TORQUE TRANSMISSION COUPLING

Abstract: A torque transmission coupling provided according to the present invention comprises a first rotary shaft which is rotated by a driver and rotatively connected to a first rotary load means; a second rotary shaft rotatively connected to a second rotary load means; a hydraulic pump means which includes a first rotor having a prescribed form and disposed on the first rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith, and a second rotor disposed on the second rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith, and acts so that when a revolution speed difference has occurred between the first and second rotary shafts, the first and second rotors being relatively slided on a each sliding surface thereon by relative rotation corresponding to the difference, to heighten the pressure of liquid-tightly interposed oil and then supply the pressure-heightened oil; a multiple-disk clutch means which includes a group of engaging members disposed on the first rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith and be movable in the axial direction thereof relative to the first rotary shaft, and another group of engaging members which are disposed on the second rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith and are placed between the former engaging members so as to constitute a multiple-disk clutch, thus making is possible to engage both the groups of engaging members with each other to transmit torque; and a pushing means which includes a hydraulic operating chamber, to which the pressure of the oil from the hydraulic pump means is applied through an oil pressure passage means, and a pushing member, which defines the inner surface of the hydraulic operating chamber and is moved depending on said oil pressure so as to move at least one of the groups of engaging members in such a direction as to reduce the distance between the groups of engaging members to engage the members with each other. When said revolution speed difference has occured between the first and second rotors of the hydraulic pump means, said oil pressure is produced by said relative rotation corresponding to said difference and is then applied to the hydraulic operating chamber through the oil pressure passage means to move the pushing member to engage both the groups of engaging members of the multiple-disk clutch means with each other to transmit said torque from the first rotary shaft to the second rotary shaft.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a torque transmission coupling through which torque can be transmitted from a first rotary shaft to a second rotary shaft when a revolution speed difference has occurred between both the rotary shafts. Oil pressure is produced by a hydraulic pump means on the basis of a relative rotation corresponding to the revolution speed difference, to immediately engage a multiple-disc clutch to enable the transmission of the torque from the first rotary shaft to the second rotary shaft. Conventionally, a viscous clutch as shown in FIG. 2 has been developed. In the viscous clutch, a plurality of disks PI having holes are juxtaposed at regular intervals on the inside surface of a casing C integrally provided on an input shaft I. A plurality of disks PO having notches are juxtaposed at regular intervals on an output shaft 0 disposed in the casing C coaxially therewith, and are placed between the disks PI. The input shaft I and the output shaft O are respectively in driving connection with the disks PI and PO. Silicone oil of high viscosity is sealed in the casing C and occupies about 90 % of the interior volume of the casing. The disks PI and PO are spaced apart so that they are freely interleaved and the silicone oil makes contact with the overlapping or working surfaces of the disks. That is, the spaces on opposite sides of each of the disks PI and PO are in fluid communication through the working surface of the disks. When a revolution speed difference has occurred between the input shaft I and the output shaft O, the silicone oil in contact with the disks PI is rotated by the relative rotation of the disks PI to the other disks PO, because of the viscosity of the oil, so that the oil acts to the disks PO on the adjacent output shaft O by the viscosity of the oil. As a result, the disks PO and the output shaft O are rotated by the silicone oil. With increase of speed difference between the disks PI and PO, the characteristic of torque increase. Torque proportional to the revolution speed difference is thus transmitted from the input shaft I to the output shaft O. The torque to be transmitted depends on the shearing stress caused in the silicone oil between the adjacent disks PI and PO. The shearing ratio in the silicone oil is proportional to the revolution speed difference. The conventional viscous clutch has the following problems: (1) Since the torque is transmitted from the disks PI to the other adjacent disks PO by the viscous shearing force of the silicone oil, the are of contact and the speed of shearing (slippage) between the silicone oil and the disks need to be large if high torque is to be transmitted. For that purpose, the diameter of the disks PI and PO and the number thereof need to be increased, in other words, the capacity and size of the clutch need to be increased. In that case, the spatial efficiency will fall. (2) When the speed of slip between the disks PI and PO in contact with the silicone oil rises, the oil is heated so that its viscosity changes and the torque-­ transmitting property of the clutch alters. In that case, the air contained in the casing C is thermally expanded so that the pressure in the casing rises. As a result, it is difficult to prevent the silicone oil from leaking through sealed portions which are for keeping the oil tightly sealed in. (3) Once the dimensions and other factors of the viscous clutch are determined, the relation between the transmitted torque and the speed of slip is fixed so that the properties of the clutch can hardly be controlled from outside, depending on the revolution speed etc. of the clutch. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a torque transmission coupling through which torque can be transmitted immediately when a revolution speed difference has occurred. Even if the revolution speed difference is small, the coupling can be engaged to transmit the torque. Furthermore, high torque can be transmitted through the coupling. A torque transmission coupling provided according to the present invention comprises a first rotary shaft which is rotated by a driver and rotatively connected to a first rotary load means; a second rotary shaft rotatively connected to a second rotary load means; a hydraulic pump means which includes a first rotor having a prescribed form and disposed on the first rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith, and a second rotor disposed on the second rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith, and acts so that when a revolution speed difference has occurred between the first and second rotary shafts, the first and second rotors being relatively slided on an each sliding surface thereon by a relative rotation corresponding to the difference, to heighten the pressure of liquid-tightly interposed oil and then supply the pressure-heightened oil; a multiple-disk clutch means which includes a group of engaging members disposed on the first rotary shaft, so as to be rotated together therewith and be movable in the axial direction thereof relative to the first rotary shaft, and another group of engaging members which are disposed on the second rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith and are placed between the former engaging members so as to constitute a multiple-disk clutch, thus making it possible to engage both the groups of engaging members with each other to transmit torque; and a pushing means which includes a hydraulic operating chamber, to which the pressure of the oil from the hydraulic pump means is applied through an oil pressure passage means, and a pushing member, which defines the inner surface of the hydraulic operating chamber and is moved depending on said oil pressure so as to move at least one of the groups of engaging members in such a direction as to reduce the distance between the groups of engaging members to engage the members with each other; and in which when said revolution speed difference has occured between the first and second rotors of the hydraulic pump means, said oil pressure is produced by said relative rotation corresponding to said difference and is then applied to the hydraulic operating chamber through the oil pressure passage means to move the pushing member to engage both the groups of engaging members of the multiple-disk clutch means with each other to transmit said torque from the first rotary shaft to the second rotary shaft. The torque transmission coupling provided according to the present invention is used in a rotary drive system connected to a prime mover and including a first and a second rotary shafts which are driven by the single prime mover. Although the first and the second rotary shafts need to have almost the same revolution speed, the rotary shafts are allowed to have a slight revolution speed difference, depending on the loads etc. on the shafts. The torque transmission coupling can fulfill a characteristic function when it is disadvantageous for the revolution speed difference between the first and the second rotary shafts to become excessive and the revolution speeds of both the shafts need to be quickly equalized to each other again. In the torque transmission coupling, the revolution speed difference between the first and the second rotary shafts can be kept within a small range by controlling the oil pressure acting to the clutch. In other words, the coupling can serve as a torque transmission coupling of the revolution speed difference proportion type. When the revolution speed difference has occurred between the first and the second rotors of the hydraulic pump means, the oil pressure is produced by the means on the basis of the relative rotation corresponding to the revolution speed difference and is applied to the hydraulic operating chamber through the oil pressure passage means to move the pushing member to engage both the groups of engaged members of the multiple-disk clutch means with each other to immediately transmit the torque from the first rotary shaft to the second rotary shaft. Since the oil pressure is produced by the hydraulic pump means on the basis of the relative rotation between the first and the second rotors as the revolution speed difference occurs therebetween, the groups of engaged members of the multiple-disk clutch means are directly brought into contact with each other and engaged with each other to transmit the torque. For that reason, the torque transmission coupling has an advantage that the torque can be transmitted in proportion to the revolution speed difference. Since the oil pressure produced by the hydraulic pump means is applied to the hydraulic operating chamber through the oil pressure passage means to directly bring both the groups of engaged members into contact with each other and engage them with each other by moving the pushing member, the coupling can be made compact in comparison with the magnitude of the torque transmitted through the coupling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings; Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a torque transmission coupling which is a first embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a conventinoal viscous clutch means. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention can be embodied in such manners as described below. In a torque transmission coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention in the first manner, a hydraulic pump means is provided between a first and a second rotary shafts to produce oil pressure by the revolution speed difference between the shafts, a multiple-disk clutch, which is engaged by a pushing member on the basis of the oil pressure to transmit torque, is disposed between the first and the second rotary shafts, and all these members and means are built in a transmission shaft system. The coupling is thus constructed as a compact built-in torque transmission coupling. In a torque transmission coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention in the second manner, a hydraulic pump means built in a transmission shaft system, a pushing member and a multiple-disk clutch means are rotatably disposed in an oil-tightly fixed casing which holds oil. As a result, the coupling is made compact, and even high torque can be stably transmitted through the coupling. In a torque transmission coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention in the third manner, a hydraulic pump means has a first rotor made of an annular body and provided with a cam surface in the inside circumferential surface thereof, a second rotor made of a cylindrical body inserted in the annular body, a plurality of cylinders radially provided, and spring means and plungers inserted in the cylinders. When a revolution speed difference has occured between the first and the second rotors, the tips of the plungers are slid on the cam surface by the relative rotation between the first and the second rotors so that the plungers are moved back and forth in the cylinders. The volumes of the cylinders are thus changed to produce oil pressure. Since the hydraulic pump means is constructed as a radial-plunger pump means, the axial length of the hydraulic pump means can be made small, a suction port and a drain port do not need to be changed for each other as to whether forward rotation or backward rotation is performed, and the pump means can be properly operated as long as there is a relative rotation. Since the coupling can be made compact, it is appropriate to be used in a limited space. In a torque transmission coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention in the fourth manner, both the groups of engaged members of a wet multiple-disk clutch are provided in a casing, and oil is held in the casing. Since the temperature of the engaged members engaged with each other can be kept within a prescribed range by lubricating and cooling them with the oil held in the casing, the torque-transmitting property of the coupling is prevented from being changed as done along with the rise in the temperature of silicone oil in a conventional viscous clutch. Therefore, the coupling has an advantage that the torque-transmitting property of the coupling is stable. A torque transmission mechanism of revolution speed difference proportion type, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is now described with reference to FIG. 1. The torque transmission mechanism comprises a first rotary shaft 1 rotatably supported in a casing 10; a second rotary shaft 2 inserted into the right-hand end (as to FIG. 1) of the first rotary shaft 1 coaxially therewith and supported rotatably relative to the first rotary shaft; a hydraulic pump means 3 which includes a first rotor 30 having a cam ring 32 having a cam surface in the inside circumferential surface thereof and integrally secured at the right-hand end (as to FIG. 1) of a cup­ shaped body 31 having a U-shaped longitudinal section and integrally provided on the first rotary shaft 1, and a second rotor 35 having an annular clutch hub 36 integrally provided on the second rotary shaft 2 and having two radial cylinders 37 in which springs 38 and plungers 39 are provided; a wet multiple-disk clutch means 4 interposed between the first rotor 30 and the second rotor 35; and a pushing means 5 made of a pushing member 50 provided between the first rotary shaft 1 and the cup-­ shaped body 31 of the first rotor 30. The first rotary shaft 1 is rotatably supported in the casing 10 by bearings 13A and 13B provided at a distance from each other at the right and left ends of the small-diameter portion 11 of the casing 10 having the small-diameter portion 11 and a large-diameter portion 12. The first rotary shaft has an axial hole 14 extending in the axial direction of the shaft from its right-hand end toward its left-hand end. The second rotary shaft 2 is inserted into the axial hole 14 so that the second rotary shaft is supported. The second rotary shaft 2 is rotatably supported both by a centering bush 22 provided in the axial hole 14 of the first rotary shaft 1, and by bearings 21 (only left-hand one is shown in FIG. 1) provided in parallel with each other at a distance therebetween in the centers of the vertical portions 12C of an end member 12B integrally secured at flanges to a main member 12A which constitutes the large-diameter portion of the casing 10 together with the end member 12B. An axial hole 23 is provided in the left-hand portion of the second rotary shaft 2. In the hydraulic pump means 3, the cam ring 32 whose inside circumferential surface has the cam surface, the distance between the cam surface and the axis of the cam ring being increased and decreased at a prescribed ratio at angular intervals of 72° (which means that the cam surface has an alternative concave and convex structure), is integrally secured at the right-hand end of the cup-­ shaped body 31 having the U-shaped longitudinal section and integrally secured at the right-hand end of the first rotary shaft 1. The two radial cylinders 37 are provided at angular intervals of 180° in the annular clutch hub 36 constituting the second rotor 35 integrally secured to the second rotary shaft 2. The cylinders 37 are located in such positions that they extend toward the cam surface of the cam ring 32. The plungers 39, each of which is a bottomed hollow cylindrical member and has a U-shaped longitudinal section, and the helical springs 38 for urging the plungers 39 to bring their tips into contact with the cam surface of the cam ring 32, are inserted in the cylinders 37. An oil seal and a cylindrical sleeve 37A are inserted in a liquid-tight manner in each radial cylinder 37. Only when the plungers 39 are moved radially outwards to increase the volumes of the opening of the cylinders 37, the second rotor 35 is connected to an oil source (not shown in FIG. 1) through the axial holes 14 and 23 as oil passages of the first and the second rotary shafts 1 and 2 to supply oil to the second rotor 35. When the plungers 39 are moved radially inwards to decrease the volumes of the openings of the cylinders 37, the second rotor 35 is disconnected from the oil source to tightly shut off the oil. These connection and disconnection are performed by first one-way valves 37C provided at the bottoms of the cylinders 37. The second rotor 35 is further provided with second one-way valves 37D near the bottoms of the cylinders 37 so as to allow connection only when the volumes of the openings of the cylinders are decreased. As a result, when the first and the second rotary shafts 1 and 2 have rotated relative to each other due to a revolution speed difference therebetween, the tips of the plungers 39 are slid on the cam surface of the cam ring 31 so that the plungers are moved back and forth in the cylinders 37, the oil is sucked in through the first one-way valves 37C, and the pressurized oil is drained out through the second one-way valves 37D. The pushing means 5 is made of the pushing member 50 which is an annular rigid piston 50 fitted with an inner circumferential seal 51 and an outer circumferential seal 52 and located near the bottom (left-­ hand end) of the cylindrical body 30 of the first rotor 30. A hydraulic operating chamber 53 is defined between the inside bottom of the cup-shaped body 31 and that outside bottom (left-hand end) of the pushing member 50, which has an annular recess. The chamber 53 is connected to the second one-way valves 37D of the hydraulic pump means 3 through an oil passage 54 provided in the first rotary shaft 1, so that pressure oil is supplied into the chamber 53 through the second one-way valves 37D and the oil passage 54 when oil pressure is produced by the hydraulic pump means 3. The wet multiple-disk clutch means 4 comprises four annular engaged members 41 and three annular engaged members 42, which are alternately juxtaposed between the piston 50 of the pushing means 5 and the cam ring 32. Oil is held on the engaged members 41 and 42. The engaged members 41 are provided on the inside circumferential surface of the right half cylindrical portion of the cup-­ shaped body 31 of the first rotor 30 so that the engaged members 41 are rotated together with the cup-shaped body 31 but can be moved in the axial direction thereof relative to the cup-shaped body. The engaged members 42 are provided on the outside circumferential surface of the clutch hub 36 of the cylindrical body of the second rotor 35 so that the engaged members 42 are rotated together with the clutch hub 36 but can be moved in the axial direction thereof relative to the clutch hub. In the embodiment of the present invention in the first manner, an oil supply pump is provided as the oil source to supply the oil to the hydraulic pump means 3. In the oil supply pump, a cam surface which is caused by an eccentric ring to ascend and descend repeatedly is fixed provided on the peripheral surface of the first rotary shaft 1 near the right-hand bearing 13B for the shaft 1, a cylinder is provided in the casing 10 and extends toward the cam surface, a helical spring is disposed in the cylinder, a plunger having a spherical tip portion is inserted in the cylinder, and the plunger is moved back and forth synchronously with the rotation of the first rotary shaft 1 to supply pressure oil to the axial holes 14 and 23 of the central portions of the first and the second rotary shafts 1 and 2 through an oil passage in the casing 10 and a radial hole in the first rotary shaft 1. Since the oil supply pump is provided, a control function of altering the oil pressure of the hydraulic pump means 3 depending on the rotational frequency of the first rotary shaft is added. As a result, the torque-transmitting property of the torque transmission coupling can be controlled from outside. In the torque transmission mechanism of revolution speed difference proportion type, which is the embodiment of the present invention in the first manner, the tip of each plunger 39 is slid on the cam surface of the cam ring 32 of the hydraulic pump means 3 when a revolution speed difference has occurred depending on the loads of load means connected to the first and the second rotary shafts 1 and 2. The plungers 39 in the cylinders 37 are moved back and forth depending on the sliding of the tips of the plungers on the cam surface. The oil from the oil source is sucked into the cylinders 37 through the axial holes 14 and 23 of the first and the second rotary shafts 1 and 2 and the first one-way valves 37 synchronously with the reciprocation of the plungers 39 so that the oil has its pressure heightened and is then supplied into the hydraulic operating chamber 53 of the pushing means 5 through the second one-way valves 37D and the oil passage in the first rotary shaft 1 to move the pushing member 50 rightwards (as at FIG. 1) in the axial direction thereof. Since the pushing member 50 is thus moved rightwards, the distance between both the groups 41 and 42 of engaged members interposed between the pushing member 50 and the cam 32 is reduced to engage the members with each other to transmit torque from the first rotary shaft 1 to the second rotary shaft 2 through the group 41 of engaged members and then the other group 42 of engaged members so that the torque transmission mechanism acts to reduce the revolution speed difference between the first and the second rotary shafts 1 and 2. As a result, the revolution speed difference settles to such a value that the transmitted torque balances with the load of the load means on the second rotary shaft 2. In the torque transmission coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention and has the construction and operation described above, the oil pressure for enabling the transmission of the torque by engaging the wet multiple-disk clutch means 4 is produced by the hydraulic pump means 3. For that reason, the coupling has an advantage that the torque can be effectually transmitted through the coupling even in such a range of small revolution speed difference that it may be difficult to transmit the torque through a conventional viscous clutch means. In the embodiment of the present invention in the first manner, the pushing member 50 is moved by the oil pressure produced by the hydraulic pump means 3, to mechanically bring both the groups 41 and 42 of engaged members of the wet multiple-disk clutch means 4 into contact with each other and engage the members with each other to surely transmit the torque. For that reason, higher torque can be transmitted through the coupling than a conventional viscous clutch means utilizing the viscosity of silicone oil, and the coupling can be made compact in comparison with the magnitude of the transmitted torque. Since the hydraulic pump means 3 of the coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention in the first manner is of the radial plunger type, the axial length of the coupling can be made small to make the coupling compact. In the coupling which is the embodiment of the present invention in the first manner, the engaged members of the wet multiple-disk clutch mean 4 are lubricated and cooled by the held oil to keep the temperature of the engaged members within a prescribed range while they are engaged with each other. As a result, the torque-­ transmitting property of the coupling is prevented from being changed as done along with the rise in the temperature of silicone oil of a conventional viscous clutch means. The torque-transmitting property of the coupling is thus made stable. Although the hydraulic pump means in the above-­ mentioned embodiment of the present invention is of the radial plunger type, the hydraulic pump means is not confined to this type, but may be of the swash-plate axial-plunger type, vane type, trochoid type, gear type, Roots type or the like if the hydraulic pump means can be provided between the first and the second rotary shafts to produce the oil pressure by the relative rotation between the shafts. Although the multiple-disk clutch means in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention is of the wet type, the multiple-disk clutch means is not confined to this type, but may be of the ordinary dry type of cooling air can be positively delivered to restrict the rise in the temperature of the clutch means within as prescribed range, the clutch means can be used in a state of small temperature rise, or a good device for heat transfer can be provided and pressure oil can be shut off. It will be understood from the description above that the torque transmission coupling provided according to the present invention can be well applied to the revolution speed transmission line of each of various machines of a plant, the drive system of a general or industrial vehicle, a rotor drive system or the like if they need and match the properties of the torque transmission coupling.

Claims: 1. A torque transmission coupling which comprises the following: (a) a first rotary shaft which is rotated by a driver and rotatively connected to a first rotary load means, (b) a second rotary shaft rotatively connected to a second rotary load means, (c) a hydraulic pump means which includes a first rotor having a prescribed form and disposed on said first rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith, and a second rotor disposed on said second rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith, and acts so that when a revolution speed difference has occurred between said first and second rotary shafts, said first and second rotors are relatively slided on a each sliding surface thereon by a relative rotation correesponding to said difference, to heighten the pressure of liquid-tightly interposed oil and then supply the pressure-heightened oil, (d) a multiple-disk clutch means which includes a group of engaging members disposed on said first rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith and be movable in the axial direction thereof relative to said first rotary shaft, and another group of engaging members which are disposed on said second rotary shaft so as to be rotated together therewith and are placed between the former engaging members so as to constitute a multiple-disk clutch, thus making it possible to engage both said groups of engaging members with each other to transmit torque, and (e) a pushing means which includes a hydraulic operating chamber, to which the pressure of the oil from said hydraulic pump means is applied through an oil pressure passage means, and a pushing member, which defines the inner surface of said hydraulic operating chamber and is moved depending on said oil pressure so as to move at least one of said groups of engaging members in such a direction as to reduce the distance between said groups of engaging members to engage said members with each other; and in which when said revolution speed difference has occurred between said first and second rotors of said hydraulic pump means, said oil pressure is produced by said relative rotation corresponding to said difference and is then applied to said hydraulic operating chamber through said oil pressure passage means to move said pushing member to engage both said groups of engaging members of said multiple-disk clutch means with each other to transmit said torque from said first rotary shaft to said second rotary shaft. 2. A torque transmission coupling according to the claim 1, wherein said hydraulic pump means is provided between said first rotary shaft and said second rotary shaft to produce the oil pressure by the relative rotation between both said shafts to engage said multiple-disk clutch by said pushing member to transmit the torque; said clutch is provided between said first and second rotary shafts; and all these members and means of said torque transmission coupling are built in a transmission shaft system. 3. A torque transmission coupling according to the claim 2, wherein said hydraulic pump means, the pushing member and the multiple-disk clutch means, which are built in the transmission shaft system, are rotatably supported in an oil-tight secured casing in which oil is held. 4. A torque transmission coupling according to claim 1, wherein said hydraulic pump means comprises an oil pressure pump means for changing the volume between said first and second rotors by said relative rotation corresponding to said revolution speed difference. 5. A torque transmission coupling according to claim 4, wherein said oil pressure pump means comprises an oil pressure pump having a reciprocating member for reciprocating a cylinder in response to said relative rotation of said first and second rotors. 6. A torque transmission coupling according to claim 5, wherein said oil pressure pump comprises a radial plunger type pump. 7. A torque transmission coupling according to claim 1, further comprising an oil supply pump as an oil source to supply oil to said hydraulic pump means, which comprises a cam surface fixedly provided on the peripheral surface of said first rotary shaft; a cylinder provided in a casing and extending toward said cam surface; a helical spring disposed in said cylinder; and a plunger inserted in said cylinder, said plunger being moved back and forth synchronously with the rotation of said first rotary shaft to supply pressure oil to axial holes of the central portions of said first and second rotary shafts through an oil passage in said casing and a radial hole is said first rotary shaft, thereby providing a control function so as to enable said torque-transmitting property of the torque transmission coupling to be controlled from outside.

Inventors: NOGUCHI, MASAAKI, SUMIYOSHI, MASAHARU
Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F16D43
IPC codes: F16D43