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US 5,678,671 AGranted
Motor vehicle clutch assembly having an actuator device, which actuator device has a clutch motion blocking system
AssigneeFichtel & Sachs AG
InventorsLutz Leimbach, Reiner Voss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A motor vehicle clutch assembly has an actuator device. The clutch assembly is a friction clutch assembly. The actuator device moves linearly and is for engaging and disengaging the clutch. The actuator device is powered by a motor. The actuator device has a device for blocking the linear movement of the actuator device in a preferred position, thereby reducing work done by the motor.
Claims8
A friction clutch system for a motor vehicle with an actuator for automated operation of said clutch, said friction clutch system comprising:
- a clutch housing;
- a clutch disc for being disposed on a transmission input shaft, the transmission input shaft having a longitudinal axis defining an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, said clutch disc being axially movable along the transmission input shaft;
- pressure plate means for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc with a flywheel, said pressure plate means being axially movable along the transmission input shaft;
- said clutch disc comprising:
- friction lining means disposed between said pressure plate means and the flywheel for contacting the flywheel and said pressure plate means upon engagement of said clutch disc;
- membrane spring means disposed between said clutch housing and said pressure plate means for applying pressure to said pressure plate means;
- and
- a disengagement system for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc and said pressure plate means;
- said disengagement system for engaging and disengaging being connected at a part of said membrane spring means;
- said disengagement system comprising actuator means for automatically activating said disengagement system for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc and said pressure plate means and activating said part of said membrane spring;
- said actuator means comprising:
- actuator output means being disposed to act on said disengagement system;
- said actuator output means comprising means for moving said actuator output means linearly along a range of movement;
- said means for moving said actuator output means linearly along a range of movement comprising an actuator motor being coupled to said actuator output means, said actuator motor for the transmission of force to said actuator output means;
- and
- means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means so as to inhibit linear movement, in at least one position, of said actuator output means;
- said actuator output means comprising a toothed rack;
- said means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means comprising mechanical means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means;
- said mechanical means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means only partially inhibiting linear movement, in at least one position, of said actuator output means;
- and
- said means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means comprising means for continuously supplying a blocking current to said actuator motor to partially inhibit linear movement, in at least one position, of said actuator output means.
18 more elements
A friction clutch system for a motor vehicle with an actuator for automated operation of said clutch, said friction clutch system comprising:
- a clutch housing;
- a clutch disc for being disposed on a transmission input shaft, the transmission input shaft having a longitudinal axis defining an axial direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, said clutch disc being axially movable along the transmission input shaft;
- pressure plate means for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc with a flywheel, said pressure plate means being axially movable along the transmission input shaft;
- said clutch disc comprising:
- friction lining means disposed between said pressure plate means and the flywheel for contacting the flywheel and said pressure plate means upon engagement of said clutch disc;
- membrane spring means disposed between said clutch housing and said pressure plate means for applying pressure to said pressure plate means;
- and
- a disengagement system for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc and said pressure plate means;
- said disengagement system for engaging and disengaging being connected at a part of said membrane spring means;
- said disengagement system comprising actuator means for automatically activating said disengagement system for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc and said pressure plate means ad activating said part of said membrane spring;
- said actuator means comprising:
- actuator output means being disposed to act on said disengagement system;
- said actuator output means comprising means for moving said actuator output means linearly along a range of movement;
- said means for moving said actuator output means linearly along a range of movement comprising an actuator motor being coupled to said actuator output means, said actuator motor for the transmission of force to said actuator output means;
- and
- means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means so as to inhibit linear movement, in at least one position, of said actuator output means;
- said actuator output means comprising a toothed rack;
- said means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means comprising mechanical means for inhibiting movement of said actuator output means;
- said means for moving said actuator output means linearly comprising a toothed rive gear, said toothed drive gear being disposed to engage said toothed rack, and said toothed drive gear being disposed to couple said actuator motor to said toothed rack for the transmission of force to said toothed rack;
- and
- at least one of said toothed rack and said toothed drive gear comprising a segment of binding teeth being configured and disposed to bind with the teeth of at least one of said toothed rack and said toothed drive gear, so as to inhibit linear movement, in at least one position, of said actuator output means.
18 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.