Friction clutch for a motor vehicle and an operation device for the operation, especially pneumatic operation, of a friction clutch

A friction clutch for a drive train of a motor vehicle, said friction clutch comprising:

• at least one clutch disc;
• said at least one clutch disc defining an axis of rotation and an axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation;
• at least one pressure plate;
• said at least one pressure plate being configured and disposed to move in the axial direction;
• said at least one pressure plate being disposed to contact said at least one clutch disc to apply a force to said at least one clutch disc;
• a housing;
• said housing being disposed about said at least one clutch disc and said at least one pressure plate to enclose said at least one clutch disc and said at least one pressure plate;
• said housing comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
• at least a portion of said inner surface of said housing being disposed adjacent to said at least one clutch disc and said at least one pressure plate;
• said outer surface of said housing being disposed opposite to said inner surface of said housing;
• a first arrangement being configured to control the force applied by said at least one pressure plate to said at least one clutch disc;
• said first arrangement being disposed to contact said at least one pressure plate;
• said first arrangement being configured to be moved in the axial direction;
• a second arrangement being configured to move said first arrangement to control the force applied by said at least one pressure plate to said at least one clutch disc;
• said second arrangement being disposed adjacent to said first arrangement;
• said second arrangement being configured to receive a first input indicating a predetermined axial position of said first arrangement;
• said second arrangement being configured to move said first arrangement towards said predetermined axial position in response to said first input;
• said second arrangement being configured to receive a second input indicating an axial position of said first arrangement;
• said second arrangement being configured to substantially limit movement of said first arrangement in response to said second input indicating said first arrangement being in said predetermined axial position;
• said second arrangement comprising a cylinder arrangement;
• said cylinder arrangement being configured to contain a fluid;
• said cylinder arrangement being disposed adjacent to said inner surface of said housing;
• said cylinder arrangement being disposed to contact said first arrangement;
• said cylinder arrangement being configured and disposed to move said first arrangement to control the force applied by said at least one pressure plate to said at least one clutch disc in response to flow of fluid into and out of said cylinder arrangement;
• said second arrangement comprising a valve arrangement;
• said valve arrangement being configured to control flow of fluid into and out of said cylinder arrangement in response to said first input and said second input;
• said valve arrangement being detachably connected to said cylinder arrangement;
• a portion of said valve arrangement extending within said housing;
• a portion of said valve arrangement extending outside said housing;
• said valve arrangement comprising an arrangement to permit removal of said valve arrangement from said housing;
• and
• said arrangement to permit removal of said valve arrangement being disposed to be accessible from said outer surface of said housing to permit substantially direct detachment and removal of said valve arrangement from said outer surface of said housing upon said friction clutch being connected to a combustion engine and a motor vehicle transmission.