192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-01
2004-02-24
Rodriguez, Saul (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
C192S070190, C192S111400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06695116
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pressure plate assembly for a multi-disk clutch having a housing arrangement, a pressure plate mounted in the housing arrangement so that the pressure plate is axially movable with respect to the housing arrangement and fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing arrangement, an intermediate plate mounted in the housing arrangement so that the intermediate plate is axially movable with respect to the housing arrangement and fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing arrangement, and a release distance preset arrangement for the intermediate plate having at least one sensing element on the intermediate plate. The sensing element rests on an assembly which shifts position during the performance of a releasing movement of the pressure plate and allows the intermediate plate to execute a releasing movement corresponding to the shift of this assembly. The sensing element in contact with the assembly is pretensioned by an intermediate plate releasing force-generating arrangement which acts on the intermediate plate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A dual-disk clutch and a pressure plate assembly for such a clutch are known from German reference DE 37 07 918 C2. This dual-disk clutch includes a pressure plate and an intermediate plate which are installed in a housing and are movable in the same direction as an axis of rotation within a certain limited range with respect to the housing to execute clutch-releasing or clutch-engaging movements. Both the pressure plate and the intermediate plate are connected to the housing by so-called tangential leaf springs or groups of tangential leaf springs. At one end, the tangential leaf springs or groups of tangential leaf springs are attached to the housing. At the other end, these tangential leaf springs or groups of tangential leaf springs are attached to the pressure plate or to the intermediate plate. In these end areas, therefore, the tangential leaf springs are supported on the housing on the one side and on the pressure plate or intermediate plate on the other and thus generate the releasing force required for the execution of the clutch-release operations.
A sensing element is provided on the intermediate plate to detect a position of a group of tangential leaf springs connecting the pressure plate to the housing. More specifically, this sensing occurs in the central part of the circumferential dimension of the tangential leaf springs. The reason for this is that the central area of this group of tangential leaf springs executes a stroke which corresponds approximately to half of the stroke of the pressure plate during the execution of a releasing movement. This stroke of the central area of the tangential leaf springs equal to half the stroke of the pressure plate is then the stroke which the intermediate plate executes in response to a release movement. The sensing of this group of tangential leaf springs does not necessarily have to involve direct physical contact between the sensing element and these tangential leaf springs.
A contact element may be connected to the two support or end areas of the group of tangential leaf springs. The central area of this contact element can thus execute essentially the same stroke as that of the associated central area of the tangential leaf springs.
The pretension of the tangential leaf springs which connect the intermediate plate to the housing ensures that the intermediate plate copies the disengaging or release movement of the pressure plate in a defined manner by traveling a corresponding but reduced releasing distance. Upon the execution of a clutch-engaging operation, a stored-energy device such as, for example, a diaphragm spring then works against the tangential leaf springs of the pressure plate and the tangential leaf springs of the intermediate plate. Here, too, a corresponding reduction occurs with respect to the distance traveled between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate.
In this known pressure plate assembly or dual-disk clutch in which measures are taken to provide for a defined release movement of the intermediate plate upon execution of a clutch-release operation, there is the problem that the intermediate plate in particular may be induced to vibrate in the axial direction when it is not clamped between the two clutch disks. These axial vibrations may be transmitted to other components such as the pressure plate by the sensing element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure plate assembly for a multi-disk friction clutch which at least reduces the danger of the excitation of vibrations in the area of the intermediate plate without affecting the defined release behavior.
According to the present invention, the object is acheived by a pressure plate assembly for a multi-disk clutch having a housing arrangement, a pressure plate mounted in the housing arrangement so that the pressure plate is axially movable with respect to the housing arrangement and fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing arrangement, an intermediate plate mounted in the housing arrangement so that the intermediate plate is axially movable with respect to the housing arrangement and fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing arrangement, a release distance preset arrangement for the intermediate plate having at least one sensing element on the intermediate plate, wherein the sensing element rests on an assembly which shifts position during the performance of a releasing movement of the pressure plate and allows the intermediate plate to execute a releasing movement corresponding to the shift of this assembly, where the sensing element in contact with the assembly is pretensioned by an intermediate plate releasing force-generating arrangement which acts on the intermediate plate.
According to the present invention, at least one rotational coupling projection is further provided on one of the intermediate plate and the housing arrangement which fits into a rotational coupling recess in the other one of the intermediate plate and the housing arrangement, to produce a rotational coupling between the intermediate plate and housing arrangement.
In contrast to the approach known from the state of the art, the pressure plate assembly according to the present invention separates the function of producing the releasing force for the intermediate plate and the function of producing a rotational coupling of the intermediate plate to the housing arrangement. In particular, at least one rotational coupling projection is provided to produce the rotational coupling which fits into an appropriate recess and thus rests against it. The cooperation between the rotational coupling projection and the respective rotational coupling recess provides a very stable rotational coupling between the intermediate plate and the housing arrangement. The rotational coupling projection and the respective rotational coupling recess also ensure that the intermediate plate enters into frictional interaction with the housing arrangement upon execution of axial movements. The frictional interaction counteracts the buildup of vibrations in the area of the intermediate plate. The pressure plate assembly according to the present invention avoids the suspension of the intermediate plate according to the state of the art by means of tangential leaf springs, which is essentially free in the axial direction.
At least one contact surface extending essentially in the same direction as the axis of rotation may be provided on the rotational coupling recess, along which surface the minimum of one rotational coupling projection is able to shift upon execution of a releasing movement of the intermediate plate.
For technical reasons associated with production, it is preferable for the minimum of one rotational coupling projection to be located on the intermediate plate.
The intermediate plate releasing force-generating arrangement may comprise at least one leaf spring
Hick Wolfram
Hirschmann Frank
Lindner Joachim
Lohaus Norbert
Steinel Klaus
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Rodriguez Saul
ZF Sachs AG
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