FR2707717A1 - Clutch mechanism, especially for a motor vehicle. - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a clutch mechanism of the kind comprising a cover (11), by which it is intended to be attached to a reaction plate (12), a pressure plate (13), which is locked in rotation. on the cover (11) while being axially movable relative to the latter, and a diaphragm (16) which bears on the cover (11) and bears on the pressure plate (13). According to the invention, for the support of the diaphragm (16) on the pressure plate (13), it is attached, at least locally, on the diaphragm (16), support means, and, for example, support pads (36), which, separate from this diaphragm (16), are duly secured thereto. Application to clutches, in particular for motor vehicles.

Description

"Clutch mechanism, in particular for a motor vehicle" The present

  The invention relates generally to clutch mechanisms, in particular for motor vehicles, of the type comprising a cover, by which they are intended to be attached to a reaction plate, a pressure plate, which is set in rotation on the cover while being movable axially relative thereto, and a diaphragm which bears on the cover and which bears on

the pressure plate.

  Usually, the pressure plate is a cast iron piece, which, for the support of the diaphragm, has, projecting, from place to place, bosses elongated circumferentially around the axis of the assembly and come from a single holding molding

with him.

  It has however been envisaged to make sheet metal such

pressure plate.

  The problem then arises of the realization of the means

  support to intervene between him and the diaphragm.

  The present invention relates to a clutch mechanism in which a solution is provided

  particularly simple to this problem.

  This clutch mechanism, which is of the type concerned, is characterized in that, for the support of the diaphragm on the pressure plate, at least locally, on the diaphragm, bearing means are provided, which, distinct from this

  diaphragm, are duly attached to this one.

  It turns out, in fact, to experience and tests, that, despite the particularly delicate working conditions of the diaphragm in use, and in particular its changes of configuration, it was possible to subject such support means to it. without interfering with its mode of intervention. The clutch mechanism according to the invention is thus advantageously lightened and has a good compactness

axial.

  The characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will emerge from the description which follows,

  By way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is, with local detachments, an elevational view of a clutch mechanism according to the invention; Figure 2 is a larger scale, a partial view in axial section along the broken line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial view in axial section which, similar to that of Figure 2, relates to an alternative embodiment. As illustrated, and in a manner known per se, the clutch mechanism 10 according to the invention comprises a cover 11, by which it is intended to be attached to a reaction plate 12, as shown schematically in broken lines on the FIGS. 2, 3, a pressure plate 13, which, by tongues 15, is wedged in rotation on the lid 11 while being axially movable relative thereto, and a diaphragm 16, which bears on the lid 11 and bears on the pressure plate 13, for biasing it towards the reaction plate 12 and thus clamping the friction linings of a friction disc 17 between the pressure plate 13 and the reaction plate 12.

  All these parts are globally annular.

  The cover 11 comprises, transversely, a bottom 18, with a central hole, on which takes directly or indirectly support the diaphragm 16, and a peripheral flange 19, which has holes 20 for the passage of screws 21 for fixing the assembly to reaction plate 12, with, between this bottom 18 and the peripheral rim 19, a substantially axial portion 22 forming an annular wall around

  the peripheral portion of the diaphragm 16.

  Here, the bottom 18 of the cover 11 forms annularly in

  projecting a bead 24 for the support of the diaphragm 16.

  The diaphragm 16 has a peripheral portion 25, forming a Belleville washer, and a central portion 26

  fragmented into radial fingers 27 by slots 28.

  At the root of the radial fingers 27, the slots 28 open each in a passage 29 of more contour or

less circular.

  Referring here, by way of example, to a clutch mechanism 10 of the "pulling" type, the support of the diaphragm 16 on the bead 24 of the cover 11 is in the vicinity of the outer periphery, that is to say of greater diameter, of its peripheral portion 25, while, jointly, its support on the pressure plate 13 is in the vicinity of the inner periphery, that is to say moreover

  small diameter, of this peripheral part 25.

  Here, three tabs 15, regularly distributed circularly at 120 relative to one another, are provided, and, coming integrally from the pressure plate 13, they have the same thickness as this one, the together belonging to a sheet metal part 30, and for example to a piece of sheet steel or aluminum sheet, suitably cut

and consistent.

  Here, the tongues 15 are elongated circularly, and they each have, in the vicinity of their free end, two holes 31, for the passage of the corresponding screws 21, with, between these holes 31, a bore 32,

  for the intervention of a centering pin 33.

  The areas of the peripheral rim 19 of the cover 11 comprising the bores 20 are coplanar and the remainder of this peripheral rim 19 extends axially more or less in

withdrawal from them.

  Here, for each tongue 15, an outgrowth 34, coming integrally from the inner wafer of smaller diameter of such a tongue 15 at the bore 32, extends radially towards the peripheral wafer of larger diameter. pressure plate 13, in the slot 35 separating it from this pressure plate 13, to limit

  the possible radial unbalance movement towards it.

  According to the invention, for the support of the diaphragm 16 on the pressure plate 13, it is reported, at least locally, on the diaphragm 16, support means, which, distinct from this diaphragm 16, are duly secured to this one. In FIGS. 1 and 2, these support means are formed by bearing pads 36, each individually attached to the diaphragm 16 in favor of at least some of the passages

  29 present at the root of the radial fingers 27 thereof.

  Here, there is provided a support pad 36 per passage 29.

  For local contact with the pressure plate 13, this bearing pad 36 comprises a boss 38, which is offset radially with respect to the corresponding passage 29 of the diaphragm 16 towards the outer periphery, of larger diameter, of the peripheral portion. 25 of it, and

which is rounded here.

  Here, each of the bearing pads 36 is attached to the diaphragm 16 by crimping, by matting, beyond the diaphragm 16, the shaft 39 that includes such a bearing pad 36 for the

crossing this diaphragm 16.

  If desired, and as shown schematically in dashed lines in FIG. 2, each of the bearing pads 36 has, radially on its barrel 39 towards the axis of the assembly, an indexing lug 41 which, for its indexing vis-à-vis the diaphragm 16, and thus a

  correct positioning of its boss 38 with respect to this

  ci, extends in the corresponding slot 28 of this diaphragm 16. In Figure 3, the support means intervening between the diaphragm 16 and the pressure plate 13 are formed by a bearing washer 36 'which, arranged annularly around the axis of the assembly, comprises, from place to place, along its periphery of smaller diameter, tabs 44 by which it is hooked on the diaphragm 16, these tabs 44 each individually crossing the diaphragm 16 to the favor of at least some of the passages 29 present at the

  root of the radial fingers 27 thereof.

  For local contact with the diaphragm 16, the washer

36 'here has a rounded shape.

  If desired, and as shown schematically in dashed lines in FIG. 3, at least some of the tabs 44 of the support washer 36 'each individually comprise an extension 45 which, extending radially in a direction opposite to the axis of the assembly, overhangs the lid 11, and, more specifically, the bottom 18 thereof, to limit the axial stroke, of buckling, of the pressure plate 13 relative to the lid 11 under the loading of the diaphragm 16,

  and thus sparing the tongues 15.

  In this case, between the cover 11 and the extensions of the tabs 44 of the support washer 36 'is a bayonet type mounting, the bottom 18 of the cover 11 having, for each tab 44, on its periphery more small diameter, a notch, not shown, specific to the local passage of the corresponding extension 45. In all cases, the support means used according to the invention between the pressure plate 13 and the diaphragm 16 advantageously make it possible to stiffen the radial fingers 27 of the latter, so that, during the maneuvering of the clutch leading to the loosening of the friction linings friction disc 17, we obtain a better lifting of the pressure plate 13, the tabs reminding the pressure plate 13 towards the bottom 18

cover 11.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but

  encompasses any variant of execution.

Claims (9)

  Clutch mechanism, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a cover (11), by which it is intended to be attached to a reaction plate (12), a pressure plate (13), which is wedged in rotation on the cover (11) while being movable axially with respect thereto, and a diaphragm (16) which bears on the cover (11) and bears on the pressure plate (13), characterized in that, for supporting the diaphragm (16) on the pressure plate (13), at least locally, on the diaphragm (16), bearing means are provided which, separately   said diaphragm (16), are duly attached thereto.   2. clutch mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means are formed of support pads (36) each individually reported on the diaphragm (16) in favor of at least some of the passages   (29) present at the root of the radial fingers (27) thereof.   3. clutch mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, for contact with the pressure plate (13), each of the bearing pads (36) comprises a boss (38) radially offset from the passage (29). ) corresponding of the diaphragm (16).   4. clutch mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that each of the bearing pads (36) has radially projecting an indexing lug (41) which extends   in the corresponding slot (28) of the diaphragm (16).   5. Clutch mechanism according to any one of   Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each of the studs   support (36) is attached to the diaphragm (16) by crimping.   6. clutch mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means are formed by a bearing washer (36 ') which, arranged annularly around the axis of the assembly, comprises legs (44) by which   it is hooked on the diaphragm (16).   Clutch mechanism according to Claim 6, characterized in that the tabs (44) of the bearing washer (36 ') each individually pass through the diaphragm (16) in favor of at least some of the passages (29). present at   the root of the radial fingers (27) thereof.   8. clutch mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that at least some of the lugs (44) of the bearing washer (36 ') each individually comprise an extension (45) which, radially extending, overhangs the cover (11).   9. clutch mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that between the cover (11) and the extensions (45) of the lugs (44) of the support washer   (36 '), intervenes a bayonet mount type mounting.