Pressure actuated multi-disk clutch

Abstract

A pressurized fluid actuated multi-disk clutch for vehicles, in particular a clutch provided for the shifting of an additional axle in the drive line of an agricultural or industrial vehicle is described. The multi-disk clutch contains a clutch bell housing (34) within which outer clutch disks (30) are arranged, fixed against rotation, and which is supported in bearing, free to rotate, on a shaft (12) with a set of gear teeth that mesh with inner clutch disks (26). Furthermore a piston (46) is provided that can be moved axially against the force of a spring arrangement (54, 55) by means of a pressurized fluid and that acts upon the clutch disk package (28) consisting of the inner clutch disks (26) and the outer clutch disks (30). In order to obtain a multi-disk clutch that is compact and saves space, that consists of as few individual components as possible and that can be assembled simply and rapidly, it is proposed that the clutch disk package (28), the piston (46) and the spring arrangement (54,55) be arranged within the clutch bell housing (34) and form with the latter a subassembly that can be pre-assembled and slid upon the shaft (12). The clutch bell housing (34) with the piston (46) and the shaft (12) enclose a generally sealed chamber (52) that contains the clutch disk package (28), and that can be connected to a source of pressurized fluid (66). Furthermore the shaft (12) is configured progressively stepped at least to one side in the region of the clutch bell housing (34).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.