Patent · US Expired

Automatically adjusting friction clutch with torsion spring housing

US6053297A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
5References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 18, 1998
Grant dateApr 25, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 18, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16D2013/581
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A friction clutch for a motor vehicle includes a cover, a pressure plate, a biasing member and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism includes a first annular cam, a second annular cam and a torsional spring and housing assembly. The cover has an axis of rotation. The pressure plate is coupled to the cover for rotation therewith about the axis. The pressure plate has a frictional engagement surface substantially normal to the axis. The biasing member is interposed between the cover and the pressure plate, and biases the pressure plate toward an engaged pressure plate position. The adjustment mechanism is centered about the axis and is located at a first radial distance from the axis. The adjustment mechanism is operably disposed between the biasing member and one of the pressure plate and the cover. The first annular cam is rotatably fixed with respect to the pressure plate and the cover. The second annular cam is rotatable relative to the first annular cam. Both cams have a plurality of mutually engaged cam surfaces configured such that rotation of the second cam relative to the first cam in a first direct increases a height of the adjustment mechanism. The torsional sp…

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