GB1179670A - Improvements in or relating to Friction Clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

1,179,670. Friction clutches. FICHTEL & SACHS A.G. 26 July, 1968 [29 July, 1967], No. 35786/68. Heading F2C. In a spring-engaged twin plate friction clutch in which two driven friction discs 7a, 7b are axially spaced between a flywheel 3 and pressure plate 6 by an intermediate plate 8 rotationally connected to the flywheel/housing assembly 1, 2, 3 by tangentially arranged laminated spring straps 11, and clutch disengagement is effected by the usual throw-out bearing 4 acting through the usual release levers 5 fulcrumed on the clutch housing 1, the intermediate plate 8 is moved, on clutch disengagement, by clutch release springs 20 to effect complete release of the friction discs 7a, 7b, the spring release movement of the plate 8 being restricted to half the disengaging movement (h/2, Fig. 3) of the pressure plate 6 by stop members 21-23 frictionally mounted in peripheral holes in the plate 8 and acting between the flywheel 3 and stop faces 16 formed on an intermediate clutch housing ring 2. The stop members comprise headed pins 22, connected by a core sleeve 23, with their heads forming stop faces and their shanks arranged within a split expansion sleeve 21 frictionally engaged in a hole in radial projections 14 of the plate 8, the total frictional grip of the stop members in the plate 8 being greater than the release springs 20 but less than the main clutch springs 31 whereby the intermediate plate is automatically ad justed towards the flywheel to counteract wear on the driven disc 7a, spacer bolts 17 serving to limit the movement to the maximum permissible wear on the friction disc 7a whereby damage to the flywheel and intermediate plate by overworn friction discs is avoided.