Clutch plate and a method for detecting wear of a clutch plate

A clutch assembly for a powertrain of a vehicle, comprising:

• a flywheel configured to be connected for common rotation with a crankshaft of the powertrain,
• a clutch plate configured to be connected for common rotation with a driven shaft of the powertrain extending in an axial direction, the clutch plate comprising a support member and at least one first friction member attached to the support member, the at least one first friction member having a first friction surface configured to face and selectively engage a corresponding second friction surface of the flywheel,
• wherein the clutch plate further comprises at least one electrically conducting element extending from the first friction surface toward the support member in a direction having an axial component, the at least one electrically conducting element being configured to be electrically connected to a terminal, so that, upon engagement of the first and second friction surfaces, an electric signal may be passed between the flywheel and the terminal via the at least one electrically conducting element, wherein the at least one electrically conducting element has a first end provided at the first friction surface and a second end configured to be electrically connected to the terminal, and
• means for selectively pressing the clutch plate toward the flywheel such that the first and second friction surfaces are frictionally engaged and such that the at least one electrically conducting element comes into contact with the second friction surface of the flywheel,
• wherein:
• the second friction surface comprises at least one conductive surface region configured to come into contact with the at least one electrically conducting element upon frictional engagement of the first and second friction surfaces,
• the second end of the at least one electrically conducting element is configured to contact the driven shaft when the clutch plate is mounted thereon, the driven shaft forming said terminal, and
• the clutch assembly further comprises clutch wear detection means configured for determining an electrical resistance of the at least one electrically conducting element as it is in contact with the flywheel, and based thereon determining a thickness value of and/or an amount of wear of the first friction member.