Fluid clutch device.

摘要

A fluid clutch device controls transmission of motive power of a vehicular engine to accessory equipment such as an oil pump for a power steering mechanism or an air compressor for an air conditioner. The clutch device includes first (11) and second (12) members arranged for relative rotation about a common axis. The first member is operated by the vehicular engine while the second member is constructed to operate the accessory equipment. The first and second members are accommodated in a hermetically sealed clutch casing (2) which is filled with an electroviscous fluid. A source of high voltage potential (16) is provided for applying a voltage to the electroviscous fluid, and various units (18-20) for generating information regarding driving of the accessory equipment are also used. A clutch control unit (17) is electrically connected to the source of high voltage potential and the information-generating units, and regulates the voltage applied to the electroviscous fluid based on the information generated from the information-generating units to vary a driving power for operating the accessory equipment.