Magnetic clutch device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018294707-A1
Application number	US-201815945845-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 5, 2018
Priority date	Apr 7, 2017
Publication date	Oct 11, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A magnetic clutch device having improved durability and reliability without increasing a size in an axial direction. A fixed member, the first engagement element, and a second engagement element are arranged concentrically to one another in order from a rotational center axis. The first engagement element comprises a first magnet. The fixed member comprises a second magnet in which a polarity is switched between a straight polarity and a reversed polarity, and a coil that switches the polarity of the second magnet depending on a direction of the current applied thereto.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A magnetic clutch device, that engages a first engagement element and a second engagement element with each other to transmit torque by establishing a magnetic circuit between the first engagement element and the second engagement element, and that disengages the first engagement element and the second engagement element from each other to interrupt torque transmission by eliminating the magnetic circuit between the first engagement element and the second engagement element,
wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are arranged concentrically to each other, a fixed member that is not allowed to rotate is arranged in a radially inner side or radially outer side of the first engagement element and the second engagement element while being concentrically to the first engagement element and the second engagement element, the first engagement element includes a first magnet, the fixed member includes a second magnet in which a polarity is switched between a straight polarity and a reversed polarity in accordance with a direction of the magnetic circuit established by the first magnet between the first engagement element and the second engagement element, and a coil that switches the polarity of the second magnet depending on a direction of the current applied thereto, the second engagement element is situated in radially opposite side of the fixed member across the first engagement element, and the second engagement element is formed of a magnetic body through which the magnetic circuit penetrates, and the magnetic circuit circulating between the first engagement element and the second engagement element is eliminated when the polarity of the second magnet is set in the straight polarity.

2 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the magnetic circuit circulating between the first engagement element and the second engagement element is eliminated by the second magnet to disengage the first engagement element and the second engagement element from each other, and the magnetic circuit is established between the first engagement element and the second engagement element by the second magnet to magnetically attract the first engagement element and the second engagement element to each other.

3 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the fixed member is situated in radially inner side of the first engagement element and the second engagement element.

4 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the first engagement element includes an engagement face, the second engagement element includes an engagement face, and the first engagement element and the second engagement element are magnetically engaged with each other while maintaining a gap between the engagement face of the first engagement element and the engagement face of the second engagement element.

5 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein:
a plurality of protrusions are formed on the engagement face of the first engagement element in such a manner as to protrude toward the engagement face of the second engagement element, and a plurality of protrusions are formed on the engagement face of the second engagement element in such a manner as to protrude toward the engagement face of the first engagement element.

6 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the first engagement element includes a first segment and a second segment being opposed to each other in an axial direction, the first magnet is interposed between the first segment and the second segment, and the first engagement element further includes a stopper portion formed on a radially outer portion of each of the first segment and the second segment.

7 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 1 ,
wherein the magnetic clutch device is arranged in a powertrain of a vehicle having a differential mechanism, the fixed member is fixed to a stationary member, the first engagement element is connected to a first disc member, the second rotary member is connected to a second disc member, the first disc member is connected to a rotary shaft of a first rotary element of the differential mechanism, and the second disc member is connected to a rotor shaft of a first motor.

8 . The magnetic clutch device as claimed in claim 7 ,
wherein the differential mechanism includes the first rotary element, a second rotary element, and a third rotary element the first rotary element is connected to the first motor by engaging the first engagement element and the second engagement element, the second rotary element is connected to an engine, the third rotary element is connected to an output member that delivers a drive force to a drive wheel, the vehicle comprises a second motor connected to a power transmission route between the drive wheel and the third rotary element, and the second motor is driven by an electric power generated by the first motor to generate a drive force to be delivered to the drive wheel.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Nagai Hidekazu
• Shioiri Hiroyuki
• Ohta Takashi
• Mizuno Yoshihiro
• Tsuchiya Eiji
• Yonezawa Norio

Classifications

• F16D27/00

  Magnetically- {or electrically-} actuated clutches; Control or electric circuits therefor (clutches with magnetisable particles F16D37/02; {with electro-rheological fluids F16D37/008}) · CPC title

• F16D2027/008

  Details relating to the magnetic circuit, or to the shape of the clutch parts to achieve a certain magnetic path · CPC title

• F16D27/10

  with an electromagnet not rotating with a clutching member, i.e. without collecting rings {(F16D27/004 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F16D27/01

  with permanent magnets · CPC title

• F16D27/004 Primary

  with permanent magnets combined with electromagnets · CPC title