Patent ID: 6189667
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A friction clutch for use in a motor vehicle drive train, said friction clutch comprising:a driven flywheel rotatably mounted about a rotational axis;a clutch casing rotatably mounted about said rotational axis and connectable to said driven flywheel for rotation with said driven flywheel;a clutch disk having friction linings, a pressure plate, and a pressure spring arranged in said clutch casing such that said pressure spring is supported between said clutch casing and said pressure plate, said pressure spring producing a force on said pressure plate for urging said clutch disk toward said flywheel via said pressure plate when said friction clutch is in an engaged position; anda device comprising at least one closed link operatively arranged between said clutch casing and said pressure plate for varying a force that said pressure plate exerts on said clutch disk proportionally and parallel to the force produced by said pressure spring in said engaged position, wherein said device increases the pressure force when the motor vehicle drive train is in a pulling mode, andwherein said pressure plate is rotatable relative to said clutch casino within a predetermined range and said device comprises a lever pivotably arranged between said pressure plate and one of said clutch casing and said flywheel.