Valeo Clutches and Transmissions Inc.

Automotive Products (usa), Inc.

Alexander Zelikov

James V Ludwig, Jr

A slave cylinder particularly suited for use in a hydraulic clutch release system for a motor vehicle. The cylinder includes a spring boot which serves as both a dust boot and a preload spring device. In one embodiment of the invention, the cylinder is an external slave cylinder and the spring boot extends from a rear end of the cylinder body to a rear end of the pushrod and acts to apply a preload force through the pushrod and through the release lever to the release bearing while simultaneously precluding the entry of dust and other contaminants into the interface between the piston and the cylinder bore. In another embodiment of the invention, the slave cylinder is a concentric slave cylinder and the spring boot is positioned in surrounding relation to the main body of the cylinder housing with the front end of the spring boot bearing against a flange portion of the housing and the rear end of the spring boot bearing against the non-rotating race of the release bearing so that the spring boot exerts the desired preload directly on the release bearing and simultaneously precludes the entry of contaminants into the interface between the housing and the annular piston. The front and rear ends of the boot define annular toothed configurations for respective mating coaction with annular toothed configurations on the flange portion of the housing and on the non-rotating race of the bearing whereby to preclude rotation of the non-rotating race induced by rotation of the rotating race.

Hydraulic pressure cylinder with combined boot and spring

In a wear-compensating arrangement for a pull-type clutch assembly, the fulcrums on the cover which engage against the diaphragm spring adjacent to its outer periphery are movable axially to the clutch assembly, being urged by springs towards the diaphragm spring. Each movable fulcrum is of arcuate form and is split circumferentially into an outer part which engages the diaphragm spring when the clutch is engaged and an inner part which engages it when the clutch is disengaged. Unidirectional jamming provided between the two parts and the cover permit movement of the parts towards the diaphragm spring but prevent return movement, so that on operation of the clutch the two parts of each fulcrum can move sequentially towards the diaphragm spring to compensate for any wear in the clutch linings.

Diaphragm clutch assembly with wear compensator

A diaphragm spring clutch assembly has a self adjusting mechanism operable in use to compensate for wear of the clutch friction lining. The mechanism comprises a pressure plate having a pressure plate body, a separate, generally annular, fulcrum member which is axially moveable with respect to the pressure plate body, and a control member adapted to control relative axial movement between the fulcrum member and the pressure plate body and being itself axially displaceable with respect to the pressure plate body and the fulcrum member on wear of the friction linings, thereby to permit a corresponding movement of the fulcrum member away from the friction surface. the fulcrum member is moved axially away from the friction surface during declutching, and a one way connection is provided between the fulcrum member and the pressure plate body operable to prevent return movement of the fulcrum member when the clutch is engaged. In this way, wear in the friction linings is automatically compensated by a corresponding movement of the pressure plate fulcrum. The orientation of the diaphragm spring remains constant, eliminating the need for adjustment during the service of the clutch. The invention is particularly applicable to clutches for automobiles.

Growing community of inventors

Farmington, MI, United States of America

Alexander Zelikov