Abstract: A fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a pull-type clutch assembly, including a throw-out bearing with an inner cylindrical portion extending in a direction axially inwardly of the clutch assembly. A retaining basket is provided having a flat annular ring portion surrounding an opening receiving the cylindrical portion of the bearing therethrough, the basket having a ring with an inner and outer surface spaced from the annular portion, the ring being comprised of a plurality of spaced sections interconnected to the annular portion by spaced segments integral with the ring and the annular portion, the segments being separated from one another by cut-out portions. A pressure plate having a central opening receives the basket therein, the pressure plate having a plurality of radially extending resilient fingers extending outwardly from the central opening and a clutch disk is disposed adjacent the pressure plate and in contact therewith being adapted to be coupled to the flywheel of a vehicle.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a pull-type clutch assembly, including a throw-out bearing with an inner cylindrical portion extending in a direction axially inwardly of the clutch assembly. A retaining basket is provided having a flat annular ring portion surrounding an opening receiving the cylindrical portion of the bearing therethrough, the basket having a ring with an inner and A pressure plate receives the basket therein, the pressure plate having radially extending resilient fingers extending outwardly and a clutch disk is disposed adjacent the pressure plate in contact therewith being adapted to be coupled to the flywheel of a vehicle. The bearing has a groove into which the pressure plate having a groove into which the outer surface of the ring snap-fits.

Abstract: A pull-type friction clutch having an annular part that is axially clamped to a disk spring and is axially fixedly connectable to an actuation sleeve of an actuation system. The annular part has axially raised lugs on its face bearing against the disk spring, and the lugs engage in slots that are provided between the disk spring tongues where the tongues are appropriately widened, to provide a form locking connection in the peripheral direction. As a result of the peripherally fixed attachment of the annular part to the disk spring, wear caused by a relative twist between the annular part and the disk spring is prevented.

Abstract: A clutch unit including a clutch hub that is non-rotatably mounted to a shaft. The clutch unit has at least two clutch elements that can be brought into frictional engagement with one another in order to transmit torque when the clutch unit is actuated through a mechanical actuation device. The actuation device is mounted and supported at the clutch unit.

Abstract: A pull-type friction clutch having an annular part that is axially clamped to a disk spring and is axially fixedly connectable to an actuation sleeve of an actuation system. The annular part has axially raised lugs on its face bearing against the disk spring, and the lugs engage in slots that are provided between the disk spring tongues where the tongues are appropriately widened, to provide a form locking connection in the peripheral direction. As a result of the peripherally fixed attachment of the annular part to the disk spring, wear caused by a relative twist between the annular part and the disk spring is prevented.

Abstract: A friction clutch arrangement includes a clutch housing mounted to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a clutch disk mounted on a transmission shaft, and a diaphragm spring which loads the pressure plate toward the flywheel to engage the clutch. A disengagement device includes a sliding sleeve which is axially displaceable on the shaft to introduce a disengagement force to the clutch spring via an force action point, thereby producing a characteristic curve of disengagement force versus disengagement travel of the sleeve. During disengagement, a compensation device introduces a compensation force counter to the pressing force in a predefined section of the characteristic curve, thereby reducing the disengagement force in the predefined section. A switchable force transmission device changes the effective force transmission ratio of the pressing force and the disengagement force during disengagement in a predetermined manner, thereby optimizing the disengagement stroke of the pressure plate.

Abstract: An actuation force generating arrangement for a centrifugal clutch includes a housing, a supporting element, and a plurality of centrifugal members. The housing is rotatable about an axis, the housing having a plurality of first supporting areas which each extend radially with respect to the axis. The supporting element is axially movable with respect to the housing and has a plurality of second supporting areas which each extend radially with respect to the axis, each second support area being separated from a respective first support area by an axial distance which decreases with radial distance from the axis. Each of the first and second support areas has a first portion and a second portion which lies radially outside of the first portion, the first and second support areas being inclined with respect to each other at a relative inclination angle which is greater at the second portions than at the first portions.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a housing which is rotatable about an axis, the housing having a plurality of first supporting areas which each extend radially with respect to the axis; a pressing plate which is axially movable with respect to the housing and is coupled to the housing for rotation about the axis; and a supporting member which is axially movable with respect to the housing, the supporting member having a plurality of second supporting areas which each extend radially with respect to the axis, each second support area being separated from a respective first support area by an axial distance which decreases with radial distance from the axis. A plurality of centrifugal members are supported between respective pairs of first and second support areas, each the centrifugal member being radially displaceable by centrifugal force along the respective pair of support areas to exert force in a clutch engaging direction along a force transmission path between the supporting element and the pressing plate.

Abstract: A lever system for actuating a clutch or a brake for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. The actuating force for the clutch or transmission brake is changeable by displacing a fulcrum with respect to a lever. An energy storage mechanism may act at one end portion of the lever and a pressure plate of a clutch or a transmission brake may act, directly or indirectly, on the other end portion.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a rotary housing supports a tiltable diaphragm spring and confines a pressure plate that is axially movably but non-rotatably mounted therein for movement toward and away from friction linings on a clutch disc between the pressure plate and a prime-mover-driven counterpressure plate. The diaphragm spring is arranged to urge the pressure plate in a direction to engage the clutch and is maintained in stressed condition within the housing, even when not installed in the power train of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is installed so that it is operatively associated with the pressure plate in an elastically stressed condition. The pressure plate includes an annular portion that supports the diaphragm spring, and further supports a biasing arrangement that is radially offset relative to the supporting portion and that serves to maintain the diaphragm spring on the pressure plate in the resiliently stressed condition.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch includes a housing which is rotatable about an axis, the housing having a plurality of first supporting areas which each extend radially with respect to the axis; a pressing plate which is axially movable with respect to the housing and is coupled to the housing for rotation about the axis; and a supporting element which is axially movable on an actuation path with respect to the housing, the supporting element having a plurality of second supporting areas which each extend radially with respect to the axis, each second support area being separated from a respective first support area by an axial distance which decreases with radial distance from the axis.

Abstract: A housing arrangement can be connected to a flywheel for rotation in common around an axis of rotation, and a pressure element is connected to the housing arrangement for rotation in common around the axis of rotation but is able to shift in the axial direction. A release spring arrangement includes at least one spring element which acts on the pressure element and is supported against the flywheel after the housing arrangement has been attached to the flywheel. Each spring element is held in place on the pressure element by means of a fastening element.

Abstract: A release mechanism for actuating a friction clutch is concentric to a center axis of a guide sleeve mounted in turn on a transmission shaft. The release mechanism includes a clutch release bearing and a device for compensating for the tilt of the center axis of the friction clutch with respect to the center axis of the guide sleeve and/or for the wobbling eccentricity of the release spring. The clutch release bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and an adjusting sleeve. One of the inner ring or outer ring communicates with a release spring of the friction clutch. The device for compensating for the tilt of the center axis of the friction clutch with respect to the center axis of the guide sleeve and/or for the wobbling eccentricity of the release spring includes a release ring and a load ring. The release ring is in contact with a finger of the release spring of the friction clutch and includes a spherical surface having a center on the axis of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a rotary housing supports a tiltable diaphragm spring and confines a pressure plate that is axially movably but non-rotatably mounted therein for movement toward and away from friction linings on a clutch disc between the pressure plate and a prime-mover-driven counterpressure plate. The diaphragm spring is arranged to urge the pressure plate in a direction to engage the clutch and is maintained in stressed condition within the housing, even when not installed in the power train of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is installed so that it is operatively associated with the pressure plate in an elastically stressed condition. The pressure plate includes an annular portion that supports the diaphragm spring, and further supports a biasing arrangement that is radially offset relative to the supporting portion and that serves to maintain the diaphragm spring on the pressure plate in the resiliently stressed condition.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a diaphragm spring to bias a retainer assembly toward an engaged position. The retainer assembly actuates a lever to force a pressure plate into torque transmitting contact with a friction disc and a flywheel. Clutch straps bias the pressure plates toward a disengaged position. An adjusting ring shifts toward the flywheel to accommodate for wear of the friction disc. A resilient plate is attached to the adjusting ring and exerts a biasing force against the diaphragm spring. As the adjuster ring shifts toward the flywheel, the biasing force of the clutch straps increases and the biasing force of the resilient plate decreases to provide a substantially uniform clamp load throughout the life of the friction disc.

Abstract: A friction clutch, particularly for a motor vehicle, including a clutch disk which can be coupled in frictional engagement with the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and which is connected by a hub to a transmission input shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and can revolve with the latter around a common axis of rotation. The clutch further includes an actuation system for engaging or disengaging the frictional engagement of the clutch disk which is arranged concentric to the transmission input shaft, and a transmission brake for reducing the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft during determined shifting processes of the transmission. The transmission brake can be controlled independent from the actuation system of the friction clutch, and all component parts of the transmission brake are integrated in the actuation system of the friction clutch.

Abstract: An improved clutch has a distinct force ratio for holding than it does for release. A distinct ratio is achieved by having an abutment surface between a retainer and a diaphragm spring be positioned radially outward from a contact location between a release sleeve and the diaphragm spring for releasing the clutch. The retainer is separately axially movable relative to the release sleeve, and surrounds the release sleeve. In this way, the holding force is applied at a lever distance from an axial center line of the clutch which is greater than the distance to the point of contact for release of the diaphragm spring. This provides both a higher holding force and yet a lower release force.

Abstract: A friction clutch includes a housing arrangement connectable to a drive element for rotation in common about an axis of rotation, a pressure plate connected to the housing arrangement such that the pressure plate is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing arrangement and axially movable relative to the housing arrangement, a force-exerting arrangement acting on a first axial side of the pressure plate to produce the engaged state of the friction clutch, and a friction disk connected to the housing arrangement such that the friction disk is fixed with respect to rotation relative to the housing arrangement and is axially movable relative to the housing arrangement. The friction disk has a ring-shaped friction lining carrier on which the second axial side of the pressure plate acts in the engaged state. The friction lining carrier carries at least one friction lining element on the axial side facing away from the pressure plate.

Abstract: A release mechanism for actuating a friction clutch is concentric to a center axis of a guide sleeve mounted in turn on a transmission shaft. The release mechanism includes a clutch release bearing and a device for compensating for the tilt of the center axis of the friction clutch with respect to the center axis of the guide sleeve and/or for the wobbling eccentricity of the release spring. The clutch release bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and an adjusting sleeve. One of the inner ring or outer ring communicates with a release spring of the friction clutch. The device for compensating for the tilt of the center axis of the friction clutch with respect to the center axis of the guide sleeve and/or for the wobbling eccentricity of the release spring includes a release ring and a load ring. The release ring is in contact with a finger of the release spring of the friction clutch and includes a spherical surface having a center on the axis of the transmission shaft.

Abstract: A clutch assembly for a motor vehicle includes a retainer assembly having an upper and lower portion separable by a separating member. The separable member causes the retainer assembly to contract in response to movement toward a released position. Contracting the retainer assembly in the release position provides for additional clearance between the friction discs and flywheel without a corresponding increase in the length of travel of the retainer assembly. The guide member is stationary relative to the retainer assembly and cooperates with the separating member to cause the retainer assembly to expand and contract during movement to engage and disengage the clutch. Additional movement of the retainer assembly increases clearance to between the flywheel and friction discs without corresponding increase in retainer assembly travel to minimize clutch drag.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a diaphragm spring to bias a retainer assembly toward an engaged position. The retainer assembly actuates a lever to force a pressure plate into torque transmitting contact with a friction disc and a flywheel. Clutch straps bias the pressure plates toward a disengaged position. An adjusting ring shifts toward the flywheel to accommodate for wear of the friction disc. A resilient plate is attached to the adjusting ring and exerts a biasing force against the diaphragm spring. As the adjuster ring shifts toward the flywheel, the biasing force of the clutch straps increases and the biasing force of the resilient plate decreases to provide a substantially uniform clamp load throughout the life of the friction disc.

Abstract: A release system for a clutch assembly comprises a release slide, which is or can be connected to a stored-energy element of the clutch assembly to execute release movements, and at least one brake element, which can move along with the release slide during the execution of release movements. This brake element can be brought into braking interaction with an opposing brake element which is or can be connected in an essentially nonrotatable manner to a clutch output shaft, where the release slide and the minimum of one brake element form a piston/cylinder unit with at least one fluid chamber. Pressure fluid is introduced into the minimum of one fluid chamber to produce a force which preloads or moves the minimum of one brake element relative to the release slide.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated actuator mechanism for a friction clutch is provided that includes a housing having a generally annular piston disposed therein that is operatively engaged with a resilient member that is pivotably connected to a clutch throw-out bearing. The piston is reciprocally received in a cylinder that possesses a longitudinal axis coaxial with a longitudinal axis of a clutch output shaft. The cylinder is in communication with a plurality of ducts formed in the housing that supply fluid pressure to the piston. The piston, when pressurized, causes the resilient member to pivot about a fulcrum member to redirect the force generated by the piston. The redirected force of the piston causes the bearing and a connected clutch spring to move in a direction away from the friction clutch to disengage the clutch.

Abstract: A mounting/centering support arrangement for a pressure plate assembly of a multi-clutch arrangement is provided. The pressure plate assembly comprises at least two clutch areas, each with a pressure plate arrangement connected to a housing arrangement for rotation in common around an axis of rotation; with an opposing support arrangement; and with a clutch disk arrangement, the friction surface arrangement of which can be clamped between the pressure plate arrangement and the opposing support arrangement. Each of the clutch disk arrangements is designed to be connected nonrotatably to a different power takeoff element. The mounting/centering support arrangement can arrest at least one of the clutch disk arrangements in a predefinable position with respect to the housing arrangement and/or arrest at least one of the clutch disk arrangements in a predefinable position with respect to at least one other clutch disk arrangement.

Abstract: A transport-securing arrangement for a pressure plate assembly of a multi-disk clutch including a housing arrangement connectable to a flywheel, a pressure plate coupled to the housing arrangement for common rotation therewith, a stored-energy device having one side supported on the housing arrangement and another side supported on the pressure plate arrangement. The pressure plate assembly also includes an intermediate plate connected to the housing arrangement for common rotation therewith and a first clutch disk with a friction surface area positioned between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate. The transport-securing arrangement comprises a plurality of connecting elements, preferably bolt elements, for tightly connecting the intermediate plate to the housing arrangement.

Abstract: A plurality of specially shaped clutch levers transmit rotation between an engine and a transmission in a clutch. The clutch levers are shaped such that the center of mass is on opposing sides of an axis of the clutch levers when the clutch levers are in the engaged and disengaged positions. The axis is the radial line passing through the pivot point of the clutch lever and is substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the clutch. In the engaged position, the center of mass is positioned on the pressure plate side of the axis, the moment rotating the clutch levers against the pressure plate to increase the clamp load. In the disengaged position, the center of mass is positioned on the transmission side of the axis, the moment rotating the clutch levers against the retainer to increase clutch lift. These conditions are satisfied during the entire life of the clutch.

Abstract: An improved clutch has a distinct force ratio for holding than it does for release. A distinct ratio is achieved by having an abutment surface between a retainer and a diaphragm spring be positioned radially outward from a contact location between a release sleeve and the diaphragm spring for releasing the clutch. The retainer is separately axially movable relative to the release sleeve, and surrounds the release sleeve. In this way, the holding force is applied at a lever distance from an axial center line of the clutch which is greater than the distance to the point of contact for release of the diaphragm spring. This provides both a higher holding force and yet a lower release force.

Abstract: A clutch release mechanism is slideably disposed over a driven shaft to transfer force from a plurality of levers or springs to a pressure plate. The release mechanism is axially displaced to engage or release a clutch. A modular release mechanism disclosed herein comprises a release sleeve which is slideably disposed on a driven shaft, the release sleeve has an axis of rotation, a first end and a second end. The release sleeve has a lever engagement portion disposed at the first end for contact with a release lever. A bearing is disposed about the axis of rotation and has an inward race and an outer race. The release sleeve has a bearing housing portion disposed at the second end for receiving the bearing. The bearing housing portion has a shoulder for locating the bearing therein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clutch mechanism comprising a support part (8) bearing at its outer periphery fixing brackets (7) in contact with the inner surface of the stop brackets (5) of a cover (2), bearing pivotedly the clutch levers (42), some of which are in contact with the support part (8) inner periphery. The invention is applicable to motor vehicles.

Abstract: A multi-disk clutch having a housing with a toothed ring and a cover connected to the toothed ring. The toothed ring, on an inner circumferential surface, has a plurality of disk carrier teeth distributed in the circumferential direction. At least one outer disk engages, of an external toothing, with the disk carrier teeth on the toothed ring. At least one inner disk is connected in rotation-proof fashion to a coupling hub. The clutch further has a pressure plate, and an energy storage device. The energy store device, in an outer circumferential area, has a recess associated with at least one disk carrier tooth that opens substantially radially outward and the disk carrier tooth engages in the recess.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle having a clutching friction member and clutching mechanism with a cover and a clutch thrust plate. A resilient clutch member and disengaging gear is disposed between the rear surface of the thrust plate and the cover for moving the clutch thrust plate towards the cover. The clutch is provided with a wear adjustment device, a resilient servo member and a resilient smooth engagement member. The resilient servo member is mounted outside the clutching friction member. The load pressure feature combining the load pressure features of the resilient servo member and smooth engagement member globally follows the load pressure feature of an axially operating resilient clutching member.

Abstract: A multi-plate clutch 1 of a boss driving type is provided with structure to make it easy to replace a boss, and to limit the number of parts. The clutch 1 basically includes a flywheel 2, a boss 9, a clutch cover assembly 3, and input-output friction members such as clutch disks 42 and 43, an intermediate plate 44, and a pressure plate 17. The boss 9 is detachably coupled to the flywheel 2. The boss 9 includes an annular portion 10 and a plurality of columnar portions 11, which are formed integrally with the annular portion 10. The columnar portions 11 extend in an axial direction from the annular portion 10. Each of the columnar portions 11 is disposed circumferentially next to one another in a circular pattern with a radial pass-through space formed therebetween The clutch cover assembly 3 includes a clutch cover 16 which is detachably coupled to the boss 9, a pressure plate 17, and a diaphragm spring assembly 18.