KR20010043769A - Device for mounting a diaphragm on a clutch cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for mounting a diaphragm (28) on a clutch cover (10), comprising a pin (40) that is crimped in a hole in the bottom of the cover (10) and coupled to an elastic deformation hook (44), and is elastic The deformable hook 44 is engaged in a diaphragm orifice 58 and forms a second pedestal whose branch, which is installed in the diaphragm outer circumference 30, pivotally supports the diaphragm with respect to the clutch. The invention is particularly applicable to clutch systems for automobiles.

Description

DEVICE FOR MOUNTING A DIAPHRAGM ON A CLUTCH COVER}

In this type of clutch, the diaphragm is part of a mechanism for clamping the friction disk on a reaction plate driven by engine shaft rotation, which exerts an axial thrust on the pressure plate to clamp the friction disk on the reaction plate. The application is an annular component having an outer periphery in the form of a Belleville ring constituting the clutch engagement means, the inner part of the diaphragm comprising radial fingers constituting the clutch release means on which the clutch release bearing acts. It is slotted radially to define a finger.

The diaphragm is supported and guided by a clutch cover plate which is fixed on the reaction plate and inclined on the first and second pedestals and passes from the clutch release position to the clutch engagement position or vice versa. According to various embodiments, the pedestal is defined as a press-molded element in the base of the cover plate. That is, the first pedestal is defined as an annular ring supported by the base of the cover plate, and the second pedestal is a crown ring supported by a protrusion which projects from the base of the cover plate and extends through an opening in the diaphragm. It is prescribed. In another embodiment, the second pedestal may be defined as a short post head that extends through an opening in the diaphragm and is fixed on the cover plate by seaming.

In order to improve the pivot mounting of the diaphragm on the clutch cover plate, the diaphragm is fixed on the cover plate by means of an elastically deformable clip extending through the diaphragm and the opening in the cover plate, and the clamping of the clip to clamp the diaphragm on the cover plate. It is disclosed in DE-U-1 757 954 that the end is installed on the base of the diaphragm and cover plate. This clip is formed of a rectangular steal leaf with the end dried and constitutes the only means of joining the diaphragm and the clutch cover plate, but may prove inadequate in operation. Furthermore, because of the particular shape of the clip, this clip has a low elasticity in the axial direction of the clutch and is not suitable for compensation of clearance due to wear and manufacturing tolerances.

Also disclosed in US-A-4 195 719 is a method of constructing a second pedestal by means of an annular member, wherein the radially outer portion of the annular member is elastically mounted on the diaphragm to the press-formed element of the base of the cover plate. A rolled edge for urging the annular member against, the radially inner portion of the annular member having an opening through which a shortened seam passes through an opening in the clutch cover plate base, the annular member being elastic on the diaphragm A head of the column is coupled on the annular member to hold it. In this conventional arrangement, the axial elasticity is provided primarily by the curled edge of the annular member, which edge must withstand the force for releasing the clutch (axial force generated by the clutch release bearing on the radial finger of the diaphragm). And, beyond the elastic limit of the material, there is a risk of significant shrinkage in the longitudinal direction to the extent that damage to axial elasticity and clearance compensation due to attrition and manufacturing tolerances is at risk.

Summary of the Invention

It is a particular object of the present invention to avoid this disadvantage of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mounting a diaphragm on a clutch cover plate having axial elasticity sufficient to handle clearance over the entire operating life of the clutch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which is very short in the axial direction.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for mounting a diaphragm on a clutch cover plate by means of a circumference spaced on a pitch circle and extending through an opening in the diaphragm and the cover plate, wherein the circumference is a cover plate by seaming or the like. 17. An apparatus comprising a head fixed to a diaphragm and coupled to the diaphragm via inserted elastic deformation means constituting a diaphragm on the cover plate and constituting a second pedestal for pivoting of the diaphragm during clutch release operation. The deforming means are C-shaped and independent of each other and are hook members extending through the opening in the diaphragm, the hook members adapted to elastically clamp the first branch and the hook member attached on the cover plate to the cover plate. With a second branch attached to the diaphragm There is provided an apparatus characterized in that.

The hook member is very long, the branches of the hook member each being located on both sides of the diaphragm, the second branch being longer and more flexible than the first branch.

Since the clutch release force acting on the diaphragm tends to open and not close the hook member, this particular arrangement of the hook member relative to the diaphragm and clutch cover plate allows for the best elasticity due to the C-shape of the hook member. Can improve their fatigue resistance.

According to another feature of the invention, each hook member is secured to the cover plate by said one pill, wherein the head of the pill is engaged on a first branch of the hook member which itself engages on the cover plate surface.

Therefore, attaching the hook member on the cover plate is very robust and does not depend on the elasticity of the hook member.

According to another feature of the invention, the second branch of each hook member has an opening for the monolithic head to pass through.

This allows the axial size of the device according to the invention to be reduced and to easily attach the short column on the cover plate base.

According to another feature of the invention, the surface of the cover plate to which the diaphragm is coupled comprises, at the level of each hook member, a projection element constituting a first pedestal for pivoting the diaphragm, the projection element of the hook member. And provide a radial position and / or an angular position of the first branch.

Additionally or alternatively, the opening in the diaphragm through which the hook member passes has a non-circular shape such that the hook member does not rotate relative to the diaphragm.

Further, the openings formed in the first branch of the hook member and the cover plate such that the column and the hook member do not rotate relative to the clutch cover plate can be of a non-circular shape, corresponding to the cross section of the column portion extending through the opening. have. For example, the opening in the first branch may comprise a flat portion.

In a modified embodiment of the present invention, the second branch of the hook member extends at some distance from the head between the first branch of the hook member and the head of the column.

The head of the cast column allows the hook member to operate normally, applies a small elastic deformation to the hook member during clutch release operation, and provides a holding means for the second branch of the hook member in the event of damage or rupture of the hook member, If the clutch is damaged, it enables the continuous operation of the clutch mechanism.

In general terms, the present invention increases the elasticity of the joint portion of the diaphragm on the cover plate while reducing the axial dimension of the joint portion and permits clearance due to wear and manufacturing tolerances to be processed, thereby mounting the diaphragm on the clutch cover plate. How to improve.

The column is simplified and provides a fixation to the hook member. The radial fingers of the diaphragm may be ribs.

The present invention relates, in particular, to an apparatus for mounting a diaphragm on a clutch cover plate in an automotive friction clutch.

After reading the following description, which is provided by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be better understood and other features, details, and advantages will appear more clearly.

1 is a partial schematic view showing an axial cross section of a conventional clutch;

2 is a front view of the diaphragm,

3 is a partial schematic view showing an axial cross section of an elastic joint portion of a diaphragm on a clutch cover plate;

4 is an enlarged schematic perspective view showing an assembly consisting of a hook member and a rivet according to the present invention;

5 and 6 are partial schematic diagrams showing another embodiment of the present invention.

A typical clutch, a portion of which is schematically shown in FIG. 1, has a cover plate 10 secured by screws 12 to a reaction plate 14 secured by screws 16 on an engine shaft 18. Include. The pressure plate 20 is mounted so as to be axially displaced and, with respect to the cover plate, the cover plate 10 in any suitable manner, such as a tangential tongue known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is fixed to rotate together. The plates 14, 20 are arranged to fix the disk 22 supporting two friction liners 24 for driving the driven shaft 26 therebetween, the disk 22 being on the driven shaft. It is firmly fixed in this embodiment to rotate with it, but can be elastically fixed in other embodiments.

The plate 20 is biased towards the clutch engagement position by a diaphragm 28 coaxial with the shafts 18, 26, as shown in FIG. 1, with the outer periphery 30 of the diaphragm being continuous and beveling Wherein the central portion is fingered in the direction indicated by arrow F to tilt the diaphragm 28 relative to its articulation on the cover plate 10 to stop thrusting the pressure plate 20 in the clutch engagement position. It is formed to have a radial slot defining a set of radial fingers 32 arranged to cooperate with a clutch release bearing (not shown) acting on the free end of 32.

The articulation of the diaphragm 28 on the cover plate 10 is a first pedestal which projects on the inner surface of the cover plate 10 and is defined by a press-forming element (in this embodiment made of metal) in the base of the cover plate. A diaphragm between the 34 and the second pedestal 36, which is defined by a flange of the head 38 of the column 40 extending into a hole or opening 42 in the base of the cover plate, which is fixed by seaming. It is obtained by inserting the continuous outer peripheral part 30 of (28). The first pedestal 34 and the second pedestal 36 are bent in an arc centered on the axes 18, 26, and the first pedestal 34 can be continuous or discontinuous over 360 °. In order to ensure the correct angular position of the second pedestal 36, the shape of the hole 42 in the cover plate base is non-circular (eg square or rectangular) and the portion of the short column 40 located in this hole is correspondingly It is provided with the cross section of the form.

When the clutch release bearing is not acting on the diaphragm 28 (ie in the position shown in FIG. 1), the outer circumferential portion 30 of the diaphragm is positioned on the first pedestal 34 formed in the cover plate base so that the reaction plate ( The pressure plate 20 is pressed against 14, whereby the friction liner 24 is gripped between the plates 14, 20 so that torque is transmitted between the engine shaft 18 and the driven shaft 26.

When the clutch release bearing acts on the radial finger 32 of the diaphragm in the direction indicated by arrow F, the diaphragm 28 is inclined by pivoting on the second pedestal 36 and the outer circumferential portion 30 is pressed against the pressure plate ( Away from 20, towards the base of cover plate 10 is displaced to the clutch release position.

In such a clutch, the diaphragm 28 must be mounted with an axial clearance between the first pedestal 34 and the second pedestal 36 so as to be inclined from one position to another and to accommodate manufacturing tolerances. . This axial clearance increases the travel path in the clutch release operation, which is a disadvantage because there is a lack of space available in the transverse direction in the engine compartment of the vehicle, especially when the clutch is connected with the vehicle's transverse engine.

To eliminate this axial clearance, replacing the second pedestal with an elastic deformation pedestal that resists the clutch release force exerted by the pedestal on the radial finger of the diaphragm but allows its elasticity to handle clearances due to wear and manufacturing tolerances. Already proposed .

However, as mentioned above, conventional elastic joints of this type have the disadvantage that the present invention is intended to eliminate.

2 through 4, there is schematically shown one particular embodiment of the invention, in which the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

In the arrangement according to the invention, the diaphragm 28 is fixed and articulated on the base of the cover plate 10 by a set of short poles 40 connected to a substantially C-shaped elastically deformable hook member 44. , As in the previous embodiment, the column is fixed by seaming to the base of the cover plate 10 spaced apart on the pitch circle. This short column 40 includes a shank extending by the head 38.

More specifically, each hook member 44 has a substantially flat first branch 46 that includes a hole 48 through which the short column 40 passes, and a portion 52 that is substantially parallel and curved to the first branch. By means of a second branch joined with the first branch, the second branch 50 ending at the curled end portion 54 and the surface towards the first branch is convex.

Preferably, firstly, the second branch 50 is longer than the first branch and therefore more flexible than the first branch, and secondly, the second branch is aligned with the opening 38 in the head 38 of the short column 40. Thereby, first, the hook member 44 can be easily engaged on the short column 40 by pushing the short column into the openings 48 and 50 in the two branches of the hook member 44. Secondly, the axial size of the hook member can be reduced because the distance between the branches 46, 50 can be shorter than the depth of the head 38 of the column.

The hook member 44 and the short column 40 extend through openings 58 formed in the radially outer end of the radial slot that define the fingers 32 in the diaphragm, the branches 46 and 50 of the hook member respectively extending from the diaphragm. It is located on both sides. The opening 58 preferably has a non-circular cross section (eg, rectangular or square cross section) to prevent the hook member 44 from rotating by the correct angular position.

Mounting the diaphragm 28 on the base of the cover plate 10 is very simple.

As shown in FIG. 4, the short column 40 is coupled into the hook member 44, and then the hook member 44 and the short column (with the diaphragm 28 correctly positioned with respect to the cover plate 10). It is sufficient to couple the assembly consisting of 40 into the opening 58 in the diaphragm and to push the column 40 into the opening 42 in the base of the cover plate 10. Then, as in the prior art, the column 40 is secured by seaming, and this seaming operation is performed because the head 38 of the column is accessible through the opening 56 in the second branch of the hook member 44. Do not raise any issues.

Under these conditions, the first branch of each hook member 44 is clamped on the base of the cover plate 10 by the corresponding head 38 of the slab, and the second branch 50 of the hook member 44 is It is then installed through the rolled up end portion 54 on the circumferential portion 30 of the diaphragm 30, and the convex surface of the rolled up end portion 54 acts as a second pedestal of the diaphragm and covers the cover plate ( The first pedestal and the protruding element defined by the protruding element 60 on the inner surface of the base of 10) may be annular and continuous or unblocked.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first branch 46 of each hook member 44 ends in the immediate vicinity of the protruding element 60, after which the protruding element, if necessary, is connected to the first branch 46. By acting as a support, it is possible to ensure the radial position and / or the angular position of the first branch with respect to the axis of the clutch.

In addition, the holes 42 through which the short column 40 and the base in the base of the cover plate 10 pass are hooked to ensure the correct angular position of the hook member 44 on the base of the cover plate 10. It may have a non-circular cross-section, such as the shape of the opening 48 in the first branch 46 of the member 44. This arrangement is advantageous as this reduces the friction between the diaphragm and the hook member, after which the hook member is mounted to have clearance in the opening 58. The hole 42 may then be rectangular or square in cross section, such as in the shape of the shank of the column 40. In another embodiment, the hole 42 is formed to have a flat portion.

In the clutch engagement position, the outer circumferential portion 30 of the diaphragm 28 is installed on the base 60 of the base of the first pedestal or cover plate and presses the pressure plate 20 toward the reaction plate 14 so as to press the engine torque. Can be transmitted through the clutch disk. When the clutch release bearing acts against the radial finger 32 of the diaphragm 28, the diaphragm is inclined and pressured on a second pedestal defined by the dried up end portion 54 of the second branch of the hook member 44. Stop applying thrust on the plate 20. Therefore, the force acting on the diaphragm 28 to release the clutch tends to open the hook member 44 and not to close or squeeze the hook member. This ensures that the elasticity of the hook member is best used, while ensuring that clearance and manufacturing tolerances are reduced. Since the hook members and the columnar form small assemblies, the method of mounting and securing the diaphragm on the cover plate is simple. The invention can also be used for standard cover plates, such as the cover plate of the clutch of FIG.

Since the hook member 44 and the opening 58 are positioned in line, the fingers 32 of the diaphragm 28 may be formed to have ribs, which are shown as dashed lines 62 in FIG. 2. As such, it may extend as far as the velvet ring 30.

The column head 30 is simplified and shorter in the axial direction.

In another embodiment, at least one discontinuity is formed in the edge region of the hole 43 with respect to the adjacent surface of the cover plate, and the discontinuity acts as a stop so that the cylindrical end portion of the opposite minor end of the head is formed on the cover plate. After riveting, prevent the rotation of the short column about the axis of the hole. For further details, see FR 98 01689, filed February 12, 1998. Thus, the discontinuities may be composed of radial grooves that are opened inwardly in the holes 42.

It is preferred that several radial grooves are provided.

According to this configuration, the free end material of the shank of the pill is filled so that the groove fills during the riveting operation and the column is not rotated.

In order for the hook member 44 not to rotate on the circumference, to form a groove in the circumference when the zhu is engaged in the hole 48 (the hook member is a harder material than the zhu), On the edge of the hole 48 for the purpose), an uneven portion can be formed, whereby the hook member is prevented from rotating about the short column.

In the modified embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the short column 40 has a shank 66 extending through the opening in the first branch 46 of each hook member 44, which shank 66. Is formed to have a shoulder 68 installed on the first branch 46 of the hook member to keep the hook member engaged on the base of the cover plate 10.

The second branch 50 of each hook member 44 is traversed by the shank shank and parallel to the surface at a distance from the corresponding surface of the head 70, the first branch 46 and the columnar. It extends between the heads 70.

The free end of the second branch 50 of each hook member is engaged on the portion 30 of the diaphragm 28 and constitutes the second pedestal of the diaphragm during the clutch release operation.

When the clutch mechanism is in a steady state, under this condition, the clearance J existing between the second branch of each hook member and the head 70 of the slats causes a small elastic deformation of the hook member when the clutch is released.

In the event of a rupture or damage to the hook member 44, the head 70 of the dents constitutes a pedestal for the second branch 50 of the hook member that is held in place. Upon release of the clutch, the portion 30 of the diaphragm 28 is engaged on the second branch 50 of the hook member coupled on the head 70 of the dent. This allows the clutch mechanism to be operated continuously in a condition where the clutch mechanism is damaged, and the movement path of the clutch pedal is slightly reduced.

The column 40 used in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is commonly referred to as a "delta spacer." Therefore, this invention is especially applicable to all the mechanisms using this type of column.

The hook member 44 according to the invention is press-molded with spring steel. The column 40 is injection molded.

In another embodiment, the reaction plate 14 is part of a torsion dampening flywheel. In this case, the plate is rotatably mounted on a first mass coupled to the plate by an elastic member fixed to the crankshaft and acting radially or circumferentially.

In another embodiment, the reaction plate is coupled to a disk fixed to the crankshaft of the vehicle to constitute a flexible flywheel.

The cover plate is then joined on the flexible disk.

The clutch can of course have one or more pressure plates, in particular a device for compensating for wear in the friction liner of the friction disc.

Claims (16)

An apparatus for mounting a diaphragm on a clutch cover plate by means of short posts 40 spaced apart on a pitch circle and extending through openings 58 and 42 in the diaphragm 28 and the cover plate 10. Is fixed on the cover plate 10 by seaming or the like and is coupled on the diaphragm via inserted elastic deformation means constituting the diaphragm on the cover plate and constituting a second pedestal for pivoting the diaphragm upon clutch release. In the device comprising the heads 38 and 70, The elastic deformation means are hook members substantially C-shaped and independent of one another and extending through the opening 58 in the diaphragm, each hook member having a first branch 46 attached on the cover plate 10. And a second branch 50 attached to the diaphragm to elastically clamp the hook member onto the cover plate 10. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method of claim 1, The second branch 50 of each hook member is characterized in that it is longer than the first branch 46. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The first branch 46 of each hook member is installed on the surface of the cover plate 10 to which the diaphragm 28 is coupled. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Each hook member 44 is characterized in that it is fixed on the cover plate 10 by the one end 40 Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method of claim 4, wherein The first branch 44 of each hook member is characterized in that it has an opening 48 through which the short column 40 passes. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method of claim 5, The opening 48 formed in the branch 46 of the hook member is characterized in that it has a non-circular shape corresponding to the cross section of the portion of the short column 40 extending through the opening 48. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The opening 58 in the diaphragm through which the hook member 44 passes has a non-circular shape to prevent rotation of the hook member with respect to the diaphragm. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The second branch 50 of each hook member has an opening 56 through which the head 38 of the columnar passes. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, Characterized in that the head 38 of the monopole is engaged on the first branch 46 of the hook member. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The first branch 46 of the hook member is coupled on the show rater 68 of the monopole, and the second branch 50 of the hook member is the first branch 46 and the head 70 of the monopole. ) And extending at a slight distance from the head Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method of claim 10, Characterized in that the surface of the head 70 of the slab facing the second branch 50 of the hook member is parallel to the second branch. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method of claim 11, The head 70 of the columnar is a means for supporting the second branch 50 of the hook member when the second branch is damaged or ruptured. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The surface of the cover plate 10 to which the diaphragm 28 is coupled is characterized in that at the level of each hook member 44 is a protruding element 60 constituting a first pedestal for pivoting of the diaphragm. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method of claim 13, The protruding element 60 also features a pedestal for the radial position and / or the angular position of the first branch 46 of the hook member 44. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The portion 54 of the second branch 50 of each hook member provided on the diaphragm 28 is convex and defines the second pedestal for pivoting the diaphragm. Diaphragm Mounting Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, Adjacent to the edge of each hole 42 formed in the cover plate 10 for passage of the column 40, at least one discontinuous portion, such as a groove, is provided to prevent rotation of the column. Diaphragm Mounting Device.