Transmission of an internal combustion engine with a clutch with a two-mass flywheel

A clutch comprising:

• means for engaging and disengaging said clutch;
• said clutch engaging and disengaging means comprising means for moving through a first range of motion, said first range of motion being for engaging and disengaging said clutch;
• a first centrifugal mass for being connected to a driving mechanism;
• a second centrifugal mass;
• means for engaging said first centrifugal mass with said second centrifugal mass;
• said centrifugal mass engaging means comprising a torsional vibration damper to permit said second centrifugal mass to move rotationally with respect to said first centrifugal mass;
• a damping device to dampen rotational movement between said second centrifugal mass and said first centrifugal mass;
• said damping device comprising a frictional damping device to establish a frictional connection between said first centrifugal mass and said second centrifugal mass to frictionally engage said first centrifugal mass and second frictional mass with one another;
• said clutch engaging and disengaging means comprising means for moving through a second range of motion, said second range of motion being for actuating said frictional damping device to make a frictional connection between said first and second centrifugal masses, said second range of motion being outside of said first range of motion, said first range of motion engages and disengages said clutch;
• said means for moving through a first range of motion and said means for moving through a second range of motion together comprising application means;
• said application means having a deformation range;
• the deformation range having a first deformation range corresponding to said first range of motion, said first range of motion engaging and disengaging said clutch;
• the deformation range having a second deformation range corresponding to said second range of motion, said second range of motion actuating said frictional damping device;
• the first range of motion having a first end point for engaging said clutch and a second end point for disengaging said clutch;
• the second range of motion being adjacent one of:
• the first end point;
• and
• the second end point;
• said means for engaging and disengaging said clutch comprising means for being moved by one of:
• an actuating drive of an automatic clutch system;
• and
• a clutch pedal;
• said clutch having an axis of rotation;
• said clutch having an axial direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation;
• said frictional damping device comprising a damping element configured to extend from said second centrifugal mass;
• said clutch comprising a housing connected to said second centrifugal mass;
• said housing comprising at least one recess;
• said frictional damping device comprising an element connected to said first centrifugal mass;
• and
• said damping element comprises at least one projection extending from said application means through said at least one housing recess to move in the axial direction to frictionally contact said element connected to said first centrifugal mass, upon said application means being positioned within the second range of motion.

A divided flywheel apparatus comprising:

• a first centrifugal mass for being connected to a driving mechanism;
• a second centrifugal mass;
• means for engaging said first centrifugal mass with said second centrifugal mass;
• said engaging means comprising a torsional vibration damper;
• said torsional vibration damper comprising means for permitting said second centrifugal mass to move rotationally with respect to said first centrifugal mass;
• and
• a damping device comprising:
• at least one friction damper;
• said at least one friction damper comprising means for establishing a frictional connection between said first centrifugal mass and said second centrifugal mass to frictionally engage said first centrifugal mass and said second centrifugal mass with one another;
• sensor means;
• switching means;
• said sensor means comprising means for measuring an occurrence of at least one specified operating condition;
• said sensor means comprising means for transmitting a signal to said switching means;
• said switching means comprising means for adjusting actuation means in response to the signal of said sensor means;
• and
• the actuation means comprising means for actuating said frictional connection means to make a frictional connection between said first and second centrifugal masses.