192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Patent
1995-01-06
1999-12-14
Bonck, Rodney H.
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
F16D 1375
Patent
active
060005157
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a clutch assembly with a friction clutch comprising a pressure plate which is non-rotatably connectable with a counterpressure plate for limited axial movement with respect thereto, at least one biasing spring being provided to urge the pressure plate toward a clutch disc which can be clamped between the pressure plate and the counterpressure plate and there being further provided an adjusting device to compensate at least for the wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc to effect a substantially unchanged application of force by the biasing spring to the pressure plate, the friction clutch further comprising actuating means for engaging and disengaging the clutch and the actuating means being operable by a disengaging member which is shiftable axially by a disengaging means, e.g., a disengaging fork which is pivotably mounted on a transmission case.
A clutch assembly which is constructed and which is operable in the aforedescribed manner is known, for example, from the published French patent application No. 2 582 363. The actuating means of such clutch assemblies can be acted upon by disengaging systems or by disengaging means and a disengaging member in a manner as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,810, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,617, in the published German patent application No. 27 52 904 and in the published German patent application No. 27 01 999.
Clutch assemblies or friction clutches utilizing an integrated adjusting device which compensates at least for the wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc exhibit the drawback that, especially when employing so-called mechanical disengaging systems wherein the movements of the clutch pedal are transmitted to the actuating means of the friction clutch by way of a linkage and/or a Bowden wire with the interposition of at least one disengaging bearing, due to tolerances within the entire kinematic train one cannot ensure that those portions of the disengaging member which act upon the actuating means invariably assume the same axial position relative to those portions of the actuating means which are to be acted upon. This can result in relatively large departures of the disengaging path of the friction clutch or of the extent of actuating movement which is being imparted to the actuating means. At the very least, such departure can adversely influence the operation of the adjusting device to such an extent that, under certain extreme circumstances, the adjusting device is no longer capable of carrying out its adjusting function. Furthermore, it can happen that, under certain circumstances when the actuating means covers an excessive distance resulting in undesired adjustment, the friction clutch is no longer capable of being properly disengaged or the initial stressing and the position of the biasing spring are altered to such extent that the force which is actually supplied by the biasing spring does not suffice to guarantee an acceptable transmission of torque.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to avoid the aforediscussed drawbacks and to provide a clutch assembly of the aforedescribed class wherein the adjusting device is capable of proper operation for the purpose of compensating for the wear upon the friction linings. Furthermore, it is proposed to make the assembly in a very simple and inexpensive manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, the above objects are accomplished by the provision of a device which compensates for departures of the axial position of the actuating means from an optimum position or compensates for the departures of those portions of the actuating means relative to the disengaging member or disengaging means from an optimum position which are acted upon by the actuating means. Such a device can be utilized with particular advantage in clutch assemblies wherein, in accordance with a further development of the invention, the actuating means is shifted in the axial direction of the disengaging
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Kimmig Karl-Ludwig
Maucher Paul
Meinhard Rolf
Reik Wolfgang
Wittmann Christoph
Bonck Rodney H.
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
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