Patent ID: 7267214

Claim:
An electromagnetic friction clutch ( 1 ; 20 ) in a drive train connecting a drive motor and a vehicle door selectively driven by the drive motor between open and closed positions the clutch comprising: a rotor part ( 4 ) provided with a friction lining ( 2 ) and drivingly connected to a first shaft ( 3 ) so as to rotate therewith; an electric coil ( 6 ) arranged on a side of the rotor part ( 4 ) facing away from the friction lining ( 2 ), and an armature disk ( 10 ) drivingly connected to a second shaft ( 9 ) so as to rotate therewith axially movable relative to the second shaft ( 9 ); at least one permanent magnet ( 15 ) arranged on the rotor part ( 4 ), the at least one permanent magnet ( 15 ) having a magnetic force such that the armature disk ( 10 ) is pressed against the friction lining ( 2 ) of the rotor part ( 4 ) with a friction force which is high enough for the vehicle door to remain securely in the open position assumed when the electric coil ( 6 ) is not energized and such that, during subsequent manual operation of the vehicle door, the frictional connection between armature disk ( 10 ) and friction lining ( 2 ) can be overcome.