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:
Oct. 05, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2001
David R. DePiazza, Laurinburg, NC (US);
Ronald B. Morford, Southern Pines, NC (US);
Muneer Abu Samra, Southern Pines, NC (US);
ZF Sachs AG, Schweinfurt, DE;
Abstract
An improved clutch has a distinct force ratio for holding than it does for release. A distinct ratio is achieved by having an abutment surface between a retainer and a diaphragm spring be positioned radially outward from a contact location between a release sleeve and the diaphragm spring for releasing the clutch. The retainer is separately axially movable relative to the release sleeve, and surrounds the release sleeve. In this way, the holding force is applied at a lever distance from an axial center line of the clutch which is greater than the distance to the point of contact for release of the diaphragm spring. This provides both a higher holding force and yet a lower release force.