A friction-disc clutch comprising a first clutch half and a second clutch half which cooperate for engaging to transmit torque and for disengaging;
- (a) the first clutch half comprising a clutch housing;
- a rotatable shaft within the clutch housing for being drivingly connected to and disconnected from the clutch housing;
- an outer friction plate extending around the shaft;
- the outer friction plate having an outer circumference that is connected with the clutch housing in a rotatably fast manner and in a manner permitting relative axial sliding of the outer friction plate with respect to the clutch housing;
- the outer friction plate having a first axial side;
- (b) the second clutch half comprising an inner friction plate extending around the shaft;
- the inner friction plate having a second axial side;
- the inner friction plate having an inner circumference;
- connection means between the inner circumference of the inner friction plate and the shaft for connecting them rotatably fast while permitting axial sliding of the inner friction plate with respect to the shaft;
- (c) the inner friction plate extending radially outwardly and being located axially alongside the outer friction plate;
- a friction surface being disposed on the second axial side of the inner friction plate which is opposite the first axial side of the adjacent outer friction plate, such that the friction surface on the inner friction plate may contact the first axial side of the outer friction plate when the first and second clutch halves are engaged;
- (d) a first actuating element operating upon the outer and inner friction plates to move them into engagement for engaging the clutch;
- a second actuating element operable for moving the outer and inner friction plates axially apart for disengaging the clutch;
- (e) a respective resilient disengaging member extending around the shaft and being disposed between the adjacent inner and outer friction plates;
- the disengaging member having a third axial side for acting upon the inner friction plate and a fourth opposite axial side for acting upon the adjacent outer friction plate for normally urging the friction surface of the inner friction plate off the first axial side of the outer friction plate;
- (f) the disengaging member comprising a Belleville spring around the shaft, the spring being annular and having a radially outer border, and the Belleville spring being shaped and of a diameter such that the radially outer border abuts against a radially inner area, near the inner circumference, of the outer friction plate of the first clutch half;
- (g) the outer border of the Belleville spring engaging and rotating at least mostly together with the outer friction plate of the first clutch half;
- (h) the Belleville spring having a radially inner border which is spaced radially outwardly from the shaft and abutting against the respective inner friction plate, the radially inner border of the Belleville spring having a sliding surface for sliding over a surface of the inner friction plate, whereby the Belleville spring rotates at least mostly together with the first clutch half.