Patent ID: 8267236

Claim:
An electromagnetic clutch comprising: an innermost shaft member; a rotor supported so as to be rotatable with respect to said shaft member; an armature facing said rotor with a clearance; a device that generates a magnetic attracting force between said rotor and said armature; and a rotating member supported so as to be rotatable with respect to said shaft member and coupled with said armature through a plate spring wherein the shaft member does not transmit a driving force during operation of the electromagnetic clutch, wherein said plate spring extends in a direction opposite to said shaft member and comprises a first end separated from said shaft member, wherein said first end or a portion in the vicinity of said first end contacts an armature surface facing said rotor, and said plate spring is fixed to said rotating member at a portion other than the portion contacting said armature surface, and wherein said armature is supported such that said armature is urged to be separated in a direction opposite to said rotor by an elasticity of said plate spring.