Patent ID: 6305520
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A repeatedly engageable and disengageable friction clutch, comprising:a housing rotatable about a predetermined axis and including a plurality of retainers;a rotary clutch disc coaxial with and spaced apart from said housing and being subject to wear in response to repeated engagement of the clutch;a pressure plate coaxial with and disposed between said clutch disc and said housing and being rotatable with and movable within limits axially of said housing;at least one diaphragm spring comprising a main portion and disposed between said housing and said pressure plate and having a side confronting said pressure plate, said diaphragm spring being arranged to bias said pressure plate against said clutch disc in the engaged condition of the clutch; andmeans for automatically compensating for said wear, including a seat pivotably mounting said at least one diaphragm spring and means for intermittently moving said at least one diaphragm spring axially of and away from said housing toward said clutch disc, said at least one diaphragm spring further having resilient means reacting against said housing and arranged to urge said at least one diaphragm spring against said seat, said resilient means comprising a plurality of prongs of one piece with said main portion of said at least one diaphragm spring and engaging said retainers of said housing at said side of said diaphragm spring, said at least one diaphragm spring further having passages through which said retainers extend from said housing toward said pressure plate.