Friction clutch

A friction clutch comprising:

• a counter-pressure member,
• a clutch housing rotationally fixed with the counter-pressure member,
• a pressure plate rotationally fixed with the clutch housing but movable in an axial direction of the friction clutch relative to the clutch housing,
• at least one friction plate between the pressure plate and the counter-pressure member,
• at least one clutch spring operative between the clutch housing and the pressure plate to urge the pressure plate towards the counter-pressure member so as to clamp the at least one friction plate between the pressure plate and the counter-pressure member,
• in which the clutch housing comprises:
• a radially extending annular plate member intended to be coupled in driving engagement with an engine output shaft,
• a clutch cover forming a radially extending ring wall positioned opposite to the annular plate member and a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members extending axially from a radially outer region of the ring wall towards the annular plate member, wherein ends of the drive members are secured to the annular plate member, wherein the ring wall forms:
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates having each a radially outer end,
• two or more concentric annular stiffening bands extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band and an outermost annular stiffening band,
• said annular stiffening bands connecting said radial plates to each other and having each a radial thickness that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions of the ring wall between respectively two successive radial plates,
• wherein said drive members protrude axially from said radially outer ends of the radial plates.

A friction clutch comprising:

• a counter-pressure member,
• a clutch housing rotationally fixed with the counter-pressure member,
• a pressure plate rotationally fixed with the clutch housing but movable in an axial direction of the friction clutch relative to the clutch housing,
• at least one friction plate between the pressure plate and the counter-pressure member,
• at least one clutch spring operative between the clutch housing and the pressure plate to urge the pressure plate towards the counter-pressure member so as to clamp the at least one friction plate between the pressure plate and the counter-pressure member,
• in which the clutch housing comprises:
• a radially extending annular plate member intended to be coupled in driving engagement with an engine output shaft,
• a clutch cover forming a radially extending ring wall positioned opposite to the annular plate member,
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members extending axially from a radially outer region of the annular plate member towards the ring wall, wherein ends of the axially extending drive members are secured to the ring wall,
• wherein the ring wall forms:
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates having each a radially outer end,
• two or more concentric annular stiffening bands extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band and an outermost annular stiffening band,
• said annular stiffening bands connecting said radial plates to each other and having each a radial thickness that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions of the ring wall between respectively two successive radial plates,
• wherein said drive members protrude axially from said radially outer ends of the radial plates.

A clutch cover for a friction clutch, said clutch cover forming a ring wall radially extending with respect to a clutch axis,

• wherein said ring wall forms:
• a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates having each a radially outer end,
• two or more concentric annular stiffening bands extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band and an outermost annular stiffening band,
• said annular stiffening bands connecting said radial plates to each other and having each a radial thickness that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions of the ring wall between respectively two successive radial plates,
• wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members of the friction clutch protrude axially from or can be screw connected to said radially outer ends of the radial plates.