192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Automatic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-03-27
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Automatic
C192S084700, C192S084910, C192S084960, C192S03000R, C192S11000B, C192S115000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206159
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving torque transmission control apparatus, more particularly, relates to such an apparatus serially between driving force transmission axles to electromechanically control its driving force.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, it is suggested such an electromagnetically operated clutch apparatus that is serially disposed relative to a propeller shaft to select from a two-wheels driving status to a four-wheels driving status or to control a driving force distribution ratio between front wheels and rear wheels in the four-wheels driving operation Namely, the electro-magnetically operated clutch apparatus is serially disposed between driving force transmission axles to control a driving force transmitted from one of that driving force transmission axles to the other thereof, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/014,627 filed on Jan. 28, 1999 by the same Applicant, for example.
In the electromagnetically operated clutch apparatus disclosed above, a bottomed cylindrical first rotating member rotating with one of the driving force transmission axles is relatively rotatably connected around a same center axis with a second rotating member rotating with the other thereof under a case of being disposed in the first rotating member. Between the first and second rotating members, here is provided a frictional engage section to transmit a driving torque from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof Further, an electromagnet is rotatably provided relative to the first and second rotating members to control a transmission torque of the frictional engage section. With this configuration, when an exciting current is supplied to the electromagnet through a lead wire, the torque corresponding to an amount of the exciting current is transmitted from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof.
However, there is a possibility that a sufficient durability cannot be obtained in the conventional clutch apparatus as described above. It is necessary such that the electromagnet is connected with a non-rotating member for connection of the lead wire with the electromagnet to prevent from its rotation with the first and second rotating members, for example. In such a case, when providing a connection mechanism between a vehicle body or a portion fixed thereto and the electromagnet, a vibration of the vehicle body is transmitted to the electro-magnet, so that the aforementioned clutch apparatus may be decreased in its durability. At an opening portion of the bottomed cylindrical first rotating member, there are farther formed annular clearance inside of the electro-magnet and outside thereof, so that it may be suggested to secure a mask member for covering the annular clearances to the electro-magnet. However, it cannot sufficiently be prevented such an incursion of alien substances by the mask member, whereby the durability may be deteriorated by the incursion. Further, it may be suggested to provide a ring-shaped seal member acceptable for relative rotation in order to seal the annular clearance formed inside of the electromagnet and outside thereof at an opening portion of the bottomed cylindrical first rotating member. In the annular clearance formed outside of the electromagnet, a circumferential speed and the seal member respectively become large in its relative and diameter particularly. Therefore, it has a disadvantage that the durability may. be sufficiently obtained and the seal member and the like becomes high in its cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention, to solve the above-described disadvantages, is to provide a driving force transmission control apparatus used in an automotive vehicle that has sufficient durability against vibration from a vehicle body and against incursion of alien substances.
Briefly, according to the present invention, a driving torque transmission control apparatus that is rotatably supported onto a vehicle body through a support bearing supported by a bearing holding device including an absorber and a bearing holding member, and that is serially disposed between driving force transmission axles. The apparatus further includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member rotatably connected around a common axis relatively with each other, to electro-magnetically control a driving torque transmitted from one of driving force transmission axles to the other thereof. A frictional engage section is provided between the first and second rotating members, to transmit from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof Between the first and second rotating members, there is provided an annular electromagnet to control a transmission torque of the frictional engage section. Further, an engage member provided on a support bearing to be engaged with the electromagnet to prevent rotation of the electromagnet with the first and second rotating members.
In the apparatus as constructed above, since the electromagnet is engaged with the engage member provided on the bearing holding member of the bearing holding device to prevent its rotation of the electromagnet, mechanical vibrations from the vehicle body is passed through the absorber to the engage member and the electromagnet. However, the mechanical vibration from the vehicle body to the electro-magnet and/or the apparatus can be sufficiently restrained by the absorber, so that a durability of the apparatus can be improved and it can be restrained such noise and vibrations through the vehicle body to a passenger cabin generated when the electro-magnet is contacted with a peripheral connection mechanism.
According to the present invention, an assemble of the driving force transmission axles to the vehicle body can be facilitated, compared with a case where the engage member engaged with the electromagnet is directly provided on the vehicle body. Therefore, a mount facility onto the vehicle body can be improved, so that a mount process can be also diminished. Further, it is unnecessary to change rotation stopping method and component shapes of the electromagnet in each of vehicle bodies, so that increase of kind values can be prevented in an apparatus and driving force transmission axles. Therefore, amount of components can be decreased, whereby it has an advantage that component cost can become low.
According to the present invention, the first rotating member takes in the form of a bottomed and cylindrical shape, and the second rotating member is relatively rotatably connected therewith around the common axis in a state where it is received in the first rotating member. Between an inner surface of the first rotating member and an outer surface of the second rotating member, there is provided the frictional engage section to transmit a toque from one of the first and second rotating members to the other thereof. The electro-magnet is connected with a vehicle body through a non-rotating member in order to prevent its rotation with the first and second rotating members. A cover member is fitted in an opening portion of the bottomed and cylinder-shaped first rotating member outside of the electromagnet. Further, a mask member is secured to the electromagnet, inner surface of which is separated by a small distance with the second rotating member or an outer surface of the cover member. In this situation, a screw thread is formed on the outer surface of the cover member and on a portion thereof facing with an inner surface of the mask member, so as to be advanced to the mask member along a rotational direction of the common axis.
With this configuration, the electromagnet is secured to the mask member with the inner surface facing separately by a small distance with the outer surface of the cover member that is fitted into the opening portion of the bottomed cylindrical first rotating member outside of the electro-magnet. On a surface facing with the inner face of the mask member at the outer surface of
Ikeda Akihiko
Oyabu Mikiharu
Takuno Hiroshi
Marmor Charles A
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Rodriguez Saul
Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
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