Coaxial friction clutch actuator system
OwnerYves Kemperinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A controlled actuator system for the actuation of a friction clutch comprising a screw drive assembly coaxial with an axis of the clutch composed of a collar and a screw fastened to a gearbox. The controlled actuator system having a friction plate rotatably fastened to control fingers of the clutch and coaxial with the clutch axis and a ball bearing assembly with a first race fastened to the collar and the axis of the bearing assembly being offset from the axis of the clutch. The collar is rotated by a motor. The friction plate and a second race of the bearing assembly are in frictional engagement.
Claims35
In a controlled linear actuator system for actuation of a friction clutch having a housing, control fingers, and a clutch axis the actuator system is characterized by:
- a screw drive generally coaxial with the clutch axis and including a collar and a screw, said screw fastened to the housing;
- a friction plate arranged generally coaxial with the clutch axis and fastened to the control fingers for rotation therewith;
- said collar having an associated first bearing race with a bearing race axis offset from the clutch axis;
- a second bearing race in frictional engagement with said friction plate;
- and
- a plurality of bearings associated with said first and second bearing races.
In a controlled linear actuator system for actuation of a friction clutch having a housing, control fingers, and a clutch axis the actuator system is characterized by:
- a screw drive generally coaxial with the clutch axis and including a collar and a screw, said screw fastened to the housing;
- a friction plate fastened to the control fingers for rotation therewith;
- said collar having an associated first bearing race with a bearing race axis generally coaxial with the clutch axis;
- said friction plate having a friction plate axis offset from the clutch axis and having an associated second bearing race in frictional engagement therewith;
- and
- a plurality of bearings associated with said first and second bearing races.
In an actuator system for actuating a clutch, the clutch having a clutch axis, a friction disc and a pressure plate, the pressure plate having control fingers for engaging and releasing the pressure plate, the actuator system is characterized by:
- a screw drive assembly, said screw drive assembly having a screw drive assembly axis;
- a friction plate operatively connected to the control fingers for rotation therewith, said friction plate having a friction plate axis;
- a bearing assembly operatively connected to said friction plate and to said screw drive assembly;
- said bearing assembly having a bearing assembly axis;
- and
- at least one of said friction plate axis, said screw drive assembly axis, or said bearing assembly axis being offset from the clutch axis.
In an actuator system for actuating a clutch, the clutch being intermediate to an engine and a gearbox, the clutch having a clutch axis, a friction disc and a pressure plate, the pressure plate having control fingers for engaging and releasing the pressure plate, the actuator system is characterized by:
- a friction plate operatively connected to the control fingers for rotation therewith, said friction plate having a friction plate axis;
- a screw drive assembly having a screw drive assembly axis, said screw drive assembly including a flange operatively connected to the gearbox and said screw drive assembly further including a screw and a collar;
- a worm gear reduction assembly having a worm and a gear, said gear operatively connected to said collar of said screw drive assembly;
- a bearing assembly having a first bearing race and a second bearing race, said first bearing race operatively connected to said screw and said second bearing race operatively connected to said friction plate, said bearing assembly having a bearing assembly axis;
- and
- at least one of said friction plate axis, said screw drive assembly axis, or said bearing assembly axis being offset from the clutch axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.