GB527184A - Improvements in friction clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

527,184. Friction clutches. CONSTANTINE,. W. W. (General Motors Corporation). April 3, 1939, No. 10348. [Class 80 (ii)] The pressure-plate 31 of a friction clutch is urged towards disengaged position by a plurality of springs 59 and is normally maintained in engaged position by a Belleville spring 37 which reacts against an annular rib 41 on the cover plate 21, secured to the driving flywheel 17, while the outer edge of the spring 37 bears against, and is centred within an annular shoulder 39 on, the plate 31. On moving to the left a control sleeve 47, co-operating with the inner slotted portion of the spring 37, the reaction point is transferred from the rib 41 to the sleeve, thereby allowing the springs 59 to retract the plate 31 while maintaining the spring 37 in contact with the rib 41, so as to give a progressive action. As shown, the springs 59, in the form of opposed small Bellville washers, act between the cover 21 and the heads of studs 55 secured to the plate 31, but, in a modification, pairs of springs act between the flange 80 of the cover 21 and brackets secured to the driving lugs 33 of the plate 31.