Hydraulic operating arrangement for clutches and the like

US6719115B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG · DE

Inventors

• Axel Rogner · Edenkoben, DE
• Manfred Jansen · Weisendorf, DE
• Wolfgang Fugel · Koblenzer Straße, DE
• Ulrich Helfmeier · Berlin, DE
• Ernani Almeida · Sorocaba, BR
• Dieter Adler · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Uwe Abraham · Recklinghausen, DE
• Gerhard Meyer · Lehrberg, DE
• Ludwig Winkelmann · Erlangen, DE
• Rainer Venz · Weisendorf, DE
• Manfred Kraus · Kehl, DE
• Peter Giese · Herzogenaurach, DE
• Roland Welter · Laufenburg (Baden), DE
• Jean-Francois Heller · Strasbourg, FR
• Volker Lang · Gauting, DE
• Wolfgang Sulger · Laufenburg (Baden), DE
• Urban Panther · Nassau (Lahn), DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 21, 2002
• Grant date: Apr 13, 2004
• Expiry date: Feb 21, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/2186
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The friction clutch between the prime mover and the change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is actuatable by a slave cylinder cooperating with a master cylinder wherein the piston is movable by a clutch pedal or by an electric actuator. The casing of the slave cylinder is made, at least in part, of a plastic material and defines a plenum chamber arranged to receive pressurized fluid from the master cylinder by way of a conduit extending through a bell which contains the clutch and the slave cylinder. The annular piston of the slave cylinder surrounds the input shaft of the transmission. The plastic material of the casing of the slave cylinder can contain one or more additives which enhance its strength and/or influence its frictional engagement with the adjacent surfaces of the piston or of a lip seal which reciprocates with the piston. The piston and/or the lip seal can be installed in the casing to contact one or two metallic or plastic guide sleeves which are connected to or form part of the casing.