DE20015293U1 - Reset device for automatic clutches - Google Patents

Description

NeyMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J t***·*· ! * . · * 7§0& VMiigenjSchwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *,«* ...* *··" ··* *·♦* *· September 4, 2000

Applicant ref.: K 250

Applicant: Klann Tools Ltd.
13 Harrier Park,
Didcot, Oxfordshire, 0X11 7PL, UK

Applicant No.: 8635978

Designation: Reset device for automatic clutches

The invention relates to a device for resetting an adjusting ring which rotates relative to the clutch cover for adjusting a clutch, consisting of a adjusting ring which is provided with at least two adjusting pins which can be arranged on the adjusting ring for coupling with various adjusting rings on adjusting circuits with different diameters, wherein at least two spring elements, in particular tension springs, acting between the adjusting ring and the clutch cover are provided for applying the restoring torque required for the rotating reset of the adjusting ring relative to the clutch cover.

A device of the generic type is known from DE 299 15947.7, which is used for the assembly of special, self-adjusting or automatic clutches of motor vehicles.

In such special automatic clutches, the clutch adjustment during operation of the motor vehicle is carried out by a special

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

&igr;&iacgr; * * . t78058 ViHiftgenjschwenningen (DE) '·· ·· ·* ** September 4, 2000

cial adjusting ring. This adjusting ring is rotatable relative to the clutch cover. For adjustment, this adjusting ring causes an axial adjustment of the disc spring usually used in such clutches in the axial direction. The rotating relative movement is caused by several inclined ramps in the clutch cover, along which the adjusting ring slides during its rotating relative rotation to the clutch cover.

In order to turn this adjusting ring back to its original position when assembling or repairing such a coupling, a reset ring is known from the above-mentioned prior art, which is provided with at least two adjusting pins. These adjusting pins can be brought into positive engagement with the adjusting ring of the corresponding coupling and can be arranged on different adjusting circuits on the reset ring. These adjusting circuits are adapted in their diameter to differently dimensioned couplings with adjusting rings of different sizes, so that the known reset ring can be used variably for couplings with such adjusting rings of different sizes.

In order to apply the corresponding restoring torque for the return of the adjusting ring relative to the clutch cover, at least two

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

04.September2000

Spring elements are provided between the adjusting ring and the clutch cover, which in the known design are designed as simple tension springs. In their active position, these tension springs are mounted on the adjusting pins on the one hand and are also suspended in existing recesses on the clutch cover on the other. For this purpose, corresponding tension hooks are provided on the clutch-side end of the tension springs.

The reset ring of the known device is designed as a closed ring element and is placed on the clutch cover for resetting the adjusting ring in such a way that the adjusting pins are in positive engagement with corresponding components of the adjusting ring which form a stop.

By turning the return ring in the opposite direction to the rotating adjustment direction, the adjusting ring is rotated via the adjusting pins relative to the clutch cover until it returns to its original starting position. The required restoring torque is created by the spring elements, which are hooked into corresponding openings, recesses or holes in the clutch cover and apply at least a tangential force component to the return ring.

This tangential force component is converted into a corresponding restoring moment due to the engagement of the return ring with its adjusting pins on the adjusting ring.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

: ;··*.· II " * · ·7805| ViMii^enischwenningen (DE) *..* ...* *··* ··* *· ·' September 4th, 2000

The attachment of these spring elements with their pull hooks to the clutch cover cannot be done arbitrarily with different clutch designs or configurations of the clutch cover.

In the known device, for example, a
Clutch cover presented, which in the area of its
Mounting holes for mounting the clutch cover on a flywheel of a motor vehicle clutch are provided with extremely large openings. In this case

Although it is extremely easy to attach the drawbar hooks of the spring elements, only a maximum of six such openings can be used to attach the drawbar hooks. This in turn means that the spring elements, depending
Depending on the arrangement of the return ring, large radial force components on the clutch cover are transmitted via the
This in turn means that the tangential force component, which determines the size of the restoring torque,
is decisive, is partly only very low, where

extremely strong spring elements must be used to achieve a sufficiently large restoring torque.

Furthermore, if there are other means of engagement for the tow hooks on the clutch cover, these can be arranged in such a way that sufficient

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

&id;&Idigr; ··*·

04.September2000

Tangential tensile force cannot be achieved due to insufficient preload for a given length of the spring elements. For example, different versions of spring elements would have to be made available for different clutch designs with differently designed clutch covers in order to be able to use the known device as variably as possible for such differently designed clutch covers for resetting the adjusting rings.

Accordingly, the invention is based on the object of improving a device for resetting an adjusting ring which rotates relative to the clutch cover for adjusting a clutch in such a way that the spring elements can apply as large a tangential force component as possible to the adjusting ring in order to achieve as large a restoring moment as possible even with different engagement options of the spring elements in differently designed clutch covers.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the return ring has a plurality of receiving bores for optional coupling with the spring elements, which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the return ring.

Due to the design according to the invention, the spring elements on the return ring can be arranged in almost any

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys JJ***· * J I * · · ·$7)5$ Vi&ngen^chwenningen (DE) MN /mn '»·*···**··*··* · · · · September 4, 2000

catch position, so that on the one hand the preload force of the spring element used and on the other hand the angle of attack in the circumferential direction of the spring element relative to the corresponding tangential in the fastening point can be optimally adjusted. Thus, the design according to the invention can achieve an optimal reset torque for the reset of the reset ring on the clutch cover, so that a reliable reset of the clutch adjusting ring is guaranteed.

For this purpose, the return ring is provided with several mounting holes for optional coupling with the spring elements, which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the return ring. This in turn means that the spring element can be optionally coupled with the return ring in different circumferential positions. As the draw hook of the spring element can only be hooked onto the clutch cover in a few very specific positions, at least the preload force of the spring element can be optimally adjusted by selecting the appropriate mounting hole.

In order to be able to couple the spring element to the return ring in a simple manner, several separate bearing pins are provided according to claim 2, which can be optionally screwed to one of the receiving holes.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys · t** ^# . "&Idigr; t * » · ·78&Idigr;&bgr;1 Vufiiien-Jchwenningen (DE) MN/mn *..*..." "··* ··* *·· ·· September 4, 2000

It is particularly provided that the receiving holes are designed as threaded holes. Furthermore, each spring element is assigned such a bearing pin. In this way, an extremely simple coupling of the spring elements in different angular positions on the return ring can be carried out safely.

According to claim 3, the return ring can be provided with slot-shaped openings which extend over at least part of its circumference. The spring element can reach through these openings with its draw hook for coupling to the clutch housing. It has been shown that various coupling designs on the outer circumference of the clutch housing have no options for hooking the draw hook of the spring element. The only way to hook a draw hook at all would be in the area of the clutch cover's contact surfaces which are provided with openings and which run at an angle to the clutch cover in the circumferential direction. However, this is exactly the area which is normally covered by the return ring.

In order to be able to hang the spring element or its pull hook into these openings in the support surfaces, these slot-shaped openings according to claim 3 are provided in a corresponding arrangement in the circumferential direction.

Neymeyer & Partner GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

04.September2000

In order to be able to use the reset ring according to the invention in a further variable manner for differently dimensioned clutch covers or clutches, the adjusting pins are provided with reset pins according to claim 4, with which the adjusting pins can be brought into engagement with the adjusting ring of the clutch. For extremely variable use, these adjusting pins with their reset pins for coupling with the adjusting ring can be arranged transversely to the reset ring in an axially adjustable manner in the latter according to claim 4. This axial adjustment also makes it possible to reach components of the adjusting ring arranged deeper in the axial direction in the clutch cover for its reset.

If this possibility of adjusting the adjusting pins with the reset pins is not sufficient, different adjusting pins with reset pins of different lengths can also be provided according to claim 5.

In order to convert the device according to the invention, these reset pins can be screwed into the adjusting pin in an exchangeable manner according to claim 6, whereby an extremely simple adaptation of the device according to the invention to the respective existing operating conditions can be carried out in a simple manner.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GBR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

; &Idigr; ***. * I &idigr; *..^85slVflei4en-8cliweniiingen(DE) *,,*",.* *··* ··* ·· · · September 4, 2000

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a return ring according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an adjusting pin;

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of an adjusting pin, which is spring-loaded with the return

ring from Fig. l can be coupled;

Fig. 4 a bearing pin, a tension spring and a tension hook, which are provided on the return ring from Fig. 1 for applying a restoring torque;

Fig. 5 a section V through the return ring of

Fig. l with inserted adjusting pin and inserted bearing pin;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an automatic clutch, for the reset of which the reset ring made of

Fig. 1 can be used;

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged section VII of the automatic coupling from Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another embodiment of an automatic coupling with adjusting

ring,·

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NEYMEYER& PARTNERGbR, patent attorneys · J'**. * J J '..&iacgr;&bgr;&bgr;&dgr;&iacgr;VUfinfen-lchwenningen(DE)

MN /mn *··*···**··*··* · · · · September 4, 2000

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail IX of the automatic coupling from Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 shows the return ring according to the invention from Fig. 1 in use on the coupling according to Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. II shows the return ring according to the invention from Fig. 1 in use on the coupling according to Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a return ring 1 according to the invention, which is provided on its outer circumference with a total of 24 receiving bores designed as threaded bores, which are identified by the reference numbers 2 to 25. In the present embodiment, the receiving bores 2 to 25 are evenly distributed on the circumference and arranged in the region of the radially outer edge region 26 of the return ring 1.

These mounting holes serve to optionally accommodate a bearing pin 27, as shown for the mounting hole 2 in Fig. 1. A spring element in the form of a tension spring 28 is rotatably suspended on this bearing pin 27. A tension hook 29 is provided on the tension spring 28 at its end opposite the bearing pin 27. The exact design of the bearing pin 27, the tension spring

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

J i***·*· J *,. JeftSiVillftileii-ScIwenningen (DE)

*«·*···* *··* ··* *··**··84. September 2000

- Page Il of 23 -

the 2 8 and the towing hook 29 is explained in more detail below in Fig. 4.

Furthermore, the return ring 1 in the present embodiment has four groups of threaded holes 30, 31, 32 and 33, 34 and 35, 36 as well as 37, 38, 39. The threaded holes 30, 31, 32 and 33, 34 and 35, 36 as well as 37, 38, 39, which are assigned to one another in groups, are marked on the return ring 1 with the corresponding grouping numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 as belonging together. This makes handling of the return ring according to the invention considerably easier, since the fitter always uses the threaded holes with the correct angular position to one another and the correct setting circle for a specific application.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, these threaded holes 30-32, 33-34, 35-36 and 37-39 are located in groups on actuating circles with different radii, as shown by the arrows Rl, R2, R3 and R4 in Fig. 1.

These groups 1 to 4 of threaded holes serve to accommodate adjusting pins 40 and 41, as shown by way of example in Fig. 2 and 3. These adjusting pins 40, 41 have, as can be seen from Fig. 2 and 3, a reset pin 42 or 43 at their respective lower ends, with which they can be locked in place when mounted.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, Patent Attorneys MN/mn

* _9&PSgr; %8$5% Villjnjen-Schwenningen (DE) ··* *··**··&4. September2000

In the locked state, the adjusting pins 42 and 43 protrude downwards through the return ring 1 in one of the groups of threaded holes 1, 2, 3 or in 4 in the screwed-in state, as is shown in particular in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the return pins 42 and 43 of the two embodiments of the adjusting pins 40 and 41 are of different lengths and designed for different operating conditions.

As can also be seen from Fig. 5, the adjusting pin 40 has a threaded section 45 between its reset pin 42 and an upper actuating section 44, the length of which is greater than the thickness of the reset ring 1. As a result of this configuration, the adjusting pin 40 together with its reset pin 42 can be adjusted axially relative to the reset ring 1.

In the embodiment of the adjusting pin 41 according to Fig. 3, the threaded section 47 provided between its actuating section 46 and its reset pin 43 is longer than the threaded section 45 of the adjusting pin 40 from Fig. 2, so that the axial travel of an adjusting pin 41 screwed into the reset ring l is also significantly greater than the travel of the adjusting pin 40. In order to ensure that the adjusting pin 41 does not accidentally come loose in one of the threaded holes of groups l to 4, an additional

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NEYMEYER & Partner GBR, patent attorneys J i ***·*· · ^> .J$)ä5^illln|eJi-S4iwenningen(DE)

MN/mn *..*.··* *..* ..* *..* *.ftf. September 2000

A compression spring 48 is provided which fixes the adjusting pin 46 in its set position under preload.

The threaded holes 30-32, 33-34, 35-36 and 37-39 serve to accommodate a group of adjusting pins 40 or 41 each, which can be brought into positive engagement with an adjusting ring of a coupling during operation. It is intended that only one group 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the threaded holes 30-32, 33-34, 35-36 or 37-39 is provided with an adjusting pin 40 or 41. The selection of groups 1 to 4 of threaded holes depends on the respective dimension of the coupling or the adjusting ring of an automatic coupling for which the reset ring l is to be used to reset this adjusting ring.

As can be seen from Fig. 4, the bearing pin 27 also has an actuating section 49 at its upper end, to which an approximately frustoconical mounting section 50 is connected. Between this actuating section 49 and the mounting section 50, a circumferential receiving groove 51 is provided, with which an approximately ring-shaped bent coupling ring 52 of the tension spring 28 can be axially firmly engaged, so that the tension spring 28 assumes the position on the bearing pin 27 shown by way of example in Fig. 1.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GBR, Patent Attorneys JJ ^# MN/mn "».·...* *..* .." *..**. U. September 2000

In order to be able to bring the tension spring 28 with its coupling ring 52 into engagement with the circumferential receiving groove 51 in a simple manner, the outwardly tapering mounting section 50 is provided, the truncated cone-like design of which makes it considerably easier to slide the coupling ring 52 onto the receiving groove 51. At the outer end of the mounting section 50, the bearing pin 27 is provided with a corresponding mounting thread 53, with which the bearing pin 27 can be screwed into one of the receiving holes 2 to 25 designed as threaded holes in a tight and replaceable manner, as is shown in particular in Figs. 1 and 5 for the receiving hole 2.

Furthermore, the reset pins 42 and 43 can also be screwed into the adjusting pins 40 and 41 in an interchangeable manner, so that they can be exchanged for one another depending on the operating conditions. The adjusting pins 40 or 41 can also be screwed into the adjusting ring l to different depths, which provides a further possibility of adaptation to the respective operating conditions. Such different screw-in depths are shown in dashed lines in Fig. 5 for the adjusting pin 40.

In use, preferably at least two diametrically opposed mounting holes 2 to 25 are provided.

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Neymeyer & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J !***.*! J*. J$)S5 >JiIlin|eJi-S4iwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *·.*...* *».* ·«* *..**· September 94, 2000

arranged bearing pins 27 are provided in order to be able to apply as uniform a restoring moment as possible for resetting an adjusting ring via the restoring ring 1 of a clutch. For example, when arranging a bearing pin 27 as shown in Fig. 1, a second bearing pin 27 would have to be screwed into the receiving bore 14 in the receiving bore 2 and a tension spring 28 with a corresponding tension hook 29 would have to be mounted on it.

As can also be seen from Fig. 1 and 5, the reset ring 1 has a plurality of openings 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 extending in partial areas in the circumferential direction. These openings 54 to 60 enable a draw hook 2 9 to be attached to corresponding openings or shoulders of a clutch housing for which this reset ring 1 is provided for resetting the adjusting ring of the corresponding clutch, when the bearing pin 2 7 is positioned accordingly in one of the receiving bores 2 to 25.

To explain the functioning of the device according to the invention or of the return ring 1 according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a clutch 61 with a clutch cover 62, as used in automatically adjustable motor vehicle clutches.

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J &iacgr;***· * · I * · &Iacgr;&psgr;& ^UlinJseJi-ScJweiiningen (DE)

MN/mn *..*..·* *··* .·* *..**·*£ September 2000

In its peripheral area, the clutch cover 62 is provided with several fastening holes 63, via which the clutch cover 62 can be screwed onto a flywheel of a motor vehicle engine. A plate spring 64 is provided inside the clutch cover 62, which has radially inwardly directed lever sections 65 for clutch actuation. This plate spring 64 presses a pressure plate 66, shown in dashed lines in Fig. 6, which is movable relative to the clutch cover in the axial direction, against the above-mentioned drive plate, so that the clutch 61 is closed due to the spring force of the plate spring 64.

When the plate spring 64 is actuated by pressing down the lever sections 65, the clutch is released and the pressure plate 66 is retracted. Since the friction linings of the drive plate wear out and thus become thinner with increasing operating time, an adjusting ring 67 is provided in the present embodiment of the clutch 61 shown in Fig. 6, which is also shown in dashed lines. This adjusting ring 67 is arranged concentrically to the clutch cover 62 and the pressure plate 66 within the clutch cover 62 and has three inwardly directed adjusting levers 68 in the present embodiment. As the wear of the drive plate increases, this adjusting ring 67 is moved in the direction of the arrow 70 relative to the

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NEYMEYER& PARTiNER GBR, patent attorneys J &iacgr;***. * &idigr; I * · ?&iacgr;&thgr;& tUlüfe^i-SiJiwcnningen (DE)

MN /mn *«·*·»·* *«·*··" *.·**·«!. September 2000

Clutch cover 62 is gradually rotated as wear progresses, so that an adjustment of clutch 61 is effected. If the drive plate is now to be replaced, it is necessary to turn this adjusting ring 67 back to its original starting position in the opposite direction to arrow 70 relative to clutch cover 62. The return ring 1 with its adjusting pins 40 or 41 from Fig. 1, 2 and 3 is provided for this purpose.

Fig. 10 shows the clutch with the reset ring 1 placed on the clutch cover. In the present embodiment of the clutch 61, the three adjusting pins 40 are screwed into the threaded holes of the group designated 1 with the second smallest adjusting circle R2. As can be seen on the right-hand side of Fig. 10 from the cut-out area 71 of the reset ring 1, the diameter of the adjusting circle R2 is selected such that the adjusting pin 40 with its coupling pin 42 fits snugly into the circular segment-like recess 74 (see also Fig. 7) of a central opening 75 of the clutch cover 62. The same applies to the adjusting pins 40 shown further in Fig. 10, which accordingly protrude into the recesses 72 and 73 of the opening 75 of the clutch cover 62. In the position shown in Fig. 10, the adjusting pins 40 are located, as is shown for example for the adjusting pin 40 in the recess

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J I ***** * J * · 7$&thgr;3&idigr;Yillii(;$i-S£nvenningen (DE) MN /mn *··*··** *«·*.·' *..*.»!. September 2000

sion 74, directly to the adjusting levers 68 of the adjusting ring 67 on their rear side opposite the adjusting springs 69.

As already mentioned in Fig. 1, the tension springs 28 with their tension hooks 29 are provided for resetting or rotating the adjusting ring 67 by means of the resetting ring 1. Starting from the respective adjusting pin 40, the tension springs 28 are hooked via their tension hooks 29 into corresponding circumferential recesses 76 in the area of the fastening holes 63 of the clutch cover 62. The tangential force component of the tension springs 29 now allows the adjusting ring 67 together with the resetting ring 1 to be automatically returned to its starting position in the direction of the arrow 77. To do this, however, it is necessary to preload the plate spring 64 in order to bring the pressure plate 66 into a position where the adjusting ring 67 is not subjected to any load, so that the latter can freely rotate back relative to the clutch cover 62. This prestressing is carried out with a prestressing device as is sufficiently known from the prior art, so that in this regard reference is made in particular to the prior art already mentioned in the introduction to the description (DE-299 15947.7).

Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a clutch 85, which also has a clutch cover 86.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNERGbR, patent attorneys J ·***· * &idigr; J * »J8OS2 tilnife^i-S^iwenningen (DE)

MN/mn *..*.·«* *«·* .·* ****** β&iacgr;. September 2000

which is also provided with an adjusting ring 87 for the automatic adjustment of this clutch 85. This adjusting ring 87 is provided in the area of its outer peripheral edge with a circumferential web 88 directed towards the clutch cover 86 located above it, with which the adjusting ring 87' is supported in the axial direction on the rear of the clutch cover 86.

For automatic clutch adjustment, the clutch cover 86 has, in the radial region of this circumferential web 88, adjusting sections 89 which are inclined in the circumferential direction at an angle to the mounting plane of the clutch cover and on which the circumferential web 88 is axially supported via correspondingly inclined web sections (not visible in the drawing).

The design of these web sections of the web 88 and the adjusting section 89 causes an axial adjustment movement of a pressure plate, which is not visible in the drawing, when the adjusting ring 87 is rotated relative to the clutch cover 86 in the direction of the arrow 90 of the adjusting ring 87. This adjustment movement is therefore an automatic adjustment of such a generic clutch 85. The relative rotational movement in the direction of the arrow 90 of the adjusting ring 87 to the clutch cover 86 is caused in this embodiment by three adjusting springs 91, which are each attached to two web tabs 92 and 93 of the clutch cover 86.

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NEYMEYER & Partner GbR, patent attorneys J #***·* &iacgr;'»*·&iacgr;&dgr;&thgr;52 f UliiSg«i-SSiwenningen (DE) MN/mn *··*···* *#·* ··* ' ·» *·«4. September 2000

lation cover 86 and on the other hand on a radially outwardly directed bearing lever 94 of the adjusting ring 87 in the circumferential direction. The adjusting springs 9) are in turn captively received on a guide pin 95 bent in the circumferential direction.

Fig. 9 shows an enlarged section IX from Fig. 8, in which the components of this automatic clutch, in particular the adjustment device, are shown enlarged again. It is easy to imagine that when the adjusting ring 87 is relieved of pressure, which is the case when the clutch is actuated, for example, the adjusting ring 87 with its bearing lever 94 is moved by the adjusting spring 91 in the direction of arrow 90 relative to the clutch housing 86. The support of the adjusting spring 91 on the two web tabs 92 and 93 is also clearly visible in Fig. 9.

In order to be able to return the adjusting ring to its original starting position, which is shown in Fig. 8 and 9, when assembling such a clutch cover 86 with adjusting ring 87, this adjusting ring 87 has two radially inwardly directed adjusting lugs 96 and 97 in the embodiment of the clutch 85, of which the adjusting lug 96 is clearly visible in Fig. 9. These adjusting lugs 96 and 97 protrude radially inwards over the inner boundary edge 98 of the ring-shaped clutch cover 86, so that they can be used for a reset.

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NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J *****! I * · ?8oS2 filliiig&vSShwenningen (DE) MN/mn *··*···* *»·* ··* "··* *·«September 4, 2000

sion of this adjusting ring 87 are accessible from above, as can be seen from the top view. These adjusting lugs 96, 97 are arranged countersunk in the clutch cover 86 due to the housing structure of the clutch cover 86.

As can be further seen from Fig. 8, the clutch cover 86 also has differently arranged mounting holes 99, which serve for mounting the clutch cover 86 on the flywheel of, for example, a motor vehicle engine.

The embodiment of the clutch cover 86 is not provided with any openings in the area of these mounting holes 99, so that the pull hooks of the return ring 1 cannot be hooked into the outer peripheral area of the clutch cover 86. Therefore, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 11, the return ring 1, which is shown in Fig. II in the state placed on the clutch cover 86, is provided with the partially circumferential openings 54 to 60.

As can be seen from Fig. 8, the clutch cover 86 has relatively large openings 100, 101 and 102 in the area between its adjusting sections 89, wherein the openings 101 and 102, which are each adjacent to the adjusting spring 91, are connected to one another in the circumferential direction.

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NEYMEYER& PARTNER GBR, patent attorneys J «***«' II ••7fOÄtUliife MN/mn *··*···* *«·* ··* ****** &bgr; J. September 2000

As can be seen from Fig. 11, at least some of these openings 100, 101 or 102 are accessible through the openings 54 or 60 of the return ring 1. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the pull hooks 29 are, for example, hooked into the openings 102 of the clutch cover 86 and thereby reach through the openings 54, 56 and 59 of the clutch cover 86.

In the present application example, three tension springs 28 are also used, which are connected to the reset ring 1 via corresponding bearing pins 27, for example with the receiving holes 6, 14 and 22. For the reset movement in the direction of arrow 103 of the adjusting ring 87, two adjusting pins 40 are provided here, which with their respective reset pin 42 each engage with one of the radially inwardly directed adjusting lugs 96 and 97, which are shown in dashed lines in Fig. II. In this way, the reset movement of the adjusting ring 1 is also transmitted directly to the adjusting ring 87 of the coupling 85 via the adjusting pins 40 and their reset pins 42.

As can be further seen from Fig. Il, the threaded holes 33 and 34 (Fig. 1) on the innermost adjusting circle R2 of the thread group 2 are used for the insertion of the adjusting pins 40.

NEYMEYER & PARTNER GbR, patent attorneys J ****.*! I **.VjtO52VüU5gin-Sjhwenningen(DE) MN/mn *.·*..·" **·* ·»* *.***· «September 4, 2000

From the illustrated application examples for the device according to the invention, it is clear that this device, with its inventive reset ring 1, can be used in a simple manner in an extremely variable manner for the most diversely designed clutches or clutch covers with adjusting ring.

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Claims (6)

1. Device for resetting an adjusting ring ( 67 , 87 ) rotating relative to the clutch cover ( 62 , 86 ) for adjusting a clutch ( 61 , 85 ), comprising a resetting ring ( 1 ) which is provided with at least two adjusting pins ( 40 , 41 ) which can be arranged on the resetting ring ( 1 ) for coupling with different adjusting rings ( 67 , 87 ) on adjusting circles (R1, R2, R3, R4) with different radii, wherein at least two spring elements (28), in particular tension springs, are provided between the resetting ring ( 1 ) and the clutch cover ( 62 , 86 ) to apply the restoring torque required for the rotating resetting of the adjusting ring ( 67 , 87 ) relative to the clutch cover ( 62 , 86 ), characterized in that the The return ring ( 1 ) has a plurality of receiving bores ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) for optional coupling with the spring elements (28), which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the return ring ( 1 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that separate bearing pins ( 27 ) are provided for coupling the spring elements ( 28 ) to the return ring ( 1 ), which can be optionally screwed to one of the receiving bores ( 2 to 25 ). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the return ring ( 1 ) has approximately slot-shaped openings ( 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ) extending at least over partial areas of its circumference, through which the spring elements ( 28 ) extend for coupling to the coupling housing ( 62 , 86 ). 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjusting pins ( 40 , 41 ) are provided with reset pins ( 42 , 43 ) with which the adjusting pins ( 40 , 41 ) are brought into engagement with the adjusting ring ( 67 , 87 ), and that the adjusting pins ( 40 , 41 ) with their reset pins ( 42 , 43 ) for coupling with the adjusting ring ( 67 , 87 ) are arranged transversely to the reset ring ( 1 ) in an axially adjustable manner in the latter. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that different adjusting pins ( 40 and 41 ) with return pins ( 42 and 43 ) of different lengths are provided. 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the reset pins ( 42 , 43 ) are replaceably screwed into the adjusting pin ( 40 , 41 ).