Patent ID: 6168525
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: F16F

Abstract:
A flexible clutch for a two-mass flywheel of an internal combustion engine, said flexible clutch comprising: a first half-coupling including two side-disks and an outer circumference torsionally solidly interconnecting said two side-disks; a second half-coupling disposed between and surrounded by said two side-disks of said first half-coupling, said second half-coupling including at least one disk having a center hub; a plurality of elastic clutch elements interconnecting said first half-coupling and said second half-coupling such that said first half-coupling and said second half-coupling are limitedly torsionally twistable relative to each other; a substantially leakproof inner compartment defined by said two side-disks of said first half-coupling, said inner compartment receiving said at least one disk of said second half-coupling, said inner compartment including a plurality of radially outer regions having at least one displacement chamber with a throttle orifice, said at least one displacement chamber being configured for being filled; two first tappets disposed on one of said first half-coupling and said second half-coupling; a second tappet disposed on an other of said first half-coupling and said second half-coupling, said two first tappets and said second tappet circumferentially bounding said at least one displacement chamber of said radially outer regions, said second tappet dividing said displacement chamber into a first sectional chamber having a first volume and a second sectional chamber having a second volume, said first volume and said second volume alternately varying with relative twisting motion of said first half-coupling and said second half-coupling such that said first volume varies inversely with said second volume, at least one of said second tappet and said two first tappets comprising a stationary tappet piece and a movable tappet piece, said movable tappet piece being movable in a circumferential direction and delimiting a respective said sectional chamber; a spring configured for exerting a force opposing movement of said movable tappet piece, said spring being circumferentially aligned between and coacting with said movable tappet piece and said stationary tappet piece; and a damping chamber defined by said stationary tappet piece and said movable tappet piece.