining annular slot 514 extending beyond the rear thrust bearing 56 to allow two pressing plates 57 that are received in the position-constraining annular slot 514 of the inner tooth sleeve 51 to be mounted to the rear wall surface of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 so that the outer enclosure sleeve 54 and the rear end of the inner tooth sleeve 51 are coupled together, the radial support member 58 being formed, in a center thereof, with a stepped shaft seat hole 580 for mounting the front thrust bearing 55, and further, the shaft seat hole 580 is formed, in an inner circumference thereof at a location adjacent to a front end, with a retention groove 581 to receive a retention ring 582 to fit therein to retain the front thrust bearing 55 on the radial support member 58, and further, the radial support member 58 comprises a plurality of rib strips 585 that are different, in position, from the projection blocks 541 of the outer enclosure sleeve 54, and the rib strips 585 are each provided, on a top end thereof, with a fitting tooth groove 586 corresponding to the projecting retention block 661 of the inner hole 660 of the outer disc 66 so that the radial support member 58 and the outer disc 66 are retained together and rotatable in synchronization with each other;
the ball arresting assembly 60 comprises a pushing member 61 that is fit over an outer circumference of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 of the clutching assembly 50 and the pushing member 61 comprises, corresponding to a rear end, an annular stop plate 610 projecting therefrom and the annular stop plate 610 is formed, on a front surface therefo, with an annular bead groove 611, and further, the pushing member 61 is formed, on a front end thereof, with a push plate 615 that is curved inward and set to abut, in a rearward direction, the lining assembly 52, and further, the push plate 615 is formed with a plurality of through holes 616 respectively corresponding to the projection blocks 541 of the open end of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 for extension of the projection blocks 541 of the open end of the outer enclosure sleeve 54 therethrough to allow the pushing member 61 to be movable frontward and rearward on the outer enclosure sleeve 54, and further, the pushing member 61 has an outer circumference to which a lining sleeve 62 is fit, and further, the ball arresting assembly 60 comprises a driving disc 63 and a driven disc 64 arranged on the lining sleeve 62, and with reference to
the ball arresting assembly 60 is further provided with a driving assembly 70 that is operable to rotate the driving disc 63, and the driving assembly 70 comprising a fixing annular cover 71 that is fit over the driven disc 64 of the ball arresting assembly 60 and has a circumference that comprises a plurality of fixing projection blocks 711 for fixing, and an inner circumference of the fixing annular cover 71 and an outer circumference of the driven disc 64 are respectively formed with at least one set of corresponding guide sections 710, 645 that are of a projection-recess mating arrangement so that the driven disc 64 is allowed to move frontward and rearward with respect to the fixing annular cover 71, and further, the fixing annular cover 71 comprises a fixing plate 72 formed thereon and the fixing plate 72 comprises a servo motor 75 mounted thereto, and the servo motor 75 has an output shaft that comprises a driving gear 76 corresponding to the driving disc 63 of the ball arresting assembly 60, and the driving disc 63 has a circumference that comprises an engagement toothed section 635 engageable with the driving gear 76 so that the servo motor 75 may selectively operate the driving disc 63 of the ball arresting assembly 60 to rotate forward and backward;
whereby a variable speed mechanism that has a simple structure, good operation correctness, high reliability, small driving force and large pushing force, and allowing for car-parking operation is provided.
In an actual operation of the present invention, as shown in
To operate with the first speed position, as shown in
To operate with the second speed position, as shown in
To carry out a car-parking operation, as shown in
Further, as shown in
In the present invention, the first and second clutches 2, 5 uses the guide beads 33, 65 between the driving discs 31, 63 and the driven discs 32, 64 of their own individual ball arresting assemblies 30, 60 to achieve selective engagement of each of the clutching assemblies 20, 50 for variation among different speeds, wherein the structure is simple, malfunctioning rate is low, the size is effectively reduced, and the manufacturing cost is lowered down, and further, the pushing force is achieved with mechanical direct pushing so that the driving force is small and the pushing force is large, allowing for increasing and quickly establishing the coupling force for the lining assembly 22, 52 of each of the first and second clutches 2, 5 of the variable speed mechanism to thereby improve operation correctness and reliability; and
further, a unique design is provided, involving the elastic bodies 23, 53 arranged between the lining assemblies 22, 52 and the outer enclosure sleeves 24, 54 of the first and second clutches 2, 5, to form an energy accumulation or storage structure, wherein when the lining assemblies 22, 52 suffer wear to some extents, an adjustment can be automatically realized to increase a feeding distance and achieve compensation of motor torque so that there is no need to conduct a complicated operation of adjusting the servo motors thereby greatly improve utilization thereof.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the claims of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105129500 | Sep 2016 | TW | national |
