JP2005326018A - Clutch lever operation assisting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clutch lever operation assisting device mounted between a clutch lever and a clutch for reducing the operating force of the clutch lever, having improved on-vehicle mountability. <P>SOLUTION: The operation assisting device is mounted between an input side clutch wire 24 connected to the clutch lever and an output side clutch wire 23 connected to the clutch. The operation assisting device comprises a housing 36, an input member 31 stored in the housing 36, turnably supported via a supporting shaft 43 on the housing 36, and connected to the input side clutch wire 24, and a compression coil spring 34 for energizing the input member 31 in the housing 36. The housing 36 introduces the input side clutch wire 24 and the output side clutch wire 23 from mutually intersecting directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation assisting device for a clutch lever that is interposed between a clutch lever and a clutch and applies a pressing force of an urging means to an operation force by the clutch lever.

  Conventionally, a clutch of a motorcycle is configured to be disconnected when an occupant grips a clutch lever provided on a steering handle. The operating force at the time of clutch operation increases corresponding to the magnitude of the clutch transmission torque, that is, the output of the mounted engine. For this reason, in a motorcycle equipped with a high-power engine, when the operating force is remarkably increased, an operation assisting device for a clutch lever that assists the clutch operation by the spring force of the spring, for example, when the clutch is operated is provided. May be equipped.

  As this type of conventional operation assisting device for a clutch lever, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In the clutch lever operation assisting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a biasing means for assisting is coupled to a clutch-side operated lever (operated member) connected to the clutch lever via a clutch wire. . The biasing means includes an arm that rotates together with the operated lever, a compression coil spring having one end connected to the rotation end of the arm, and the elastic force of the compression coil spring. It is comprised so that it may be energized by.

  The one end of the compression coil spring is pivotally connected to the pivot end of the arm, and the other end is pivotally supported by a support member on the clutch side. That is, when both ends of the compression coil spring and the rotation center of the arm are positioned on a straight line, the elastic force of the compression coil spring does not act in the direction in which the arm rotates, and the operated lever However, when the clutch lever is operated and the arm rotates together with the operated lever, the rotation angle increases in this arm (the operated lever rotates by the clutch disengaging operation). The elastic force of the compression coil spring is applied in the direction of movement). For this reason, the clutch can be disconnected by the resultant force of the operation force for gripping the clutch lever and the elastic force of the compression coil spring.

  In a conventional clutch lever operation assist device, when the operated lever is rotated to the position where the clutch is completely connected (hereinafter referred to as the clutch meet position) in the process of connecting the clutch, The rotation center of the lever (the arm) and both end portions of the compression coil spring are configured to be in a straight line. This is to prevent the force that presses the friction plate of the clutch from being reduced by the elastic force of the compression coil spring when the clutch is in the connected state.

  After the clutch lever is returned to the clutch meet position in the stroke of engaging the clutch, the clutch lever is further swung in the return direction by an amount corresponding to so-called play, and the initial position (hereinafter, this position is referred to as the fully-returned position). Return to). At this time, the arm rotates in the clutch connection direction by a rotation angle corresponding to the play of the clutch lever, and this arm is biased in the clutch connection direction by the elastic force of the compression coil spring. In the state where the lever is located at the fully-returned position, the resultant force of the spring force of the spring in the clutch and the spring force of the compression coil spring acts on the clutch lever.

  In addition to the conventional clutch lever operation assisting device provided at the clutch side end of the clutch wire as described above, the assisting biasing means is provided in the middle of the clutch wire as shown in FIGS. There is something that is intervened.

  A conventional clutch lever operation assisting device 1 shown in FIG. 12A is connected to an arm 3 having a pivot end pivotally attached to a clutch wire 2 and to the pivot end of the arm 3 so as to be pivotable. The urging means 4 is constituted. The arm 3 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 5 at a base end portion thereof, for example, on a body frame of a motorcycle. The urging means 4 includes a first rod 4a connected to the arm 3, a second rod 4b attached to the first rod 4a so as to be movable in the axial direction, and the first rods. It is comprised by the compression coil spring 4c elastically mounted between 4a and the 2nd rod 4b. The tip of the second rod 4b is rotatably supported by the body frame or the like.

  The clutch wire 2 moves to the left in FIG. 12A by operating a clutch lever (not shown) in a direction in which the clutch is disengaged. FIG. 12A is drawn in a state where the clutch lever is operated in the clutch disengagement direction so that the operation amount is maximized, and the clutch lever is located at a so-called pulling position. The arm 3 is in a position indicated by a two-dot chain line A in FIG. 12A when the clutch lever is in the fully retracted position, and is in a two-dot chain line B when the clutch lever is in the clutch meet position. Rotate to the position indicated by. At the time of the clutch meet, both end portions of the biasing means 4 and the rotation center (support shaft 5) of the arm 3 are positioned on a straight line.

  The conventional clutch lever operation assisting device 1 shown in FIG. 12 (a) operates in the same manner as the clutch lever operation assisting device shown in Patent Document 1, and the arm 3 is positioned at B in the figure. , The elastic force of the compression coil spring 4c is applied to the operating force.

  In this clutch lever operation assisting device 1, since the urging means 4 is connected to the arm 3 provided in the middle of the clutch wire 2, the clutch lever is operated from the fully retracted position to the fully retracted position. As shown in FIG. 12B, the clutch wire 2 is pulled by a length (output stroke) equal to the length (input stroke) pulled by the clutch lever.

  Further, in this clutch lever operation assisting device, the force (required input load) required to disengage the clutch by the clutch lever corresponds to the operation amount (input stroke) as shown in FIG. Change. In the figure, the clutch reaction force indicates the spring force of the spring in the clutch, and the assist force indicates the spring force of the compression coil spring 4c. The reverse assist force is a force (the resultant force of the spring force in the clutch and the spring force of the compression coil spring 4c) that biases the clutch lever when the clutch lever is in the fully retracted position. Say.

  As shown in FIG. 12 (c), the force (required input load) required to operate the clutch lever increases to resist the reverse assist force at the start of the operation, and the arm 3 is shown in FIG. Until the position indicated by the two-dot chain line B (clutch meet position) is reached. The required input load after the arm 3 exceeds the clutch meet position increases rapidly because the clutch reaction force acts on the clutch wire 2. Thereafter, the necessary input load gradually decreases as the amount of operation of the clutch lever increases until the clutch lever reaches the full position. For this reason, in the clutch lever operation assisting apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 12A, it is necessary to apply a force twice to the arm that holds the clutch lever when the clutch is disengaged. This phenomenon also occurs in the clutch lever operation assisting device disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  On the other hand, the clutch lever operation assisting device 6 shown in FIG. 13 does not include a biasing compression coil spring, but is configured so that an operation to increase or decrease the force is not required when the clutch is disengaged. Has been. In this clutch lever operation assisting device 6, a clutch wire 9 on the clutch lever side is connected to a rotating end portion of an arm 8 whose one end portion is rotatably supported by a support shaft 7 on a body frame or the like. The clutch-side clutch wire 10 is connected to the middle portion of the clutch. The arm 8 is positioned at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line A in FIG. 13A in a state where the clutch lever is at a fully-returned position, and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line B in FIG. Positioned on.

In other words, the clutch lever operation assisting device 6 is configured to reduce the load during clutch operation by the so-called lever principle. For this reason, in this clutch lever operation assisting device 6, as shown in FIG. 13B, the output stroke is about ½ of the input stroke, and as shown in FIG. The load becomes substantially constant at about ½ of the clutch reaction force.
JP 7-132872 A (page 3-5, FIG. 1)

  However, as is clear from FIG. 12 (a), in the clutch lever operation assisting apparatus 1, the left and right clutch wires 2 of the arm 3 are arranged in a straight line. 13A, in the clutch lever operation assisting device 6, the clutch lever-side clutch wire 9 and the clutch-side clutch wire 10 are arranged in parallel to each other. For this reason, it has not always been said that it is excellent in mountability to a motorcycle.

  An operation assist device for a clutch lever according to the present invention is interposed in an operation force transmission system between a clutch and a clutch lever, and energizes an urging means for assisting an operation force by the clutch lever, and accommodates the urging means. A clutch lever operation assisting device including a housing, wherein the housing introduces the operation force transmission system from a direction crossing each other, and the urging means includes the operation force transmission system inside the housing. It is to help.

  According to the operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to the present invention, mountability to a motorcycle is improved.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  1 is a side view showing a part of a motorcycle equipped with an operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing an enlarged main part of the operation assisting device according to the present invention, and FIG. It is sectional drawing similarly. 4 to 7 are views for explaining the operation of the operation assisting device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a state when the clutch lever is in the fully extended position, and FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state when the clutch is completely disconnected in the clutch disengagement process, and FIG. 7 shows a state when the clutch lever is located at the fully pulled position. In FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, one clutch lever operation assisting device is divided into components (a) to (c) for easy understanding of the operation state. In these drawings, (a) shows the first and second input members, (b) shows the second input member and the output member, and (c) shows the second input member, the urging means and the canceling unit. A spring is shown. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the characteristics of the operation assisting device according to the present invention. FIG. 8A shows the change in the output stroke with respect to the input stroke, and FIG. 8B shows the input stroke when no biasing means is provided. (C) shows the change in the required input load with respect to the input stroke when the biasing means is provided, and (d) in the figure shows the change in the case where the canceling spring is provided. Indicates the change in required input load with respect to the input stroke.

  In these drawings, reference numeral 11 denotes an operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to this embodiment. The operation assisting device 11 is interposed in an operating force transmission system between the clutch 13 of the motorcycle engine 12 and the clutch lever 15 of the steering handle 14. In FIG. 1, 16 indicates a front fork of the motorcycle, 17 indicates a fuel tank, 18 indicates a seat, and 19 indicates a down tube of the vehicle body frame 20. 1, the engine 12 is an air-cooled V-type two-cylinder engine provided with cylinders 12b and 12c having a V-shape in a side view on the crankcase 12a. The clutch 13 is provided at the left end of the crankcase 12a. The clutch 13 is a well-known wet multi-plate type, and an operation lever 22 (operation member) provided on an upper portion of a clutch cover 21 (see FIG. 1) is pulled by the operation assisting device 11. Thus, a disconnection state is established, and a connection state is established when the force pulling the operated lever 22 disappears.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment is attached to a down tube 19 on the left side of the vehicle body via a bracket (not shown), and an output side clutch wire 23 is connected to the operated lever 22. And is connected to the clutch lever 15 via an input side clutch wire 24. The operation assisting device 11 has substantially the same height as the operated lever 22 so that the output side clutch wire 23 extends substantially horizontally in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body at the sides of the lower ends of the cylinders 12b and 12c. Arranged in position.

  2 to 7, the operation assisting device 11 includes an input member 31 connected to the input side clutch wire 24, an output member 32 connected to the output side clutch wire 23, and inputs thereof. A cam mechanism 33 (see FIG. 4B) for connecting the member 31 and the output member 32, an assisting compression coil spring 34, an offset compression coil spring 35 for canceling the reverse assist force, and these The housing 36 is configured to support and accommodate the members. The housing 36 includes a housing main body 36a formed to have a box shape that opens toward the outside of the vehicle body, and a lid body 36b (see FIG. 1) that closes an opening of the housing main body 36a. As described above, each member is supported so as to be rotatable or reciprocally movable.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the input member 31 is gear-coupled to the first lever 37 engaged with the engagement element 24a at the distal end portion of the input-side clutch wire 24 and the first lever 37. And a second lever 38. The first lever 37 is rotatably supported on the housing 36 by a support shaft 39, and the engaging element 24a is engaged with a rotating end portion, and a gear 37a is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the first lever 37 is located at the outermost position in the housing 36 (the upper side in FIG. 3 and the outermost vehicle body when the housing 36 is attached to the down tube 19. Position).

  The second lever 38 is integrally formed with an outer plate 40 (see FIG. 3) in which a gear 38 a meshing with the first lever 37 is integrally formed, and the outer plate 40 via a connecting pin 41. The inner plate 42 is coupled to the inner plate 42. The outer plate 40 is rotatably supported by the lid body 36b by a support shaft 43. The inner plate 42 is rotatably supported by the housing main body 36a by a support shaft 44 (see FIG. 3), and a pressure receiving pin 45 (to be described later) is provided at a rotating end located at the front end of the vehicle body. Stands inward. The support shaft 43 of the outer plate 40 and the support shaft 44 of the inner plate 42 are positioned on the same axis.

  The gear coupling portion that connects the first lever 37 and the second lever 38 has a configuration in which the rotation of the first lever 37 is accelerated and transmitted to the second lever 38. That is, when the input side clutch wire 24 is pulled by the clutch lever 15, the first lever 37 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 38 rotates around the support shafts 43 and 44 in the clockwise direction with an angle larger than the rotation angle of the first lever 37. The reason why the second lever 38 is accelerated relative to the first lever 37 in this way is to increase the input amount of the cam mechanism 33 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B, the output member 32 is formed to have a plate shape, and a positioning piece (not shown) in the thickness direction formed in the housing 36 and a guide groove 46. Thus, the housing body 36a is held at the center in the vehicle width direction so as to be movable only in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The positioning piece is erected on the housing main body 36a and the lid body 36b so as to face the housing 36, and the tip end portion is formed so as to slidably contact the front surface and the back surface of the output member 32, respectively. . The guide groove 46 is a long hole extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and a roller 47 provided rotatably on the output member 32 is engaged therewith.

  The output-side clutch wire 23 is locked via a pressure receiving plate 48 at the end of the output member 32 on the rear side of the vehicle body and at the center in the vertical direction. That is, when the output member 32 moves to the left side (front side of the vehicle body) in FIGS. 2 and 4B, the output side clutch wire 23 is pulled and the clutch 13 is disconnected. The output side clutch wire 23 is always pulled to the right side in FIGS. 2 and 4B by the elastic force of the spring member that urges the friction plate in the clutch 13. For this reason, the output member 32 is positioned at the end (return end position) at the rearmost side of the vehicle body in the housing 36 as shown in FIG. 4B when the clutch lever 15 is not gripped by the occupant. It becomes like this.

  A cam groove 51 for connecting the second lever 38 of the input member 31 is formed at the end of the output member 32 on the vehicle body front side. 4B, the cam groove 51 is a long hole that curves so as to protrude toward the rear of the vehicle body, and the connecting pin 41 of the second lever 38 is inserted therethrough. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, a cam follower 52 composed of a roller is rotatably attached to the connecting pin 41. The cam mechanism 33 including the cam follower 52 and the cam groove 51 constitutes a connecting means.

  In the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cam follower 52 is positioned at the upper end of the cam groove 51 in a state where the output member 32 is located at the fully-returned position. When the second lever 38 rotates and the cam follower 52 moves clockwise about the support shafts 43 and 44, the output member 32 is gradually moved to the front side of the vehicle body (clutch disengagement side). . The operation assisting device 11 is configured to be in a so-called play state until the cam follower 52 moves from the position shown in FIG. 4B to the position shown in FIG. 5B (clutch meet position). In this idle state, even if the output-side clutch wire 23 is pulled by the output member 32, the clutch 13 remains connected. Further, the operation assisting device 11 moves the clutch 13 so that the clutch 13 is disengaged by moving the cam follower 52 beyond the clutch meet position shown in FIG. 5B to the position shown in FIG. 6B. Further, the cam follower 52 can be moved from the cutting position to the pulling position shown in FIG. 7B.

  In the cam profile of the cam groove 51, as shown in FIG. 8A, the ratio of the movement amount (output stroke) of the output side clutch wire 23 to the movement amount (input stroke) of the input side clutch wire 24 gradually increases. It is configured as follows. More specifically, in the process of holding the clutch lever 15 and disengaging the clutch 13, the disengagement shown in FIG. 6 (b) from the return end position shown in FIG. 4 (b) through the clutch meet position shown in FIG. 5 (b). In the operation area until the position is reached, the ratio of the output stroke to the input stroke is about ½, and the amount of the output side clutch wire 23 that is pulled relative to the operation amount of the clutch lever 15 is set to be relatively small. Has been. Further, in the operation region between the cutting position and the pulling position shown in FIG. 7B, the ratio of the output stroke to the input stroke is approximately doubled, and the output side clutch wire with respect to the operation amount of the clutch lever 15. The amount by which 23 is drawn is set to be relatively large. Further, the cam mechanism 33 is configured such that the total movement amount of the output side clutch wire 23 (output member 32) is substantially equal to the total movement amount of the input side clutch wire 24 (input member 31).

  As described above, when the cam mechanism 33 including the cam groove 51 and the cam follower 52 is interposed between the input member 31 and the output member 32, the load when the clutch lever 15 is operated (required input load) is shown in FIG. It changes as shown in b). FIG. 8B shows a change in the load in a state where the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34 described later does not act. As can be seen from the figure, the required input load is relatively small and constant in the idle state before reaching the clutch meet position M, and when the clutch meet position M is exceeded, the spring force (hereinafter referred to as the spring force) of the clutch 13 is exceeded. This elastic force is called a clutch reaction force), and then rises rapidly, and thereafter increases substantially in proportion to the input stroke. At the end of the operation, that is, when it reaches the vicinity of the pulling position of the clutch lever 15, the amount of movement of the output member 32 is relatively increased by the cam mechanism 33, so that the necessary input load exceeds the clutch reaction force. become. The operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment is configured such that the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34 is applied in order to prevent the necessary input load from becoming larger than necessary and the operation becoming so-called heavy as described above. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the compression coil spring 34 is held by a spring holder 53, and the elastic spring 34 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body between the connection pin 41 and the housing body 36 a via the spring holder 53. It is disguised.

  The spring holder 53 includes a front half 54 and a rear half 55 that are movably connected to each other along the axial direction of the compression coil spring 34. The front half 54 is formed with a cylindrical body 54a inserted into the compression coil spring 34 and a load receiving flange 54b with which the end of the compression coil spring 34 on the front side of the vehicle body abuts. A front end protruding from the compression coil spring 34 toward the front of the vehicle body is rotatably attached to an inner end protruding from the inner plate 42 of the connecting pin 41 toward the vehicle body.

  The rear half 55 is a load receiving member in which a rod 55a movably fitted in the cylindrical body 54a of the front half 54 and an end of the compression coil spring 34 on the rear side of the vehicle body abut. A flange 55b is formed, and as shown in FIG. 4 (c), a rear end portion protruding rearward of the vehicle body from the compression coil spring 34 is rotatably supported by a mounting seat 36c of the housing body 36a. In this way, the compression coil spring 34 is interposed between the housing 36 and the connecting pin 41 via the spring holder 53, so that the cam follower 52 can move the compression coil spring 34 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34. Always energized in the direction of stretching.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the spring holder 53 is attached to the housing 36 so that the axial direction is directed to the rotation center of the second lever 38 in the clutch meet state. That is, in this clutch meet state, the support shafts 43 and 44 of the second lever 38, the connecting pin 41, and the rear end portion and the front end portion of the spring holder 53 are straight in the side view shown in FIG. The force acting on the second lever 38 to turn the second lever 38 becomes zero. By adopting this configuration, the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34 does not act on the clutch 13 when the clutch 13 is in the connected state, so that the friction plate of the clutch 13 is pressed by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34. It can prevent that the force to do is reduced.

  In the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment, when the second lever 38 (cam follower 52) is located on the return end position side from the clutch meet position shown in FIG. 5B (see FIG. 4), The second lever 38 is biased in the direction opposite to that when the clutch 13 is disconnected by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34. That is, in this case, a so-called reverse assist force acts on the second lever 38. On the other hand, when the second lever 38 is located on the side closer to the clutch meet position shown in FIG. 5 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), the second lever 38 is caused by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34. The clutch 13 is biased in the direction in which it is disengaged.

  By providing the compression coil spring 34 as described above, the required input load when the clutch 13 is disengaged changes as shown in FIG. That is, the necessary input load in the idle state increases by the amount of the reverse assist force, and when the clutch meet position M is exceeded, the necessary input load is reduced because it is assisted by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34.

  The operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment is configured such that the ratio of the output stroke to the input stroke gradually increases, and the amount of increase in the elastic force of the compression coil spring 34 that increases as the input stroke increases. Therefore, the necessary input load after exceeding the clutch meet position M becomes substantially constant even if the input stroke changes. This is apparent from the fact that the required input load is gradually reduced in the conventional apparatus shown in FIG. 13C, that is, an apparatus in which the rate of change between the input stroke and the output stroke is constant. is there.

  Since the reverse assist force acts in a direction (clutch connection direction) that hinders the operation when the clutch 13 is disengaged, it is desirable to make it as small as possible in order to improve operability. Therefore, the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment is equipped with a compression coil spring 35 for canceling out the reverse assist force, as shown in FIGS. The reverse assist force canceling compression coil spring 35 is inserted into a circular hole 56 formed in the housing body 36 a, and a plug member 57 that closes the opening on one end side of the circular hole 56, and the circular hole 56. It is elastically mounted between the pressing pins 58 fitted to the other end side of the. The resilience of the counter assist force canceling compression coil spring 35 is set to be slightly smaller than the resilience of the compression coil spring 34 serving as a reverse assist force.

  The circular hole 56 is formed at a position where a pressing pin 58 provided therein can press the pressure receiving pin 45 of the inner plate 42. The pressing pin 58 is integrally formed with a large diameter portion 58 a that holds one end portion of the compression coil spring 35 and a small diameter portion 58 b that protrudes outward from the other end side of the circular hole 56 and presses the pressure receiving pin 45. Is formed. The large-diameter portion 58a is configured to be restricted from moving in the pressing direction (direction urged by the resilient force of the canceling compression coil spring 35) by contacting the stepped portion 56a of the circular hole 56. ing. The length of the small-diameter portion 58b is such that when the second lever 38 is positioned at the fully-returned position shown in FIG. 4C, the pressing pin 58 presses the pressure receiving pin 45, When the lever 38 reaches the clutch meet position shown in FIG. 5, the dimension is set such that the small diameter portion 58 b is separated from the pressure receiving pin 45.

  That is, in the process of gripping the clutch lever 15 and disconnecting the clutch 13, the direction in which the clutch 13 is disconnected by the elastic force of the reverse assist force canceling compression coil spring 35 in the play state before receiving the clutch reaction force. The second lever 38 is pressed (assisted) to cancel the reverse assist force. The required input load when the offset compression coil spring 35 is provided in this way changes as shown in FIG. The necessary input load in this case becomes a relatively small constant value during the play period.

  The reverse assist force canceling compression coil spring 35 is in a state where the pressing pin 58 is separated from the pressure receiving pin 45, that is, the clutch lever 15 is operated to push the assisting compression coil spring 34 in the clutch connecting direction. Even when the pressure (reverse assist force) is eliminated, the accumulated state is maintained. That is, as shown in FIG. 5C, even when the pressing pin 58 is separated from the pressure receiving pin 45, it is maintained in a compressed state. By adopting this configuration, the positions of both end portions of the reverse assist force canceling compression coil spring 35 are regulated even by the elastic force of the reverse assist force canceling compression coil spring 35 at the maximum extension. For this reason, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated due to the vibration of the canceling compression coil spring 35, the pressing pin 58, the plug member 57, and the like.

  In the clutch lever operation assisting device 11 configured as described above, the operating force is transmitted to the first lever 37 of the input member 31 via the input side clutch wire 24 by gripping the clutch lever 15. The first lever 37 is transmitted to the second lever 38 through gears 37a and 38a. The second lever 38 rotates about the support shafts 43 and 44, and moves the output member 32 to the vehicle body front side (clutch disengagement direction) via the cam mechanism 33 including the cam follower 52 and the cam groove 51. . As the output member 32 moves to the front side of the vehicle body in this way, the operated lever 22 of the clutch 13 is pulled via the output side clutch wire 23 and the clutch 13 is disconnected. Further, by releasing the clutch lever 15, the respective members are moved in the opposite direction by the elastic force of the spring in the clutch 13, and the clutch 13 is brought into a connected state.

  The operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment changes the ratio of the movement amount of the output member 32 to the movement amount of the input member 31 between the input member 31 and the output member 32 during the clutch operation. Since the configured cam mechanism 33 is interposed, the amount of operation of the clutch 13 relative to the amount of operation of the clutch lever 15 is compared with the amount of operation of the clutch lever 15 compared to the case where the ratio is substantially constant as in the conventional device. Can be changed. Since the operating force when operating the clutch lever 15 increases or decreases in accordance with the operation amount of the clutch 13, the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment sets the operating force as compared with the conventional device. The degree of freedom is high.

  Therefore, since the operation force at the time of clutch operation can be changed so as to approach the conventional general clutch operation feeling, while adopting a configuration that assists the clutch operation by the elastic force of the assisting compression coil spring 34, The clutch lever 15 can be operated with an operation feeling equivalent to that of a general clutch.

  In the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment, the ratio of the movement amount of the output member 32 to the movement amount of the input member 31 is relatively near the position where the clutch 13 starts to be disconnected in the stroke of disconnecting the clutch 13. It is small and is configured to be relatively large in the vicinity of the position where the operation amount of the clutch lever 15 is maximum.

  Accordingly, in the vicinity of the position where the clutch 13 starts to be disconnected in the stroke of disconnecting the clutch 13 (the position where the connection of the clutch 13 ends in the stroke of connecting the clutch 13), the operating force is applied in the same manner as in the case of using the lever principle. The clutch 13 can be made smaller and the operation of the clutch 13 becomes gentler with respect to the operation of the clutch lever 15. For this reason, the clutch can be easily controlled in an operation range in which the clutch is in a half-clutch state when starting. Further, in the vicinity of the position where the operation amount of the clutch lever 15 is maximum, the operation amount of the clutch 13 is relatively increased, so that the shortage of the stroke of the clutch 13 can be solved and the clutch 13 is completely disengaged. be able to.

  Since the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment is configured such that the total movement amount of the output member 32 is substantially equal to the total movement amount of the input member 31, the clutch lever 15 is moved from the fully retracted position to the fully retracted position. The amount of movement of the operated member of the clutch 13 when operated can be made substantially equal to the amount of movement of the operated member of a general clutch (a clutch in which the clutch lever is directly connected via the clutch wire). For this reason, the operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment can be mounted on the general clutch without changing its configuration.

  The operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment is configured so that the pressing force of the assisting compression coil spring 34 becomes zero near the position where the clutch 13 is connected. Despite adopting a configuration for assisting the operating force of the lever 15, the force of pressing the friction plate of the clutch 13 is not reduced.

  The operation assisting device 11 according to this embodiment includes a canceling compression coil spring 35 that cancels the pressing force in the clutch engagement direction of the assisting compression coil spring 34 that occurs when the clutch lever 15 is in the fully retracted position. Therefore, the reverse assist force is canceled by the elastic force of the canceling compression coil spring 35, and the clutch lever 15 can be operated smoothly during the clutch disconnection operation. Further, the canceling compression coil spring 35 maintains the stored state even when the pressing force in the clutch connecting direction is canceled by the operation of the clutch lever 15, so that even when it is fully extended by its own elastic force. The positions of both ends are regulated. For this reason, generation | occurrence | production of a vibration and noise can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
The clutch lever operation assisting device according to the present invention can be configured as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a side view showing another embodiment of the clutch lever operation assisting device, where FIG. 9 (a) shows the state at the fully-returned position, and FIG. 9 (b) shows the state at the clutch meet position. FIG. 5C shows the state at the pull-out position. In these drawings, members that are the same as or equivalent to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

  The operation assisting device 71 shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C includes an input member 73 rotatably supported by a support shaft 72 in a housing (not shown), and the input member 73 via a support shaft 74. And an output member 75 that is rotatably supported, and an urging means (not shown) for urging the input member 73. In this embodiment, a connecting means is constituted by a support shaft 74 that connects the output member 75 to the input member 73.

  The input member 73 is provided with a connecting pin 76 for restricting the output member 75 from rotating relative to the input member 73 after the clutch meet position in the stroke of disconnecting the clutch 13. Although not shown, the input member 73 is provided with a biasing means for assisting the operating force and a canceling compression coil spring for canceling the reverse assist force. As the urging means, one having a structure equivalent to that shown in the first embodiment can be used.

  The support shaft 74 that connects the output member 75 to the input member 73 is radially outward from the center of rotation of the input member 73, and as shown in FIG. The lever ratio (the length of the arm of the input member 73 / the length of the arm of the output member 75) is 1.8. In the operation assisting device 71 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the lever ratio is 1.99 at the clutch meet position, and as shown in FIG. The lever ratio is configured to be 0.67.

  That is, also in the operation assisting device 71 according to this embodiment, the ratio of the movement amount of the output member 75 to the movement amount of the input member 73 changes during the clutch operation. Moreover, in this operation assisting device 71, the amount of movement of the output member 75 relative to the amount of movement of the input member 73 is relatively small at the initial stage of the operation of disengaging the clutch 13, and relatively large at the end of the operation. It is configured.

  Therefore, even if the operation assisting device 71 is configured in this way, an effect equivalent to that obtained when the first embodiment is adopted can be obtained.

(Third embodiment)
The clutch lever operation assisting device according to the present invention can be configured as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the clutch lever operation assisting device, where FIG. 10 (a) shows the state at the fully-returned position, and FIG. 10 (b) shows the state at the clutch meet position. FIG. 5C shows the state at the pull-out position. In these drawings, members that are the same as or equivalent to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

  The input member 82 of the operation assisting device 81 shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C includes a first lever 84 rotatably supported by a support shaft 83 on a housing (not shown), and the first lever. The second lever 86 is pivotally connected to a pivot end portion 84 via a link 85. A cam follower 88 is rotatably attached to one end of the second lever 86 in a direction away from the first lever 84 with the link 85 therebetween.

  The output member 89 of the operation assisting device 81 is formed to have a plate shape similar to that shown in the first embodiment, and is supported by the housing so as to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. The output member 89 is formed with a cam groove 90 formed of a long hole, and the cam follower 88 is engaged with the cam groove 90. That is, the output member 89 is connected to the input member 82 via a connecting means including a cam groove 90 and a cam follower 88. As in the case of adopting the first embodiment, one end portion of an urging means 91 is rotatably attached to the support shaft 87 that supports the cam follower 88. The other end of the urging means 91 is rotatably supported by the housing. Although not shown, the urging means 91 is constituted by the assisting compression coil spring 34 and the spring holder 53 shown in the first embodiment. Although not shown, the second lever 86 can be connected to a compression coil spring 35 for canceling the reverse assist force.

  In the cam mechanism comprising the cam groove 90 and the cam follower 88, as in the case of the first embodiment, the ratio of the movement amount of the output member 89 to the movement amount of the input member 82 is during the clutch operation. It is configured to change. Further, in this cam mechanism, the amount of movement of the output member 89 relative to the amount of movement of the input member 82 is relatively small at the initial stage of the operation of disengaging the clutch 13 and relatively large at the end of the operation. Has been.

  Therefore, even if the operation assisting device 81 is configured in this manner, the same effect as that obtained when the first embodiment is adopted can be obtained.

(Fourth embodiment)
The clutch lever operation assisting device according to the present invention can be configured as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing another embodiment of the clutch lever operation assisting device, in which FIG. 11 (a) shows the state at the fully-returned position, and FIG. 11 (b) shows the state at the clutch meet position. FIG. 5C shows the state at the pull-out position. In these drawings, members that are the same as or equivalent to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

  The input member 102 of the operation assisting device 101 shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C is formed so as to constitute a pulley around which the distal end portion of the input side clutch wire 24 is wound, and is supported by a housing (not shown). The shaft 103 is rotatably supported. A cam follower 105 is rotatably attached via a support shaft 104 to the rotational end of the input member 102 and radially outside the portion where the engagement element 24a of the input side clutch wire 24 is engaged. As in the case of the first embodiment, one end portion of the biasing means 106 is rotatably attached. The other end of the urging means 106 is rotatably supported by the housing. Although not shown, the urging means 106 is constituted by the assisting compression coil spring 34 and the spring holder 53 shown in the first embodiment. Although not shown, the input member 102 can be connected with a compression coil spring 35 for canceling the reverse assist force.

  The output member 107 of the operation assisting device 101 is formed to have a plate shape similar to that shown in the first embodiment, and is supported by the housing so as to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. The output member 107 has a cam groove 108 formed of a long hole at one end, and the cam follower 105 is engaged with the cam groove 108. That is, the output member 107 is connected to the input member 102 via a connecting means including a cam groove 108 and a cam follower 105.

  In the cam mechanism comprising the cam groove 108 and the cam follower 105, as in the case of the first embodiment, the ratio of the movement amount of the output member 107 to the movement amount of the input member 102 is during the clutch operation. It is configured to change. Further, in this cam mechanism, the amount of movement of the output member 107 relative to the amount of movement of the input member 102 is relatively small at the initial stage of the operation of disengaging the clutch 13 and relatively large at the end of the operation. Has been.

  Therefore, even if the operation assisting device 101 is configured in this way, the same effect as that obtained when the first embodiment is adopted can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the clutch lever operation assisting device according to the present invention is used for a motorcycle has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to such a limitation and can be used for other vehicles. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch lever operation assisting device 11 according to the embodiment is provided via an operation force transmission system (an input side clutch wire 24 and an output side clutch wire 23) between a clutch 13 and a clutch lever 15. As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, an assisting compression coil spring 34 (urging means) that assists the operating force of the clutch lever 15 and a housing 36 that accommodates the assisting compression coil spring 34 are provided. Yes. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 36 introduces the input side clutch wire 24 and the output side clutch wire 23 from the direction crossing each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the assisting compression coil spring 34 assists the operating force transmission system inside the housing 36.

  Therefore, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the clutch lever operation assisting device 11 is excellent in mountability to a motorcycle.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the clutch lever operation assisting device 11 is housed in the housing 36 and is rotatably supported by the housing 36 via support shafts 43 and 44. An input member 31 connected to the input side clutch wire 24 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4C and the like, the assisting compression coil spring 34 (biasing means) may be connected to the input member 31.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input side clutch wire 24 may be disposed along the down tube 19 of the vehicle body frame 20. Thereby, the mountability of the operation assistance apparatus 11 for clutch levers improves.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the input member 102 may be formed so as to constitute a pulley around which the distal end portion of the input side clutch wire 24 is wound. As a result, the space required for pulling the input side clutch wire 24 is reduced, so that the clutch lever operation assisting device 101 can be reduced in size.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the pulley of the input member 102 may be formed in a substantially sector shape.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the output member 75 is rotatably supported via a support shaft 74 with respect to an input member 73 that is rotatably supported by the support shaft 72 on the housing. For this reason, the output member 75 is rotatably supported by the housing via the support shafts 72 and 74. As described above, the clutch lever operation assisting device 71 is housed in the housing, is rotatably supported by the housing via the support shafts 72 and 74, and is connected to the output side clutch wire 23. The member 75 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the output side clutch wire 23 may extend substantially horizontally.

  The clutch lever operation assisting device 11 may be attached to the down tube 19 of the vehicle body frame 20 via a bracket.

  The clutch lever operation assisting device 11 may be disposed at a position that is substantially the same height as the operated lever 22 (operated member) of the clutch 13.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the clutch lever operation assisting device 11 according to the embodiment is connected to the clutch lever 15 via the input-side clutch wire 24 and also connected to the clutch 13 via the output-side clutch wire 23. As shown in FIG. 2, an assisting compression coil spring 34 (biasing) for assisting the operating force of the clutch lever 15 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the input-side clutch wire 24 and the output-side clutch wire 23 extend in directions intersecting with each other.

  It should be noted that the clutch lever operation assisting device shown in Patent Document 1 and the clutch lever operation assisting device 1 shown in FIG. 12 (a) increase after the required input load once decreases in the stroke of disconnecting the clutch. However, since it gradually decreases after that, there is a problem that it gives a strange feeling to the operator. This is because a general motorcycle clutch has a substantially constant operating force when the clutch lever is operated from the fully retracted position to the clutch meet position and from the clutch meet position to the fully retracted position.

  Such operational problems can be eliminated by using this principle as in the clutch lever operation assisting device 6 shown in FIG. However, with this structure, the output stroke is about ½ of the input stroke, and there is a limit in increasing the amount of operation of the clutch lever, so there is a possibility that the clutch cannot be completely disconnected.

  The clutch lever operation assisting device according to the above-described embodiment is also made to solve such a problem, and the operator feels uncomfortable during clutch operation while adopting a configuration in which the clutch operation is assisted by the urging means. It is an object of the present invention to ensure that the clutch can be disconnected and connected.

  In order to achieve this object, the first operation assisting device for the clutch lever is connected to the input member connected to the clutch lever side, and is connected to the input member via a connecting means and to the operated member of the clutch. A clutch lever operation assisting device comprising: an output member; and an urging means for assisting an operation force by the clutch lever, wherein the connecting means The ratio is changed in the middle of the clutch operation.

  Thereby, the operation amount of the clutch with respect to the operation amount of the clutch lever can be changed during the clutch operation. Since the operating force when operating the clutch lever changes corresponding to the amount of operation of the clutch, the degree of freedom can be increased in setting the operating force.

  In the second clutch lever operation assisting device, the ratio of the movement amount of the output member to the movement amount of the input member in the first clutch lever operation assisting device is determined in the vicinity of the position where the clutch starts to be disengaged in the clutch disengagement stroke (clutch In the process of connecting the clutch, the ratio of the movement amount of the output member to the movement amount of the input member is relatively small in the vicinity of the position where the clutch connection ends) and in the vicinity of the position where the operation amount of the clutch lever is maximum. Is configured to be relatively large.

  As a result, in the vicinity of the position where the clutch starts to be disconnected in the clutch disconnecting process, the operating force can be reduced as in the case of using the lever principle. Therefore, at this time, the operation of the clutch is gentle with respect to the operation of the clutch lever. become. On the other hand, in the vicinity of the position where the operation amount of the clutch lever becomes maximum, the operation amount of the clutch can be relatively increased.

  The third clutch lever operation assisting device is the same as the second clutch lever operation assisting device, wherein the total movement amount of the output member is substantially equal to the total movement amount of the input member.

  As a result, when the clutch lever is operated from the fully retracted position to the fully retracted position, the amount of movement of the operated member of the clutch is determined by the operation of a general clutch (a clutch in which the clutch lever is directly connected to the clutch by the clutch wire). The amount of movement of the member can be made approximately equal. For this reason, the operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to the present invention can be attached to an existing clutch in which the clutch lever is connected to the clutch via the clutch wire without changing the configuration of the clutch.

  The fourth clutch lever operation assisting device is one of the first to third clutch lever operation assisting devices, in which the pressing force of the urging means becomes zero near the position where the clutch is connected. .

  Thereby, although the structure which assists the operation force of a clutch lever by the biasing means is taken, the force which presses the friction plate of a clutch by the pressing force of a biasing means is not reduced.

  The fifth clutch lever operation assisting device cancels the pressing force in the clutch engagement direction of the urging means generated in the state in which the clutch lever is located at the return side end in the fourth clutch lever operation assisting device. The counterbalance spring is provided.

  Thus, the so-called reverse assist force can be canceled by the elastic force of the canceling spring.

  The sixth clutch lever operation assisting device is the fifth clutch lever operation assisting device. In the fifth clutch lever operation assisting device, the canceling spring is stored even when the pressing force in the clutch connecting direction is canceled by the operation of the clutch lever. It is set as the structure which maintains a state.

  As a result, the positions of both ends of the canceling spring are regulated even when the spring is fully extended by its own elastic force.

  As described above, according to the first clutch lever operation assisting device, the degree of freedom in setting the operation force is increased by changing the ratio of the movement amount of the output member to the movement amount of the input member. Therefore, the operation force at the time of clutch operation can be changed so as to approach the conventional general clutch operation feeling. Therefore, it is possible to provide an operation assisting device for a clutch lever that does not give an uncomfortable feeling to the operator while adopting a configuration that assists the clutch operation by the urging means.

  According to the second clutch lever operation assisting device, in the vicinity of the position where the clutch starts to be disconnected in the clutch disengagement operation, the operation force can be reduced as in the case of using the lever principle, and the operation of the clutch lever is performed. In contrast, the operation of the clutch becomes gentle. Therefore, at this time, the clutch can be disconnected and connected lightly and smoothly. Further, in the vicinity of the position where the operation amount of the clutch lever becomes maximum, the operation amount of the clutch becomes relatively large, so that the shortage of the clutch stroke can be solved and the clutch can be completely disconnected.

  According to the third clutch lever operation assisting device, the clutch lever can be mounted on an existing clutch connected to the clutch via the clutch wire without changing the configuration of the clutch. The clutch operability can be improved while downing.

  According to the fourth clutch lever operation assisting device, the clutch friction plate is pressed by the pressing force of the urging means, even though the urging means assists the operation force of the clutch lever. Since the force is not reduced, it is possible to prevent the clutch transmission torque from being reduced.

  According to the fifth clutch lever operation assisting device, the so-called reverse assist force generated by providing the biasing means can be canceled by the canceling spring, so that the clutch operation can be performed more easily. .

  According to the sixth clutch lever operation assisting device, since the position of both ends of the canceling spring is regulated by its own elastic force even at the maximum extension, the noise is caused by contact with other members by vibration. Can be prevented.

1 is a side view showing a part of a motorcycle equipped with an operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to the present invention. It is a side view which expands and shows the principal part of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a graph which shows the characteristic of the operation assistance apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows other embodiment of the operation assistance apparatus for clutch levers. It is a side view which shows other embodiment of the operation assistance apparatus for clutch levers. It is a side view which shows other embodiment of the operation assistance apparatus for clutch levers. It is a figure which shows the conventional operation assistance apparatus for clutch levers. It is a figure which shows the conventional operation assistance apparatus for clutch levers.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11, 71, 81, 101 ... Operation assistance apparatus, 13 ... Clutch, 15 ... Clutch lever, 22 ... Operated lever, 23 ... Output side clutch wire, 24 ... Input side clutch wire, 31, 73, 82, 102 ... Input Members 32, 75, 89, 107 ... output members, 33 ... cam mechanism, 34 ... compression coil spring for assisting, 35 ... compression coil spring for counter-assist force cancellation, 37, 84 ... first lever, 38, 86 ... Second lever, 51, 90, 108 ... cam groove, 52, 88, 105 ... cam follower, 74 ... connecting pin, 85 ... link, 106 ... biasing means.

Claims (11)

An operation assisting device for a clutch lever, which is interposed in an operating force transmission system between a clutch and a clutch lever, and includes an urging means for assisting an operation force by the clutch lever, and a housing for accommodating the urging means. There,
The housing introduces the operating force transmission system from a direction crossing each other,
The biasing means is a clutch lever operation assisting device that assists the operation force transmission system inside the housing. The operating force transmission system has an input side clutch wire connected to the clutch lever,
2. The clutch lever operation assist according to claim 1, further comprising: an input member that is housed in the housing, is rotatably supported by the housing via a support shaft, and is connected to the input-side clutch wire. apparatus.   The operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means is connected to the input member.   The operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to claim 2, wherein the input side clutch wire is disposed along a down tube of a vehicle body frame.   The clutch input operation assisting device according to claim 1, wherein the input member is formed to constitute a pulley around which a distal end portion of the input side clutch wire is wound.   The clutch lever operation assisting device according to claim 5, wherein the pulley of the input member is formed in a substantially sector shape. The operating force transmission system has an output side clutch wire connected to the clutch,
2. The clutch lever operation assist according to claim 1, further comprising: an output member that is housed in the housing, is rotatably supported by the housing via a support shaft, and is connected to the output-side clutch wire. apparatus.   The clutch lever operation assisting device according to claim 7, wherein the output side clutch wire extends substantially horizontally.   The operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to claim 1, which is attached to the down tube of the vehicle body frame via a bracket.   The operation assisting device for a clutch lever according to claim 1, wherein the operation assisting device is provided at a position that is substantially the same height as the operated member of the clutch. A clutch lever operation assisting device connected to the clutch lever via the input side clutch wire and connected to the operated member of the clutch via the output side clutch wire,
Urging means for assisting the operating force by the clutch lever,
The clutch lever operation assisting device, wherein the input side clutch wire and the output side clutch wire extend in directions intersecting each other.

Images