Clutch apparatus
US6431338B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D13/757
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A clutch apparatus includes a clutch disk; a pressure plate for moving the clutch disk through application of pressure; a diaphragm spring for applying a force to the pressure plate so as to urge the pressure plate toward a flywheel; a release bearing for pressing a central portion of the diaphragm spring; a release fork; and an actuator. The pressure plate and an outer circumferential portion of the diaphragm spring are in contact with each other via taper portions of the pressure plate and an adjust wedge member. The clutch apparatus counts the number of clutch operations. In order to obtain a desirable press-contact load according to the counted number of clutch operations, the adjust wedge member is rotated with respect to the pressure plate to thereby modify the attitude of the diaphragm spring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.