Self-adjusting means and method for friction clutches

Patent 5251737 Issued on October 12, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 31, 2012. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3752286

Friction clutch with integral adjuster
Patent #: 4099604
Issued on: 07/11/1978
Inventor: Higgerson

Self adjusting release mechanism for clutch
Patent #: 4445600
Issued on: 05/01/1984
Inventor: Schmidt

Clutch cover assembly with self-adjusting pressure plate
Patent #: 4924991
Issued on: 05/15/1990
Inventor: Takeuchi

Intermediate plate positioner means for a friction clutch assembly
Patent #: 4941557
Issued on: 07/17/1990
Inventor: Flotow, et al.

Self adjuster for pull-type clutch
Patent #: 5029687
Issued on: 07/09/1991
Inventor: Asada, et al.

Positioning pin setting arrangement
Patent #: 5080212
Issued on: 01/14/1992
Inventor: Flotow, et al.

Self adjuster for push type clutch Patent #: 5090536
Issued on: 02/25/1992
Inventor: Asada

Inventors

Assignee

Dana Corporation

Application

No. 861139 filed on 03/31/1992

US Classes:

192/111A, Automatic wear compensators192/70.25With adjustable means to move clutch-element axially (e.g., to compensate for wear)

Examiners

Primary: Bonck, Rodney H.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Crozier; John H., Leonardi; Robert M.

Foreign Patent References

2210119 GB 01/12/1989

International Class

F16D 013/75

Abstract

A self-adjusting mechanism for a friction clutch of the type having movable pressure plate, adjusting ring, release sleeve, and release lever having ends engaging adjusting ring and release sleeve with intermediate point on release lever engaging pressure plate. Release yoke is engagable with release sleeve to move release sleeve away from pressure plate, release yoke having a selected free play distance between unengaged and engaged positions with respect to release sleeve, free travel distance decreasing as friction surfaces wear. Mechanism includes: sensing mechanism to sense a decrease in free travel distance as engagement occurs and adjusting mechanism responsive to sensing mechanism to cause adjusting ring to advance toward pressure plate as disengagement subsequently occurs, compensating for decrease in free travel distance.