Patent ID: 6273229
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: F16D,F16F

Abstract:
An engageable and disengageable friction clutch comprising a first axially fixed component including a housing rotatable about a predetermined axis; a second axially fixed component including a counterpressure plate coaxial and rotatable with said housing; a pressure plate rotatable with said housing and having limited freedom of axial movement toward and away from said counterpressure plate; a clutch disc including a portion disposed between said plates; means for engaging and disengaging the clutch; a diaphragm spring including an annular radially outer portion reacting against said housing to urge said pressure plate against said portion of said clutch disc and to urge said portion of said clutch disc against said counterpressure plate in the engaged condition of the clutch, said means for engaging and disengaging comprising prongs extending substantially radially inwardly from said annular radially outer portion of said diaphragm spring, at least one of said diaphragm spring and said pressure plate having a tendency to perform stray movements relative to said housing; and a frictional hysteresis damper operating between said diaphragm spring and at least one of said axially fixed components of the clutch to counteract said stray movements, said damper being in frictional engagement with at least one of said radially outer portion of said diaphragm spring and said at least one axially fixed component.