GB1421029A - Clutch release mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

1421029 Clutches AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS Ltd 11 June 1974 [15 June 1973] 28694/73 Headings F2C and F2L An assembly of a diaphragm spring and a clutch release mechanism in a friction clutch comprises a sheet metal thrust ring 29 (Fig. 1) fixed for rotation with the spring 18, the thrust ring having a flange 32 against which a race 25 of a clutch release bearing 20 bears, the thrust ring 29 having a cylindrical portion 30 within which the race 25 is an interference fit. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the thrust ring 29 is connected through an interference fit within a channel-section ring 34 to the spring 18, the channel-section ring 34 having a wire 36 each side of the spring fingers 19 of spring 18, retained between flanges 35, 37. A larger diameter clutch release bearing may be used by replacing thrust ring 29 with a thrust ring of similar shape to ring 48 of Fig. 5, without flange 49 (Fig. 2, not shown). In alternative embodiments the channel-section ring is absent and the thrust ring is connected to the diaphragm spring by two notched triangular-section rings 42, each of which has notches 44 to engage alternate spring fingers 19 so that adjacent fingers are axially displaced (each ring 42 engaging different fingers 19 in its notches 44). One example of this is illustrated in Fig. 5, other embodiments having a spring washer or circlip retaining the rings 42 on the cylindrical portion 30 of the thrust ring 29 of Fig. 1 (Figs. 3 and 4, not shown), or by tabs upturned from the thrust ring (Figs. 6 and 7, not shown). The release bearing may, as shown, be of sheet metal or it may not (Figs. 6 and 7) and the inner race of the bearing may be spigotted on an inner cylindrical part of a channel-section thrust ring (Fig. 6) rather than as shown. In the clutch the presser plate 15 slides axially on lugs 13 of a flange 12 of the flywheel 11 to engage the driven disc 17.