Patent ID: 7216751
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: B60K,F16H

Abstract:
1. A torque transmission coupling comprising: input-output rotary members rotatably supported to perform input-output transmission of torque; a frictional engagement section provided between the input-output rotary members to perform torque transmission between the input-output rotary members by enforcing frictional engagement; a compression member set that comprises a pair of members capable of performing relative rotation and that generates thrust through the relative rotation between the members to thereby cause the frictional engagement section to perform the frictional engagement; and a rotary actuator that causes both of the members of the compression member set to perform engagement-rotational driving whereby to cause the relative rotation; the compression member set is a compression gear set that comprises a pair of gears provided as the pair of members, an outer gear engaged with the gears and an outer gear support for supporting the outer gear, and that converts an input generated by rotational driving into a compression force in the direction along a rotation axis to thereby cause the frictional engagement section to enforce the frictional engagement, wherein gear ratios or engagement radii between the pair of individual gears and the outer gear are different from each other; any one of the pair of gears, the outer gear, and the outer gear support is non-rotatably supported; any other one thereof is rotationally driven; and the other thereof performs the relative rotation; the rotary actuator performs the rotational driving; and the pair of gears comprise a proximal gear and a distal gear; the distal gear being disposed further from the rotary actuator than the proximal gear; and the proximal gear being disposed radially inward of said outer gear; wherein the coupling further comprises: an exterior housing; a pinion shaft rotatably connected with the input rotary member; the pinion shaft being rotatably supported within the housing by a pair of axially spaced bearings; and center axis of each bearing and said pinion shaft being mutually angularly offset; wherein: the outer gear support is supported to be capable of performing constant-angle relative rotation; an urging member to be interposed between the outer gear support and a support body side is provided for biasing against rotation of the outer gear support; the torque transmission coupling further comprises displacement detection means that detects a displacement amount when the outer gear support performs rotational displacement in resistance with the urging member; and an engagement force of the frictional engagement section is obtained in accordance with the displacement amount detected the outer gear support comprises: