Fichtel & Sachs Ag

Alfred Meyer

Dieter Kolb

Erich Scheer

Dagwin Tomm

Klaus Elsner

Ludwig Eberlein

Peter Eichelsberger

Hans-Joachim Rothe

Manfred Adler

Kurt Schafer

Siegmund Gehrig

Willi Trux

Erich Stark

To enable prescribed functional values of pressure plate units of motor vehicle friction clutches to be observed with smaller tolerances than hitherto, it is proposed that a housing-spring component initially be pre-assembled from clutch housing (1) and diaphragm spring (7) and that this component be measured together with a master pressing plate. Geometry (diameter 25 and axial height 27) which is optimum for minimum tolerances of a contact bevel 15 is calculated by means of the measured result, and a pressing plate (13) with this bevel geometry is produced. The measured spring-housing component is finally assembled together with this specially produced pressing palte 913).

Method of assembling pressure plate units of motor vehicle friction

In order to avoid undesired spring force variations of a diaphragm spring (13) of a friction clutch by reason of centrifugal forces it is proposed to provide the spring tongues (17) between their tongue ends (25) and a basic body (15) of the diaphragm spring (13) with outwardly domed portions (31) by which the center of gravity (33) in the position of the diaphragm spring (13) endangered by centrifugal force is shifted into the plane of radial supporting of the diaphragm spring (13).

Friction clutch with domed diaphragm spring tongues

In a friction clutch unit the axial travel of the presser plate with respect to the clutch housing is axially limited. The presser plate is connected for common rotation with the clutch housing by a plurality of tangential leaf spring elements. These leaf spring elements allow axial travel of the presser plate with respect to the clutch housing, when the clutch housing is separated from the respective driving disc. A main spring is provided which is supported on the clutch housing and acts onto the presser plate. This main spring urges the presser plate away from the clutch housing. In order to restrict the travel of the presser plate under the action of the main spring stop elements are provided axially between the spring elements and the clutch housing and tangentially between the two ends of the respective leaf spring elements, namely nearer to that end of the respective leaf spring element which is fixed to the clutch housing. In assembling the friction clutch one can preassemble the presser plate with the leaf springs and thereafter insert the presser plate with the leaf springs into the clutch housing. Hereupon the free ends of the leaf springs are fixed to the clutch housing. The insertion of the presser plate with the leaf springs into the clutch housing requires only an axial movement of the presser plate with respect to the clutch housing along the common axis of the clutch housing and the presser plate.

Friction clutch unit with a stop element for limiting presser plate

The pressure plate unit for a motor vehicle friction clutch comprises a clutch housing (1a), a presser plate (3a) arranged in the clutch housing (1a) and guided non-rotatably but axially displaceably on the clutch housing (1a) and a clutch spring (13a) of substantially annular washer form arranged limitedly radially displaceably in the clutch housing (1a). The clutch spring is supported in the region of its external circumference axially on the clutch housing (1a) and on a diameter smaller than the diameter of the external circumference axially on the presser plate (3a). At least one radially resilient spring element is braced in between the clutch housing (1a) and the clutch spring (13a). The spring element holds the diaphragm spring in its original position in which the pressure plate unit was balanced in assembly, even during operation. The spring element can for example be a radially resilient spring sleeve or a U-shaped leaf spring which rests with one leg on the clutch housing and with the other leg on the diaphragm spring. Leaf springs which are secured with one end to the clutch housing or the diaphragm spring and are supported with the other end on the other component in each case are also suitable.

Pressure plate unit for a motor vehicle friction clutch

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Schweinfurt, Germany

Alfred Meyer