192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Plural clutch-assemblage
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2002-05-21
Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Plural clutch-assemblage
C192S070251
Reexamination Certificate
active
06390265
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a self-adjusting clutch assembly, in particular for commercial vehicles or tractors, as well as to a method for operating a clutch assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
Clutch assemblies having a multi-plate clutch are already known.
These known clutch assemblies which are used in the case of commercial vehicles or tractors, have a driving clutch as well as a clutch for additional implements. These clutches are operable separately through a clutch pedal or through a hand lever.
These known clutch assemblies are suitable for use in vehicles where a separate clutch is to be provided for driving and a separate clutch is to be provided for the implements.
These known clutches all have the drawback that when the clutch discs wear out the operating point of the clutch is shifted so that the release force required to operate the clutches varies accordingly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a clutch assembly for a multi-plate clutch as well as a method for operating a multi-plate clutch which can be produced cost-effectively in a structurally simple manner and which has an improved release characteristic, more particularly a more constant release characteristic with a high operating accuracy over the entire service life.
Thus according to the invention it is proposed to design a clutch assembly, more particularly a clutch assembly for a motor vehicle, such as a commercial vehicle or a tractor, with at least a self-adjusting clutch device with at least one clutch disc and at least two contact pressure plates.
The clutch assembly preferably has a clutch disc which can be coupled, more particularly with keyed engagement, to two contact pressure plates.
It is also preferable if the clutch assembly has a number of clutch discs, such as for example two clutch discs which can each be coupled, more particularly with keyed engagement, to one or more contact pressure plates.
The invention is particularly advantageous because the operating force of the clutch assembly can be kept within a predetermined tolerance band as a result of the self-adjusting device of the clutch assembly or of the clutches. The width of this tolerance band is preferably aimed at zero.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention a device is provided which keeps the installation position of a plate spring substantially unchanged throughout the entire wear on the lining and thus keeps the release force of the clutches, more particularly of two clutches, unchanged and guaranteed throughout the service life. The plate spring thereby preferably loads pressure plates which act on the linings or the discs.
This device which keeps the installation position of the plate springs substantially constant preferably has at least one cast ring and at least two sheet metal tapered rings wherein one of these sheet metal tapered rings is connected rotationally secured to a pressure plate, more particularly to the pressure plate on the transmission side. This device also preferably has two circumferentially mounted compression springs which in the event of wear at least partially or under predetermined conditions turns one of the tapered rings relative to the other tapered ring until the wear in the axial direction is compensated. This device is preferably coupled to a driving clutch or to a clutch on the transmission side.
In a particularly preferred embodiment during activation of the clutch through an operating mechanism, for example through a lever, the cast ring is displaced in the axial direction, with a stepped bolt or friction device causing a pressure plate to lift off from the friction lining or disc. More particularly the friction force applied to the stepped bolt is greater than the operating axial compression spring force—according to the geometry of the taper.
It is preferable if, in the event of wear on the clutch disc on the engine side or on the transmission side, as a result of force applied by a plate spring a contact pressure plate, more particularly a pressure plate on the engine side, draws the stepped bolt through the bolt head of this stepped bolt out from the friction device and thus release a gap at a shoulder or ledge of the stepped bolt.
Then preferably when operating a clutch, more particularly a clutch on the transmission side, through a lever the cast ring is moved up to the shoulder or to the ledge of the stepped bolt so that the tapered rings can be turned relative to each other under the action of a compression spring force acting on at least one of these tapered rings, preferably on both tapered rings, so that the wear in the axial direction is compensated and the plate spring swings back again in its original installation position. The level of the release force of the clutch device thus corresponds again to the level in the new state or in the substantially unworn state.
Thus according to the invention an assembly of several clutches is provided wherein the release characteristic of at least two of these clutches is constant or unchanged over the entire service life of the clutches or at least an element of these clutches. An element of this kind over the service life of which the release characteristic of the clutch or the release characteristics of the clutches is constant is in particular at least a disc or at least a clutch lining of the clutch assembly.
The element over the service life of which the release characteristic of the clutch or clutches is constant is preferably an element which has the fundamental property of influencing the release characteristic of the clutch assembly.
It is proposed for example that an element, such as for example a friction lining or a disc is provided which when changed or shifted in position would or does basically influence the release characteristic of the clutch or one of the clutches. Despite the presence of such an element the release characteristic is preferably kept substantially constant. This is achieved for example in that the influence which the thickness of the friction lining or the thickness of the discs has on the release characteristic is substantially compensated by a self-adjusting device.
According to the invention it is thus proposed that a clutch assembly having at least one clutch disc and at least two contact pressure plates is provided with an adjustment device for compensating at least in part changing or changed operating conditions of the clutch device.
By operating conditions of the clutch assembly are meant here in particular the characteristic values of the clutch assembly or characteristic values which characterise the operating process of the clutch assembly. By way of example the operating time for releasing the clutch or the operating force or the time path of the operating force or the like can be considered as an operating condition.
It is also preferable if predetermined operating conditions or predetermined operating characteristic values are set whereby when these are changed or at the start of a change the adjustment device triggers, more particularly independently or automatically, measures for compensating this change. According to the invention it is preferable if the adjustment device controls or regulates predetermined positions or relative positions of structural elements.
This problem is further solved by a clutch assembly having at least one clutch disc and at least two pressure plates.
Thus according to the invention it is proposed to provide a clutch assembly with at least one spring device, more particularly a plate spring device, wherein the position of the plate spring device can be controlled or regulated by a control or regulating device. The plate spring device thereby preferably acts on the contact pressure plate. The plate spring device thereby preferably acts on the contact pressure plates so that the pressure plates when the operating device for operating the clutch is not activated are pressed against the friction linings or the discs of the clutch assembly s
Bonck Rodney H.
LüK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
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