Zf Sachs Ag

Zf Meritor, LLC

Andrzej Szadkowski

Ronald B Morford

Muneer Abusamra

Eric Frandsen

Matthew Girlando

Robert L Page

A clutch assembly includes a clutch cover which can be secured to a flywheel; an intermediate plate spaced from the flywheel; a pressure plate arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate and secured to the clutch cover by resilient straps which urge the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position; a first friction disk arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate; and a second friction disk arranged between the intermediate plate and the flywheel. Linkage urges the intermediate plate toward the pressure plate so that the second friction disk can be fully disengaged from the flywheel when the pressure plate is retracted during disengagement.

Positive separator for multiple disc clutches

A clutch assembly is provided that includes a flywheel. A clutch cover is secured to the flywheel. An intermediate plate is spaced from the flywheel, and a pressure plate is arranged between the clutch cover and the intermediate plate. The intermediate plate may be secured to the clutch cover by flexible straps or another similar device. The straps retract the pressure plate from an engaged position to a disengaged position. First and second friction discs are respectively arranged between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate and the intermediate plate and the flywheel. The pressure plate forces the intermediate plate and the friction discs toward the flywheel to couple and engine and transmission together. A separator moves the intermediate plate with the pressure plate from the engaged position to the disengaged position thereby permitting self-disengagement of the friction discs from the flywheel. The separator urges the intermediate plate in a direction toward the pressure plate, and preferably centers the intermediate plate between the pressure plate and the flywheel to permit sufficient space for the friction discs to self-disengage from the flywheel.

A clutch is provided that includes a sleeve having a retainer movable along a rotational axis. A clutch member, such as an adjusting ring, is movable along the rotational axis. The clutch member includes a perch spaced from the rotational axis protruding from a surface on the clutch member. The perch includes first and second opposing outer walls with the second outer wall extending from the surface on an angle toward the first outer wall. A lever including a portion having a slot is supported on the perch by the slot. The slot includes first and second opposing inner walls proximate to the first and second outer walls, respectively, with the first inner wall forming an apex with a first face of the lever adjacent to the surface. The apex defines a lever fulcrum about which the lever pivots. A connector secured to the clutch member with a portion of the second end portion arranged between the connector and the clutch member for retaining the second portion against the surface.

Clutch lever locator

A clutch assembly includes a diaphragm spring to bias a retainer assembly toward an engaged position. The retainer assembly actuates a lever to force a pressure plate into torque transmitting contact with a friction disc and a flywheel. Clutch straps bias the pressure plates toward a disengaged position. An adjusting ring shifts toward the flywheel to accommodate for wear of the friction disc. A resilient plate is attached to the adjusting ring and exerts a biasing force against the diaphragm spring. As the adjuster ring shifts toward the flywheel, the biasing force of the clutch straps increases and the biasing force of the resilient plate decreases to provide a substantially uniform clamp load throughout the life of the friction disc.

Resilient plate for adjustable clutches

A plurality of clutch levers transmit force to a pressure plate of a clutch. The lever ratio of the clutch lever is variable as the clutch lever moves from an engaged to a disengaged state. When the clutch is engaged, the clutch lever presses the pressure plate to engage clutch discs. The lever ratio of the clutch lever is relatively large, allowing for an acceptable clamp load. When the clutch is disengaged, the clutch lever lifts from the pressure plate, disengaging the pressure plate from the clutch discs. When the clutch is disengaged, the lever ratio is relatively small, allowing for more clearance between the pressure plate and the flywheel and an increase in pressure plate lift. By using a clutch lever having a variable lever ratio, both clamp load and clutch lift can be maximized. The conditions exist during the entire lift of the clutch.

Clutch lever with variable lever ratio

A plurality of specially shaped clutch levers transmit rotation between an engine and a transmission in a clutch. The clutch levers are shaped such that the center of mass is on opposing sides of an axis of the clutch levers when the clutch levers are in the engaged and disengaged positions. The axis is the radial line passing through the pivot point of the clutch lever and is substantially perpendicular to the rotation of the clutch. In the engaged position, the center of mass is positioned on the pressure plate side of the axis, the moment rotating the clutch levers against the pressure plate to increase the clamp load. In the disengaged position, the center of mass is positioned on the transmission side of the axis, the moment rotating the clutch levers against the retainer to increase clutch lift. These conditions are satisfied during the entire life of the clutch.

Clutch lever taking advantage of centrifugal forces

A clutch assembly for a vehicle including a clutch cover rotatable about an axis is provided. A pressure plate is also rotatable about the axis and is movable along the axis relative to the clutch cover between engaged and disengaged positions. A resilient clutch strap secures the clutch cover and pressure plate together so that they rotate together about the axis. The strap is spaced apart from and transverse to the axis. As the pressure plate moves between engaged and disengaged positions, the resilient clutch strap flexes. The resilient clutch strap has first and second opposing ends secured to the clutch cover and pressure plate, respectively, at first and second connections, respectively. The first connection defines a first plane perpendicular to the axis, and the second connection defines a second plane perpendicular to the axis. The resilient clutch strap includes a disengaged state in which the first and second planes are generally coplanar in the disengaged position thereby reducing vibration.

Clutch strap

A pin has an end secured to the pressure plate and the pin is disposed within a pressure plate hole for constraining the clutch cover and the pressure plate together for rotation about the rotational axis. A bushing is disposed within the hole and includes a bore for receiving the pin. The pin is received within the bore in an interference fit relationship while the bushing is permitted to move freely within the hole in the clutch cover. The pin moves within the bore in response to an adjustment force to accommodate wear of the clutch friction components. A resilient assembly absorbs vibrational force along the rotational axis to prevent misadjustment of the clutch. The resilient assembly is interposed between the bushing and the pressure plate to prevent the pin from moving along the bore in response to a vibrational force.

Biased wear sensor assembly for self-adjusting clutch

An improved structure for allowing adjustment of a clutch due to wear includes a bushing which has a flange that is adjustably mounted on said bushing. In one method of providing the feature, the flange is provided by a washer which allows movement of the bushing within the washer in one direction but prevents movement in the opposed direction. In a second way of achieving the adjustment, the flange is provided by a nut which is threadably received on an outer periphery of the bushing.

Growing community of inventors

Southern Pines, NC, United States of America

Andrzej Szadkowski