192 clutches and power-stop control – Vortex-flow drive and clutch – With brake
Patent
1983-03-21
1987-05-05
Bonck, Rodney H.
192 clutches and power-stop control
Vortex-flow drive and clutch
With brake
60718, 74661, 192 0098, B60K 4102, F01B 2102
Patent
active
046624902
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clutch system of a multi-stage internal combustion engine for a vehicle comprising two or more power or engine units, which are combined in response to driving conditions of the vehicle for effectively generating power.
BACKGROUND ART
The cylinder volume or displacement of the internal combustion engine is constant during operation. Particularly, since engines for vehicles operate in a wide output range, the fuel consumption is inevitably increased. In order to eliminate such disadvantages, there is provided an internal combustion engine having a plurality of engine units and a clutch for coupling an output shaft of one of the engine units to another output shaft for producing combined power.
For example, Japanese patent publication No. 42-26050 discloses an internal combustion engine, in which a pair of engine units are disposed in parallel and the power of both units are combined to produce a combined power in accordance with the load on the engine. However, the publication does not describe in detail a clutch for combining both powers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a clutch system of an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of engine units which are connected by a oil-pressure-operated friction clutch. Oil pressure for engaging the clutch is supplied by a gear pump made by modifying a gear train which is provided for combining the power of the engine units.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an engine according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the engine shown partly in section;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along a line A--A of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is an oil hydraulic circuit for operating a clutch.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 showing an internal combustion engine comprising engines A and B each having two cylinders. The engine comprises a first engine unit 1, a second engine unit 2, an oil-pressure-operated friction clutch 3 driven by the engine unit 2, an output shaft portion 4 and a flywheel portion 5 connected to the output shaft portion 4. Each of the engine units 1 and 2 comprises an independent two-cylinder engine having an independent ignition system. Both engine units are the same in cylinder volume. The engine unit 1 comprises a pair of pistons 12 connected to a crankshaft 6 by connecting rods 14, and the engine unit 2 comprises a pair of pistons 13 connected to a crankshaft 7 by connecting rods 15 respectively. A gear 16 of the output shaft portion 4 is secured to an end of the crankshaft 6 and engaged with an output gear 17. The clutch 3 comprises a drive member 18 secured to the crankshaft 7 of the second engine unit 2, and a driven member 19 connected to an output shaft 20. A gear 21 of the output shaft portion 4, secured to the output shaft 20 is engaged with the output gear 17. An output shaft 22 secured to the gear 17 is coupled to a flywheel 23 securely mounted on an output shaft 24.
In operation, at starting of the engine, both of the first and second engine units 1 and 2 are started. In small engine torque operation, the oil-pressure-operated clutch 3 is disengaged and only the power of the first engine unit 1 is transmitted to the output shaft 24. When a large power is required, for example, at starting of the vehicle or at rapid acceleration of the engine, the clutch 3 is engaged and the combined power of the first and second engine units is transmitted to the output shaft 24. When the engine load decreases, the clutch 3 is disengaged by controlling oil pressure to the clutch, so that only the first engine unit 1 provides the output power.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a clutch case 25 is disposed adjacent crankcases 1a and 2a of the first and second engine units 1 and 2. A gear case 26 for gears 16, 17 and 21 is formed in parallel with the clutch case 25. The gear case 26 and gears 16, 17 and 21 are arranged to form a gear pump 27 comprising
REFERENCES:
patent: 1585731 (1926-05-01), Oakes
patent: 2317324 (1943-04-01), Wolf
patent: 2675102 (1954-04-01), Robinson
patent: 2760612 (1956-08-01), Brooks
patent: 2791913 (1957-05-01), Slack
patent: 4392393 (1983-07-01), Montgomery
patent: 4421217 (1983-12-01), Vagias
Bonck Rodney H.
Farber Martin A.
Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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