GB1050553A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,050,553. Friction clutches. SOC. ANON. FRANCAISE DU FERODO. Jan. 20, 1965 [Jan. 24, 1964; Dec. 8, 1964], No. 2528/65. Heading F2C. To improve the progressive engagement of a friction clutch wherein a driven disc 13 is clamped between a flywheel 10 and a pressure plate 16 by a diaphragm spring 19 fulcrumed between keeper rings 21, 22 on studs 20 on a cover plate 17 secured to the flywheel 10, a preloaded progressive spring 28 having a strength substantially less than the diaphragm spring is mounted in series with the diaphragm spring. The spring 28 may comprise a Belleville spring as shown, helical springs housed in a bead 24 of the pressure plate 16 (Figs. 1 and 2. not shown), or a corrugated ring located by an annular slot 30 in the pressure plate with a ring 31 between the corrugated ring 28 and the diaphragm spring 19, with (Figs. 4 and 5, not shown), or without (Fig. 3, not shown) a thin slotted backing ring 32. In Fig. 6 (not shown) the bead 24 is a separate ring movable relative to the pressure plate and replacing the ring 31. In Figs.7-10 (not shown) the plate 16 is axially fixed and the flywheel 10 and cover 17 axially movable. In Figs. 7 and 8 (not shown) a corrugated ring 28 is located between the keeper ring 22 and the cover 17, while in Fig. 9 (not shown), the ring 28 replaces the keeper ring 22. In Fig. 10 (not shown) a small Belleville spring 28 is located on each stud 20 between the ring 22 and the cover 17. The travel of the spring 28 between its fully deflected and pre-stressed conditions is between 0À5 and 1 millimetre.