JP2002181075A - Clutch operation mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clutch for a vehicle capable of easily being installed afterwards in also an existing vehicle and performing a clutch operation by light feeling by providing a clutch pedal with a stepping force auxiliary device. SOLUTION: Stepping operation load of the clutch pedal 2 is reduced by mounting a supporting stay 45 on a clutch mounting frame 13 for mounting a clutch operation mechanism, providing a supporting arm 40 and mounting a gas spring 50 on the clutch pedal 2 and the supporting arm 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clutch operating mechanism for reducing the operating force of a clutch pedal in a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle is provided with a clutch mechanism between an engine and a transmission in order to interrupt the rotational driving force of the engine when the engine is started or a gear is changed. In this clutch mechanism, the clutch operation force is transmitted via an operation cable or the like by a manual operation of a clutch lever or a depression operation of a clutch pedal, so that the clutch mechanism is intermittently operated. At that time, the principle of leverage is adopted for the clutch lever and the clutch pedal, and the operating load is reduced by increasing the lever ratio.

A vacuum pump (vacuum pump) generates a negative pressure as a booster for reducing the operating force of a clutch lever or a clutch pedal so that the on / off operation of the clutch mechanism can be performed with a light operating load. BACKGROUND ART A vacuum clutch booster that boosts using pressure, a compressed air clutch booster that operates a clutch booster using compressed air, and the like are known.

[0004]

However, a vacuum clutch booster, a compressed air clutch booster, and the like cannot cope with a clutch mechanism employing an operation cable in which the clutch operation force is transmitted via the operation cable. In addition, it is difficult to retrofit these devices to existing vehicles, and in order to retrofit it, it is necessary to rework a large number of related equipment, which requires much labor and time, and inevitably increases costs. . Further, in the clutch mechanism employing the operation cable, the operation force of the clutch lever or the clutch pedal is reduced by setting the lever ratio, but the clutch operation force cannot be significantly reduced. In particular, when traveling on a curve or a mountain road with many hills or traffic congestion, the gearshift operation must be performed frequently, and the clutch lever must be operated each time. However, when the lever operation of the clutch lever is frequently performed, the clutch operation force cannot be sufficiently reduced only by the lever ratio, and when the lever ratio is increased, the stroke of the clutch operation increases to deteriorate the operability.

[0005]

The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems will be described.

That is, in a clutch operating mechanism for operating a clutch provided in a vehicle, an operating force assisting member of the clutch operating tool is interposed between the clutch operating tool and a frame on the vehicle side. Dressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the operating force assisting member is a gas spring.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a support arm is provided between the vehicle-side frame and the operation force assisting member.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a fitting portion for fitting one end of a tool is provided at an end of the support arm.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a pivot portion at the other end of the operating force assisting member is disposed between a pivotal portion between the one end of the operating force assisting member and a clutch operating tool and a pivotal portion of the clutch operating tool. The clutch operating tool is configured to "disengage" beyond the dead center beyond the pivot at the other end.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a left side view showing a clutch operation mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a left side view showing a clutch operation of a clutch pedal similarly. FIG. 3 is a disassembled view of the existing clutch operating mechanism before the clutch operating mechanism according to the present invention is retrofitted, FIG. 4 is a left side view of a pedal mounting frame of the clutch operating mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a left side view in which a stay and a fulcrum arm are attached, FIG. 6 is a left side view in which a clutch pedal and a push rod are also attached,
FIG. 7 is a left side view showing a state where the gas spring is mounted, FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state where the gas spring is mounted similarly, and FIG. 9 is a left side view showing a state where the fulcrum arm is fixed. FIG. 10 is a view showing a clutch operating mechanism, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are views showing a diaphragm spring type clutch.

First, the features of the clutch operating mechanism according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a clutch operating mechanism for operating a traveling drive clutch 7 of a traveling vehicle is mounted on a clutch mounting frame 13 provided on an operation section of the traveling vehicle. It is fitted to the clutch pivot shaft 11 laid on the clutch mounting frame 13 so as to be pivotable back and forth.

As shown in FIG. 10, the clutch operating mechanism is a hydraulic operating mechanism. The clutch pedal 2 is connected to a clutch master cylinder 6 and
Is transmitted from the clutch master cylinder 6 to the release cylinder 92 by hydraulic pressure, and the release fork 94 is pressed to connect or disconnect the clutch 7. The clutch master cylinder 6 includes a reserve tank 90 and a cylinder main body, and generates a hydraulic pressure for operating the release cylinder 92 by receiving a depression force of the clutch pedal 2. The release cylinder 92 receives the hydraulic pressure generated by the clutch master cylinder 6 and operates to release the clutch 7 by moving the release fork 94 with the force pressed in the order of the piston 74 and the rod 75.

Accordingly, it is necessary to generate a sufficient hydraulic pressure to slide the release fork 94 against the diaphragm spring type clutch by the depressing force of the clutch pedal 2, and a large depressing operation load of the clutch pedal 2 is required. Become. Therefore, in the present invention, a gas spring 50 is provided on the clutch pedal 2 as an operation force assisting member in order to reduce the depression load on the clutch pedal 2. The gas spring 50 has its upper end (one end) 51 rotatably supported on a fulcrum arm 40 fixed to the clutch mounting frame 13 side. Similarly, the lower end (other end) 55a of the gas spring 50 is a clutch pedal. 2 is rotatably supported. In the present embodiment, the gas spring 50 is a rod 55 urged by the gas pressure.
Are arranged such that the downward projecting speed is regulated, and the lower end 55 a of the rod 55 is supported by the clutch pedal 2.

A description will be given of the clutch operation in the clutch operation mechanism configured as described above. As shown in FIG.
Normally, the clutch pedal 2 is held in a state of being rotated rearward, and the clutch 7 is in the "on" state (72).
From this state, when the operator depresses the clutch pedal 2 to reach a rotation dead center 71 (a position where the axis of the clutch pivot shaft 11 and the upper end 51 and the lower end 55a of the gas spring 50 are aligned), Thereafter, the clutch pedal 2 is urged to rotate forward by the elastic force of the contracted gas spring 50 trying to extend. Therefore,
If the dead center 71 is exceeded, the stepping direction operation force is boosted (increased) by the gas spring 50, so that the stepping operation load is reduced.

Incidentally, in the clutch 7 operated by the hydraulic operating mechanism, a force for returning the clutch pedal 2 is applied due to its structure. For example, in the case of the diaphragm spring type clutch 7a shown in FIG.
Pushes the pressure plate 97 to the left on the paper surface in FIG.
9 and the pressure plate 97, the rotational power is transmitted by the frictional force in the order of the flywheel 99 → the clutch disc 98 → the clutch shaft 39.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the clutch pedal 2 is depressed, the depressing force of the clutch pedal 2 is transmitted from the clutch master cylinder 6 to the release cylinder 92 by hydraulic pressure, and the release fork 94 is depressed. Then, the diaphragm spring 95 is pushed leftward on the paper of FIG. 12 through the release bearing 96. Then, the diaphragm spring 95
With the pivot ring 95a as a fulcrum, the pressure plate 97 is pulled rightward on the paper of FIG. 12, and a gap is formed on both sides of the clutch disk 98, so that transmission of rotational power is cut off. Then, when the depression operation of the clutch pedal 2 is stopped, the release fork 94 slides rightward in FIG. 12 by the elastic force of the diaphragm spring 95. That is, a force for returning the clutch pedal 2 is exerted by the elastic force of the diaphragm spring 95.

Therefore, the clutch pedal 2 receives a force to rotate backward by the elastic force of the diaphragm spring 95, but when the clutch pedal 2 is located forward from the rotation dead center 71, the gas spring 50 is connected to the clutch pedal 2 Is urged to rotate forward, so that the stepping operation load of the operator is reduced. However, gas spring 2
Is smaller than the elastic force of the diaphragm spring 95, and when the operator stops depressing the clutch pedal 2, the clutch pedal 2 starts rotating backward.

When the operator further depresses the clutch pedal 2 and the clutch pedal 2 rotates forward to the position (70) where the clutch 7 is "disengaged", the pressing plate 26 provided on the clutch pedal 2 is released. When the switch 12 is pressed, the clutch pedal 2 comes into contact with a stopper bolt 16 provided on the traveling machine body, and its forward rotation is regulated. When the clutch pedal 2 is in the "disengaged" position (70) and the depression operation is released, the clutch pedal 2 is moved backward until it reaches the rotation dead center 71 by the force of the diaphragm spring 95. Rotate.

When the gas spring 50 exceeds the rotation dead center 71, the elastic force which causes the gas spring 50, which has been contracted this time, to extend is also applied, and the clutch pedal 2 is urged to rotate backward, and the clutch 7 is moved. The clutch pedal 2 is rotated rearward to a position (72) where the clutch pedal 2 is turned on, and is held at a position where the clutch pedal 2 contacts a stopper rubber (not shown) provided on the cylinder bracket 15. That is, the cylinder bracket 15 also functions as a stopper. As described above, in the clutch operation mechanism according to the present invention, even if no special return spring is provided,
By the action of the diaphragm spring 95 and the gas spring 50, the clutch pedal 2 is rotated backward to the position (72) where the clutch is turned on and held. When the gas spring 50 is not provided, the clutch pedal 2 does not return only by the reaction force of the diaphragm spring 95, and the release bearing 96 remains in contact with the diaphragm spring 95. It becomes.

Hereinafter, the structure of the clutch pedal 2 which is a clutch operating tool of the clutch operating mechanism according to the present invention will be described along a procedure for retrofitting to an existing vehicle. Of course, the clutch operating mechanism according to the present invention can be attached to a new vehicle.

First, the clutch pedal 2 attached to the existing vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is removed. First, a push rod 62 projecting forward from the clutch master cylinder 6.
The pin 63 is detached from the yoke 61 provided at the end of the clutch pedal 2 to release the connection with the clutch pedal 2, and the push rod 62 and the yoke 61 are removed while being careful not to damage the clutch master cylinder 6. Next, the pedal mounting frame 1
3 from the pedal pivot shaft 11 fitted and fixed to the screw member 2.
5 and 25 are loosened and removed, and the reinforcing plate 3 provided on the pedal pivot shaft 11 and the cylinder bracket 15 is removed. Then, the retaining ring 17 is also removed from the pedal pivot shaft 11, and the clutch pedal 2 is pulled out from the pedal pivot shaft 11 and removed.

When the clutch pedal 2 attached to the existing vehicle is removed, as shown in FIG. 4, the pedal pivot shaft 11 projects from the side of the pedal attachment frame 13 where the clutch pedal 2 is attached, The safety switch 12 is mounted on the push switch bracket 14 and the clutch master cylinder 6 is mounted on the cylinder bracket 15. A plurality of screw holes 31, 32, and 34 are formed in the pedal mounting frame 13, and a stopper bolt 16 is provided on the body frame below the front of the pedal pivot shaft 11. The screw hole 31
32 and 34 are provided so that the fulcrum stay 45 can be satisfactorily fixed in accordance with the shape of the fulcrum stay 45 described later, and the front end and the rear end of the fulcrum arm 40 described later can be satisfactorily fixed. It is also provided in a place where it can be fixed. However, the position and the number of the screw holes are not limited to the present embodiment.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the fulcrum stay 45 and the fulcrum arm 40 are mounted on the pedal mounting frame 13. The fulcrum stay 45 is a screw member 53 between the screw hole 32 located at the lowermost position and the screw hole 31 located at the uppermost position among the screw holes 31, 32, and 34 formed in the pedal mounting frame 13. -It is screwed to the pedal mounting frame 13 through 54. The fulcrum stay 45 reinforces the pedal mounting frame 13 to increase rigidity, and the number of screw holes necessary for mounting the operation force assisting member according to the present invention to the existing pedal mounting frame 13 is insufficient. If there is a screw hole or a screw hole is not drilled at the required location, increase the number of screw holes suitable for attaching the screw member, or provide the screw member on the vehicle frame side. Is possible. When the pedal mounting frame 13 has a sufficient strength and a sufficient screwing hole is secured, or when the pedal mounting frame 13 is provided with a screwing hole in advance for mounting on a new vehicle, etc. The fulcrum stay 45 can be omitted.

The threaded hole 31 located at the uppermost part of the pedal mounting frame 13 passes through the threaded members 53 through the threaded holes 48 and 42 formed in the upper rear part of the fulcrum stay 45 and the rear part of the fulcrum arm 40. At this time, the screw member 53 is not tightened, but is only temporarily fixed, and the fulcrum arm 40 is freely rotated. The fulcrum arm 40 has a plate-like shape that is gently bent at a substantially central portion in a side view, and screw holes 41 and 42 for screwing into the pedal mounting frame 13 are formed in the front and rear portions. A projection 43 for supporting an upper end of a gas spring 50 described later is provided substantially at the center in a side view. The front end portion 44 of the fulcrum arm 40 projects forward from the front threaded hole 41, and is a parallel portion slightly narrower than the main body of the fulcrum arm 40. The fulcrum arm 4
The front end portion 44 is shaped so that a tool such as a wrench fits well in order to facilitate the mounting operation.

Next, as shown in FIG.
, The clutch pedal 2 is rotatably fitted. The clutch pedal 2 has an annular boss 2 provided transversely to the traveling direction.
The left and right frames 27L and 27R extending downward are fixed to the frame 4, and the pedals 21 are attached to the tips of the frames 27L and 27R. The pedals 21 are provided with pedal rubbers 22 for preventing slip. ing. Then, a plate 23 is fixed upward from the boss 24.

The left and right frames 27L and 27R, which are constituent members of the clutch pedal 2, are provided at substantially central front sides.
A pressing plate 26 for pressing the safety switch 12 is fixedly provided. When the clutch pedal 2 is depressed,
When the safety switch 12 provided on the pedal mounting frame 13 is pressed by the pressing plate 26, the safety switch 12 is turned on, and the engine can be started. That is, when starting the engine, the safety switch 12 must be turned on by depressing the clutch pedal 2, and the clutch is in the "off" state at this time.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the plate 2 projecting upward from the boss 24 of the clutch pedal 2 described above.
The yoke 61 is rotatably attached to the pin 3 by passing a pin 63 through the yoke 61, and a push rod 62 for sliding a piston 69 in the clutch master cylinder 6 is attached to the yoke 61. That is, the push rod 62 for sliding the plate 23 on the clutch pedal 2 side and the piston 69 of the clutch master cylinder 6 is
The push rod 62 and the clutch pedal 2 are linked together by a yoke 61. Therefore, when the clutch pedal is depressed and turned forward, the plate 23 opposite to the clutch pedal with respect to the pedal support shaft 11 turns rearward, and the push rod 6 connected to the plate 23 is turned.
2 is configured to slide rearward to push the piston 69 in the clutch master cylinder 6.

When attaching the push rod 62,
The clutch pedal 2 is fixed by hand so that the clutch is located at the “on” position, and is attached while adjusting the length of the push rod 62, and the play of the clutch pedal 2 is adjusted by adjusting the play of the push rod 62. Adjust ". Then, a retaining ring 17 for retaining the boss 24 of the clutch pedal 2 is fitted to the pedal pivot shaft 11.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a gas spring 50 is attached. This clutch operating mechanism uses a gas spring 50 as a pedaling force assisting device for reducing the pedaling operation force of a clutch pedal 2 which is a clutch operating tool. The gas spring 50 does not need to obtain power from an electric motor or an engine, and can be designed to be more compact than when a compression spring is used as a pedaling force assisting device. A large load can be taken out stably. Also, when retrofitting to an existing vehicle as in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to incorporate it into the transmission or the like of the vehicle, so that the operation is simple and the number of components required for retrofitting is small.

The upper end of the gas spring 50 is rotatably mounted on a projection 43 projecting laterally from the center of the fulcrum arm 40. The lower end of the gas spring 50 is also connected to the left and right frames 27 of the clutch pedal 2.
L · 27R and a projection 52 penetrating through a lower end 55a of a telescopic rod 55 of the gas spring 50 so as to be rotatably attached to the clutch pedal 2. At this time,
Due to the elastic force of the gas spring 50, the fulcrum arm 40
Is a screw member 53 temporarily fixed to the pedal mounting frame 13.
Around the center.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the fulcrum arm 40 is fixed to the pedal mounting frame 13. As described above, when the fulcrum arm 40 is attached with the gas spring 50,
The gas spring 50 is rotated upward by the elastic force. Therefore, in order to adjust the fulcrum arm 40 to a proper position, a tool 57 such as a wrench is hung on the front end portion 44 of the fulcrum arm 40 and the tool 57 is rotated downward to compress the gas spring 50. The stays 45 and the screw holes 41, 47, and 34 provided in the pedal mounting frame 13 are passed through the screw members 58 and fastened.

As described above, since the fulcrum arm 40 is urged to rotate forward by the gas spring 50, a force against the gas spring 50 is applied to compress the gas spring, and at the same time, the screw member 58 is pressed. However, since the biasing force of the gas spring 50 is large, it cannot be easily reduced and mounted. Therefore, the front end portion 44 of the fulcrum arm 40 is formed into a shape to be fitted to a tool 57 such as a spanner, a wrench, a screwdriver, or the like, so that the tool 57 is used to hold the tool 57 in one hand. Thus, the fulcrum arm 40 is fixed and the screwed member 58 can be tightened with the other hand. Therefore, utilizing the principle of leverage, the fulcrum arm 40 can be rotated by applying a force sufficiently depressing the gas spring 50 to the gas spring 50 with a force for manually pushing down the tool 57. That is, the gas spring 5 can be used without using any special tool.
Since a large force corresponding to zero force can be applied,
It can be easily installed.

The shape of the front end 44 is not limited. When a wrench or a wrench is used, the front end 44 has a parallel portion corresponding to the wrench. When used, it is a hole into which it can be inserted. Further, since the tool 57 is necessary at the time of assembling, it is not necessary to specially manufacture a jig or the like for assembling.

The reinforcing plate 3 is erected on the pedal support shaft 11 and the cylinder bracket 15 and is fixed to the end of the pedal support shaft 11 and the screw hole 33 provided in the cylinder bracket 15 with screw members 25. I do. When the clutch pedal 2 rotates and the push rod 62 slides the piston 69 of the clutch master cylinder 6, the load applied to these operations is received by the clutch pivot shaft 11 and the cylinder bracket 15. Pivot 1
1 to increase the rigidity so that the pedal mounting frame 13 is not distorted.

Finally, the temporarily fixed screw member 53 is tightened up, and the other screw members are further tightened. When a return spring is mounted on the frames 27L and 27R of the clutch pedal 2 and the pedal mounting frame 13, the mounting of the clutch pedal 2 is completed. However, the above-mentioned return spring can be omitted as described above.

[0037]

The present invention is configured as described above.
The following effects are obtained.

That is, in a clutch operating mechanism for operating a clutch provided in a vehicle, an operating force assisting member of the clutch operating tool is interposed between the clutch operating tool and a frame on the vehicle side. As a result, the operator can operate the clutch operating tool with a light depressing force, improving the driving operation feeling.In addition, it is not necessary to increase the pedal stroke to reduce the depressing operation load. As a result, the fatigue for operating the clutch pedal can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, since the operating force assisting member is a gas spring, the operator can operate the clutch pedal which is a clutch operating tool with a light stepping operation load, and uses a compression spring. As compared with the case, the structure can be made compact, and a large load can be stably taken out over the entire depression stroke, so that the depression operation force of the clutch pedal can be surely reduced. By using the gas spring, the number of members can be reduced and the device can be easily attached, as compared with the case where the transmission or the like is provided with a device for reducing the pedaling force. Also, since there is no rapid expansion and contraction, the operation of the half clutch or the like can be easily realized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the support arm is provided between the frame on the vehicle side and the operation force assisting member, when the gas spring serving as the operation force assisting member is attached, the gas spring is compressed. The gas spring must be mounted in a state, but by providing the support arm, the gas spring can be pressed and contracted using the principle of leverage, thereby simplifying the mounting operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a fitting portion for fitting one end of a tool is provided at an end of the support arm, so that a tool required for assembling a spanner or the like when assembling the operation force assisting member is required. By operating the support arm using the lever, the gas spring can be compressed and contracted with a force smaller than the elastic force of the spring acting as the operation force assisting member by utilizing the leverage principle, which is great for mounting work. The work is simplified without requiring any effort.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a pivot at the other end of the operating force assisting member is disposed between a pivot of the clutch operating tool and one end of the operating force assisting member, and a pivot of the clutch operating tool. Since the clutch operating tool is configured to perform the "disengage" operation beyond the dead center over the pivot at the other end, the operating force assisting member acts as a return spring of the clutch operating tool, and the return spring is omitted. The operation force of the "off" operation can be reduced.
If the clutch operating tool is configured not to exceed the dead center, a return spring is required. When the clutch pedal is depressed, not only the reaction force of the diaphragm spring but also the reaction force against the return spring must be applied. This is disadvantageous in reducing the operation load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a clutch operation mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view showing the clutch operation of the clutch pedal.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an existing clutch operation mechanism before retrofitting a clutch operation mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the pedal mounting frame of the clutch operating mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the fulcrum stay and the fulcrum arm.

FIG. 6 is a left side view in which a clutch pedal and a push rod are attached.

FIG. 7 is a left side view with the gas spring attached.

FIG. 8 is a front view with the gas spring attached.

FIG. 9 is a left side view to which the fulcrum arm is fixed.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a clutch operation mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a diaphragm spring type clutch.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a diaphragm spring type clutch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Clutch pedal (clutch operating tool) 7 Clutch 40 Support arm 44 Fitted part 45 Support stay 50 Gas spring (operation force assisting member) 57 Tool

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A clutch operating mechanism for operating a clutch provided in a vehicle, wherein an operating force assisting member for the clutch operating tool is interposed between the clutch operating tool and a frame on the vehicle side. Clutch operation mechanism. 2. The clutch operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said operating force assisting member is a gas spring. 3. The clutch operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a supporting arm is provided between the vehicle-side frame and an operating force assisting member. 4. The clutch operating mechanism according to claim 3, wherein a fitted portion for fitting one end of a tool is provided at an end of said support arm. 5. A pivoting portion at the other end of the operating force assisting member is disposed between a pivotal portion between one end of the operating force assisting member and a clutch operating device, and a pivoting portion of the clutch operating device. The clutch operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a "disengagement" operation is performed by moving the pivot portion at the other end beyond a dead point.