US 11,703,093 B2
Power transmission apparatus
Yoshihiko Ozawa, Hamamatsu (JP); Han Hiong Chen, Hamamatsu (JP); and Katsu Yoshimoto, Hamamatsu (JP)
Assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA F.C.C., Shizuoka (JP)
Appl. No. 17/918,396
Filed by Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C., Hamamatsu (JP)
PCT Filed Sep. 14, 2020, PCT No. PCT/JP2020/034740
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 12, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/210195, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 21, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-071889 (JP), filed on Apr. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0138425 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. F16D 13/54 (2006.01); F16D 43/12 (2006.01); F16D 43/30 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 13/54 (2013.01) [F16D 43/12 (2013.01); F16D 43/30 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power transmission apparatus comprising:
a clutch housed in a clutch housing that rotates together with an input that rotates due to a driving force of an engine of a vehicle, the clutch housing including a plurality of driving clutch plates attached thereto and a plurality of driven clutch plates attached thereto, the driven clutch plates being alternately arranged with the driving clutch plates, the clutch being connected to an output that is able to rotate a wheel of the vehicle;
a pressure applicator movable between an operating position where the driving and driven clutch plates are pressed against each other so as to enable transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel and a non-operating position where a pressing force exerted on the driving and driven clutch plates is released so as to cut off transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel;
a centrifugal clutch including a mass movable from a radially inner position to a radially outer position due to centrifugal force produced by rotation of the clutch housing, the centrifugal clutch being operable to, when the mass is located at the radially outer position, press the driving and driven clutch plates against each other so as to enable transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel and configured to, when the mass is located at the radially inner position, release the pressing force exerted on the driving and driven clutch plates so as to cut off transmission of the driving force of the engine to the wheel; and
a pressing assist cam to increase the pressing force exerted on the driving and driven clutch plates; wherein
during movement of the mass of the centrifugal clutch from the radially inner position to the radially outer position and a resulting increase in torque transmitted from the input to the output, the power transmission apparatus includes a first torque region where the power transmission apparatus restricts operation of the pressing assist cam and a second torque region where the power transmission apparatus allows operation of the pressing assist cam.