Abstract: A twin clutch has two clutch discs, each arranged on one of two coaxial shafts, having a clutch cage, which surrounds the clutch discs in the manner of an annulus, and having pressure plates which are held in a rotationally fixed manner therein and are arranged axially in such a way that they can be displaced separately axially between the clutch discs and can be pressed against the clutch discs by a diaphragm-spring arrangement arranged axially between them and can be disengaged from the respective clutch disc by means of separate release members. The diaphragm-spring arrangement includes at least two diaphragm springs of essentially the same type arranged in series, giving a broad actuating range with a constant spring force. When the release members are unactuated, the diaphragm-spring arrangement operates in this actuating range irrespective of clutch wear, it being possible to transmit approximately half of a maximum torque to be transmitted at each clutch.

Abstract: The invention is based on a toothed gear transmission in which an input shaft is connected to an output shaft by a first and a second partial transmission, which are disposed parallel to each other in the power flow and which both have a frictionally engaged load shifting clutch and an intermediate shaft, in which each of the intermediate shafts can be effectively connected to the input shaft through the load shifting clutch, and with at least one first transmission constant. It is proposed that for starting, the first load shifting clutch can be placed in effective connection with the output shaft through a transmission constant and the second load shifting clutch can be placed in effective connection with the output shaft through a transmission constant, each at a gear ratio of the lowest gear speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch whereby the operating force characteristic is made largely independent of the wear of the clutch disk. The friction clutch is characterized in that in the engaged position of the clutch, the initial position of a clutch plate corresponding to an initial thickness of the clutch disk corresponds to a stop position of a spring in the direction of a displacement of a pressure plate against the clutch disk, from which the spring produces the superimposed elastic force when the pressure plate is displaced in the direction of clutch disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the transmission of vibrations from an engine to a transmission line having two flywheel elements capable of rotation relative to one another, the first element being drivingly connected to the engine and the second element being drivingly connected to the transmission line. The two flywheel elements are connected by a spring mounting and abutments. A first abutment of the spring mounting is frictionally connected with limited rotational capacity to the second flywheel element. The frictional contact between the first abutment and the second flywheel element is smaller than the frictional contact between the second abutment and the first flywheel element.

Abstract: The flywheel elements are resiliently coupled by means of two groups of springs which are connected in parallel. One group of springs operates with play and becomes operative substantially only when high torques are transmitted. At low speeds when only low torques can be generated by the engine, the flywheel has a very low resonance frequency determined solely by the second group of springs without play. This frequency remains below the frequencies of the vibrations which occur in this service phase. Upon the transmission of higher torques generated by the engine at higher speeds, although the resonance frequency rises due to the effect of the first group of springs with play, nevertheless, the resonance frequency remains below the frequency of the vibrations which occur at higher speed.

Abstract: Divided flywheel arrangements having a spring arrangement, and preferably also a slip clutch arrangement, accommodated in a lubricant bath, which is formed by an annular space limited radially outwards only by parts which are stationary relative to one another. Centrifugal forces acting on the lubricant cannot therefore force the lubricant against seals between mutually movable parts. Certain disclosed arrangements do not accommodate these parts in a lubricant bath.

Abstract: A split flywheel construction having a spring arrangement coupling two flywheel elements together which works by friction dependent on centrifugal force, so that the coupling of the flywheel elements is stiffened at higher speeds. At operating speeds, an undesirable flexibility of a drive train is thereby prevented while at low speeds and with low friction a low resonant frequency is obtained below the vibration frequencies occurring in the drive train at these speeds.

Abstract: Divided flywheel arrangements are disclosed with a spring arrangement, and preferably also a slip clutch arrangement, accommodated in a lubricant bath, which is formed by an annular space limited radially outwards only by parts which are stationary relative to one another. Centrifugal forces acting on the lubricant cannot therefore force the lubricant against seals between mutually movable parts. Certain disclosed arrangements do not accommodate these parts in a lubricant bath.

Abstract: Flywheel elements are coupled by a spring arrangement having an intermediate support which is connected resiliently to one flywheel element by long-stroke arcuate helicoidal springs and to the other flywheel element through short-stroke springs. A stop spring device becomes operative between the intermediate support and the one flywheel element in the case of major relative rotations. Additionally or alternatively, a slip coupling which exhibits play may also be arranged. At higher speeds, the long-stroke springs abut bearing surfaces. The friction thereby caused produces a stiffening of the long stroke springs. The mobility of the flywheel elements relative to each other therefore increases with decreasing speed.

Abstract: A split flywheel for reducing the transmission of vibrations from the engine to the drive shaft at certain frequencies of the flywheel is provided. Included are two flywheel elements drivingly connected to one another wherein one of which is connected or can be connected in a driven manner to the engine and the other of which is connected or can be connected in a driven manner to the drive line. The resonant frequency of the split flywheel unit is well below the frequency of engine vibrations which occur during normal traveling, so that only slight amplitudes of vibration occur between the flywheel elements during normal travel operation. However, during start-up of the engine, the resonant frequency of the flywheel is passed through. The drive connection between the elements a slip clutch having a greater friction contact than the maximum torque of the engine, placed in series with a spring mounting and positioned between the two flywheel elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the transmission of vibrations from an engine to a transmission line having a divided flywheel with first and second flywheel elements is provided by the in which the two flywheels are connected to the engine and transmission line, and are respectively connected by a spring mounting and at least two frictional clutches positioned between the two flywheels. The second frictional clutch has frictional contact smaller than the maximum torque of the engine and relative movements between the flywheel elements are effectively damped when the forces acting between the flywheel elements in these relative movements are weaker than the maximum engine torque, but stronger than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A divided flywheel for reducing vibrations transmitted from an engine to a power transmission line has an input and output part connected, respectively, to the engine and the transmission line. The input and output parts are coupled by coupling spring arrangement which allows for a degree of relative rotation of the parts. A plurality of attenuators (e.g., stop springs, friction linings, etc.) are arranged to take effect following selected predetermined angular displacements of the input and output parts. A preferred arrangement includes a connecting part, which is frictionally attached to one of the input and output parts and which engages the other of the parts following relative rotation by a first predetermined angular displacement, and a stop spring arrangement which is engaged following relative displacement of the parts by a second predetermined angular displacement.

Abstract: A device for measuring wear of linings of a clutch, especially a motor vehicle clutch, with the clutch including a clutch-actuating device which has a push rod displaceable as a function of a position of, for example, a clutch pedal. A push rod includes a larger diameter portion which can be measured in a vicinity of a measurement point by means of a gauge, whereby the push rod acts upon a throwout fork which is adapted to be displaced as lining wear increases from a basic position in a direction of the push rod and indicate a need for replacement as a result of a predetermined change in diameter indicated by the group. The increased diameter portion of the push rod is formed by a frustoconical sleeve displaceable on the push rod. The sleeve is displaceable by a stop provided on a portion of a housing of the clutch when the clutch is thrown out for the first time into a fixed position corresponding to a maximum lining thickness.

Abstract: A split flywheel for reducing the transmission of vibrations from the engine to the drive shaft at certain frequencies of the flywheel is provided. Included are two flywheel elements drivingly connected to one another wherein one of which is connected or can be connected in a driven manner to the engine and the other of which is connected or can be connected in a driven manner to the drive line. The resonant frequency of the split flywheel unit is well below the frequency of engine vibrations which occur during normal traveling, so that only slight amplitudes of vibration occur between the flywheel elements during normal travel operation. However, during start-up of the engine, the resonant frequency of the flywheel is passed through. The drive connection between the elements a slip clutch having a greater friction contact than the maximum torque of the engine, placed in series with a spring mounting and positioned between the two flywheel elements.