GB796432A - Improvements in or relating to clutches - Google Patents

Abstract

796,432. Friction clutches. FICHTEL & SACHS AKT.-GES. Nov. 15, 1955 [Nov. 24, 1954], No. 32609/55. Class 80 (2). Relates to a centrifugally-engaged friction clutch having a flywheel 11 and a cover 20 with masses 29 pivoted at 28 on the cover and a pressure plate 18 engageable with a driven friction disc 14. According to the invention, engaging springs 34 are located between the pressure plate 18 and an annular spring housing 33, and disengaging springs 35 are situated between the cover 20 and the annular spring housing to bias the latter to the right of Fig. 2, links 39 connecting the masses 29 to the annular spring housing. The links 39 are of the cross-section shown in Fig. 2, and are provided with knife edges 38 at one end engaging the masses 29. The other ends of the links 39 are mounted in holes in the annular spring housing 33 by means of small support plates 40. When the flywheel 11 and the cover 20 rotate, the masses 29 pivot and, through the links 39, move the annular spring housing 33 to the left of Fig. 2 against the bias of the springs 35, and simultaneously compresses the engaging springs 34 which force the pressure plate 18 into engagement with the driven disc 14. The clutch can be disengaged manually by movement of a thrust collar 26 to engage with the usual radial throw-out levers 24, connected to the pressure plate 18 by means similar to that described in Specification 291,707. Annular friction fairings 13, 19 are secured to the flywheel 11 and pressure plate 18, respectively. In a modification, Fig. 3 (not shown), pins fast with the pressure plate 18 are surrounded by engaging springs situated between the pressure plate and the annular spring housing, through which the pins pass freely, these springs in turn being surrounded by by disengaging springs lying between the cover 11 and the annular spring housing.