192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-16
2001-03-20
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
C192S111400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202818
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to improvements in friction clutches, especially for use in motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in friction clutches of the type wherein a pressure plate is non-rotatably but axially movably connected to a housing or cover and is biased by one or more prestressed resilient devices (e.g., in the form of diaphragm springs) to urge a clutch plate or clutch disc against a rotary counterpressure plate (e.g., a flywheel) which is driven by the output element of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle. The clutch disc can serve to transmit torque to the input element of a variable-speed transmission in the power train between the engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle.
Friction clutches of the above outlined character are disclosed, for example, in published German patent application Serial No. 24 60 963, in German Pat. No. 24 41 141, in German Pat. No. 898 531 and in German Auslegeschrift No. 1 267 916.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to prolong the useful life of friction clutches, particularly of friction clutches for use in motor vehicles.
Another object of the invention is to provide a friction clutch whose mode of operation is less affected by wear upon its parts than in heretofore known friction clutches.
A further object of the invention is to provide a friction clutch which can be disengaged in response to the application of a relatively small force.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a friction clutch which is constructed and assembled in such a way that the magnitude of the disengaging force need not change, or changes negligibly, irrespective of the extent of wear upon certain component parts of the friction clutch.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and inexpensive friction clutch which embodies the afore discussed features.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of compensating for wear upon the clutch plate or clutch disc in a friction clutch of the above outlined character.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of compensating for wear upon the clutch disc and/or certain other component parts of a friction clutch for use in motor vehicles and the like.
An additional object of the invention is to provide the above outlined friction clutch with a novel and improved system which can automatically compensate for wear upon the friction linings forming part of the clutch disc.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a fiction clutch which exhibits the above outlined advantages and which can be assembled at a reasonable cost in automatic machines.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved aggregate which employs the above outlined friction clutch as well as one or more additional components, such as the part or parts which transmit torque to the input element and/or receive torque from the output element or elements of the friction clutch.
Another object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle which embodies the above outlined friction clutch.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a preassembled modular engageable and disengageable aggregate which embodies the above outlined friction clutch.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a driving unit which can be used in a motor vehicle and embodies the above outlined friction clutch.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved diaphragm spring for use in the above outlined friction clutch.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved clutch plate or clutch disc for use in the above outlined friction clutch.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of installing a diaphragm spring in the housing or cover of the above outlined friction clutch.
Still another object of the invention is to provide the above outlined friction clutch with novel and improved means for tiltably mounting the diaphragm spring for the pressure plate in the housing of the friction clutch.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved connection between the input element of the above outlined friction clutch and the output element of an internal combustion engine.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for biasing the pressure plate in a friction clutch for use in motor vehicles.
An additional object of the invention is to provide friction clutch whose operation is not affected by wear (even extensive wear) upon friction linings, pressure plate and/or other parts which are subject to wear when the friction clutch is in use.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a preassembled friction clutch which can be utilized in existing motor vehicles and/or for other purposes as a superior substitute for existing friction clutches.
A further object of the invention is to provide the above outlined friction clutch with novel and improved means for opposing the bias of the diaphragm spring for the pressure plate.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of friction clutch and engine for use in a motor vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an engageable and disengageable torque transmitting friction clutch which can be utilized with advantage in vehicles, particularly motor vehicles. The improved friction clutch comprises a housing or cover which is rotatable about a predetermined axis, a pressure plate, means (e.g., a group of leaf springs) for non-rotatably connecting the pressure plate to the housing with limited freedom of movement in the direction of the predetermined axis, a rotary counterpressure plate (e.g., a flywheel which is driven by the output element of an engine in a motor vehicle) adjacent the pressure plate, a torque transmitting clutch disc between the two plates, and at least one resilient device reacting against the housing to bias the pressure plate toward the counterpressure plate in order to clamp the clutch disc against the counterpressure plate and to thus rotate the clutch disc about the predetermined axis. The clutch disc has friction linings which are engageable by and disengageable from at least one of the two plates and are subject to wear as a result of repeated engagement with and disengagement from the at least one plate, and the friction clutch further comprises an adjusting unit including means for compensating for wear upon the friction linings to thereby maintain the bias of the at least one resilient device upon the pressure plate at a substantially constant value, means for engaging and disengaging the friction clutch including actuating means movable along a predetermined path to engage and disengage the friction clutch, and means for varying the torque transmitted by the friction clutch and/or by the clutch disc including means for gradually reducing the transmitted torque at least during a portion of movement of the actuating means along the predetermined path to disengage the friction clutch.
The pressure plate comprises a portion which is engaged and biased by the at least one resilient device, and the disengagement of the friction clutch can involve axial movement of the pressure plate away from the counterpressure plate against the bias of the at least one resilient device. The friction clutch can further comprise means for gradually reducing the torque which is transmittable by the friction clutch at least during a portion of axial movement of the pressure plate.
The friction clutch can also comprise means for securing the housing to the counterpressure plate to thus establish a power train between the actuating means and the securing means. The torque varying means can be disposed in the power train.
The pressure plate has a friction surface which is engageable with the friction linings to establish a power train between the actuating means and the clutch disc, an
Darby & Darby
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
Marmor Charles A
Rodriguez Saul
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