US 5,409,091 A · Automatically adjustable friction clutch

Abstract

A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed. The device which compensates for wear upon the friction linings is installed between the diaphragm spring and the cover, and its purpose is to ensure that the bias of the diaphragm spring upon the pressure plate in engaged condition of the friction clutch remains at least nearly constant regardless of the extent of wear upon the friction linings and certain other parts including the diaphragm spring, the pressure plate, springs which form part of the clutch disc to urge two sets of friction linings axially and away from each other against the flywheel and the pressure plate, respectively, and leaf springs which connect the pressure plate to the cover.

Claims48

Dependent claims

An engageable and disengageable friction clutch, comprising:

a housing rotatable about a predetermined axis;
a pressure plate;
means for non-rotatably connecting said pressure plate to said housing with limited freedom of movement in the direction of said axis;
a rotary counterpressure plate adjacent said pressure plate;
a torque transmitting clutch disc disposed between said plates and having friction linings which are subject to wear in response to repeated engagement and disengagement of said friction clutch;
an axially stressed diaphragm spring disposed between said housing and said pressure plate to bias said pressure plate against said clutch disc so that said friction linings are clamped between said plates in an engaged condition of said friction clutch;
a seat which is carried by said housing, said diaphragm spring being tiltable against said seat;
means for automatically compensating for wear at least upon said friction linings, said compensating means being effective between said housing and said diaphragm spring to shift said seat relative to said housing in the direction of said axis which compensates for wear at least upon said friction linings;
means for operating said compensating means;
and
biasing means for producing a supporting force applied so as to bias said diaphragm spring and said seat together.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatically adjustable friction clutch

Life of this patent

Automatically adjustable friction clutch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims48