GB2194994A - Clutch - Google Patents

Clutch Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2194994A
GB2194994A GB08622183A GB8622183A GB2194994A GB 2194994 A GB2194994 A GB 2194994A GB 08622183 A GB08622183 A GB 08622183A GB 8622183 A GB8622183 A GB 8622183A GB 2194994 A GB2194994 A GB 2194994A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
clutch
driven plate
pressure plate
plate
flywheel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08622183A
Other versions
GB8622183D0 (en
Inventor
David Michael Rochford
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB08622183A priority Critical patent/GB2194994A/en
Publication of GB8622183D0 publication Critical patent/GB8622183D0/en
Publication of GB2194994A publication Critical patent/GB2194994A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D13/00—Friction clutches
    • F16D13/58—Details
    • F16D13/70—Pressure members, e.g. pressure plates, for clutch-plates or lamellae; Guiding arrangements for pressure members
    • F16D13/71—Pressure members, e.g. pressure plates, for clutch-plates or lamellae; Guiding arrangements for pressure members in which the clutching pressure is produced by springs only

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)

Abstract

A friction clutch comprises a driven plate (7) having an inner axially-extending central portion, e.g. a flange (13), supporting a radially- outer annular friction lining (12), and a pressure plate (5) having a central aperture accommodating the central portion of the driven plate (7). The radial clearance (r) between the central portion and the pressure plate (5) is sufficiently small, e.g. no more than 1.5mm, to provide self alignment between the driven plate (7) and the pressure plate (5) during assembly, without the need of a special tool. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clutch The present invention relates to a clutch.
Known clutches commonly comprise a forward rubbing face, usually of a flywheel, a driven plate and a pressure plate. The pressure plate is usually part of a cover assembly which is bolted to the flywheel which is itself attached to the crankshaft. The driven plate has a central splined hub which is axially slidable on a drive shaft of a gearbox.
When a clutch is mounted in a vehicle, e.g.
during assembly of the vehicle, or after clutch repair or replacement, a special aligning tool must first be inserted through the cover assembly and the driven plate to align these members before the cover assembly is bolted to the flywheel. The tool is then withdrawn and the gearbox drive shaft can then be inserted through the cover assembly.
Since the driven plate is slidable by means of splines on the gearbox drive shaft, the aligning tool must be similarly splined. The size of the splines can vary depending on the type of clutch, so that a range of tools must be kept if all types of clutch replacement are contemplated.
An object of the present invention is to provide a self-aligning clutch whereby an aligning tool is not necessary during clutch assembly.
The invention provides a clutch comprising a driven plate having an inner axially-extending central portion supporting a radially-outer annular friction lining, and a pressure plate having a central aperture accommodating the central portion of the driven plate, wherein the radial clearance between the central portion and the pressure plate is sufficiently small to provide self alignment between the driven plate and the pressure plate during assembly.
Preferably, the radial clearance is not greater than 1.5mm.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a vertical section through a clutch according to the invention.
In the drawing a flywheel 1 is bolted to an engine crankshaft 2. A cover assembly 3 is bolted to the flywheel 1 and comprises a cover 4, and an annular pressure plate 5 axially loaded by helical springs 6. A driven plate 7 has an internally splined hub 8 mounted for axial sliding movement on a correspondinglysplined gearbox drive shaft 9. The hub 8 is connected to the usual spring-steel segments 10 incorporating damping springs 11 and being connected to a radially-outer annular friction lining 12.
When the clutch is engaged the pressure plate 5 urges the friction lining 12 of the driven plate 7 against the flywheel 1 thereby providing transmission between the engine crankshaft 2 and the gearbox drive shaft 9.
When the clutch is replaced, the cover assembly 3 is unbolted and the driven plate 7 is removed. Sometimes only the driven plate 7 need be renewed, but frequently the pressure plate 5, and sometimes even the flywheel 1, particularly if scored, must also be renewed.
During re-assembly the cover assembly 3 and the driven plate 7 must be axially aligned before the cover 4 can be bolted to the flywheel 1. In accordance with the present invention only a very slight radial clearance r is provided between the axially-extending central portion of the driven plate 7 and the pressure plate 5. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the hub 8 of the driven plate 7 has an annular flange 13 accommodated within the annular pressure plate 5. The radial clearance r between the flange 13 and the annular pressure plate 5 should be sufficiently large to allow non-contacting relative rotation and also axial sliding movement between the driven plate 7 and the pressure plate 5, and yet be sufficiently small to provide selfalignment of the driven plate 7 and the pressure plate 5 when placed together.In practice the radial clearance r should not be greater than 1.5mm, i.e. the outer diameter of the central axially-extending portion of the driven plate 7, here the flanges13, should be a maximum of 3mm less than the inner diameter of the pressure plate 5.
The thus aligned pressure plate 5 and driven plate 7 may then be placed against the flywheel 1. The cover assembly is then bolted to the flywheel 1. The gearbox shaft 9 can then be inserted through the cover 4, the hub 8 of the driven plate 7 and into a bearing 14 provided at the end of the crankshaft 2.
Merely by matching the driven plate 7 to the pressure plate 5 for minimal clearance is self alignment provided without the need of special tools.
Time and expense is not only saved during replacing or repairing the clutch, but also during initial building-in of the clutch during vehicle assembly.
1. A clutch comprising a driven plate having an inner axially-extending central portion supporting a radially-outer annular friction lining, and a pressure plate having a central aperture accommodating the central portion of the driven plate, wherein the radial clearance between the central portion and the pressure plate is sufficiently small to provide self alignment between the driven plate and the pressure plate during assembly.
2. A clutch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radial clearance is no greater than 1.5cm.
3. A clutch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the axially-extending central portion of the driven plate comprises a flange of a central splined hub.
4 A clutch as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clutch The present invention relates to a clutch. Known clutches commonly comprise a forward rubbing face, usually of a flywheel, a driven plate and a pressure plate. The pressure plate is usually part of a cover assembly which is bolted to the flywheel which is itself attached to the crankshaft. The driven plate has a central splined hub which is axially slidable on a drive shaft of a gearbox. When a clutch is mounted in a vehicle, e.g. during assembly of the vehicle, or after clutch repair or replacement, a special aligning tool must first be inserted through the cover assembly and the driven plate to align these members before the cover assembly is bolted to the flywheel. The tool is then withdrawn and the gearbox drive shaft can then be inserted through the cover assembly. Since the driven plate is slidable by means of splines on the gearbox drive shaft, the aligning tool must be similarly splined. The size of the splines can vary depending on the type of clutch, so that a range of tools must be kept if all types of clutch replacement are contemplated. An object of the present invention is to provide a self-aligning clutch whereby an aligning tool is not necessary during clutch assembly. The invention provides a clutch comprising a driven plate having an inner axially-extending central portion supporting a radially-outer annular friction lining, and a pressure plate having a central aperture accommodating the central portion of the driven plate, wherein the radial clearance between the central portion and the pressure plate is sufficiently small to provide self alignment between the driven plate and the pressure plate during assembly. Preferably, the radial clearance is not greater than 1.5mm. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a vertical section through a clutch according to the invention. In the drawing a flywheel 1 is bolted to an engine crankshaft 2. A cover assembly 3 is bolted to the flywheel 1 and comprises a cover 4, and an annular pressure plate 5 axially loaded by helical springs 6. A driven plate 7 has an internally splined hub 8 mounted for axial sliding movement on a correspondinglysplined gearbox drive shaft 9. The hub 8 is connected to the usual spring-steel segments 10 incorporating damping springs 11 and being connected to a radially-outer annular friction lining 12. When the clutch is engaged the pressure plate 5 urges the friction lining 12 of the driven plate 7 against the flywheel 1 thereby providing transmission between the engine crankshaft 2 and the gearbox drive shaft 9. When the clutch is replaced, the cover assembly 3 is unbolted and the driven plate 7 is removed. Sometimes only the driven plate 7 need be renewed, but frequently the pressure plate 5, and sometimes even the flywheel 1, particularly if scored, must also be renewed. During re-assembly the cover assembly 3 and the driven plate 7 must be axially aligned before the cover 4 can be bolted to the flywheel 1. In accordance with the present invention only a very slight radial clearance r is provided between the axially-extending central portion of the driven plate 7 and the pressure plate 5. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the hub 8 of the driven plate 7 has an annular flange 13 accommodated within the annular pressure plate 5. The radial clearance r between the flange 13 and the annular pressure plate 5 should be sufficiently large to allow non-contacting relative rotation and also axial sliding movement between the driven plate 7 and the pressure plate 5, and yet be sufficiently small to provide selfalignment of the driven plate 7 and the pressure plate 5 when placed together.In practice the radial clearance r should not be greater than 1.5mm, i.e. the outer diameter of the central axially-extending portion of the driven plate 7, here the flanges13, should be a maximum of 3mm less than the inner diameter of the pressure plate 5. The thus aligned pressure plate 5 and driven plate 7 may then be placed against the flywheel 1. The cover assembly is then bolted to the flywheel 1. The gearbox shaft 9 can then be inserted through the cover 4, the hub 8 of the driven plate 7 and into a bearing 14 provided at the end of the crankshaft 2. Merely by matching the driven plate 7 to the pressure plate 5 for minimal clearance is self alignment provided without the need of special tools. Time and expense is not only saved during replacing or repairing the clutch, but also during initial building-in of the clutch during vehicle assembly. CLAIMS
1. A clutch comprising a driven plate having an inner axially-extending central portion supporting a radially-outer annular friction lining, and a pressure plate having a central aperture accommodating the central portion of the driven plate, wherein the radial clearance between the central portion and the pressure plate is sufficiently small to provide self alignment between the driven plate and the pressure plate during assembly.
2. A clutch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radial clearance is no greater than 1.5cm.
3. A clutch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the axially-extending central portion of the driven plate comprises a flange of a central splined hub.
4 A clutch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the axially-extending central portion of the driven plate is provided with damping springs.
5. A clutch substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB08622183A 1986-09-12 1986-09-12 Clutch Withdrawn GB2194994A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08622183A GB2194994A (en) 1986-09-12 1986-09-12 Clutch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08622183A GB2194994A (en) 1986-09-12 1986-09-12 Clutch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8622183D0 GB8622183D0 (en) 1986-10-22
GB2194994A true GB2194994A (en) 1988-03-23

Family

ID=10604210

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08622183A Withdrawn GB2194994A (en) 1986-09-12 1986-09-12 Clutch

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2194994A (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2202286A (en) * 1986-12-17 1988-09-21 Luk Lamellen & Kupplungsbau A friction clutch unit
DE3814569A1 (en) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-09 Fichtel & Sachs Ag Pressure plate with fixing means for centring the clutch disc
DE3916853A1 (en) * 1988-11-11 1990-05-17 Fichtel & Sachs Ag FRICTION CLUTCH WITH SEPARATE CLUTCH DISC BEARING
DE19649130C1 (en) * 1996-11-27 1998-02-12 Mannesmann Sachs Ag Pressure plate assembly group for road vehicle friction clutch

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB396035A (en) * 1930-10-30 1933-07-27 Fiat Spa Improvements in or relating to friction clutches particularly for motor vehicles
GB739673A (en) * 1953-11-09 1955-11-02 August Haeussermann Improvements relating to friction clutches, in particular for motor vehicles
GB1165998A (en) * 1967-02-17 1969-10-01 Ford Motor Co Clutches
GB1397619A (en) * 1971-10-21 1975-06-11 Nissan Motor Friction clutch
GB1399386A (en) * 1971-09-10 1975-07-02 Towmotor Corp Fluid clutch housing
GB2134997A (en) * 1983-02-08 1984-08-22 Valeo Clutch with reaction plate in two parts especially for motor vehicles
GB2152602A (en) * 1984-01-10 1985-08-07 Valeo A clutch mechanism

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB396035A (en) * 1930-10-30 1933-07-27 Fiat Spa Improvements in or relating to friction clutches particularly for motor vehicles
GB739673A (en) * 1953-11-09 1955-11-02 August Haeussermann Improvements relating to friction clutches, in particular for motor vehicles
GB1165998A (en) * 1967-02-17 1969-10-01 Ford Motor Co Clutches
GB1399386A (en) * 1971-09-10 1975-07-02 Towmotor Corp Fluid clutch housing
GB1397619A (en) * 1971-10-21 1975-06-11 Nissan Motor Friction clutch
GB2134997A (en) * 1983-02-08 1984-08-22 Valeo Clutch with reaction plate in two parts especially for motor vehicles
GB2152602A (en) * 1984-01-10 1985-08-07 Valeo A clutch mechanism

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2202286A (en) * 1986-12-17 1988-09-21 Luk Lamellen & Kupplungsbau A friction clutch unit
DE3814569A1 (en) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-09 Fichtel & Sachs Ag Pressure plate with fixing means for centring the clutch disc
DE3814569C2 (en) * 1988-04-29 1998-07-09 Mannesmann Sachs Ag Friction clutch for motor vehicles
DE3916853A1 (en) * 1988-11-11 1990-05-17 Fichtel & Sachs Ag FRICTION CLUTCH WITH SEPARATE CLUTCH DISC BEARING
DE19649130C1 (en) * 1996-11-27 1998-02-12 Mannesmann Sachs Ag Pressure plate assembly group for road vehicle friction clutch
FR2756338A1 (en) * 1996-11-27 1998-05-29 Mannesmann Sachs Ag PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR A FRICTION CLUTCH OF A VEHICLE
ES2139522A1 (en) * 1996-11-27 2000-02-01 Mannesmann Sachs Ag Pressure plate and clutch disc sub-assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8622183D0 (en) 1986-10-22

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)