Patent · US Expired

Self-adjusting means and method for friction clutches

US5251737A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
8References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 1992
Grant dateOct 12, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16D13/757
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A self-adjusting mechanism for a friction clutch of the type having movable pressure plate, adjusting ring, release sleeve, and release lever having ends engaging adjusting ring and release sleeve with intermediate point on release lever engaging pressure plate. Release yoke is engagable with release sleeve to move release sleeve away from pressure plate, release yoke having a selected free play distance between unengaged and engaged positions with respect to release sleeve, free travel distance decreasing as friction surfaces wear. Mechanism includes: sensing mechanism to sense a decrease in free travel distance as engagement occurs and adjusting mechanism responsive to sensing mechanism to cause adjusting ring to advance toward pressure plate as disengagement subsequently occurs, compensating for decrease in free travel distance.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.