192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Operators
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-15
2003-05-27
Rodriguez, Saul (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Operators
C192S10700R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06568520
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electromagnetic clutch, and more preferably, to an electromagnetic clutch employed in a compressor that is assembled into an air conditioner in a vehicle or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 16
is a view in longitudinal section showing an example of a conventional electromagnetic clutch.
This electromagnetic clutch
100
is provided in a compressor, such as an air conditioner in a vehicle or the like. Electromagnetic clutch
100
mechanically and intermittently connects this compressor and a driving source not shown in the Figure. Electromagnetic clutch
100
is disposed in the nose portion
101
of the front case of the compressor.
A driving rotor
103
is supported in a freely rotating manner at the outer periphery of nose portion
101
via clutch shaft bearing
102
. A coil
104
is included inside driving rotor
103
. Armature plate
105
is coaxially disposed so as to be facing said driving rotor
103
.
Hub
106
is fixed in place by a nut
107
to the projecting portion of drive shaft
112
of the compressor. One end of connecting plate
108
is fixed in place to this hub
106
by rivet
110
, while the other end is fixed to armature plate
105
via rivet
109
. Electromagnetic clutch
100
is composed of clutch shaft bearing
102
, driving rotor
103
, coil
104
, armature plate
105
, hub
106
, connecting plate
108
, and rivets
109
and
110
as main parts thereof.
A belt pulley
111
is provided at the outer periphery of driving rotor
103
and is connected to a driving source such as an engine via a V belt that is wrapped around belt pulley
111
but is not shown in the figures.
In an electromagnetic clutch
100
of this design, the driving rotor
103
is connected to a driving source such as an engine, so that it is constantly rotating when the driving source is rotating. When electricity is sent through coil
104
and excites it in this state, armature plate
105
attaches to driving rotor
103
as a result of the magnetic force of coil
104
. A rotating torque of the driving source is communicated to drive shaft
111
via, in sequence, driving rotor
103
, armature plate
105
, rivet
109
, connecting plate
108
, rivet
110
, and hub
106
. Drive shaft
112
of the compressor element is rotated as a result.
In this state, when electricity ceases to be sent through coil
104
, armature plate
105
separates from driving rotor
103
, and the transmission of power to drive shaft
112
is interrupted.
In the electromagnetic clutch
100
, the armature plate
105
is made of metal and is formed as a thick plate having a unitary structure. Driving rotor
103
is also formed as a unitary structure from a metal material. When electricity is passed through coil
104
and armature plate
105
is attached to driving rotor
103
due to the magnetic force of coil
104
, armature plate
105
is coupled to driving rotor
103
at high speed so as to minimize the relative slipping time between armature plate
105
and the end face of driving rotor
103
. For this reason, a problematic noise is generated when electricity is sent through coil
104
, so that coil
104
is excited and the armature plate
105
makes contact with an end face of the driving rotor
103
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was conceived in view of the above-described problems, and has as its objective the provision of an electromagnetic clutch capable of decreasing the noise generated when the armature plate makes contact with the driving rotor. The present invention further aims to provide a compressor equipped with this electromagnetic clutch.
The electromagnetic clutch in the present invention comprises a driving rotor that is connected so as to be linked to a driving source and that includes a coil, and an armature having an armature plate that is disposed facing this driving rotor and having the same axis of rotational thereas, wherein, when a voltage is applied to excite the coil, the end face of the driving rotor and the armature plate are attached or separated by the coil's magnetic force, thereby intermittently coupling the driving rotor and the armature. In said electromagnetic clutch, the armature plate comprises a plurality of plate members laminated together, and at least a part of each of the plate members being connected the other plate members.
In this electromagnetic clutch, the armature plate is formed by laminating together a plurality of plate members. As a result, air layers are formed in between each of the plate members. For this reason, a force generated when the armature plate makes contact with the end face of the driving rotor is absorbed and reduced through the vibration of the individual plate members of the armature plate.
In addition, because the armature plate comprises a plurality of plate members laminated together, the armature plate is less rigid as compared to conventional armature plates which consist of a thick plate formed as a unitary structure. Thus, the force generated when the armature plate makes contact with the end face of the driving rotor is absorbed and reduced.
In the electromagnetic clutch, each of the plate members has the same thickness.
Because each of the plate members is of equal thickness in this electromagnetic clutch, numerous plate members can be formed easily. As a result, the cost of the armature plate is decreased.
In said electromagnetic clutch, among the various plate members, the plate member that comes in contact with the end face of the driving rotor is of a different thickness than the other plate members.
The magnetic force generated by the armature plate is controlled by on the thickness of the plate member that comes in contact with the driving rotor. Accordingly, when the thickness of the plate member that comes in contact with the end face of the driving rotor is increased in this electromagnetic clutch, the magnetic flux generated by the coil passes easily through the plate members. Thus, the magnetic force generated at the armature plate becomes greater, and, as a result, the clutch torque increases.
Conversely, if the plate that comes in contact with the end face of the driving rotor is made thinner, then the plate members are less rigid. Therefore, the force generated when the armature plate makes contact with the end face of the driving rotor is reduced.
In the electromagnetic clutch, among the plate members, the plate member that comes in contact with the end face of the driving rotor is thicker than the other plate members.
Because the plate member that comes in contact with the end face of the driving rotor is in sliding contact with the end face of the driving rotor, it experiences more severe abrasion than the other plate members. Accordingly, in this electromagnetic clutch, the plate member that comes in contact with the end face of the driving rotor is made thicker than the other plate members.
In the electromagnetic clutch, the various plate members forming the armature plate are roughly ring-shaped and made of a metal material, and are fixed in place by welding at a plurality of sites on the outer periphery, or on the outer and inner peripheries, of the plate members.
By suitably welding a plurality of sites on the outer periphery, or on the outer and inner peripheries, of the plate members, the various plate members are conveniently fixed in place.
In addition, in the electromagnetic clutch in the present invention, the various plate members forming the armature plate are roughly ring-shaped, and are fixed in place by caulking at a variety of sites on the end face of the plate members.
By employing caulking, it is possible to fix the plate members securely without carrying out a thermal treatment such as welding.
The electromagnetic clutch comprises a driving rotor, that includes a coil and is connected so as to be linked to a driving source, and an armature, that has an armature plate that is disposed so as to face the driving rotor and has the same axis of rotation thereas, and the end face
Ando Hirohide
Hattori Makoto
Kawada Minoru
Sekita Masumi
Tanigaki Ryuhei
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Rodriguez Saul
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