The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 11, 1995
Filed:
May. 27, 1994
Barrie G Craft, Washington, MI (US);
Joseph L Bair, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Michael B Grosse Erdmann, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Edwin R Murray, Macomb, MI (US);
George S Traub, Ortonville, MI (US);
Gerda Rudolph, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Peter Doll, Troy, MI (US);
Heiko Schulz-Andres, Poppenhausen, DE;
David G Buckingham, Berkley, MI (US);
Richard G Reed, Royal Oak, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Sachs Automotive of America, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
A manual transmission modular clutch assembly has a flywheel, pressure plate and interposed clutch plate mounted in a cover that is adapted to be connected to an engine crankshaft and wherein separate spring-torque straps connect the pressure plate and the flywheel to the cover for rotation therewith. At assembly the flywheel is positioned against the force of its spring-torque straps by travel limit pins that are retained on the cover, press fitted in the flywheel and contact with the pressure plate when in its clutch engaging position. A diaphragm spring normally clamps the pressure plate, clutch plate and flywheel together and is adapted to be connected to a clutch pedal to release the clutch. As wear occurs, the pressure plate is allowed to move further in the direction of the flywheel and forces the flywheel travel limit pins to move in their press fit by the same amount. This relocates the limit pins relative to the cover by the same amount so that when the clutch is released the flywheel is allowed to be moved by its spring-torque straps toward the pressure plate by a corresponding amount. A pair of rings having opposing contacting ramps are interposed between the cover and flywheel and are spring biased to expand apart by ramp action during clutch release and provide a wedge that holds the flywheel against the force of the diaphragm spring during clutch engagement following movement of the flywheel to adjust for wear. The flywheel travel limit pins also provide for setting the clutch apply load to a desired value at clutch assembly and this is maintained by the wear adjustment.