Bracket barb pressure plate stop

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9771985-B2
Application number	US-201414558112-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 2, 2014
Priority date	Mar 14, 2014
Publication date	Sep 26, 2017
Grant date	Sep 26, 2017

Abstract

A dry friction clutch for connecting a transmission with a flywheel of an engine is provided. The clutch includes a bracket having a main body axially spaced from an engine flywheel. The bracket is torsionally connected to the flywheel. The bracket has a generally U-shaped cross section with a main body connected with generally axially extending side walls. An axially movable pressure plate is torsionally connected with the bracket. The pressure plate is axially movable within the bracket. A friction disc is provided having a connection with an input shaft of a transmission. The friction disc is axially positioned between the flywheel and the pressure plate. A release assembly is provided including a spring for urging the pressure plate toward the flywheel. The bracket side walls have inward positioned barbs to axially limit travel of the pressure plate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A selectively engagable dry friction clutch assembly for connecting a transmission with a flywheel of an engine comprising:
a bracket having a main body axially spaced from said flywheel and being torsionally connected thereto, said bracket having a generally U-shaped cross section with said main body being connected with generally axially extending side walls;
an axially movable pressure plate torsionally connected with said bracket;
a friction disc for torsional connection with an input shaft of a transmission, said friction disc being axially positioned between said flywheel and said pressure plate;
a release assembly including a spring for urging said pressure plate toward said flywheel; and
wherein said bracket side walls have a plurality of integrally formed radially inward barbs to limit axial travel of said pressure plate toward said friction disc by direct contact of said pressure plate with said barbs.

2. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said barbs project toward said bracket main body.

3. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said barbs project away from said bracket main body.

4. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said barbs project perpendicular to said side walls.

5. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said barbs hold said pressure plate in compression.

6. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate have a snap fit relationship with said barbs.

7. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said barbs are between axial ribs in said side walls of said bracket.

8. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 1 wherein said barbs are aligned with a support rib between mounting bracket holes in said main body of said bracket.

9. A selectively engagable dry friction clutch assembly for connecting a transmission with a flywheel of an engine comprising:
a bracket having a main body axially spaced from said flywheel and being torsionally connected thereto, said bracket having a generally U-shaped cross section with said main body being connected with generally axially extending side walls;
an axially movable pressure plate torsionally connected with said bracket;
a friction disc for torsional connection with an input shaft of a transmission, said friction disc being axially positioned between said flywheel and said pressure plate;
a release assembly including a spring for urging said pressure plate toward said flywheel; and
wherein said bracket side walls have a plurality of integrally formed radially inward barbs projecting toward said bracket main body to limit axial travel of said pressure plate toward said friction disc by direct contact of said pressure plate with said barbs, said barbs being loaded in compression when contacted by said pressure plate.

10. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 9 wherein said pressure plate has a snap fit relationship with said barbs.

11. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 9 wherein said barbs are between axial ribs in said side walls of said bracket.

12. The dry friction clutch assembly of claim 9 wherein said barbs are aligned with a support rib between mounting bracket holes in said main body of said bracket.

13. A selectively engagable dry friction clutch assembly for connecting a transmission with a flywheel of an engine comprising:
a bracket having a main body axially spaced from said flywheel and being torsionally connected thereto, said bracket having a generally U-shaped cross section with said main body being connected with generally axially extending side walls, said main body having reinforcing support ribs between mounting holes, said side walls having reinforcing ribs;
an axially movable pressure plate torsionally connected with said bracket, said pressure plate having minor lugs;
a friction disc for torsional connection with an input shaft of a transmission, said friction disc being axially positioned between said flywheel and said pressure plate;
a release assembly including a spring for urging said pressure plate toward said flywheel; and
wherein said bracket side walls have a plurality of integral radially inward barbs projecting toward said bracket main body to limit axial travel of said pressure plate with respect to said bracket, said barbs having a snap fit relationship with said pressure plate minor lugs, and said barbs being positioned between ribs of said side walls and aligned with support ribs of said main body, said barbs being loaded in compression when contacted by said pressure plate.

Assignees

• Eaton Corp

Inventors

• Peterson Steven Michael
• Reinoehl Troy Scott
• Mcclellan Clinton Lee
• Whitaker James Lee

Classifications

• F16D13/71

  in which the clutching pressure is produced by springs only · CPC title

• F16D13/42

  with means for increasing the effective force between the actuating sleeve or equivalent member and the pressure member · CPC title

• F16D13/70 Primary

  Pressure members, e.g. pressure plates, for clutch-plates or lamellae; Guiding arrangements for pressure members {(clutch flywheels comprising two or more masses with a rotational damper F16F15/12)} · CPC title

• F16D2300/26

  Cover or bell housings; Details or arrangements thereof · CPC title