Friction clutch with a flywheel

A method for assembling a friction clutch and flywheel combination for transmitting mechanical rotary power from an output shaft of an engine to a secondary shaft for receiving mechanical rotary power, the clutch and flywheel combination comprising a flywheel, the flywheel comprising:

• a disc-shaped member, and means for non-rotationally connecting the disc-shaped member to an output shaft of an engine;
• the clutch and flywheel combination additionally comprising:
• a clutch, the clutch comprising:
• a hub, the hub defining an axis of rotation, the hub comprising means for non-rotationally connecting the hub to a second shaft for receiving mechanical rotary power;
• at least a first plate disposed with the hub;
• means for transmitting rotational torque between the hub and the at least a first plate for rotating the hub with the at least a first plate;
• friction linings disposed on the at least a first plate, and adjacent the disc-shaped member;
• and means for engaging and disengaging the friction linings with the disc-shaped member;
• and the clutch and flywheel combination further comprising a housing disposed about at least a portion of the clutch, said method comprising the steps of:
• providing the clutch, said providing of the clutch comprising the steps of:
• providing the hub, the hub defining an axis of rotation;
• providing the means for non-rotationally connecting the hub to a second shaft;
• disposing the at least a first plate about the hub;
• providing the first means for transmitting rotational torque between the hub and the at least a first plate for rotating the hub with the at least a first plate;
• disposing friction linings on the at least a first plate;
• and
• providing the means for engaging and disengaging the friction linings with the disc-shaped member;
• providing the housing about at least a portion of the clutch;
• providing the flywheel, said providing of the flywheel comprising:
• providing the disc-shaped member;
• and
• providing the means for non-rotationally connecting the disc-shaped member to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine;
• and
• disposing at least a portion of the disc-shaped member radially adjacent to at least a portion of the housing;
• and
• frictionally engaging the radially adjacent portions of the disc-shaped member and the housing to hold the housing and disc-shaped member together in a non-rotational and non-axially movable connection, wherein the frictionally engaged radially adjacent portions comprise substantially the sole means for holding the housing and the disc-shaped member together.

A motor vehicle clutch, said motor vehicle clutch comprising:

• a flywheel;
• a clutch housing;
• holding means for substantially permanently holding said clutch housing and said flywheel together;
• said holding means comprising a heat shrink joint;
• said heat shrink joint comprising substantially the sole means for holding said clutch housing and said flywheel together;
• and
• said heat shrink joint comprising:
• one of:
• said flywheel and said clutch housing comprising a male portion;
• the other of:
• said flywheel and said clutch housing comprising a female portion;
• said male portion and said female portion having been held at substantially different temperatures to permit said male portion to fit within said female portion;
• and
• said female portion and said male portion having been substantially equalized in temperature to permit said female portion to grasp said male portion.

A method for assembling a motor vehicle clutch, said motor vehicle clutch comprising a flywheel and a clutch housing, one of:

• the flywheel and the clutch housing comprising a male portion, the other of:
• the flywheel and the clutch housing comprising a female portion, the male portion having an outer surface, the outer surface of the male portion being configured not to fit within the female portion when the male portion and the female portion are at substantially the same temperature, said method comprising the steps of:
• providing the flywheel;
• providing the clutch housing;
• substantially changing the temperature of one of:
• said male portion and said female portion with respect to the temperature of the other of:
• said male portion and said female portion;
• disposing the male portion within the female portion;
• and
• substantially equalizing the temperatures of said male portion and said female portion to interlock said female portion and said male portion and form a heat shrink joint.