Friction clutch
AssigneeLuk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
InventorsChristoph Wittmann, Wolfgang Reik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A friction clutch wherein the pressure plate is urged against the adjacent friction linings of the clutch disc by a diaphragm spring which reacts against a seat at the inner side of the clutch housing and bears against the pressure plate, at least when the clutch is engaged. The diaphragm spring is of one piece with or carries a resilient device which reacts against ramps at the exposed side of the housing and urges the diaphragm spring toward the seat. The ramps and the seat form part of a unit which automatically compensates for wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc.
Claims30
An engageable and disengageable friction clutch, comprising a housing rotatable about a predetermined axis;
- a counterpressure plate coaxial and rotatable with said housing;
- a pressure plate coaxial and rotatable with said housing, interposed between said counterpressure plate and said housing and having limited freedom of axial movement relative to said housing;
- a clutch disc having friction linings disposed between said plates and being subject to wear as a result of repeated engagement and disengagement of the clutch;
- a clutch spring interposed between said pressure plate and a seat assembly on said housing to clamp said friction linings between said plates in the engaged condition of the clutch;
- means for automatically compensating for wear upon said friction linings including means for moving said spring axially of and relative to said housing;
- and resilient means fixedly secured to said spring and operative to urge said spring against said seat assembly.
A diaphragm spring, comprising an annular main portion;
- a plurality of prongs extending substantially radially inwardly from said main portion and together forming a plurality of groups spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction of said main portion;
- and resilient means including sections alternating with said groups in said circumferential direction and each including a first portion extending substantially radially inwardly from said main portion, a second portion extending substantially radially outward toward but being devoid of a connection with said main portion, and an intermediate portion connecting a radially inner end portion of the first portion with a radially inner end portion of the second portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.