Abstract: A friction clutch for use in motor vehicles wherein the pressure plate is automatically shifted toward the counterpressure plate for the friction linings of the clutch disc in dependency on the extent of wear upon the counterpressure plate, pressure plate and particularly the friction linings. The pressure plate is non-rotatably but axially movably coupled to the housing of the friction clutch and is biased toward the friction linings by resilient means including a diaphragm spring or a set of coil springs. The adjusting unit which changes the position of the pressure plate as a function of the extent of wear mainly upon the friction linings can employ cooperating wedges including a set of wedges on the housing and a set of wedges on the resilient means.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch for use in motor vehicles wherein the pressure plate is automatically shifted toward the counterpressure plate for the friction linings of the clutch disc in dependency on the extent of wear upon the counterpressure plate, pressure plate and particularly the friction linings. The pressure plate is non-rotatably but axially movably coupled to the housing of the friction clutch and is biased toward the friction linings by resilient means including a diaphragm spring or a set of coil springs. The adjusting unit which changes the position of the pressure plate as a function of the extent of wear mainly upon the friction linings can employ cooperating wedges including a set of wedges on the housing and a set of wedges on the resilient means.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein an adjusting device serves to compensate for wear at least upon the friction linings of the clutch disc between the driven counterpressure plate and the axially movable pressure plate. The purpose of the adjusting device is to ensure that the bias of the clutch spring upon the pressure plate remains at least substantially unchanged. The adjusting device satisfies such requirement due to the provision of a device which compensates for departures of the actual position of the clutch actuating unit from an optimum position or which compensates for the departures of those portions of the actuating unit relative to a clutch disengaging member from an optimum position which are acted upon by the actuating unit.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch has a pressure plate which is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a flywheel on the output element of the engine in a motor vehicle and is acted upon by a diaphragm spring which causes the pressure plate and the flywheel to frictionally engage the friction linings of a clutch disc when the clutch is engaged. The wear upon the friction linings is compensated by a device which causes the diaphragm spring to move toward the flywheel and operates between the clutch housing and the diaphragm spring.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc is automatically compensated for in response to each disengagement and subsequent engagement of the clutch whenever an adjustment for wear is necessary. The compensating unit is mounted between the axially movable pressure plate and the diaphragm spring of the friction clutch, and the extent of axial adjustability of the pressure plate to compensate for wear upon the friction linings is determined by an arresting unit having one or more sensors carried by the pressure plate and cooperating with the counterpressure plate and/or with the cover of the friction clutch. The compensating unit comprises a ring-shaped locating element which is biased by the diaphragm spring toward the pressure plate, and two sets of wedges having abutting ramps which can shift the pressure plate and the locating element axially relative to one another in response to angular movement of one set of wedges relative to the other set.

Abstract: A friction clutch which is provided with a system to compensate for wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc and, if necessary, for wear upon certain other parts employs one or more diaphragm springs or other energy storing elements which assist in the disengagement of the clutch so that the disengaging force is relatively low and/or that such force fluctuates within a relatively narrow range. The energy storing element or elements can operate in parallel with the clutch spring and can be installed between the housing of the friction clutch and the clutch spring. The disengaging force of the energy storing element or elements can be assisted by the bias of resilient segments between the friction linings of the clutch disc.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein changes in the axial position of the rotary pressure plate in a direction toward the counterpressure plate as a result of wear upon the friction linings between such plates are compensated for by an automatic adjusting system between the diaphragm spring and the pressure plate or between the diaphragm spring and the rear wall of the housing of the friction clutch. The compensating unit employs two concentric rings which can be rotated and thereby moved axially toward the diaphragm spring only when the friction linings have undergone initial wear or upon renewed wear following an adjustment.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein the wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc is automatically compensated for in response to each disengagement and subsequent engagement of the clutch whenever an adjustment for wear is necessary. The compensating unit is mounted between the axially movable pressure plate and the diaphragm spring of the friction clutch, and the extent of axial adjustability of the pressure plate to compensate for wear upon the friction linings is determined by an arresting unit having one or more sensors carried by the pressure plate and cooperating with the counterpressure plate and/or with the cover of the friction clutch. The compensating unit comprises a ring-shaped locating element which is biased by the diaphragm spring toward the pressure plate, and two sets of wedges having abutting ramps which can shift the pressure plate and the locating element axially relative to one another in response to angular movement of one set of wedges relative to the other set.

Abstract: A friction clutch which is provided with a system to compensate for wear upon the friction linings of the clutch disc and, if necessary, for wear upon certain other parts employs one or more diaphragm springs or other energy storing elements which assist in the disengagement of the clutch so that the disengaging force is relatively low and/or that such force fluctuates within a relatively narrow range. The energy storing element or elements can operate in parallel with the clutch spring and can be installed between the housing of the friction clutch and the clutch spring. The disengaging force of the energy storing element or elements can be assisted by the bias of resilient segments between the friction linings of the clutch disc.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A friction clutch for use in motor vehicles wherein the pressure plate is automatically shifted toward the counterpressure plate for the friction linings of the clutch disc in dependency on the extent of wear upon the counterpressure plate, pressure plate and particularly the friction linings. The pressure plate is non-rotatably but axially movably coupled to the housing of the friction clutch and is biased toward the friction linings by resilient means including a diaphragm spring or a set of coil springs. The adjusting unit which changes the position of the pressure plate as a function of the extent of wear mainly upon the friction linings can employ cooperating wedges including a set of wedges on the housing and a set of wedges on the resilient means.

Abstract: A clutch plate wherein a hub carries and is surrounded by a disc which, in turn, carries and is surrounded by an annulus of pairs of partially overlapping resilient sector-shaped carriers for two annular friction linings. The carriers are disposed axially between the friction linings and each such carrier has a flat portion as well as a set of substantially radially extending tongues which are partly cut out and project from the flat portion. The friction linings are fastened to the carriers by stepped rivets, and such rivets further serve to fix the carriers of each pair to each other in axially stressed condition.

Abstract: A release apparatus for a pull-type friction clutch wherein the coupling between the parts on the engine and the parts on the power train of a motor vehicle is automatically deactivated in response to separation of the engine from the power train, and is automatically reestablished during reassembly of the engine with the power train. The coupling employs a detent in the form of a resilient split wire ring which is carried by the parts on the engine or by the parts on the power train, and a complementary undercut member which is carried by the parts on the power train or by the parts on the engine and form-lockingly engages the detent when the two sets of parts assume predetermined axial positions relative to each other. A releasing device is provided on one set of parts to depress the detent into a socket in response to movement of the engine and the power train away from each other to thus deactivate the coupling.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable within the limits relative to each other against the opposition of two series-connected dampers. One of the dampers has an input element in the form of two coaxial discs which are affixed to one of the flywheels and bear against the radially outwardly extending arms of a flange-like torque transmitting output element constituting the input element of the other damper. The output element of the other damper is constituted by two discs which are disposed radially inwardly of the discs of the one damper, which directly or indirectly bear against the adjacent portion of the flange-like output element of the one damper, and which rotate with the other flywheel.