Clutch disc with actuation of the idle springs by means of a control plate
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A clutch disc for a friction clutch, such as a motor vehicle friction clutch, said clutch disc comprising:
- a hub disc;
said hub disc being oriented concentrically about a rotational axis;
said hub disc having a thickness;
said hub disc thickness being defined generally parallel with the rotational axis;
an idle suspension system;
said idle suspension system comprising;
at least one spring;
said at least one spring having a width;
at least one aperture disposed in said hub disc;
said at least one aperture comprising means for locating said at least one spring; and
said width of said at least one spring being similar to said thickness of said hub disc;
a first control plate;
said first control plate being oriented concentrically about the rotational axis;
said first control plate comprising a portion extending generally radially about the rotational axis;
the rotational axis defining an axial direction;
the axial direction being generally parallel with the rotational axis;
said first control plate comprising at least one control tab;
said at least one control tab substantially projecting in the axial direction from said radially extending portion of said first control plate;
said idle suspension system comprising said first control plate; and
said at least one control tab being disposed to operatively contact said at least one spring to activate said idle suspension system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A clutch disc for a motor vehicle clutch, the clutch disc having an idle suspension system and a load suspension system. The idle springs of the idle suspension system are located in the hub disc and are actuated by means of a control plate. The control plate includes axially bent control tabs which engage the idle springs of the idle suspension system, whereby the width of the idle springs can be approximately equal to the thickness of the hub disc.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A clutch disc for a friction clutch, such as a motor vehicle friction clutch, said clutch disc comprising:
-
a hub disc; said hub disc being oriented concentrically about a rotational axis; said hub disc having a thickness; said hub disc thickness being defined generally parallel with the rotational axis; an idle suspension system; said idle suspension system comprising; at least one spring; said at least one spring having a width; at least one aperture disposed in said hub disc; said at least one aperture comprising means for locating said at least one spring; and said width of said at least one spring being similar to said thickness of said hub disc; a first control plate; said first control plate being oriented concentrically about the rotational axis; said first control plate comprising a portion extending generally radially about the rotational axis; the rotational axis defining an axial direction; the axial direction being generally parallel with the rotational axis; said first control plate comprising at least one control tab; said at least one control tab substantially projecting in the axial direction from said radially extending portion of said first control plate; said idle suspension system comprising said first control plate; and said at least one control tab being disposed to operatively contact said at least one spring to activate said idle suspension system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A clutch disc for a friction clutch, said clutch disc comprising:
-
a hub; said hub being oriented concentrically about a rotational axis; the rotational axis defining an axial direction; the axial direction being generally parallel with the rotational axis; said hub comprising means for being non-rotationally connected to a transmission shaft; a hub disc; said hub disc being oriented concentrically about the rotational axis; said hub disc having a thickness; said hub disc thickness being defined generally parallel with the rotational axis; said hub disc being non-rotationally connected to said hub; a first cover plate; said first cover plate being oriented concentrically about the rotational axis; a second cover plate; said second cover plate being oriented concentrically about the rotational axis; said hub disc being disposed between said first cover plate and said second cover plate; said first cover plate being non-detachably connected to said second cover plate and being axially spaced-apart from said second cover plate; friction lining means; said friction lining means being non-rotatably connected to at least one of said first cover plate and said second cover plate; a load suspension system; said load suspension system being oriented generally concentrically about the rotational axis; said load suspension system comprising; a plurality of load springs; a plurality of first apertures in said hub disc; a plurality of apertures in said first cover plate; a plurality of apertures in said second cover plate; each load spring of said plurality of load springs being located in a corresponding first aperture of said plurality of first apertures in said hub disc; each load spring of said plurality of load springs being located in a corresponding aperture of said first cover plate; and each load spring of said plurality of load springs being located in a corresponding aperture of said second cover plate; a control plate; said control plate being oriented concentrically about the rotational axis; said control plate being disposed between said first cover plate and said second cover plate; said control plate comprising stop means for limiting rotational play of said first control plate with respect to said hub disc; said control plate comprising means for being actively connected to at least one of said plurality of load springs; an idle suspension system; said idle suspension system being oriented generally concentrically about the rotational axis; said idle suspension system being disposed generally radially inside said load suspension system; said idle suspension system comprising said control plate; said idle suspension system further comprising; a plurality of idle springs; each of said plurality of idle springs having a width; said width of each of said plurality of idle springs being similar to said thickness of said hub disc; a plurality of second apertures in said hub disc; each of said plurality of idle springs being disposed at least partially within a corresponding second aperture of said plurality of second apertures of said hub disc; said control plate being disposed to actuate said plurality of idle springs; and said stop means for limiting travel of said idle suspension system about the rotational axis; said control plate comprising a portion extending generally radially about the rotational axis; said control plate comprising a plurality of control tabs; each of said plurality of control tabs projecting substantially in the axial direction from said radially extending portion of said control plate; and each of said plurality of control tabs being disposed to operatively contact a corresponding idle spring of said plurality of idle springs to activate said idle suspension system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification