US3666062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-disc friction clutch
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Filing: 1970-10-27
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-10-27
Abstract
Abstract The two terminal driven discs of a stack of driven and driving discs which directly engage the flywheel and the pressure plate in an otherwise largely conventional, multiple-disc, automotive friction clutch are held in forks distributed over the circumference of a hub assembly and each consisting of a rigid abutment and a leaf spring axially biasing the disc away from the other terminal disc and toward the abutment. This arrangement holds the terminal discs in well-defined axial positions in all clutch conditions and reduces the axial movement of the hub assembly during clutch engagement and disengagement, particularly when the springs exert greater biasing force on the terminal driven disc near the flywheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Walter Riese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:17
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D13/00; F16D13/22; F16D13/38; F16D13/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
In a multiple-disc friction clutch having an input member and an output member rotatable about a common axis, a hub element axially movable on the output member and secured thereon against rotation, a plurality of axially offset driven discs secured on said hub element against rotation, driving disc means axially interposed between said driven discs to constitute therewith a stack of discs, said driving disc means being secured to said input member for rotation therewith, said input member having a radial engagement face, pressure means axially spaced from said face for pressing said stack axially into frictional engagement with said face and for thereby engaging said clutch, a first driven disc being axially adjacent said face and remotE from said pressure means, and a second driven disc being axially adjacent said pressure means and remote from said face, said first and second discs being axially movable on said hub element, and clutch disengaging means for releasing said pressure means, the improvement which comprises positioning means moving said first and second driven discs into respective predetermined and reproducible axial positions in the engaged and disengaged conditions of said clutch, said positioning means including two abutment means mounted on said hub element and associated with said first and second discs respectively, and yieldably resilient means respectively associated with said first and second discs and biasing the associated discs axially toward engagement with the associated abutment means, said yieldably resilient means being fixedly connected to the associated abutment means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
In a multiple-disc friction clutch having an input member and an output member rotatable about a common axis, a hub element axially movable on the output member and secured thereon against rotation, a plurality of axially offset driven discs secured on said hub element against rotation, driving disc means axially interposed between said driven discs to constitute therewith a stack of discs, said driving disc means being secured to said input member for rotation therewith, said input member having a radial engagement face, pressure means axially spaced from said face for pressing said stack axially into frictional engagement with said face and for thereby engaging said clutch, a first driven disc being axially adjacent said face and remotE from said pressure means, and a second driven disc being axially adjacent said pressure means and remote from said face, said first and second discs being axially movable on said hub element, and clutch disengaging means for releasing said pressure means, the improvement which comprises positioning means moving said first and second driven discs into respective predetermined and reproducible axial positions in the engaged and disengaged conditions of said clutch, said positioning means including two abutment means mounted on said hub element and associated with said first and second discs respectively, and yieldably resilient means respectively associated with said first and second discs and biasing the associated discs axially toward engagement with the associated abutment means, said yieldably resilient means being fixedly connected to the associated abutment means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a clutch as set forth in claim 1, said yieldably resilient means biasing the associated driven discs axially away from each other, the biasing force of the yieldably resilient means associated with said first driven disc being greater than the biasing force of the yieldably resilient means associated with said second driven disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a clutch as set forth in claim 1, each yieldably resilient means including a plurality of spring members, each abutment means including a plurality of abutment members fixedly secured to respective spring members, each spring member and the associated abutment member jointly constituting a fork mounted on said hub element, open in a radially outward direction, and receiving the inner peripheral portion of the associated driven disc.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a clutch as set forth in claim 3, said forks being substantially uniformly distributed about the inner circumference of each of said first and second discs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a clutch as set forth in claim 4, said hub element being formed with a plurality of openings for radial passage of cooling fluid therethrough to said stack, said spring members being arranged in said passages respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |