Patent ID: 6698561
Filing Date: 2004-03-02
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A hydrodynamic clutch apparatus comprisinga housing unit having thereon a friction area, a turbine impeller which can be rotated about an axis in the housing unit, said turbine impeller having a driver element, a bridging clutch unit comprising a clutch element which is connected essentially non-rotatably to the turbine impeller, said clutch element having a radially outer cylindrical section with a plurality of clutch projections, said driver element having a plurality of driver elements which are in torque-transmitting engagement with said clutch projections, said clutch element having thereon a friction area which can be brought into contact with the friction area on the housing unit, and a pretensioning device comprising at least one spring clement which acts on said clutch element and on said turbine impeller to load said clutch element away from said turbine impeller and to pretension the friction area on said clutch element against the friction area on the housing unit, said at least one spring element acting between said clutch element and said driver element, said at least one spring element having an attachment area which is fixed to said turbine impeller.