192 clutches and power-stop control – Clutches – Torque responsive
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2001-05-22
Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Clutches
Torque responsive
C192S070170, C192S212000, C464S067100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234288
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to torque transmitting apparatus in general, and more particularly to improvements in torque transmitting apparatus wherein a first flywheel can receive torque from a rotary output member of a prime mover (e.g., from the crankshaft or camshaft of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle), wherein a second flywheel is rotatable with and relative to the first flywheel about a common axis, and wherein rotation of the flywheels relative to each other is opposed by one or more dampers. The second flywheel can transmit torque to a rotary input element (e.g., to the input shaft of a variable-speed transmission in the power train between the engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle), and the transmission of torque from the second flywheel to the input element can take place by way of an engageable and disengageable friction clutch.
The invention also relates to improvements in friction clutches which can be utilized in the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus or in other types of torque transmitting apparatus to transmit torque or to interrupt the transmission of torque between a prime mover and one or more driven units, e.g., between an engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle.
Still further, the invention relates to improvements in means (e.g., one or more dampers and/or one or more friction generating devices, such as slip clutches) which can be utilized in the above-outlined or other types of torque transmitting apparatus to predictably oppose the rotation of several masses (e.g., two or more flywheels) relative to each other.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus which is simpler and less expensive than, but at least as reliable as, heretofore known torque transmitting apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus which is constructed and assembled in such a way that its space requirements in the direction of the axis of rotation of its parts, as well as in directions radially of such axis, are less than in conventional torque transmitting apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus which can embody a friction clutch with large-diameter friction surfaces in spite of the compactness of its constituents in directions radially of the axis of rotation of the rotary parts.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus which employs one or more friction clutches with friction surfaces having radii at least matching the radii of friction surfaces in heretofore known bulkier and more expensive friction clutches.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus whose useful life is longer than that of heretofore known torque transmitting apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide a power train which can be utilized in motor vehicles as a superior substitute for heretofore known and used power trains.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of assembling and installing the above-outlined improved power train and/or its constituents.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a conveyance, such as a motor vehicle, which embodies a power train utilizing the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus.
Still another object of the invention to provide a novel and improved module which embodies the above-outlined power train and can be conveniently affixed to or detached from a rotary output element of a prime mover, e.g., a crankshaft or a camshaft driven by the combustion engine or another motor in an automobile or another vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of making the component parts of the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved friction clutch which can be utilized in the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus and/or in other apparatus to transmit torque or to interrupt the transmission of torque between a prime mover and one or more driven assemblies.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus whose reliability at least matches that of conventional apparatus, even though it can comprise or actually comprises a much smaller number of parts or groups of parts.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus whose component parts can be mass-produced in available machines and with minimal losses in material.
A further object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus which can be practically fully assembled at the manufacturing plant and can be assembled of parts which require a minimum of treatment, or no treatment at all, in material removing machines so that the making of the apparatus can be carried out without adversely affecting the surrounding atmosphere.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is designed in such a way that the making of its parts and/or the assembly of such parts into an operative torque transmitting apparatus can be automated to any desired extent.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a torque transmitting apparatus which is constructed and assembled to reliably prevent excessive stressing of its constituents, for example, to prevent the transmission of excessive torque from one or more driving parts to the corresponding or associated driven part or parts.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is constructed and assembled in such a way that its constituent or constituents (e.g., a flywheel or a friction clutch) cannot transmit excessive torque to a variable speed transmission and/or other part or parts in the power train of a motor vehicle.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved connection between the housing and the pressure plate of a friction clutch which can be utilized in the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus or elsewhere.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved system for effectively cooling a torque transmitting apparatus of the above-outlined character.
An additional object of the invention is to provide novel and improved energy storing means for use in dampers between the flywheels which are used in the above-outlined or other torque transmitting apparatus.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved distribution of component parts in the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus and to afford convenient access to certain component parts of such apparatus, either to facilitate rapid assembly and mounting on a rotary output element or to facilitate rapid detachment of the apparatus from the output element.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of pressure plate, clutch spring and housing in a friction clutch which can be put to use in the above-outlined apparatus.
Another object of the invention is to provide the above-outlined torque transmitting apparatus with a friction clutch which automatically adjusts the positions, of its parts to compensate for wear so that the friction clutch can remain encapsulated during the entire useful life of the machine, e.g., a motor vehicle, wherein the torque transmitting apparatus is put to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an apparatus which is designed to transmit torque and comprises a first flywheel connectable with a rotary output element (e.g., a camshaft or a crankshaft) of a prime mover (e.g., a combustion engine under the hood of a motor vehicle), and a second flywheel which is rotatable with, as well as relative to, the first flywheel about a common axis and is connectable with a rotary input element of a driven unit (e.g., with the input shaft of a variable-speed transmission in the power train between the engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle). The transmissi
Jackel Johann
Reik Wolfgang
Bonck Rodney H.
Darby & Darby
LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
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