Abstract: A limiter device is provided in a variable displacement compressor capable of varying a discharge displacement per revolution and compressing a fluid in a cycle. The limiter device includes an operating characteristic acquiring means for acquiring a predetermined characteristic during a compression operation of the compressor, and a varying means for varying the discharge displacement of the compressor to a minimum side when the predetermined characteristic obtained by the operating characteristic acquiring means exceeds a predetermined value. Thus, the limiter device can prevent the compressor from being brought into trouble such as locking and can protect a driving belt and other auxiliary equipment on a side of an engine, while it is unnecessary to provide a pulley with a limiter function.

Abstract: A power transmission device for transmitting torque of a driving unit to a driven unit includes a first rotator, a second rotator, and a torque transmission member. The first rotator is to be driven for rotation by the driving unit. The second rotator is coupled to the driven unit. The torque transmission member is made of an elastically deformable material for making contact with the first rotator and the second rotator to transmit torque from the first rotator to the second rotator. An outer periphery of the torque transmission member includes a contact surface for making contact with the rotators and a non-contact surface out of contact with the rotators. The non-contact surface is provided with an oxygen permeance suppression layer made of a material having an oxygen permeability that is less than that of the contact surface.

Abstract: A torque transmission device includes a pulley, a cylindrical member, a torque limiter and a weight member. The pulley is rotated by torque transmitted from a drive source. The cylindrical member is connected to a rotatable shaft of a compressor and is rotated integrally with the rotatable shaft. The torque limiter is arranged between the pulley and the cylindrical member and transmits the torque from the pulley to the cylindrical member. The torque limiter disables the transmission of the torque when the torque becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The weight member is secured to the cylindrical member at a point closer to the rotatable shaft than the torque limiter.

Abstract: A hole is formed in a damper rubber, where by when a compressive load is small, pillar portions undergo a flexural deformation so as to result in buckling deformation. On the other hand, when the compressive load becomes large, the hole collapses and the damper rubber undergoes a compressive deformation so as to collapse itself. Thus, since the damper rubber has a non-linear characteristic such that an elastic modulus thereof at an amount of deformation exceeding a predetermined amount is larger than that at an amount of deformation less than the predetermined amount, the transmission of a large torque can be implemented while absorbing a torque fluctuation sufficiently.

Abstract: A limiter device is provided in a variable displacement compressor capable of varying a discharge displacement per revolution and compressing a fluid in a cycle. The limiter device includes an operating characteristic acquiring means for acquiring a predetermined characteristic during a compression operation of the compressor, and a varying means for varying the discharge displacement of the compressor to a minimum side when the predetermined characteristic obtained by the operating characteristic acquiring means exceeds a predetermined value. Thus, the limiter device can prevent the compressor from being brought into trouble such as locking and can protect a driving belt and other auxiliary equipment on a side of an engine, while it is unnecessary to provide a pulley with a limiter function.

Abstract: A power transmission system has a Neidhart structure in which a damper is shearing-deformed while being press-deformed when torque is applied to a pulley. The torque is transmitted from the pulley to a center hub by the reaction force in response to a vector component of the deformation of the damper, parallel to the pulley rotation direction, while a torque fluctuation is reduced by the deformation of the damper. Thereby, it is possible to set an elasticity modulus of the damper to be smaller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact power transmission system having a reduced torque fluctuation.

Abstract: A power transmission device for suppressing oxidation and degradation of dampers for improved damper life has dampers with contact surfaces for making contact with a pulley inner periphery and a hub outer periphery, and non-contact surfaces out of contact with the pulley inner periphery and the hub outer periphery. The non-contact surfaces have oxygen permeance suppression layers made of, for example, acrylic rubber, having an oxygen permeability less than that of the contact surfaces. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the permeance of oxygen into the dampers through the oxygen permeance suppression layers. Thus, even when the dampers rise in temperature, the outer peripheries thereof exposed directly to the air can be prevented from oxidizing and degradation.

Abstract: A torque transmission apparatus absorbs torque fluctuations (vibrations) while limiting the size of the outside dimensions of a pulley. Elastomeric dampers and pendulum type vibration-absorbing mechanisms are located between an outer tube and an inner tube of a pulley body.

Abstract: In a flexible joint having a first rotating body connected to a shaft of an engine, a second rotating body coaxially connected to the first rotating body via a first rubber damper, and a third rotating body whose outer circumference is coaxially coupled with the second rotating body via a second rubber damper and whose center axis is coaxially connected to a shaft of a compressor, the second rotating body is rotatably held by a front housing of the compressor. Accordingly, eccentric load acting on the joint according to the rotation thereof is received by the housing of the compressor so that the shaft of the compressor receives lower bending moment. Further, as the first and second rubber dampers are used, a composite elastic coefficient thereof is smaller so that torque fluctuation applied to the joint is adequately absorbed.

Abstract: A torque transmission device includes a pulley, a cylindrical member, a torque limiter and a weight member. The pulley is rotated by torque transmitted from a drive source. The cylindrical member is connected to a rotatable shaft of a compressor and is rotated integrally with the rotatable shaft. The torque limiter is arranged between the pulley and the cylindrical member and transmits the torque from the pulley to the cylindrical member. The torque limiter disables the transmission of the torque when the torque becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The weight member is secured to the cylindrical member at a point closer to the rotatable shaft than the torque limiter.

Abstract: A torque transmission apparatus absorbs torque fluctuations (vibrations) while limiting the size of the outside dimensions of a pulley. Elastomeric dampers and pendulum type vibration-absorbing mechanisms are located between an outer tube and an inner tube of a pulley body.

Abstract: A power transmission system has a Neidhart structure in which a damper is shearing-deformed while being press-deformed when torque is applied to a pulley. The torque is transmitted from the pulley to a center hub by the reaction force in response to a vector component of the deformation of the damper, parallel to the pulley rotation direction, while a torque fluctuation is reduced by the deformation of the damper. Thereby, it is possible to set an elasticity modulus of the damper to be smaller. Therefore, it is possible to provide a compact power transmission system having a reduced torque fluctuation.

Abstract: A hole is formed in a damper rubber, where by when a compressive load is small, pillar portions undergo a flexural deformation so as to result in buckling deformation. On the other hand, when the compressive load becomes large, the hole collapses and the damper rubber under goes a compressive deformation so as to collapse itself. Thus, since the damper rubber has a non-linear characteristic such that an elastic modulus thereof at an amount of deformation exceeding a predetermined amount is larger than that at an amount of deformation less than the predetermined amount, the transmission of a large torque can be implemented while absorbing a torque fluctuation sufficiently.

Abstract: In a flexible joint having a first rotating body connected to a shaft of an engine, a second rotating body coaxially connected to the first rotating body via a first rubber damper, and a third rotating body whose outer circumference is coaxially coupled with the second rotating body via a second rubber damper and whose center axis is coaxially connected to a shaft of a compressor, the second rotating body is rotatably held by a front housing of the compressor. Accordingly, eccentric load acting on the joint according to the rotation thereof is received by the housing of the compressor so that the shaft of the compressor receives lower bending moment. Further, as the first and second rubber dampers are used, a composite elastic coefficient thereof is smaller so that torque fluctuation applied to the joint is adequately absorbed.

Abstract: A friction clutch such as an electromagnetic clutch, in which a driving friction surface is formed on a rotor integral with a rotationally driven pulley and a driven friction surface in opposed relation to the driving friction surface is formed on an intermediate member pivotally mounted on a boss by a pin, is disclosed. When the rotor is in rotation, the armature portion of the intermediate member is attracted by an initial energizing means for generating a comparatively small force such as an electromagnetic coil so that the intermediate member is rotated around the pin. When the friction surface of the intermediate member is lightly pressed against the friction surface of the rotor, the friction force exerted tangentially to the contact surface causes the intermediate member to rotate further around the pin and generate a large force along the normal. Thus, the friction force is increased thereby making it possible to transmit a large power from the rotor to the boss through the intermediate member.

Abstract: A torque limiting mechanism includes an axial space formed in a cylindrical wall of a pulley, and a pin protruding and extending from a back surface of a discharge disc. The pin is inserted into the axial space, and a rubber damper is installed between the inner surface of the axial space and the pin. When torque difference between the pulley and the discharge disc exceeds a threshold, a root portion of the pin is broken to separate the discharge disc from the pulley, thereby interrupting rotation transmission from the pulley to the discharge disc.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil is fixed in a rotor through an insulation member. A slip-ring rotating with a rotor and a brush supplying electric current to the slip-ring are disposed radially inside a boss portion of a compressor housing. The slip ring is attached to the rotor through a slip-ring supporter, and the brush is supported by the boss portion through a brush supporter. The brush supporter includes a cylindrical sleeve radially inside the brush, which extends axially outwardly farther than a slide surface between the slip-ring and the brush.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil is disposed in a rotor, and electrically insulated from the rotor. A slip-ring is supported by a rotor through a slip-ring supporter, and rotates with the rotor. A brush is supported by a compressor boss portion through a brush supporter, and supplies an electric current to the slip-ring. A diode is disposed in the brush supporter or the slip-ring supporter, and absorbs a surge voltage which is inducted when said electromagnetic coil is disenergized.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch has an armature, a rotor housing accommodating a stator housing and an exciting coil having negative and positive terminals. A passage is formed to extend from an outer peripheral surface of the stator housing to the negative terminal and the positive terminal. The passage is filled with a conductive metal member having a melting point lower than that of the stator housing between the outer surface of the stator housing and the negative terminal. When frictional heat generated between the armature and the rotor housing exceeds a preset value, the metal member melts and flows to the positive terminal, thereby short-circuiting the coil. As a result, a fuse between a power source and the clutch is fused, thereby turning off the clutch. Therefore, the clutch does not need to have a thermal fuse therein and is reduced in size without increasing power consumption.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus which can function as a torque limiter during an overload condition. A Belleville spring is provided for generating mutual frictional engagement in areas between a flange part integral to an inner holder member, a washer, arc shaped projections of a flange part of a hub and a washer. As a result, during a normal condition of a compressor, the rotating movement of the inner holder member located adjacent to the rotating movement source is transmitted via the frictional engagement mechanism to a hub and then to a rotating shaft. Contrary to this, during an overloaded condition, a slippage is generated in the area between the washer and the arc shaped projections of the flange part of the hub as a frictional engaging area of a lower coefficient of friction.