192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Operators
Patent
1996-03-22
1998-08-04
Bonck, Rodney H.
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Operators
192112, 411447, 411501, F16D 1358
Patent
active
057880395
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cover plates for clutch mechanisms, especially for motor vehicles, and to clutch mechanisms including such a cover plate, as is described for example in the document FR-A-2 585 424.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is known, a clutch mechanism includes a unitary assembly of annular components, namely a cover plate, a pressure plate which is usually a casting, and axially acting resilient means which usually consist of a diaphragm.
The cover plate is adapted to be attached on a reaction plate which, in its application to motor vehicles, is arranged to be fixed on the crankshaft of the engine of the vehicle. The pressure plate offers a friction face for a clutch friction wheel which, in a motor vehicle, is mounted on the input shaft of the gearbox for rotation with it.
The clutch is accordingly a rotating component, and for this reason it is necessary to balance it dynamically. This dynamic balancing is usually obtained by means of holes formed in the pressure plate. Such a solution is not entirely satisfactory because it leads to the occurrence of hot spots in the region of the said holes.
For this reason it is preferable to carry out the said balancing with the aid of balancing members, such as balancing rivets which are fitted in holes formed in advance in the cover plate. Thus, with the aid of a machine it is possible to determine the location at which the said balancing member or members are to be fitted.
In order to obtain fine balancing, piercing of the balancing member or members can be considered. A result of this can be that, during the piercing operation, the balancing member is caused to rotate, and this is detrimental to its fastening on the cover plate.
An object of the present invention is to mitigate this drawback in a simple and inexpensive way, and accordingly to provide novel means which will enable rotation of the balancing member to be prevented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a cover plate for a clutch mechanism of the type defined above is characterised in that at least one rebate is formed in the cover plate in the vicinity of a fastening hole for the balancing member, and in that the rebate consists of a recess which reduces the local thickness of the cover plate.
Thanks to the invention, during fastening of the balancing member, some of the material of the said member is able to penetrate into the said rebate in such a way that the balancing member is prevented from rotating by mating cooperation. It is therefore possible to pierce the balancing member subsequently without any risk of the latter becoming dislodged.
Accordingly, the recess does not extend from one side of the cover plate to the other, so that while the balancing member is being upset, the resulting flow of material is more closely controlled. In addition, the cover plate retains its rigidity.
To this end, the balancing member is preferably fitted on the cover plate by carrying out an upsetting operation. The said member preferably consists of a balancing rivet with a head of tubular form, which is adapted to be pierced in order to obtain fine balancing.
Preferably, the recesses are of oblong form and are open at one of their ends radially into the hole in the balancing member.
In order to enhance the blockage against rotation, a plurality of rebates or recesses are preferably formed in the vicinity of the hole in which the balancing member is fastened. These recesses or rebates may be in a form like that of petals projecting from a heart, which is constituted by the fastening hole.
In accordance with the invention, a clutch mechanism of the type defined above is characterised in that it includes a cover plate according to the invention.
The following description illustrates the invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view in axial cross section of a clutch mechanism in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view on a larger scale o
REFERENCES:
patent: 2695688 (1954-11-01), Wollpert et al.
patent: 2777496 (1957-01-01), Kahn
patent: 3958389 (1976-05-01), Whiteside et al.
patent: 4069905 (1978-01-01), De Gennes
patent: 4751991 (1988-06-01), Naudin
Carpi Jean-Pierre
Hagnere Raymond
Bonck Rodney H.
Rodriguez Saul J.
Valeo
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