Patent ID: 8534435

Claim:
A torque transmission device for transmitting torque in a drivetrain of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission, the torque transmission device comprising: a friction clutch device ( 120 ; 120 ′) comprising at least one friction clutch assembly ( 122 , 124 ; 122 ′, 124 ′) that is actuatable for engaging and disengaging; an actuating device ( 10 ; 10 ′) for application of one of an engagement and disengagement force to the friction clutch device for actuating the at least one friction clutch assembly of the friction clutch device in one of an engagement and a disengagement direction, and the actuating device comprising: at least one axially displaceable actuating element ( 14 , 22 ) associated with the at least one friction clutch assembly and at least one substantially axially fixed supporting element ( 12 ) associated with the actuating element such that the actuating element, when actuating the associated friction clutch assembly, is displaceable in an axial translation movement by virtue of at least one of rotational movement imparted to a rotary member of the actuating device ( 14 ; 22 ) and rotation forces exerted on the rotary member, the axial forces being exerted on the actuating element, due to both relative axial and rotational movement between the actuating element and the supporting element and the relative rotational movement having an adjustable range; such that either the actuating element or the supporting element serves as either the rotary member, or another rotary member separate from the actuating element but which co-operates therewith, at least one actuator ( 44 , 45 ; 44 ; 45 ) associated with the rotary member and the friction clutch assembly, by which first rotation forces are exerted on the rotary member for actuating the friction clutch assembly, and the at least one actuator ( 44 , 45 ; 44 ; 45 ) being supported by the body member, at least one compensation spring ( 60 , 62 ; 60 ; 62 ) which is articulated to the rotary member, on one side, and to an arm of a body of the actuating device, on another side, such that second rotation forces produced by stressing of the compensation spring are exerted on the rotary member; one of: the friction clutch assembly is a normally-disengaged (NO) type of friction clutch assembly and by stressing the compensation spring, the second rotation force is exerted on the rotary member such that, without the action of the first rotation force, an actuating force produced by the actuating element is applied in the friction clutch device which holds the friction clutch in an engaged (NC) condition, and the friction clutch assembly ( 122 ; 124 ; 122 ′, 124 ′) is a normally-engaged (NC) type of friction clutch assembly and by stressing the compensation spring ( 60 ; 62 ), the second rotation force is exerted on the rotary member such that, without the action of the first rotation force, an actuating force produced by the actuating element is applied in the friction clutch device which retains the friction clutch in a disengaged (NO) condition.