192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Axially engaging
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-04
2001-03-20
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Axially engaging
C192S111400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202817
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a thrust plate assembly with automatic wear adjustment and a device for securing the automatic wear adjustment against rotation.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prior art friction clutch is disclosed in DE-PS 195 06 698 C2 includes an adjusting device comprising two adjusting rings arranged between an outer diameter area of a diaphragm spring and a pressure plate. A play sensor is located in an axial bore hole in the pressure plate, where it is held by a frictional clamping fit. An actuator portion is connected to the play sensor and has radial inner end located between the outer diameter area of a diaphragm spring and the pressure plate, as viewed in the axial direction, and extends up to a cutout in one of the two adjusting rings. A spring which loads the two adjusting rings in the circumferential direction and axially lengthens the adjusting device additionally reinforces the clamping fit of the play sensor. As wear occurs in the friction linings during operation, this frictional clamping is canceled as a result of the loading by the diaphragm spring, so that an axial distance corresponding to the wear at the friction faces is adjusted between the radial inner end of the actuation portion and the adjusting ring in the region of the cutout. During the next clutch release process, the adjusting device is sufficiently lengthened so that this distance of wear is eliminated. While rotation of the adjusting ring is substantially prevented by the play sensor which reaches into the cutout, torsional vibrations may nevertheless be transmitted to this adjusting ring. It is especially possible for vibrations to transmitted to the adjusting ring when the adjusting ring on the diaphragm spring side is rotated to the extent that one of the walls of the cutout encounters the actuation device of the play sensor. Due to the rotation, but also because of vibrations and torsional vibrations, the clamping of the play sensor in the pressure plate may loosen, so that information about wear for the wear adjusting device may be lost. Particularly in case of strong torsional vibrations, the adjusting ring on the flywheel side may rotate relative to the adjusting ring on the diaphragm spring side, resulting in an arbitrary adjustment of the wear adjustment means.
A prior art thrust plate assembly shown in DE-PS 198 16 519.6-12 has a device which merely prevents reversal of the automatic play compensation adjustment. Accordingly, this prior art cannot prevent the above-mentioned arbitrary adjustment of the wear adjusting means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to improve the thrust plate assemblies of the prior art with respect to reliability of adjustment. This object is met, according to the invention, by a thrust plate assembly for a motor vehicle friction clutch with automatic wear compensation, comprising a flywheel rotatably mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, a housing fastened to said flywheel for rotation with said flywheel about said axis of rotation, a pressure plate connected to said housing so that said pressure plate is rotatably fixed to said housing and axially movable with respect to said housing, and said pressure plate having a friction face on a side of said pressure plate facing said flywheel, a diaphragm spring arranged between said housing and said pressure plate for urging said pressure plate toward said flywheel, an axially acting adjusting mechanism arranged between said axially acting spring element and said pressure plate such that said axially acting spring element acts on said pressure plate via said axially acting adjusting mechanism, said axially acting adjusting mechanism having an adjustable axial length for compensating wear of the friction clutch, a play sensor having a wear detection portion axially displaceably arranged for axial displacement against friction relative to said pressure plate in response to the wear of the friction clutch and an actuator portion connected to said wear detection portion and operatively arranged relative to said adjusting mechanism for allowing an axial lengthening of said axially acting adjusting mechanism in response to the wear, and a device for securing at least a portion of said axially acting adjusting mechanism against rotation.
The separate securing device for the adjusting mechanism ensures that the play sensor regulating the axial extension of the adjusting mechanism will not be acted upon or displaced conversely by the adjusting mechanism. Accordingly, the play sensor dependably regulates the length of the adjusting mechanism to the correct predetermined degree. The risk of direct unwanted adjustment of the adjusting mechanism may also be reduced.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5634541 (1997-06-01), Maucher
patent: 5690203 (1997-11-01), Link et al.
patent: 5803223 (1998-09-01), Thirion De Briel et al.
patent: 5934429 (1999-08-01), Jennings
patent: 5988338 (1999-11-01), Maucher
patent: 44 36 111 (1996-01-01), None
patent: 195 06 698 (1997-03-01), None
patent: 198 16 519 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 196 49 135 (1998-06-01), None
Eichelsbacher Peter
Knauer Wolfgang
Link Achim
Reiber Wolfgang
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Lorence Richard M.
Mannesmann Sachs AG
LandOfFree
Thrust plate assembly with means for securing against... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Thrust plate assembly with means for securing against..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thrust plate assembly with means for securing against... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2518730