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[Title of Document] Specification
[Title of the invention] Motorcycle clutch device
[Technical field]
[0001]
The present invention generally relates to a clutch device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a motorcycle clutch device for transmitting power from an input member to an output member and interrupting power transmission by the operation of a release mechanism. [Background art] [0002]
Generally, motorcycles such as two-wheeled motor vehicles and ATVs employ a multi-plate clutch device for transmitting and interrupting power from the engine to the transmission. The multi-plate clutch device includes a clutch housing connected to an engine cran]cshaft arrangement, an output rotary member connected to a transmission arrangement, a clutch part for transmitting and interrupting the power therebetween, and a pressure plate for pressing the clutch part. The clutch part includes a first plate and a second clutch plate located alternately, with the first clutch plate being engaged with the clutch housing and the second clutch plate being engaged with the output rotary member. [0003]
By pressing the clutch plates against one another by way of a pressing member such as a spring via the pressure plate, drive of the cranJcshaft is transmitted to the transmission. When the clutch is released to interrupt the power transmission, the operator grips the clutch lever to operate the release mechanism. The release mechanism releases the pressure to the clutch plates from the pressing member so that power transmission between the first and second clutch plates is interrupted. Such as clutch device is disclosed in Japanese unexamined Patent Publication 2003-222159. [Disclosure of Invention] [0004]
In the aforementioned clutch device, pressure force, i.e., pressing load from the pressing member and the capacity of the clutch
part (the number and size of the clutch plates) determine the power transmitting capacity- Therefore, it is necessary to increase the pressing load in order to ensure a desired power transmitting capacity within a small space.
[0005]
Meanwhile, in the conventional motorcycle clutch device, it is necessary to provide a release load by the release mechanism substantially equal to the pressing load in order to release the engagement of the clutch part. Since the release load is determined by a gripping force applied to the clutch lever, i.e., a control force, if the pressing load is increased, the control force for the clutch lever is increased accordingly, thereby deteriorating ease of operation. Consequently, it is difficult to increase the pressing load to a large extent.
[0006]
Therefore, the applicant has already filed a patent application
(application number 2004-367292) about a clutch device in which a lever mechanism is employed to amplify the control force to the pressing part so that it is possible to disengage the clutch by the control force less than that of the conventional clutch device by the lever ratio.
[0007]
In this clutch device, the diaphragm spring presses the clutch plates via the pressure plate. The release member, holding a release bearing, presses the radially inner portion of the diaphragm spring, thereby releasing the pressure force by the diaphragm spring.
[0008]
Therefore, in order not to hamper ease of operation for a long time, it is necessary to have a structure for moving smoothly the release member and to reduce the wear of the release member.
[0009]
Additionally, it is necessary to prevent the relative rotation between the diaphragm spring and members to support the diaphragm spring in order to reduce wear at the support portions of the members. In addition, it is necessary for the diaphragm spring to be in contact with other members in order to reduce fluctuations of hysteresis torque.
[0010]
Furthermore, in the clutch device, when the clutch is engaged (in a clutch engagement state), a gap exists between the release member and the diaphragm spring so that the release member can move in the axial direction. Accordingly, when the engine vibrations are input, the release member is vibrated, ease of operation of the clutch is worsened, e.g., clutch release travel varies and the clutch disengagement performance is not excellent. In addition, the release member might drop off when the clutch device is transported because the release member is not connected to other components. [0011]
Moreover, in this structure, if the position of the diaphragm spring in the radial direction is displaced, neither the characteristic of spring or the characteristic of release is stable. [0012]
Furthermore, in the clutch device, there are two types of release system: a push-type release method to release the clutch (in a power interrupting state) by pushing a release member; and a pull-type release method to release the clutch by pulling the release member. In the pull-type device, a radially outer portion of the diaphragm spring is supported by a clutch housing, a radially middle portion of the diaphragm spring presses the clutch part, and a radially inner portion is pulled by the release member for clutch release operation. [0013]
In a device having such a structure, the clutch housing receives the axial thrust force as the release operation proceeds. However, the clutch housing and input gear attached to the clutch housing receives thrust due to the release control force, because the clutch housing is not fixed such that it can move in the axial direction. Accordingly, a load is applied to a thrust plate located between these members and adjacent other members- If both members are designed to rotate relative to each other in this case, wear is accelerated. [0014]
It is an object of the present invention to move a member for supporting a release bearing smoothly in order to reduce the wear of the member in a device in which the clutch operation is performed by a lever mechanism.
It is another object of the present invention to prevent the relative rotation between the pressing member and a member for supporting the pressing member in order to reduce fluctuations of hysteresis torque due to contacts between both members, in a device in which the clutch operation is performed by a lever mechanism. [0016]
It is a further other object of the present invention to reduce the variation of the clutch release travel by reducing the vibration in the release member, in a device in which the clutch operation is performed by a lever mechanism. [0017]
It is a further other object of the present invention to prevent the release member from dropping off when the device is transported, in a device in which the clutch operation is performed by a lever mechanism. [0018]
It is a further other object of the present invention to stabilize the position of the pressing member such as a diaphragm spring in the radial direction in order to stabilize a characteristic of spring, i.e., clutch pressure force and clutch release force (release control force) of the pressing member, in a device in which the clutch operation is performed by a lever mechanism. [0019]
It is a further other object of the present invention to reduce wear of portions by release control force, in a device in which the clutch operation is performed by a lever mechanism, especially in a pull-type clutch device. [0020]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a first aspect of the present invention transmits power from an input member to an output member and interrupts power transmission by the operation of a release mechanism. The device includes a clutch housing, a rotary member, a clutch part, a pressure plate, a pressing member, a release member, and a restriction mechanism. The clutch housing is connected to one of the input member and the output member. The rotary member is located
radially inward of the clutch housing and is connected to the other of the input member and the output member. The clutch part includes at least one plate member to transmit and to interrupt power between the clutch housing and the rotary member. The pressure plate is adapted to press plate members of the clutch part against one another. The pressing member includes a pressing part to press the pressure plate and a lever part to release pressure force from the pressing part through amplification of power of the release mechanism by a predetermined lever ratio. The release member holds the release mechanism and transmits the operation force of the release mechanism to the lever part. The restriction mechanism centers the release member and prohibits the release member from rotating relative to the pressing member. [0021]
In the clutch device, the pressure force by the pressing member is applied to the clutch part via the pressure plate so that the clutch part is engaged, i.e., in a power transmitting state. In this state, the power from the input member is input to the clutch housing, for example, and then transmitted to the rotary member via the clutch part, and finally output to the output member. Alternatively, in a case that power from the input member is input to the rotary member, the power is transmitted to the clutch housing via the clutch part and output to the output member. When the clutch is released, i.e., in a power interrupting state, the release mechanism operates the lever part of the pressing member so that the control force is amplified by a predetermined lever ratio and is applied to the pressing part, thereby releasing the pressure force of the pressing part to the pressure plate. [0022]
In the device, the control force of the release mechanism is amplified by the lever ratio of the lever part and is applied to the pressing part so that it is possible to release the clutch with less control force by the lever ratio compared to that of the conventional clutch device. In addition, since a member to hold the release mechanism is centered and prohibited from rotating relative to pressing member by the restriction mechanism, it is possible to perform the release operation smoothly and to reduce wear of the holding member. [0023]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the device of the first aspect, wherein the pressing member is a diaphragm spring that has the pressing part at its radially outer portion and the lever part at its radially inner portion. In this case, the structure of the pressing member is simplified. [0024]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the device of the first aspect, wherein the rotary member has a friction part facing the pressure plate at a radially outer portion thereof. The clutch part includes a first clutch plate engaged with the clutch housing and a second clutch plate engaged with the rotary member. The first and second clutch plates are adapted to be clamped between the friction part of the rotary member and the pressure plate. [0025]
In the device, the first and second clutch plates constituting the clutch part are clamped between the friction part of the rotary member and the pressure plate, and the power is transmitted through a drive line of the clutch housing, the first clutch plate, the second clutch plate, and the rotary member in this order. [0026]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the device of the second aspect, wherein the diaphragm spring is constructed such that the pressing part has a radially outer portion adapted to press the pressure plate and a radially inner portion supported by a radially inner portion of the rotary member. A radially inner portion of the lever part is adapted to be moved toward the pressure plate by the release mechanism. [0027]
In the device, the release mechanism operates the radially inner
portion of the lever part of diaphragm spring to move the radially outer
portion of the pressing part away from the pressure plate, thereby
releasing the pressure force to the pressure plate by the pressing part.
[0028]
The structure for supporting the diaphragm spring is simplified and the axial length of the device is reduced, because the radially inner portion of the pressing part of the diaphragm spring is supported
by the radially outer portion of the rotary member. In a typical clutch device for a motor vehicle of the type wherein the radially inner portions of the diaphragm spring are driven toward the engine to release the clutch engagement, the radially inner portion of the pressing part of the diaphragm spring is supported by the clutch cover. In the clutch cover support structure, the support portion is a portion that extends radially inward from the radially outer portion of the clutch cover to surround circumferentially the outside of the diaphragm spring. In this structure, it is necessary to ensure a relatively large space in the axial direction in order to support the diaphragm spring. In the present invention, to the contrary, as mentioned before, it is possible to support the diaphragm spring within a relatively small space in the axial direction, because the radially outer portion of the rotary member supports the diaphragm spring. [0029]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a device of the first aspect, wherein the release member is an annular member having a plurality of claws extending radially outward at a radially outer end thereof. The rotary member is connected to the pressing member unrotatably, and has a rotary member main body, and a support plate fixed to the rotary member main body for supporting the pressing member with the rotary member main body. The support plate has a radially inner portion formed with a plurality of engagement slots with which the claws of the release member is engaged. The restriction mechanism is constituted by the claws and the engagement slots. [0030]
In this device, since the claws of the release member are engaged with the engagement slots of the support plate for centering the release member, and the support plate is fixed to the pressing member unrotatably, the release member and the pressing member are prohibited from rotating relative to each other. [0031]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a device of the first aspect, wherein the release member is an annular member having a side surface formed with a plurality
of protrusions projecting in the axial direction. The pressing member has a plurality of slits with which the protrusions of the release member are engaged. The rotary member is connected to the pressing member unrotatably, and has a rotary member main body, and an annular support plate fixed to the rotary member main body for supporting the pressing member with the rotary member main body. The restriction mechanism is constituted by an outer circumference of the release member, an inner circumference of the support plate with which the outer circumference of the release member is in contact, the protrusions, and the slits. [0032]
In this device, since the outer circumference of the release member and the inner circumference of the support plate are in contact with each other to center the release member, and the protrusions of the release member are engaged with the engagement slots of the pressing member, the release member is prohibited from rotating relative to the pressing member. [0033]
A motorcycle clutch device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a device of the first aspect, wherein the release member is an annular member having a radially outer portion formed with a plurality of recesses dented inward in the radial direction. The rotary member is connected to the pressing member unrotatably, and has a plurality of claws which are engaged with the recesses of the release member- The restriction mechanism is constituted by the recesses and the claws. [0034]
In this device, since the recesses of the release member are engaged with the claws of the rotary member, the release member is centered. Since the rotary member is fixed to the pressing member unrotatably, the release member and the pressing member is prohibited from rotating relative to each other. [0035]
A motorcycle clutch device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention transmits power from an input member to an output member and interrupts power transmission by the operation of a release mechanism. The device includes a clutch housing, a disc-like rotary
member, a clutch part, a pressure plate, a pressing member, and a rotation prevention mechanism- The clutch housing is connected to one of the input member and the output member. The rotary member is located radially inward of the clutch housing and is connected to the other of the input member and the output member. The clutch part includes at least one plate member to transmit and to interrupt power between the clutch housing and the rotary member. The pressure plate is adapted to press plate members of the clutch part against one another. The pressing member is supported by the rotary member, and includes a pressing part to press the pressure plate and a lever part to release pressure force from the pressing part through amplification of power of the release mechanism by a predetermined lever ratio. The rotation prevention mechanism prevents the pressing member from rotating relative to the rotary member. [0036]
In the clutch device, the pressure force by the pressing member is applied to the clutch part via the pressure plate so that the clutch part is engaged, i.e., in a power transmitting state. In this state, the power from the input member is input to the clutch housing, for example, and then transmitted to the rotary member via the clutch part, and finally output to the output member. Alternatively, in a case that power from the input member is input to the rotary member,, the power is transmitted to the clutch housing via the clutch part and output to .the output member. When the clutch is released, i.e., in a power interrupting state, the release mechanism operates the lever part of the pressing member so that the control force is amplified by a predetermined lever ratio and is applied to the pressing part, thereby releasing the pressure force of the pressing part to the pressure plate. [0037]
In the device, the control force of the release mechanism is amplified by the lever ratio of the lever part and is applied to the pressing part so that it is possible to release the clutch with less control force by the lever ratio compared to that of the conventional clutch device. In addition, the relative rotation between the pressing member and the member to support the pressing member is prohibited, wear of the pressing member and the member to support the pressing member
can be reduced. In addition, the hysteresis torque can be stabilized by reducing the contact between the pressing member and the member to support the pressing member. (0038)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a device of the eighth aspect, wherein the pressure member has a claw at a radially outer portion thereof. The pressure plate, which is engaged with the rotary member unrotatably, has a slit with which the claw of the diaphragm spring is engaged. The rotation prevention mechanism is constituted by the claw of the pressure member and the slit of the pressure plate. (0039)
In this device, since the claw formed at the radially outer end of the diaphragm spring is engaged with the pressure plate, the pressure member and the pressure plate are prohibited from rotating relative to each other. Since the pressure plate is prohibited from rotating relative to the rotary member, the diaphragm spring and the rotary member are prohibited from rotating relative to each other. As a result, even if the pressure member and the rotary member are in contact with each other, wear of both members, especially, wear of the rotary member can be reduced. In addition, even if the pressure member is moved in the axial direction by the operation of the release mechanism, the contact with the rotary member or another member is avoided. As a result, the hysteresis torque can be stable because contacts between the pressure member and other members is avoided. (0040)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a device of the ninth aspect, wherein the claw projects outward in the radial direction at the radially outer portion of the pressure member. The pressure plate has a projection projecting in the axial direction to support the radially outer portion of the pressure member, and the slit is formed at the projection. (0041)
In this device, since the radially outer portion of the pressure member is supported by the projection of the pressure plate for centering, a structure to center the pressure member is simple.
A motorcycle clutch device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a device of the tenth aspect, wherein the projection of the pressure plate is annular. In this case, the pressure member can be centered more accurately. (0043)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention transmits power from an input member to an output member and interrupts power transmission by the operation of a release mechanism. The device includes a clutch housing, a rotary member, a clutch part, a pressure plate, a pressing member, a release member, and a vibration reduction mechanism. The clutch housing is connected to one of the input member and the output member. The rotary member is located radially inward of the clutch housing and is connected to the other of the input member and the output member. The clutch part includes at least one plate member to transmit and to interrupt power between the clutch housing and the rotary member. The pressure plate is adapted to press plate members of the clutch part against one another. The pressing member is supported by the rotary member, and includes a pressing part to press the pressure plate and a lever part to release pressure force from the pressing part through amplification of power of the release mechanism by a predetermined lever ratio. The release member holds the release mechanism and transmits the operation power of the release mechanism to the lever part. The vibration reduction mechanism reduces vibrations of the release member. (0044)
In the clutch device, the pressure force by the pressing member is applied to the clutch part via the pressure plate so that the clutch part is engaged, i.e., in a power transmitting state. In this state, the power from the input member is input to the clutch housing, for example, and then transmitted to the rotary member via the clutch part, and finally output to the output member. Alternatively, in a case that power from the input member is input to the rotary member, the power is transmitted to the clutch housing via the clutch part and output to the output member. When the clutch is released, i.e., in a power interrupting state, the release mechanism operates the lever part of
the pressing member so that the control force is amplified by a predetermined lever ratio and is applied to the pressing part, thereby releasing the pressure force of the pressing part to the pressure plate. (0045)
In the device, the control force of the release mechanism is amplified by the lever ratio of the lever part and is applied to the pressing part so that it is possible to release the clutch with less control force by the lever ratio compared to that of the conventional clutch device. In addition, since the vibrations of the release member are suppressed, it is possible to prevent the release member from moving in the axial direction. As a result, the clutch release travel is stabilized so that the clutch disengagement performance is improved. (0046)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a thirteenth aspect of
the present invention is a device of the twelfth aspect, wherein the
vibration reduction mechanism is a clip for holding the release member
by pinching the release member between the pressing member and the clip.
(0047)
In this device, since the release member is pinched between the clip and pressing member by the clip, the vibrations of the release member is reduced. (0048)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a device of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the rotary member has a rotary member main body, and a support plate fixed to the rotary member main body for supporting the pressing member between the rotary member main body and the support plate. The clip has a fixing portion attached to the support plate, and a pressing portion extending from the fixing portion and elastically deformable for urging a side surface of the release member toward the pressing member. (0049)
In this device, since the clip is attached to the support plate and the pressing portion formed in the clip urges the release member against the pressing member by an elastic force, it is possible to reduce the vibrations of the release member.
A motorcycle clutch device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a device of the fourteenth aspect, wherein the fixing portion of the clip is configured to be annular, and the pressing portion of the clip extends from the annular fixing portion inward in the radial direction to urge the side surface of the release member. (0051)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention transmits power from an input member to an output member and interrupts power transmission by the operation of a release mechanism. The device includes a clutch housing, a rotary member, a clutch part, a pressure plate, a pressing member, and a support portion for supporting the pressing member. The clutch housing is connected to one of the input member and the output member. The rotary member is located radially inward of the clutch housing and is connected to the other of the input member and the output member. The clutch part includes at least one plate member to transmit and to interrupt power between the clutch housing and the rotary member. The pressure plate is adapted to press plate members of the clutch part against one another. The pressing member includes a pressing part to press the pressure plate and a lever part to release pressure force from the pressing part through amplification of power of the release mechanism by a predetermined lever ratio. The support portion supports the pressing member in the radial direction and positions the pressing member in the radial direction. (0052)
In the clutch device, the pressure force by the pressing member is applied to the clutch part via the pressure plate so that the clutch part is engaged, i.e., in a power transmitting state. In this state, the power from the input member is input to the clutch housing, for example, and then transmitted to the rotary member via the clutch part, and finally output to the output member. Alternatively, in a case that power from the input member is input to the rotary member, the power is transmitted to the clutch housing via the clutch part and output to the output member. When the clutch is released, i.e., in a power interrupting state, the release mechanism operates the lever part of the pressing member so that the control force is amplified by a
predetermined lever ratio and is applied to the pressing part, thereby releasing the pressure force of the pressing part to the pressure plate.
(0053)
In the device, the control force of the release mechanism is amplified by the lever ratio of the lever part and is applied to the pressing part so that it is possible to release the clutch with less control force by the lever ratio compared to that of the conventional clutch device. In addition, since the support potion supports the pressing member in the radial direction, the operation of the pressing member is stabilized. For example, if a diaphragm spring is used as a pressing member, a position of a working point fulcrum of the diaphragm spring is stabilized, thereby stabilizing the spring characteristics.
(0054)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is a device of the sixteenth aspect, wherein the support portion is composed of an axial projection projecting in the axial direction from the radially outer portion of the pressure plate toward the pressing member and supporting a plurality of portions of the pressing meinber at the radially outer portion.
(0055)
In this device, the axial projection is formed at the radially outer portion of the pressure plate to support the pressing member. Accordingly, it is possible to support and position the pressing meinber in the radial direction without any special members.
(0056)
A motorcycle clutch device according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention is a device of the seventeenth aspect, wherein the axial projection is an annular projection projecting from the radially outer portion of the pressure plate in the axial direction. In this device, the annular projection supports the radially outer portion of the pressing member.
(0057)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention transmits power from an input member to an output member and interrupts power transmission by the operation of a release mechanism. The device includes a clutch housing, a rotary member, a
clutch part, a pressure plate, and a pressing member. The clutch housing is connected to one of the input member and the output member- The rotary member is located radially inward of the clutch housing, and is connected to the other of the input member and the output member such that the rotary member can not move relatively in the axial direction- The clutch part includes at least one plate member to transmit and to interrupt power between the clutch housing and the rotary member. The pressure plate is adapted to press plate members of the clutch part against one another- The pressing member includes a pressing part to press the pressure plate and a lever part to release pressure force from the pressing part through amplification of power of the release mechanism by a predetermined lever ratio. The pressing part has a radially outer portion supported by the rotary member and a radially inner portion adapted to press the pressure plate. A radially inner portion of the lever part is adapted to be moved away from the pressure plate by the release mechanism. (0058)
In the clutch device, the pressure force by the pressing member is applied to the clutch part via the pressure plate so that the clutch part is engaged, i.e., in a power transmitting state. In this state, the power from the input member is input to the clutch housing, for example, and then transmitted to the rotary member via the clutch part, and finally output to the output member. Alternatively, in a case that power from the input member is input to the rotary member, the power is transmitted to the clutch housing via the clutch part and output to the output member. (0059)
When the clutch is released, i-e., in a power interrupting state, the release mechanism pulls the lever part of the pressing member so that the control force is amplified by a predetermined lever ratio and is applied to the pressing part and the pressing part is moved away from the pressure plate, thereby releasing the pressure force of the pressing part to the pressure plate. (0060)
In the device, the control force of the release mechanism is amplified by the lever ratio of the lever part and is applied to the
pressing part so that it is possible to release the clutch with less control force by the lever ratio compared to that of the conventional clutch device. If the clutch operation force is set to that of the conventional device, it is possible to decrease a clutch part capacitance. That is, it is possible to decrease the number of the clutch plates that constitute the clutch part to reduce the clutch part in the axial direction. (0061)
Furthermore, in this device, if the lever part of the pressing member is pulled for the operation, the control force is applied to the rotary member which supports the pressing part. However, since the rotary member is fixed to the other of the input member and the output member such that the rotary member can not move in the axial direction, the release control force is not applied to the thrust plate and other member, thereby reducing wear of the members. (0062)
The structure for supporting the pressing member is simplified and the axial length of the device is reduced, because the radially outer portion of the pressing part of the pressing member is supported by the rotary member. In a typical clutch device for a motor vehicle of the pull-type wherein the radially inner portions of a diaphragm spring as a pressing member are pulled toward the transmission to release the clutch engagement, the radially outer portion of the pressing part of the diaphragm spring is supported by the clutch cover. In the clutch cover support structure, the support portion is a portion that extends radially inward from the radially outer portion of the clutch cover to surround circumferentially the outside of the diaphragm spring- In this structure, it is necessary to ensure a relatively large space in the axial direction to support the diaphragm spring. In the present invention, to the contrary, as mentioned before, it is possible to support the diaphragm spring within a relatively small space in the axial direction, because the rotary member supports the pressing member. (0063)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention is a device of the nineteenth aspect, wherein the rotary member includes a rotary member main body provided with the clutch
part, and a support plate located so as to dispose the pressing member between the pressure plate and the support plate. The support plate is fixed to the rotary member main body so as to support the radially outer portion of the pressing member. (0064)
A motorcycle clutch device according to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention is a device of the twentieth aspect, wherein the lever part of a pressing member is formed with a plurality of slits radially. The rotary member main body has a boss passing through the slit up to a side of the pressing member opposite the pressure plate. The support plate is fixed to an axial end surface of the boss, [Brief description of drawings] (0065)
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a first embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the device-Fig, 3 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a second embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the device.
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a third embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the device.
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the device.
Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the device.
Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a sixth embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the device.
Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a seventh embodiment according to the present invention.
Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view of a motorcycle clutch device in a first embodiment according to the present invention.
[Explanations of letters or numerals]
(0066)
1, 101 clutch housing
2, 51, 102 output rotary member
102a boss
3, 103 clutch part
4, 104 pressure plate
5, 105 diaphragm spring 5a, 105a pressing part 5b, 105b lever part
5d, 105d slit
6, 42, 52, 106 release member 6b claw
7, 40, 50 restriction mechanism 19, 41, 119 support plate
19b engagement slot
30 release bearing
42c protrusion
51a claw
52b recess
72, 74 clip
72a, 74a fixing portion
72b, 74b pressing portion
125, 126 clutch plate
[Best mode for carrying out the invention]
[First embodiment]
(0067)
Fig. 1 and Fig 2 are views of a motorcycle clutch device. The motorcycle clutch device transmits power from the crankshaft of the engine to the transmission and interrupts power by the operation of the release mechanism. The clutch device employs a release system in which a release bearing is pushed inward in the axial direction to disengage the clutch , and includes a clutch housing 1, an output rotary member 2, a clutch part 3 to transmit and to interrupt the power between the clutch housing 1 and the output rotary member 2, a pressure plate
4, a diaphragm spring 5, a release member 6, and a restriction mechanism 7 for centering the release member 6 and preventing the release member 6 from rotating. (0068)
The clutch housing 1 has a disc part 10 and a tubular part 11 extending axially outward (rightward in Fig. 1) from the radially outer portion of the disc part 10. An input gear 13 is mounted on the disc part 10 via a plurality of annular rubber members 12. The input gear 13 is engaged with a driving gear (not shown) that is fixed to the crankshaft of the engine. It should be understood that the rubber members 12 are provided to absorb vibrations from the engine. The configuration of the annular rubber members 12 is not necessarily limited to that shown. For example, coil springs can replace the annular rubber members 12. The tubular part 11 has a plurality of recesses dented outward in the radial direction on the inner circumference as shown in Fig. 2, and is formed with circumferentially spaced cutouts extending in the axial direction. The cutouts serve to allow inside lubricating oil to flow radially outward. (0069)
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