Friction clutch with intermediate plate mounting system

A friction clutch comprising:

• a flywheel rotatable about an axis of rotation;
• a clutch cover fixed to the flywheel for rotation therewith;
• an intermediate plate spaced apart from the flywheel and disposed within the cover;
• a first friction disk positioned between the flywheel and intermediate plate;
• a pressure plate disposed within the cover between the intermediate plate and the cover and spaced apart from the intermediate plate;
• a second friction disk positioned between the intermediate plate and the pressure plate;
• a first drive strap disposed between the intermediate plate and the cover, the first drive strap rotatively fixing the intermediate plate to the cover and biasing the intermediate plate away from the flywheel;
• a second drive strap disposed between the pressure plate and the cover, the second drive strap rotatively fixing the pressure plate to the cover and biasing the pressure plate away from the flywheel;
• and
• at least one fastener that removably connects the first drive strap to the cover, the intermediate plate configured to slide axially on a portion of the fastener that extends beyond the cover.

A friction clutch comprising:

• a flywheel rotatable about an axis of rotation;
• a clutch cover fixed to the flywheel for rotation therewith;
• an intermediate plate spaced apart from the flywheel and disposed within the cover;
• a first friction disk positioned between the flywheel and intermediate plate;
• a pressure plate disposed within the cover between the intermediate plate and the cover and spaced apart from the intermediate plate;
• a second friction disk positioned between the intermediate plate and the pressure plate;
• a first drive strap disposed between the intermediate plate and the cover, the first drive strap rotatively fixing the intermediate plate to the cover and biasing the intermediate plate away from the flywheel;
• a second drive strap disposed between the pressure plate and the cover, the second drive strap rotatively fixing the pressure plate to the cover and biasing the pressure plate away from the flywheel;
• a fastener that removably connects the first drive strap to the cover, the intermediate plate configured to slide axially on a portion of the fastener that extends beyond the cover;
• and
• a separator arm attached to the intermediate plate, the separator arm engaging the second drive strap such that axial movement of the intermediate plate relative to the clutch cover is a fraction of the corresponding axial movement of the pressure plate during engagement and disengagement of the clutch.

A friction clutch comprising:

• a flywheel rotatable about an axis of rotation;
• a clutch cover fixed to the flywheel for rotation therewith;
• an intermediate plate spaced apart from the flywheel and disposed within the cover;
• a first friction disk positioned between the flywheel and intermediate plate;
• a pressure plate disposed within the cover between the intermediate plate and the cover and spaced apart from the intermediate plate;
• a second friction disk positioned between the intermediate plate and the pressure plate;
• a first drive strap disposed between the intermediate plate and the cover and the first drive strap rotatively fixing the intermediate plate to the cover and biasing the intermediate plate away from the flywheel;
• a second drive strap disposed between the pressure plate and the cover and the second drive strap rotatively fixing the pressure plate to the cover and biasing the pressure plate away from the flywheel;
• and
• a separator arm having
• a base portion fixed to the intermediate plate, and
• a head portion engaging the second drive strap so as to follow deflection of the second drive strap at a location of engagement therebetween such that axial travel of the intermediate plate relative the clutch cover associated with moving between a clutch engaged condition and a clutch disengaged condition is a fraction of the corresponding axial movement of the pressure plate during engagement and disengagement of the clutch.