초록 ▼

A clutch structure is provided that automatically compensates for manufacturing or part-to-part tolerance variations in new clutches and that continuously compensates for wear of interleaved clutch plates throughout the life of the clutch. The clutch includes an actuator, preferably a fluid piston,

A clutch structure is provided that automatically compensates for manufacturing or part-to-part tolerance variations in new clutches and that continuously compensates for wear of interleaved clutch plates throughout the life of the clutch. The clutch includes an actuator, preferably a fluid piston, that compresses the clutch plates to engage the clutch and transmit power between two rotating elements. An adjustment ring, fitted to an actuating ring, is contacted by a portion of the piston and is displaced against the force of a biasing spring during engagement of the clutch. Abutment members limit movement of the actuating ring, permitting the piston to displace the adjustment ring unidirectionally on the actuating ring during full engagement of the clutch. Upon disengagement of the clutch, the biasing spring urges the actuating ring, and with it the adjustment ring, back to its disengaged position. The adjustment ring thereby urges the piston to a reference disengaged position. The reference position may be displaced in the direction of the clutch plates as the clutch plates wear, thus providing consistent and uniform engagement and clutch performance over the life of the clutch. The actuating ring preferably covers a fluid passage when the clutch is disengaged, and uncovers the passage by its displacement when the clutch is engaged. Cooling or lubricating fluid is thus admitted into the clutch only upon engagement and fluid flow through the passage is reduced or interrupted upon disengagement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [10.] A self-adjusting clutch for selectively coupling a rotating driving member to a rotatable driven member, comprising:a housing;a plurality of clutch plates located within the housing, the clutch plates including first clutch plates secured to rotate with the driving member and seco

[ We claim:] [10.] A self-adjusting clutch for selectively coupling a rotating driving member to a rotatable driven member, comprising:a housing;a plurality of clutch plates located within the housing, the clutch plates including first clutch plates secured to rotate with the driving member and second clutch plates secured to rotate with the driven member upon engagement with the first clutch plates;an actuator movable within the housing for selectively urging the first and second clutch plates into mutual engagement; anda self adjustment assembly contacting the actuator and defining a disengaged position of the actuator, the adjustment assembly including an abutment member, a reference member and a biasing assembly, the abutment member being moved by the actuator against the biasing assembly and contacting a portion of the biasing assembly to define an engaged position of the clutch, the reference member being unidirectionally movable during engagement of the clutch to establish the disengaged position of the actuator. [16.] A method for compensating for tolerance or wear in a fluid clutch of the type including a housing, a plurality of clutch plates within the housing and a piston sealingly movable within the housing for selectively urging the clutch plates into engagement and thereby coupling a driving member to a driven member, the method comprising the steps of:(a) moving an engagement member through a predetermined distance in a first direction against a biasing assembly during engagement of the clutch, wherein movement of the engagement member in the first direction opens a fluid passage and admits a fluid into the clutch;(b) moving a reference member through the predetermined distance in the first direction during movement of the engagement member;(c) moving the reference member through a compensation distance in the first direction;(d) moving the engagement member and the reference member through the predetermined distance in a second direction opposite to the first direction under the influence of the biasing assembly during disengagement of the clutch, the reference member contacting the piston to urge the piston to a reference disengaged position.