JPH04123720U - hub clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] By closing the air hole of the air chamber at the disengagement position of the hub clutch, there is no fear of foreign matter entering and the normal function of the hub clutch can be maintained. [Structure] A connecting member 55 that is movable between a connecting position and a disconnecting position between the drive axle 3 inserted into the hollow spindle 5 on the vehicle body side and the housing 21 on the wheel hub 25 side, and a partition wall of a diaphragm 75 are included. a pressure chamber 83 that moves the connecting member 55 to one of the two positions by deflection of the diaphragm 75 when pressure is supplied; a biasing member 81 that urges the connecting member 55 to the other of the two positions; and a diaphragm 7
The air chamber 85 defined in the housing 21 by 5, the air hole 95 for opening to the atmosphere provided in the air chamber 85, and the air hole 85 closed when the connecting member 55 is moved to the connection release position. It is characterized by comprising an opening/closing member 101 that opens and closes.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This invention relates to a hub clutch that connects and disconnects between a drive axle and a wheel of a vehicle.

0002

[Conventional technology]

As a conventional hub clutch of this type, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-238516 There are some things mentioned in the report. This is between the axle and the wheel of a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle. This is a hub clutch that uses an actuator to operate the clutch mechanism that engages and engages the engine.

0003 This actuator has a flexible diaphragm, and the diaphragm is deflected by pressure supply. This is used to engage and engage the clutch mechanism. The housing on the wheel side is a hub clutch. It has a bag-like shape to protect the air, and an air chamber is defined inside the housing by a diaphragm. has been completed. If this air chamber is sealed, the diaphragm will bend due to the resistance of its internal pressure. The hub clutch becomes malfunctioning due to the air pressure being suppressed, and the volume of the air chamber changes due to temperature changes. This may cause the hub clutch to malfunction. Therefore, the air chamber is open to the atmosphere. Air vents are provided to prevent air from flowing during actuator operation or temperature changes. It is accessible in and out.

0004 However, water and dust that entered the air chamber through the air hole may freeze or solidify. If this occurs, the hub clutch may deteriorate or become inoperable due to actuator malfunction. etc. may occur.

[0005] This deterioration of function or inoperability of the hub clutch occurs when driving in four-wheel drive (4WD). In other words, even if the hub clutches of all wheels are connected, it is possible to , which is unacceptable when driving in two-wheel drive.

[0006]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

The problem we are trying to solve is that water and dust that have entered the air chamber through the air vents have frozen. If it solidifies, the actuator will malfunction and the hub clutch will not function properly. The point is that it cannot be maintained.

[0007]

[Means to solve the problem]

The drive axle inserted into the hollow spindle on the vehicle body side and the housing on the wheel hub side It has a connecting member movable between a connecting position and a disconnecting position, and a diaphragm partition. The deflection of the diaphragm when supplied with pressure causes the connecting member to be held in both positions. a pressure chamber that moves the connecting member toward the other of the two positions; An air chamber defined in the housing by a diaphragm and an atmosphere provided in the air chamber an air hole for opening; and an air hole for opening the air hole when the connecting member is moved to the uncoupling position. and an opening/closing member that closes the opening/closing member.

[0008]

[Effect]

According to the above means, in order to maintain the normal function of the hub clutch, Connection position between the drive axle inserted into the hollow spindle and the housing on the wheel hub side When a connecting member that is movable between The air hole for opening the air chamber to the atmosphere is blocked by the opening/closing member, preventing water, dust, etc. from entering the room from outside. To prevent foreign matter from entering and prevent a hub clutch from becoming inoperable.

[0009]

【Example】

Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the drawings.

0010 FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a hub clutch according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0011] The hub clutch 1 of this embodiment is a part-time 4WD vehicle in which the front wheel is the disengagement side. It is used on the right front wheel side of. In addition, the left and right directions are as shown in this vehicle and in Figure 1. is the left and right direction.

0012 In FIG. 1, the axle 3 is inserted into a hollow spindle 5 on the vehicle body side via a bearing 7. Supported. A drive gear 9 is spline connected to the right end of the axle 3, and The isher 11 and snap ring 13 are used for positioning and prevention of falling off. Ma In addition, the left end portion is connected to a constant velocity joint 15. Between the axle 3 and the spindle 5 An oil seal 17 and a dust seal 19 are attached.

[0013] The housing 21 consists of a cylindrical top part 23 and a wheel hub 25, which are connected to a bolt. They are integrally connected by a port 27. An end cover 29 is screwed onto the top portion 23. Ru. The right front wheel 33 is attached to the flange 31 of the wheel hub 25 with a bolt 35 and a nut. At the same time, the brake disc 39 is fixed by bolts 40. has been done.

[0014] The housing 21 is supported on the outer peripheral side of the spindle 5 by bearings 41 and 43. has been done. On the outer periphery of the tip of the spindle 5 are bearings 41 and 43 with thrust adjustment. The maintenance nut 45 is screwed on, and the detent 49 engaged with the groove 47 bolts onto the nut 45. It is fixed with a bolt 51. A bearing is installed between the spindle 5 and the housing 21. An oil seal 53 is attached to the left side of 41.

[0015] A ring-shaped slide gear 55 (connection member) is connected to the top portion 23 of the housing 21. It is freely movable in the axial direction on the inner circumference of the housing 21 by the spline portion 57 provided between the parts. is connected to. A retaining ring 59 is attached to the inner circumference of the top portion 23, and the slide gear 5 The left movement range of 5 is restricted.

[0016] The outer periphery of the drive gear 9 and the inner periphery of the slide gear 55 are provided with sprues that are removable from each other. Lines 61 and 63 are provided. Then, the slide gear 55 is placed in the upper half of FIG. When moved to the position shown (connected position), the splines 61 and 63 engage, and the slide gear When the wheel 55 moves to the position shown in the lower half of FIG. 1 (uncoupling position), the spline 61, 63 is released. At the connected position, the axle 3 and the right side are connected via the slide gear 55. The front wheels are connected, and the right front wheel can be driven by the engine. Also, the uncoupling position Then, the right front wheel is separated from the axle 3 and becomes free rotating.

[0017] A bearing 65 is interposed between the housing 21 and the drive gear 9. A plate 67 is mounted for relative rotation. This center plate 67 Centering between the drive gear 9 and the housing 21 is performed, and the spline 61 , 63 are smoothly engaged and disengaged.

[0018] Between the axle 3 and the end cover 29 is a plate 71 having a plurality of arms 69. It is arranged. The arm 69 automatically moves along the incisor portion 73 provided on the spline 57. The slide gear 55 is connected to the slide gear 55.

[0019] The diaphragm 75 is a flexible diaphragm that includes a retaining ring 77 at its outer edge. The retaining ring 77 is airtightly attached to the inner periphery of the top portion 23 and the plate The inner edge side is airtightly sandwiched between the plate 71 and the plate 79 supported by the plate 71. There is.

[0020] A slide gear 55 is placed between the plate 79 and the end cover 29 in a connected position. A biasing return spring 81 (biasing member) is provided.

[0021] Pressure is created in the housing 21 by the oil seals 17, 53 and the diaphragm 75. A force chamber 83 is defined, and an air chamber 85 is defined between the diaphragm 75 and the end cover 29. is defined. Between the outer periphery of the axle 3 and the inner periphery of the spindle 5, there is a It communicates with the pressure chamber 83 and with the orifice 87 provided in the spindle 5 on the left side. An air flow path 89 is formed. Orifice 87 is shown from connecting pipe 91 Not connected to the air pump via an air hose. center plate 67 is provided with an opening 93 through which air passes when the hub clutch is activated.

[0022] The end cover 29 has a plurality of air holes 95 for opening to the atmosphere near the outer edge. They are provided circumferentially at appropriate intervals, and air enters and exits when the hub clutch 1 is activated. It is now possible to These air holes 95 prevent dust from entering the air chamber 85. A filter 97 is installed to prevent this.

[0023] On the other hand, the outer edge side of the plate 79 becomes a cylindrical portion 99 facing the end cover 29 side. The tip of the cylindrical portion 99 is provided with an opening/closing member that can open and close the air hole 95. A flange portion 101 is provided. That is, for pressure supply to the pressure chamber 83 When the slide gear 55 moves to the decoupling position (the position shown in the lower half of FIG. 1), The flange portion 101 of the plate 79 contacts the end cover 29 and closes the air hole 95. put into a state of occlusion. Also, the pressure inside the pressure chamber 83 becomes atmospheric pressure, and the return spring 81 is attached. When the slide gear 55 moves to the connecting position (the position shown in the upper half of FIG. 1) due to force, , the flange portion 101 of the plate 79 is separated from the end cover 29 to form the air hole 95. is opened to the atmosphere.

[0024] Therefore, when the slide gear 55 is in the disconnected position, the air hole 95 is connected to the flange portion 101. This prevents foreign objects such as rainwater, muddy water, and dust from entering the air chamber 85. This prevents objects from entering and prevents the hub clutch 1 from becoming inoperable due to freezing, etc. do not have.

[0025] In addition, when the slide gear 55 is in the connected position, the air hole 95 is opened to the atmosphere, so the Earphragm 75 can bend freely without receiving pressure from air chamber 85. , the hub clutch 1 operates smoothly and does not cause error movements due to temperature changes.

[0026] In the hub clutch 1 configured as described above, the vehicle is driven in two-wheel drive. When the engine is running, the left and right front axles are separated from the engine by the 2-4 switching mechanism. The left and right front wheels are separated from each axle by each hub clutch and are free to rotate. Ru. Therefore, the rotation of the front wheel drive system is prevented, causing vibration and noise, reduction in fuel consumption, and This prevents wear and tear on various parts of the drive system.

[0027] In addition, when the vehicle is running in four-wheel drive (4WD), the 2-4 switching mechanism allows the left and right The front axle is connected to the engine, and the left and right front wheels are connected to each other by each hub clutch. connected to the axle. Therefore, the straight-line stability and running performance of the vehicle are improved.

[0028] Such operations can be performed manually from the driver's seat. This operation depends on road conditions and It may also be configured to be automatically operable depending on the rudder conditions.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of this invention. Components similar to those in Figure 1 include The same reference numerals are given and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the pressure inside the pressure chamber 83 becomes atmospheric pressure, the return spring 81 is attached. The force moves the slide gear 55 to the decoupling position (the position shown in the upper half of FIG. 2). At this time, the air hole 103 is closed and the pressure is supplied to the pressure chamber 83. When the slide gear 55 moves to the connecting position (the position shown in the lower half of Figure 2), the air hole 1 03 is configured to be open to the atmosphere.

[0031] In this embodiment, a plurality of air holes 103 are provided at appropriate intervals in the top 23 of the housing 21. It is established with. That is, these air holes 103 are arranged as shown in FIG. , are bored from the outer periphery of the top portion 23 toward the right end surface. These air holes 103 A filter 105 is installed to prevent water and dust from entering the air chamber 85. It is.

[0032] On the other hand, in the plate 79, an air hole 103 opened on the right end surface of the top portion 23 is opened and closed. A flange portion 101 is provided as a possible opening/closing member.

[0033] Then, when the slide gear 55 moves to the disconnection position as described above, the flange The groove portion 101 contacts the right end surface of the top portion 23 and closes the air hole 103.

[0034] Therefore, foreign matter such as rainwater, muddy water, dust, etc. is prevented from entering the air chamber 85 from outside. This prevents the hub clutch 1 from becoming inoperable.

[0035]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, in the hub clutch of this invention, the coupling member moves to the disengagement position. Then, the air hole is blocked by the opening/closing member, preventing rainwater, muddy water, and dust from entering the air chamber. Prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering from the outside, causing the hub clutch to become inoperable. This makes it possible to maintain normal function.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a hub clutch.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a hub clutch according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Axle (drive axle) 5 Hollow spindle 21 Housing 25 Wheel hub 55 Slide gear (connection member) 75 Diaphragm 81 Return spring (biasing member) 83 Pressure chamber 85 Air chamber 95,103 Air hole 101 Flange part (opening/closing member)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] Claim 1: A connecting member that is movable between a connecting position and a disconnecting position between a drive axle inserted in a hollow spindle on the vehicle body side and a housing on the wheel hub side, and a partition wall of a diaphragm, and receives pressure supply. a pressure chamber that moves the connecting member to one of the two positions by the deflection of the diaphragm when the diaphragm is bent; a biasing member that urges the connecting member to the other of the two positions; and an air chamber defined in the housing by the diaphragm. A hub clutch comprising: an air hole provided in an air chamber for opening to the atmosphere; and an opening/closing member that closes the air hole when the connecting member is moved to the disconnection position.