JP7703286B2 - Clutch device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clutch device used as a torque transmission device in vehicles, industrial machinery, etc., and in particular to a torque transmission direction switching clutch device.

Conventionally, there is a clutch using a ratchet mechanism that can switch the torque transmission direction by switching between a state in which rotation in only one or the opposite direction is locked with respect to the rotation direction of the inner ring member relative to the outer ring member or the outer ring member relative to the inner ring member, a state in which rotation in both one and the opposite direction is locked simultaneously, and a state in which rotation in neither one or the opposite direction is locked (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

The clutches described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 use an external device such as an actuator to displace an annular switching plate, which can change the engagement state of the ratchet mechanism by displacing the plate, thereby switching the direction of rotational transmission between the inner and outer rings, i.e., the direction of torque transmission.

Special table 2016-508582 publication JP 2021-038755 A

In recent years, motorized control of a transmission has become more complicated. For this reason, in the clutch described in Patent Document 1 or 2, for example, if a sudden change in rotation direction occurs while the pawl member is engaged with the mating tooth portion, the operation of the clutch cannot keep up with the change control, and the switching plate enters an engagement release control operation while the engagement between the pawl member and the mating tooth portion is not released, which may result in damage to the switching plate.
Because of these concerns, further complicating the control would lead to an increase in the number of control devices or a more complicated structure of the clutch itself, i.e., an increase in the number of parts, and when the clutch is used as a component of a transmission, there is a risk that the weight of the entire transmission and the mounting space required in the vehicle will increase, which could make it difficult to achieve the recent strict requirements for weight reduction and space saving.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a torque transmission direction switching clutch device that can suppress an increase in the weight of the entire device in which it is incorporated as a component, and an increase in the space required for arranging the device.

In order to solve the above problems, a clutch device according to the present invention comprises:
a first annular member and a second annular member arranged coaxially and rotatable relative to each other;
a first ratchet clutch including a first ratchet mechanism capable of engaging the first annular member and the second annular member so as to transmit torque;
a second ratchet clutch including a third annular member and a fourth annular member that are arranged coaxially with the first ratchet clutch and are capable of rotating relative to each other, and a second ratchet mechanism that can engage the third annular member and the fourth annular member so as to transmit torque;
a switching mechanism that is arranged coaxially with the first ratchet type clutch and the second ratchet type clutch and is capable of switching a torque transmission direction between the first ratchet type clutch and the second ratchet type clutch,
The switching mechanism includes:
a fifth annular member provided coaxially with the first and second annular members and rotatable relative to the first and second annular members;
a sixth annular member provided coaxially with the third and fourth annular members and rotatable relative to the third and fourth annular members;
a seventh annular member that is arranged coaxially with the fifth annular member and the sixth annular member and rotatably supports the fifth annular member and the sixth annular member;
a first limiting portion is formed on the fifth annular member and is capable of limiting engagement between the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism and a tooth portion of the first ratchet mechanism by contacting the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism;
the sixth annular member is formed with a second limiting portion that can limit engagement between the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism and the teeth portion of the second ratchet mechanism by contacting the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism,
the first limiting portion switches between contact and non-contact with a pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism by rotation of the fifth annular member,
the second limiting portion switches between contact and non-contact with a pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism by rotation of the sixth annular member,
a plurality of first elastic members are interposed between the fifth annular member and the seventh annular member, the first elastic members being contractible by relative rotation of the fifth annular member with respect to the seventh annular member in a state in which a pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism is engaged with a tooth portion of the first ratchet mechanism;
The present invention is characterized in that a plurality of second elastic members are interposed between the sixth annular member and the seventh annular member, the second elastic members being contractible upon relative rotation of the sixth annular member with respect to the seventh annular member when the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism is engaged with the teeth portion of the second ratchet mechanism.

The present invention provides a torque transmission direction switching clutch device that can suppress an increase in the overall weight of the device in which it is incorporated as a component and an increase in the space required for arranging the device.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of a clutch device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the main part of the first ratchet clutch as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the pawl mechanism and its surrounding area. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a changeover plate and a changeover plate actuating member. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a main portion of the first ratchet clutch as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the engagement between the second pawl member and the teeth portion. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a main portion of the first ratchet clutch as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the second pawl member and the teeth portion in a non-engaged state. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the switching plate operating member as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the operating state when the second pawl member and the teeth portion of the first ratchet clutch are in mesh with each other. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the switching plate operating member as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the operating state when the second pawl member and the teeth portion of the first ratchet clutch are not engaged with each other.

The torque transmission direction switching clutch device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The torque transmission direction switching clutch device according to this embodiment will be described as an example used as a component part of a vehicle transmission.

First, the directions related to the clutch device in this embodiment are defined. In this embodiment, the "center axis C" refers to the center axis of the clutch device, i.e., the center axes of the outer and inner rings of the first and second ratchet clutches described below, and the axial, radial, and circumferential directions refer to the axial, radial, and circumferential directions relative to the center axis C. In addition, with respect to the axial direction, the left side of the paper in FIG. 1 is one axial side, and the right side of the paper is the other axial side, and in FIGS. 2, 4 to 7, the front side of the paper is one axial side, and the rear side of the paper is the other axial side. With respect to the circumferential direction, in FIGS. 2, 4 to 7, the direction rotating clockwise toward the paper is one circumferential direction, and the direction rotating counterclockwise toward the paper is the other circumferential direction.

For ease of explanation, the direction of rotation of the clutch device will be described as the direction of rotation of the inner ring relative to the outer ring of the first ratchet clutch, but the rotation of the outer ring and the rotation of the inner ring are relative to each other. For example, if the inner ring can rotate clockwise, the outer ring can also rotate counterclockwise. Even if the inner ring and the outer ring rotate in the same direction, if the rotational speeds of the outer ring and the inner ring differ, it can be said that the outer ring and the inner ring are rotating in one direction relative to each other. The same is true for the rotation of the inner ring relative to the outer ring for the second ratchet clutch.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along an axial direction of a clutch device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the main portion of the first ratchet clutch as viewed from one axial side, illustrating one pawl mechanism and its surrounding area.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a changeover plate and a changeover plate actuating member.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch device 1 according to this embodiment includes a first ratchet clutch 101 and a second ratchet clutch 201 arranged adjacent to the other axial side of the first ratchet clutch 101 on the central axis C. The first ratchet clutch 101 and the second ratchet clutch 201 have the same configuration. The first ratchet clutch 101 has an overall shape as seen from the axial direction that is annular, similar to the shape shown in FIG. 2 of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, and includes multiple pawl mechanisms and multiple teeth. Similarly, the second ratchet clutch 201 also has an annular shape and includes multiple pawl mechanisms and multiple teeth. Note that FIG. 2 shows only one pawl mechanism of the first ratchet clutch 101 and its surrounding area.

An annular switching plate operating member 361 is disposed on the central axis C between the first ratchet clutch 101 and the second ratchet clutch 201. As described below, the switching plate operating member 361 can switch the torque transmission direction of the first ratchet clutch 101 and the second ratchet clutch 201 by driving the first switching plate 451 and the second switching plate 551. The switching plate operating member 361, the first switching plate 451, and the second switching plate 551 constitute a switching mechanism. The first ratchet clutch 101, the switching plate operating member 361, and the second ratchet clutch 201 are disposed on the central axis C in this order from one axial side to the other axial side.

Next, the configuration of the first ratchet type clutch 101 will be described. As described above, the configuration of the second ratchet type clutch 201 is similar to that of the first ratchet type clutch 101, so in the description of the configuration of the second ratchet type clutch 201, the digit "1" in the hundreds digit of the reference numerals used in the following description of the first ratchet type clutch 101 will be replaced with "2". However, among the configurations of the second ratchet type clutch 201, those that are similar to the first ratchet type clutch 101 but have an axial direction opposite to that of the first ratchet type clutch 101 will be explained in more detail in the following description.

The first ratchet clutch 101 has an annular outer ring 103, an annular inner ring 105 that is spaced radially inward from the outer ring 103, is coaxial with the central axis C of the outer ring 103, and is rotatable relative to the outer ring 103, and a torque transmission mechanism that enables torque transmission between the outer ring 103 and the inner ring 105. The torque transmission mechanism in this embodiment is a ratchet mechanism.

The outer ring 103 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a predetermined length in the axial direction. A plurality of pawl mechanisms, which will be described later, are held on the inner circumference of the outer ring 103. The outer ring 103 is fixed to an outer member (not shown) by a fitting structure (not shown) so that it cannot rotate relative to the outer member. The outer ring 203 of the second ratchet clutch 201 is fitted to an outer member (not shown) that is different from the outer member to which the outer ring 103 of the first ratchet clutch 101 is fitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner peripheral portion of the outer ring 103 is provided with a first claw member 131 and a second claw member 137 that is adjacent to the other circumferential side of the first claw member 131 and pairs with the first claw member 131. The first claw member 131 and the second claw member 137 constitute a claw mechanism. That is, the outer ring 103 is provided with a claw mechanism including the first claw member 131 and the second claw member 137 that are arranged in sequence from one circumferential side to the other circumferential side when viewed from one axial side. The outer ring 103 is provided with a plurality of such claw mechanisms at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The first claw member 131 has a claw portion 129 extending from the cylindrical portion 127 toward one circumferential side, and the second claw member 137 has a claw portion 135 extending from the cylindrical portion 133 toward the other circumferential side. A retainer 138 is fixed to the inner circumference of the outer ring 103 between the cylindrical portion 127 of the first claw member 131 and the cylindrical portion 133 of the second claw member 137, and rotatably holds the cylindrical portion 127 of the first claw member 131 and the cylindrical portion 133 of the second claw member 137.

A flange portion 128 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 127 of the first claw member 131. The surface on one axial side of the flange portion 128 is in slidable contact with the end surface on the other axial side of the outer ring 103. The surface on the other axial side of the flange portion 128 is in slidable contact with the end surface on one axial side of the outer diameter side member 363 of the switching plate operating member 361 (described later). With this configuration, the axial movement of the first claw member 131 is restricted.

A flange portion 134 that protrudes radially outward is formed at the other axial end of the cylindrical portion 133 of the second claw member 137. The surface on one axial side of the flange portion 134 is in slidable contact with the end surface on the other axial side of the outer ring 103. The surface on the other axial side of the flange portion 134 is in slidable contact with the end surface on one axial side of the outer diameter side member 363 of the switching plate operating member 361. With this configuration, the axial movement of the second claw member 137 is restricted.

In the second ratchet clutch 201, a flange portion 228 that protrudes radially outward is formed at one axial end of the cylindrical portion 227 of the first claw member 231. The other axial surface of the flange portion 228 is in slidable contact with the end surface of the outer ring 203 on one axial side, and the other axial surface of the flange portion 228 is in slidable contact with the end surface of the outer diameter side member 363 of the switching plate operating member 361 on the other axial side. With this configuration, the axial movement of the first claw member 231 is restricted.

Furthermore, a flange portion 234 that protrudes radially outward is formed at one axial end of the cylindrical portion 233 of the second claw member 237. The other axial surface of the flange portion 234 is in slidable contact with the end surface of the outer ring 203 on one axial side, and the other axial surface of the flange portion 234 is in slidable contact with the end surface of the outer diameter side member 363 of the switching plate operating member 361 on the other axial side. With this configuration, the axial movement of the second claw member 237 is restricted.

The inner ring 105 of the first ratchet clutch 101 is disposed radially inward of the outer ring 103. A large number of teeth 113 are formed on the outer periphery of the inner ring 105 at equal intervals around the entire circumference. Each tooth 113 protrudes radially outward and extends in the direction of the central axis C. The inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 103 and the outer periphery of the inner ring 105, i.e., the teeth 113, face each other in the radial direction with a predetermined space therebetween. The teeth 113 form ratchet teeth with which the first claw member 131 and the second claw member 137 mesh. Specifically, the side surface on the other circumferential side of each tooth 113 forms a first meshing portion 113a that meshes with the first claw member 131, and the side surface on one circumferential side of each tooth 113 forms a second meshing portion 113b that meshes with the second claw member 137.

The inner peripheral surface of the inner ring 105 is provided with splines 111 around the entire circumference. An output or input shaft member (not shown) is spline-fitted to the inner peripheral side of the inner ring 105 via the splines 111. The inner ring 205 of the second ratchet clutch 201 is fitted to a shaft member (not shown) different from the shaft member to which the inner ring 105 of the first ratchet clutch 101 is fitted.

The first claw member 131 is held by a retainer 139 and a retainer 138 formed on the inner circumference of the outer ring 103 so that the claw portion 129 can swing radially around the cylindrical portion 127. The retainer 139 is a recess that opens onto one axial end face and inner circumference of the outer ring 103. The retainer 239 of the second ratchet clutch 201 is a recess that opens onto the other axial end face and inner circumference of the outer ring 203. The retainer 139 is provided with a coil spring 141 that constantly biases the claw portion 129 of the first claw member 131 radially inward, i.e., toward the outer circumference of the inner ring 105. For example, in FIG. 2, when the second claw member 137 is not engaged with the toothed portion 113 of the inner ring 105, the claw portion 129 of the first claw member 131 engages with the first meshing portion 113a of the toothed portion 113 of the inner ring 105 when the inner ring 105 rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, when the inner ring 105 rotates clockwise, the claw portion 129 of the first claw member 131 is pushed radially outward by the toothed portion 113 of the inner ring 105 against the biasing force of the spring 141, allowing the inner ring 105 to rotate. As a result, the first claw member 131 locks the rotation of the inner ring 105 in the other circumferential direction and allows the inner ring 105 to rotate in one circumferential direction.

The second pawl member 137 is held by a retainer 138 and a retainer 143 formed on the inner peripheral part of the outer ring 103 so that the pawl 135 can swing radially around the cylindrical part 133. The retainer 143 is a recess that opens on one axial end face and the inner peripheral face of the outer ring 103. The retainer 243 of the second ratchet type clutch 201 is a recess that opens on the other axial end face and the inner peripheral face of the outer ring 203. The retainer 143 is provided with a coil spring 145 that constantly biases the pawl 135 of the second pawl member 137 radially inward, i.e., toward the outer peripheral face of the inner ring 105. 2, when the first claw member 131 is not engaged with the toothed portion 113 of the inner race 105, the claw portion 135 of the second claw member 137 engages with the second engaging portion 113b of the toothed portion 113 of the inner race 105 when the inner race 105 rotates clockwise. On the other hand, when the inner race 105 rotates counterclockwise, the claw portion 135 of the second claw member 137 is pushed radially outward by the toothed portion 113 of the inner race 105 against the biasing force of the spring 145, allowing the inner race 105 to rotate. As a result, the second claw member 137 locks the rotation of the inner race 105 in one circumferential direction and allows the inner race 105 to rotate in the other circumferential direction.
In this manner, the first and second pawl members 131 and 137 held by the holding portions 139 and 143 of the outer ring 103, the springs 141 and 145, and the teeth portion 113 formed on the inner ring 105 form a ratchet mechanism.

Next, a switching mechanism for switching the torque transmission direction between the first ratchet clutch 101 and the second ratchet clutch 201 will be described.
The switching mechanism includes a first switching plate 451 for switching the torque transmission direction of the first ratchet type clutch 101, a second switching plate 551 for switching the torque transmission direction of the second ratchet type clutch 201, and a switching plate operating member 361 that rotatably supports the first switching plate 451 and the second switching plate 551, respectively.

The first switching plate 451 and the second switching plate 551 have the same configuration, but the axial direction is opposite. The configuration of the first switching plate 451 is described below. In the description of the second switching plate 551, the digit "4" in the hundreds digit of the reference numeral used in the description of the first switching plate 451 should be read as "5", and the configuration of the first ratchet type clutch 101 should be read as the configuration of the second ratchet type clutch 201. Furthermore, the description of the axial direction is opposite to that of the description of the first switching plate 451.

As shown in FIG. 1, an annular first switching plate 451 is arranged coaxially with the outer ring 103 on the inner peripheral side of the outer ring 103. The end face on one axial side of the first switching plate 451 faces the other axial side end of the inner ring 105 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the first switching plate 451 faces the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 103, the inner diameter side surface of the first claw member 131, and the inner diameter side surface of the second claw member 137 in the radial direction through a predetermined space. A flange portion 453 protruding radially outward is formed on the outer edge of the end face on the other axial side of the first switching plate 451. The outer edge of the flange portion 453 is engaged with the other axial side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 103 so as to be relatively rotatable. This positions the axial position of the first switching plate 451. The surface on one axial side of the flange portion 453 faces the end surface on the other axial side of the first claw member 131 and the end surface on the other axial side of the second claw member 137 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer peripheral surface of the first switching plate 451 is provided with a plurality of convex portions 459 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, which protrude radially outward and extend over a predetermined range in the circumferential direction. The top of the convex portion 459 is located slightly radially outward from the top of the tooth portion 113 of the inner ring 105, extends along the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 103, and faces the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 103 in the radial direction with a small gap therebetween. In other words, the top of the convex portion 459 is not in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring 103. Both circumferential ends of the top of the convex portion 459 are smoothly continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the first switching plate 451 via the inclined surfaces 460, respectively. With this configuration, the first claw member 131 and the second claw member 137 are smoothly pushed up from the outer peripheral surface of the first switching plate 451 to the top of the convex portion 459 by the rotation of the first switching plate 451.

When the top of the convex portion 459 is positioned on the inner diameter side of the first claw member 131 by the rotation of the first switching plate 451, it contacts the inner diameter side surface of the first claw member 131 and pushes up and holds the inner diameter side surface of the first claw member 131 on the outer diameter side of the tooth portion 113 of the inner ring 105. As a result, the convex portion 459 limits the engagement between the first claw member 131 and the tooth portion 113. Similarly, when the top of the convex portion 459 is positioned on the inner diameter side of the second claw member 137, it contacts the inner diameter side surface of the second claw member 137 and pushes up and holds the inner diameter side surface of the second claw member 137 on the outer diameter side of the tooth portion 113 of the inner ring 105, thereby limiting the engagement between the second claw member 137 and the tooth portion 113. In this way, the protrusion 459 constitutes a push-up portion that pushes up and holds the first claw member 131 and the second claw member 137 to the outer diameter side.

The first switching plate 451 changes the circumferential position of the protrusion 459 relative to the claw mechanism by rotating in one circumferential direction or the other. This changes the combination state of contact or non-contact of the protrusion 459 with the claw mechanism, i.e., the pair of the first and second claw members 131 and 137. Specifically, the first switching plate 451 switches between four combination states of contact or non-contact of the protrusion 459 with the claw mechanism, thereby switching the torque transmission direction of the ratchet clutch 101.

The first combination state of the contact or non-contact of the protrusion 459 with the claw mechanism is a state in which the protrusion 459 does not contact either the first claw member 131 or the second claw member 137 and faces the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 103, as shown in FIG. 2. In this state, the first claw member 131 and the second claw member 137 are engaged with the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105 by the biasing forces of the springs 141 and 145, respectively. Therefore, in this state, the inner ring 105 is locked against rotation in either the one circumferential direction or the other circumferential direction relative to the outer ring 103. In other words, if the inner ring 105 is the input side, the inner ring 105 is locked against rotation in both the one circumferential direction and the other circumferential direction relative to the outer ring 103.

The second combination state of the contact or non-contact of the protrusion 459 with the claw mechanism is a state in which one protrusion 459 contacts the inner diameter side surface of the second claw member 137 and the protrusion 459 does not contact the first claw member 131. In this state, the protrusion 459 in contact with the second claw member 137 contacts the second claw member 137 with the spring 145 compressed, pushing up and holding the inner diameter side surface of the second claw member 137 on the outer diameter side more than the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105, restricting the engagement between the second claw member 137 and the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105. On the other hand, the first claw member 131 engages with the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105 due to the biasing force of the spring 141. Therefore, in this state, the inner ring 105 can rotate in one circumferential direction relative to the outer ring 103, and rotation in the other circumferential direction is locked. In other words, if the inner ring 105 is the input side, torque is transmitted from the inner ring 105 to the outer ring 103 in the other circumferential direction, but not in one circumferential direction.

The third combination state of the contact or non-contact of the protrusion 459 with the claw mechanism is a state in which one protrusion 459 is in contact with the inner diameter side surface of the first claw member 131 and the protrusion 459 is not in contact with the second claw member 137. In this state, the protrusion 459 in contact with the first claw member 131 contacts the first claw member 131 with the spring 141 compressed, pushing up and holding the inner diameter side surface of the first claw member 131 on the outer diameter side beyond the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105, restricting the engagement between the first claw member 131 and the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105. On the other hand, the second claw member 137 is engaged with the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105 by the biasing force of the spring 145. Therefore, in this state, the inner ring 105 can rotate in the other circumferential direction relative to the outer ring 103, and rotation in one circumferential direction is locked. In other words, if the inner ring 105 is the input side, torque is transmitted from the inner ring 105 to the outer ring 103 in one circumferential direction, but not in the other circumferential direction.

The fourth combination state of the contact or non-contact of the protrusions 459 with the claw mechanism is a state in which one protrusion 459 is in contact with the inner diameter side surface of the first claw member 131, and the one protrusion 459 or the other protrusion 459 is in contact with the inner diameter side surface of the second claw member 137. In this state, the protrusion 459 in contact with the first claw member 131 limits the meshing between the first claw member 131 and the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105, and the protrusion 459 in contact with the second claw member 137 limits the meshing between the second claw member 137 and the teeth 113 of the inner ring 105. Therefore, in this state, the inner ring 105 is not locked in rotation in either one circumferential direction or the other circumferential direction relative to the outer ring 103, and can rotate in either one circumferential direction or the other circumferential direction. In other words, when the inner ring 105 is regarded as the input side, torque is not transmitted from the inner ring 105 to the outer ring 103 in either one circumferential direction or the other circumferential direction.
The multiple protrusions 459 of the first switching plate 451 are designed with a circumferential length of each apex and a circumferential distance between adjacent protrusions 459 so that the above-mentioned four combination states with respect to the claw mechanism can be switched.

Next, the configuration of the switching plate operating member 361 will be described.
The first switching plate 451, the switching plate actuating member 361, and the second switching plate 551 are arranged in this order from one axial side to the other axial side on the central axis C. The first switching plate 451 is supported on one axial side of the switching plate actuating member 361, and the second switching plate 551 is supported on the other axial side of the switching plate actuating member 361. The structure for supporting the first switching plate 451 in the switching plate actuating member 361 and the structure for supporting the second switching plate 551 are similar to each other, but are oriented in the opposite axial direction. The structure for supporting the first switching plate 451 in the switching plate actuating member 361 will be described below. In the description of the structure for supporting the second switch plate 551, unless otherwise specified, the digit "4" in the hundreds digit of the reference numeral used in the description of the structure for supporting the first switch plate 451 should be read as "5", and the configuration of the first ratchet type clutch 101 should be read as the configuration of the second ratchet type clutch 201. Furthermore, the description of the axial direction is in the opposite direction to the description of the structure for supporting the first switch plate 451.

The first switching plate 451 is rotatably supported by an annular switching plate operating member 361. The switching plate operating member 361 has an annular outer diameter side member 363 and an annular inner diameter side member 365 arranged coaxially with the outer diameter side member 363 on the inner diameter side of the outer diameter side member 363 and rotatable relative to the outer diameter side member 363.

On one axial end face of the inner diameter side member 365, a plurality of protrusions 467 protruding in one axial direction are formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, three protrusions 467 are formed. In the first switching plate 451, holes 469 that fit with each protrusion 467 are formed at positions corresponding to each protrusion 467 of the inner diameter side member 365. The first switching plate 451 is rotatably supported by the switching plate operating member 361 by fitting the holes 469 of the first switching plate 451 with the protrusions 467 of the inner diameter side member 365.

The outer diameter side member 363 is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown) in a transmission (not shown) in which the clutch device 1 is incorporated, and is driven to rotate by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism in the transmission to which the outer diameter side member 363 is connected may be, for example, a linear motion mechanism, a rotating mechanism, or a mechanism that combines a linear motion mechanism and a rotating mechanism. Such a drive mechanism may be, for example, a worm gear (not shown) for switching gears in the transmission. In addition, a toothed gear (not shown) may be provided on the outer periphery of the outer diameter side member 363, and a meshing member (not shown) that meshes with the toothed gear may be driven.

The inner peripheral portion of the outer diameter side member 363 is provided with a plurality of notches 471 that open to the inner peripheral surface and one axial end face of the outer diameter side member 363 and extend over a predetermined circumferential length. In this embodiment, six notches 471 are formed at a predetermined circumferential interval. On the other hand, the outer peripheral portion of the inner diameter side member 365 is provided with a plurality of notches 473 that open to the outer peripheral surface and one axial end face of the inner diameter side member 365 and extend over a predetermined circumferential length. The notches 473 have the same circumferential length as the notches 471 of the outer diameter side member 363, and the same number as the notches 471 are formed at a predetermined circumferential interval. The notches 471 of the outer diameter side member 363 and the notches 473 of the inner diameter side member 365 face each other in the radial direction, forming an elastic body accommodating portion 475 that is a space extending in the circumferential direction.

Furthermore, the inner peripheral portion of the outer diameter side member 363 is provided with the same number of notches 571 as the notches 471, i.e., six notches 571, which open on the inner peripheral surface and the other axial end face of the outer diameter side member 363 and extend over a predetermined circumferential length equivalent to that of the notches 471. The notches 471 and the notches 571 are provided circumferentially offset from each other and are formed so as not to overlap in the axial direction. Furthermore, the outer peripheral portion of the inner diameter side member 365 is provided with a plurality of notches 573, which open on the outer peripheral surface and the other axial end face of the inner diameter side member 365 and extend over a predetermined circumferential length. The notches 573 have the same circumferential length as the notches 571 of the outer diameter side member 363, and are formed at predetermined circumferential intervals in the same number as the notches 571. The cutout portion 571 of the outer diameter side member 363 and the cutout portion 573 of the inner diameter side member 365 face each other in the radial direction and define an elastic body accommodating portion 575 which is a space extending in the circumferential direction.
With this configuration, the six elastic body accommodating portions 475 and the six elastic body accommodating portions 575 are provided offset from one another in the circumferential direction and are formed so as not to overlap in the axial direction.

An elastic body 477 is accommodated inside each elastic body accommodating section 475 (see Figures 6 and 7). The elastic body 477 may be, for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring, and is not limited thereto. The elastic body 477 is accommodated in the elastic body accommodating section 475 so as to be capable of expanding and contracting in the circumferential direction in a natural state or in a slightly compressed state. One circumferential end and the other circumferential end of the elastic body 477 are fixed to a support member 479 and a support member 481, respectively. The support member 479 and the support member 481 are, for example, cylindrical members, and are formed to a size that allows the elastic body accommodating section 475 to slide in the circumferential direction.

In a natural state where the inner diameter side member 365 is not rotating relative to the outer diameter side member 363, the outer diameter side portion of the one circumferential end face of the support member 479 contacts the one circumferential end face of the cutout portion 471, and the inner diameter side portion contacts the one circumferential end face of the cutout portion 473 (see Figures 6 and 7). Also, the other circumferential end face of the support member 481 contacts the other circumferential end face of the cutout portion 471, and the inner diameter side portion contacts the other circumferential end face of the cutout portion 473 (see Figures 6 and 7).

With this configuration, when the inner diameter side member 365 and the first switching plate 451 rotate relative to the outer diameter side member 363 in one circumferential direction, the other circumferential end face of the cutout portion 473 of the inner diameter side member 365 moves to one circumferential side, causing the support member 481 to move to one circumferential direction within the elastic body accommodating portion 475, and the elastic body 477 contracts. Also, when the inner diameter side member 365 and the first switching plate 451 rotate relative to the outer diameter side member 363 in the other circumferential direction, the one circumferential end face of the cutout portion 473 of the inner diameter side member 365 moves to the other circumferential side, causing the support member 479 to move to the other circumferential direction within the elastic body accommodating portion 475, and the elastic body 477 contracts. Similarly, the elastic body 577 housed in the elastic body housing 575 contracts when the inner diameter side member 365 and the second switching plate 551 rotate relative to the outer diameter side member 363 in one circumferential direction or the other circumferential direction.

Next, the operation of the first ratchet clutch 101 will be described.
The following is a description of the meshing operation between the second pawl member 137 and the tooth portion 113 of the first ratchet type clutch 101. Note that the meshing operation between the first pawl member 131 and the tooth portion 113 is similar to that of the second pawl member 137, but the circumferential direction is opposite to that of the second pawl member 137.
Moreover, the operation of the second ratchet type clutch 201 is similar to the operation of the first ratchet type clutch 101 .

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a main portion of the first ratchet clutch 101 as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the meshing state of the second pawl member 137 and the teeth portion 113. As shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a main portion of the first ratchet clutch 101 as viewed from one axial side, showing the second pawl member 137 and the teeth portion 113 in a non-engaged state.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing the switching plate operating member 361 as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the operating state when the second pawl member 137 of the first ratchet type clutch 101 is in mesh with the tooth portion 113.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing the switching plate operating member 361 as viewed from one axial side, illustrating the operating state when the second pawl member 137 and the tooth portion 113 of the first ratchet type clutch 101 are not engaged with each other.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the second claw member 137 and the tooth portion 113 are in meshing state, the convex portion 459 of the first switching plate 451 is adjacent to one axial side of the inner diameter side surface of the claw portion 135 of the second claw member 137. In detail, the convex portion 459 is arranged in a state in which the inclined surface 460 of the other circumferential end portion of the convex portion 459 is in contact with the inner diameter side surface of the claw portion 135. In this state, as shown in FIG. 6, the switching plate operating member 361 is in a state in which the inner diameter side member 365 rotates relative to the outer diameter side member 363 in one circumferential direction, and the elastic body 477 is contracted by a predetermined amount. Therefore, due to the elastic return force of the contracted elastic body 477, the first switching plate 451 fixed to the inner diameter side member 365 is urged in a direction of rotating in the other circumferential direction relative to the outer diameter side member 363. This biasing force biases the protrusion 459 of the first switching plate 451 in a direction that brings it into contact with the inner diameter surface of the claw portion 135 of the second claw member 137.

In this state, when the inner ring 105 rotates in one circumferential direction, i.e., clockwise, torque is transmitted to the outer ring 103 via the second claw member 137. At this time, the torque transmitted from the inner ring 105 to the second claw member 137 is also transmitted to the first switching plate 451 in contact with the second claw member 137, and a force in the direction of rotation in one circumferential direction is applied to the first switching plate 451. Here, the torque transmitted to the first switching plate 451 is transmitted to the elastic body 477, and if the torque is greater than a predetermined value, i.e., the elastic return force of the contracted elastic body 477, the elastic body 477 contracts and absorbs the torque. Even when an excess torque greater than the normal torque is temporarily transmitted to the second claw member 137, the excess torque is absorbed by the elastic body 477 contracting. Therefore, the switching plate 451 does not receive the torque transmitted from the second claw member 137, so that damage to the switching plate 451 can be prevented.

When the rotation direction of the inner ring 105 is changed from the state in which the second claw member 137 and the tooth portion 113 are engaged (FIG. 4), if the rotation speed of the inner ring 105 decreases, the torque transmitted from the inner ring 105 to the second claw member 137 also decreases. When the magnitude of the torque transmitted from the inner ring 105 to the second claw member 137 becomes smaller than a predetermined value, i.e., the elastic return force of the contracted elastic body 477, the elastic body 477 elastically returns and stretches. As the elastic body 477 stretches, the first switching plate 451 rotates in the other circumferential direction, and the second claw member 137 is lifted and held on the top of the convex portion 459 via the inclined surface 460 of the convex portion 459. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the engagement between the second claw member 137 and the tooth portion 113 is released, and the inner ring 105 is in an idling state with respect to the outer ring 103. That is, the first ratchet clutch 101 itself is in an idling state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 7, the inner diameter side member 365 of the switching plate operating member 361 does not rotate relative to the outer diameter side member 363, and the elastic body 477 is in a natural state or a slightly compressed state.

As described above, in this embodiment, the first ratchet clutch 101 can prevent damage to the first switching plate 451 because the torque transmitted to the first switching plate 451 is absorbed by the contraction of the elastic body 477. Also, the meshing state between the first claw member 131 or the second claw member 137 and the tooth portion 113 can be released by the elastic restoring force of the elastic body 477, so that the control device can be simplified.
Similarly, in the second ratchet clutch 201, the torque transmitted to the second switching plate 551 is absorbed by the contraction of the elastic body 577, so that damage to the second switching plate 551 can be prevented. Also, the meshing state between the first claw member 231 or the second claw member 237 and the tooth portion 213 can be released by the elastic restoring force of the elastic body 577, so that the control device can be simplified.

Furthermore, the clutch device 1 of this embodiment uses a single switching plate operating member 361 to drive the first switching plate 451 and the second switching plate 551, which further simplifies the control device. As a result, this embodiment makes it possible to suppress an increase in the weight of the entire device in which the clutch device 1 is incorporated as a component and an increase in the installation space of the device. If the device in which the clutch device 1 is incorporated as a component is a vehicle transmission as in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in the weight of the entire transmission and an increase in the installation space on the vehicle.

The clutch device 1 of this embodiment is configured to drive the first switching plate 451 and the second switching plate 551 using one switching plate operating member 361. In other words, the single switching plate operating member 361 can control the torque transmission direction of the first ratchet type clutch 101 and the torque transmission direction of the second ratchet type clutch 201 to be different directions. It can also control the torque transmission direction of the first ratchet type clutch 101 and the torque transmission direction of the second ratchet type clutch 201 to be the same direction. In this way, the clutch device 1 of this embodiment enables more complex control while suppressing an increase in the weight of the entire device in which the clutch device 1 is incorporated as a component and an increase in the arrangement space of the device.

The clutch device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified. For example, in the first and second ratchet-type clutches 101 and 201, the pawl mechanism may be provided on the inner ring side, and teeth that mesh with the pawl mechanism may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. The number of pawl mechanisms can be changed as appropriate depending on the torque capacity to be transmitted.

1 Clutch device 101 First ratchet type clutch 201 Second ratchet type clutch 103, 203 Outer ring 105, 205 Inner ring 113, 213 Tooth portion 131, 231 First claw member 137, 237 Second claw member 451 First switching plate 551 Second switching plate 459 Convex portion 361 Switching plate operating member 363 Outer diameter side member 365 Inner diameter side member 475, 575 Elastic body accommodating portion 477, 577 Elastic body

Claims (7)

a first annular member and a second annular member arranged coaxially and rotatable relative to each other;
a first ratchet clutch including a first ratchet mechanism capable of engaging the first annular member and the second annular member so as to transmit torque;
a second ratchet clutch including a third annular member and a fourth annular member that are arranged coaxially with the first ratchet clutch and are capable of rotating relative to each other, and a second ratchet mechanism that can engage the third annular member and the fourth annular member so as to transmit torque;
a switching mechanism that is arranged coaxially with the first ratchet type clutch and the second ratchet type clutch and is capable of switching a torque transmission direction between the first ratchet type clutch and the second ratchet type clutch,
The switching mechanism includes:
a fifth annular member provided coaxially with the first and second annular members and rotatable relative to the first and second annular members;
a sixth annular member provided coaxially with the third and fourth annular members and rotatable relative to the third and fourth annular members;
a seventh annular member that is arranged coaxially with the fifth annular member and the sixth annular member and rotatably supports the fifth annular member and the sixth annular member;
a first limiting portion is formed on the fifth annular member and is capable of limiting engagement between the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism and a tooth portion of the first ratchet mechanism by contacting the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism;
the sixth annular member is formed with a second limiting portion that can limit engagement between the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism and the teeth portion of the second ratchet mechanism by contacting the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism;
the first limiting portion switches between contact and non-contact with a pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism by rotation of the fifth annular member,
the second limiting portion switches between contact and non-contact with a pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism by rotation of the sixth annular member,
a plurality of first elastic members are interposed between the fifth annular member and the seventh annular member, the first elastic members being contractible by relative rotation of the fifth annular member with respect to the seventh annular member in a state in which a pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism is engaged with a tooth portion of the first ratchet mechanism;
A clutch device characterized in that a plurality of second elastic members are interposed between the sixth annular member and the seventh annular member, the second elastic members being contractible upon relative rotation of the sixth annular member with respect to the seventh annular member when a pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism is engaged with a tooth portion of the second ratchet mechanism. The ratchet clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that the first elastic member contracts when a torque greater than a predetermined value is transmitted from the fifth annular member to the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism when the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism is engaged with the teeth of the first ratchet mechanism. The ratchet clutch according to claim 2, characterized in that when the torque transmitted to the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism becomes smaller than the predetermined value while the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism is engaged with the teeth of the first ratchet mechanism, the first elastic member stretches and rotates the fifth annular member in a direction in which the first limiting portion contacts the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism. the fifth annular member has a peripheral surface that faces radially a pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism,
4. The ratchet clutch according to claim 1, wherein the first limiting portion is a first convex portion formed on the circumferential surface and contacting a pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism to displace the pawl member of the first ratchet mechanism in a direction away from engaging with the teeth of the first ratchet mechanism. The ratchet clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that the second elastic member contracts when a torque greater than a predetermined value is transmitted from the sixth annular member to the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism when the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism is engaged with the teeth of the second ratchet mechanism. The ratchet clutch according to claim 5, characterized in that when the torque transmitted to the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism becomes smaller than the predetermined value while the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism is engaged with the teeth of the second ratchet mechanism, the second elastic member stretches, causing the sixth annular member to rotate in a direction in which the second limiting portion contacts the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism. the sixth annular member has a peripheral surface that faces radially a pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism,
7. A ratchet type clutch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 and 6, characterized in that the second limiting portion is a second convex portion formed on the circumferential surface and that, by contacting with the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism, displaces the pawl member of the second ratchet mechanism in a direction away from engaging with the teeth portion of the second ratchet mechanism.

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