US1912703A

US1912703A - Driven plate for friction clutches

Info

Publication number: US1912703A
Application number: US462952A
Authority: US
Inventors: David E Gamble
Original assignee: Borg & Beck Co
Current assignee: Borg & Beck Co
Priority date: 1930-06-23
Filing date: 1930-06-23
Publication date: 1933-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1950-06-06

Description

June 6, 1933. GAMBLE 1,912,703

D RIVEN PLATE FOR FRICTION CLUTCHES Filed June 23, 1950 A aha am-m Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- navm E. GAMBLE, oncmcneo, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE Bone & BE'qK COMPANY, or'cnIcAeo, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS DRIVEN PLATE FOR Application filed June 23,

terial is interposed between relatively mov able parts to absorb noise vibrations from the engine and transmission units and otherwise to improve the operation of th clutch.

The object of the present invention is to control the operative flexibility of the driven .plate by reducing the cross-section of the cushion within its chamber to permit the material of the cushion to respond by squeezing or shifting transversely or later ally, as required, to the pressure exerted thereon by the relative movement of the parts of the driven plate between which the cushion is interposed.

The invention also has for its object to retain the cushion-in a uniform position in the chamber in which it is located between the relatively movable parts of a driven plate and at the same time to provide such free space as may be required cross-sectionally of the chamber and cushion to enable' the material of the cushion to flow laterally as well as longitudinally and thus respond quickly to pressure imparted thereto by the relatively movable parts, thereby improving the efliciency of the driven plate in the compression and also in the expansion movements ofthe cushion.

Further objects of the invention are to provide free space within the cushion chamber at the sides of the cushion to permit the cushion to compress and to expand quickly in the operation of the clutch; to provide free space about the ends of the hub member spokes, to prevent the spokes from chafing the cushion; and to provide the cushion with ribs'to engage the spokes "and hold the cushion in its chamber if the 5.0 fit should happen to vary due to manufae embodiment of the invention.

FRICTION cLU'roIIEs 1930. Serial no. 462,952.

turing limits. Furthermore I can vary both the rate and amount of yield by varying the amount of clearance or free space.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating a selected embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is an elevation of the driven plate. Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing another.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional View of the cushion on the line 44 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fragment of the cushion.

Fig. 6 is a detail view.

Referring to the, drawing, the driven plate comprises a friction member which is mounted upon a centrally disposed hub member, and a compressible cushion interposed between said members so that movement of the friction member is communicated through the cushion to the hub member whereby noise vibrations of the engine trav eling through the friction member are absorbed by the cushion instead of being passed on through the hub member to the transmission, and noise vibrations from units connected with the transmission are also absorbed by the cushion. I

The hub member comprises a hub 6 having an integral peripheral flange 7 which is provided with a plurality of radial spokes 8 disposed symmetrically about the hub. The friction member comprises a plate ring 9 which is mounted loosely on the hub atone side of the flange and spokes. Friction facing rings 10 of suitable material are fastened to the plate ring at and adjacent to its periphery and on opposite sides thereof. My present invention may be embodied with any type of plate ring to which it is or may be adapted and it will be understood, therefore, that the invention is not restricted to use with the particular plate ring shown or with. a plate ring having any special mounting for the friction facings or with any other particular construction. A backing plate 11 is secured to theplate ring 9 sinuous length of the chamber.

with a spacer 12 interposed therebetween and these parts are secured together by rivets 13 or other means. A chamber 14 is formed having the plate ring and the backing plate for side walls, the hub flange 7 and spokes 8 for its inner wall and the spacer 12 for 'its'outer wall, the chamber forming, in effect, a sinuous compartment between the hub member and the friction member to receive the cushion 15. The cushion may be made of a single strip or of a plurality of strips of rubber or other suitable cushion material and it is seated in the cushion chamber about the spokes and flange of the hub member throughout the In driven plates embodying rubber cushions, the practice has heretofore to make the cushion of a cross-section to fit closely in its chamber, but with this construction it has been found that the shift of the cushion material under compression and expansion movements of the hub member and the friction member is mainly lengthwise of the cushion and its chamber and only to a limited extent transversely. While such a driven member is efficient in service the shifting movement of the cushion in compression and in expansion is slower than desired in a friction clutch for automotive vehicles. This is due to the fact that with the cushion closely confined cross-sectionally in the chamber the shift of the cushion material is mainly ina direction lengthwise of the cushion and considerable friction results between the cushion and the walls of the chamber. I have overcome this difficulty by providing free space 16 between the cushion and its side walls which will allow the cushion to expand and contract mainly transversely, instead of longitudinally as heretofore. I prefer to provide free space 17 about the end of each spoke 8 to reduce friction between the ends of the spokes and the'cushion, to prevent the ends of the spokes from chafing the cushion and to provide this additional space for expansion of the cushion. I also prefer to provide a slight free space, as a relief to the cushion, between the cushion and the hub at 18 to avoid chafing the cushion. While the cushion may expand and contract longitudinally in a limited degree itwill be apparent that the main expansion and contraction of the cushion will be transversely or cross-sectionally, and the friction heretofore produced by the longitudinal shifting of the cushion material under expansion and contraction is correspondingly reduced. This cross-sectional expansion and contraction of the cushion provides a quick adaptation of the cushion to varying requirements upon the driven member in the operation of the clutch and, consequently, provides a quicker acting clutch than heretofore while still retaining the noise and vibration absorption quality of the cushion. The cushion is provided at intervals with studs 19 on its sides to hold it centralized in the chamber. These studs may be-formed integral with the body of the cushion and they are oppositely disposed on the sides of the cushion adjacent the outer face thereof. Since the cushion material does not shift longitudinally to any material extent, these studs will not slide on the plate ring 9 and the backing plate 11 but Will remain substantially in constant position. The cushion may be provided with transverse side ribs 20, Fig. 6, to hold the cushion in its chain her. The cross-sectional dimensions of the chamber and the cushions may vary some in production manufacture, andthe ribs 20 are provided to avoid any loose play of the cushion in the chamber. Under desired conditions the ribs will simply compress and distribute in the cushion when the latter is inserted in the chamber. In Fig. 3 I have shown another form of the invention in which the backing plate and the spacer are made in the form of a one-piece casing 21 which is secured to the plate ring. In other respects this form is the same as that shown in Fig. 2.

The invention provides a quick acting cushion which is maintainedin constant position in itschamber between the friction member and the hub member and is permitted by reason of the free space at the sides thereof to expand transversely and quickly without creating any material friction between itself and the Walls of the chamber. The cushion material is thus worked throughout its body in a more eflicient manner than is the case when the cushion is confined closely and compelled to shift lengthwise, and this reduces friction between the cushion and-the walls of the chamber, enables the cushion to respond more quickly to the requirements of clutch operation, keeps the cushion material when made of rubber or rubber composition in better condition, prolongs its life, and preserves the quality ofv the cushion for absorbing noise vibrations. The spokes 8 are spaced apart, radially disposed, and symmetrically arranged about the hub, and the cushion surrounds the spokes and the parts of the hub flange between the spokes. This provides for a greater area of cushion than heretofore and this improves the efficiency and life of the driven plate.

I have shown the invention in practical forms suitable for commercial use but it may be necessary to change the form, construction and arrangement of parts to adapt the invention to different clutch constructions, or for other purposes, and I reserve the rlght to make all such changes as fairly member having a cushion chamber there- C3 uous chamber about the spokes and the inbetween with opposite side walls, a cushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with the width of the chamber between said'side ,walls, and means on said cushion member, spacing said cushion'memher from the side walls of said chamber.

2. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and a friction member having a sinuous cushion chamber therebetween with opposite side walls, and a continuous cushion in said chamber having its sides spaced from said side walls.

3. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween with opposite side walls, a cushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with the width of the chamber between said side walls, and studs spaced apart on the sides of the cushion and engaging said side walls.

4. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween with opposite side walls, acushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with the width of the chamber between said side walls, and studs spaced apart on the sides of the cushion at the outer edge thereof and engaging. said side walls. 5. A- driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween with oppo site side walls, a cushion in said chamber of reduced width as compared with the width of the chamber between said.

ring, the backing plate and the spacer about" the spokes and intermediate parts of the hub member, and a cushion in said chamber of less cross-sectional area than that of the chamber.

termediate parts of the hub member, and a continuouscushion arranged in said chamber of less cross-sectional area than that of the chamber.

8. .A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween, and a cushion arranged in said chamber about said spokes, there being a free space between the ends of the spokes and the opposite parts of the cushion.

' 9.'A driven plate for friction clutches com rising a hub member and a friction mem r having a sinuous, cushion chamber therebetween with side walls, and a continuous cushion arranged in said chamber, said cushion having discontinuous engagement with the side walls of the chamber whereby the cushion is centralized in the chamber and is capable of transverse expansion therein.

10. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween and about said spokes, and a cushion arranged in said chamber, there being free spaces between the cushion and the ends of the spokes.

11. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween and about said spokes, and a cushion arranged in said chamber, said cushion having side ribs to eng e the wall of the chamber, to space the ad acent portions of the cushion from said side walls.

12. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber therebetween and about said spokes, a cushion arranged in said chamber, there being free spaces between the cushion and those parts of the hub member located between the spokes, and means on said cushion to centralize it in said chamber.

13. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a spoked hub member and a friction member having a cushion chamber there: between and about said spokes, and a cushion arranged in said chamber, said cushion having transverse ribs disposed thereon to'engage the spokes.

DAYID E. GAMBLE.

7. A driven plate for friction clutches comprising a hub member having a peri heral flange and a plurality of radially 'sposed and symmetricall arranged spokes projecting from said apart, a friction member mounted on said hub member and providing therewith a sinange and spaced