GB1269850A - Diaphragm spring clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

1,269,850. Friction clutches. FICHTEL & SACHS A.G. 5 Dec., 1969 [12 Dec., 1968], No. 59447/69. Headings F2C and F2L. In a friction clutch for a motor vehicle wherein a driven disc 2 is clamped between a flywheel 1 and presser plate 3 by a diaphragm spring 4 pivoted to a clutch cover 6, a helical spring ring 8 is included in the connection between the inner ends of the diaphragm spring fingers 5 and a thrust ring 9. The spring ring 8 is held in a recess 7 in the ends of the spring fingers 5 and accompanies radial movement of the spring fingers during operation and thus prevents wear. As shown a spring washer 12 acts through a thrust plate 13 and the spring ring 8 to hold the inner ends of the spring fingers 5 against the thrust ring 9. The thrust ring 9 has circumferentially spaced axial projections 10 which engage between the fingers 5 to centre the ring 9. In Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown) the thrust plate (16) between the spring washer (12) and the helical spring ring (8) is arcuate. The radii of the arcuate thrust plate and the depression 7 may be greater than the radius of the helical spring ring. In Fig. 3 (not shown) the inner ends of the spring fingers (5) are moved axially away from the flywheel to disengage the clutch and the thrust ring (9) is secured to the inner race (14) of a thrust bearing (15). In Figs. 6 and 7 (not shown) the helical spring ring (8) is positioned between the thrust ring (9) and the inner ends of the spring fingers (5). In Fig. 6 a radially floating thrusting bearing (15) is centred relative to the thrust ring (9) by conical surfaces (21). An antifriction coating (18) is provided between the outer race (15) of the thrust bearing and an axially slidable hub (17) to facilitate radial movement of the thrust bearing. In Fig. 7 the thrust ring is formed integrally with the inner race of the thrust bearing.