Clutch actuation system

Abstract

A multiple-disk clutch used in the power train of a motor vehicle for transmitting power from the crankshaft of an engine to a transmission input shaft is disclosed. The multiple-disk clutch comprises an actuation system supported at least in part by one of the inner and outer clutch member, and connected to a pressure member. The multiple-disk clutch is positioned within the multiple-disk clutch. The actuation system is adapted to overcome the biasing force of a spring or springs and release the compression force exerted by the pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks such that the friction disks are spaced apart and power transmission through the multiple-disk clutch is interrupted.

1 - A multiple-disk clutch for transmitting power from a crankshaft of an engine to a transmission input shaft, the multiple-disk clutch comprising:
 an inner clutch member disposed on a first side of the multiple-disk clutch and adapted to be connected to the transmission input shaft,   an outer clutch member disposed on a second side of the multiple-disk clutch and adapted to be connected to the crankshaft,   a plurality of driving friction disks connected to and extending away from one of the inner and outer clutch member,   a plurality of driven friction disks connected to and extending away from the other one of the inner and outer clutch member, the driven friction disks and the driving friction disks being arranged alternately, the plurality of alternating driven and driving friction disks defining a central cavity;   a first pressure member disposed in alignment with the alternating driving and the driven friction disks and axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together and to disengage the driven friction disks from the driving friction disks, the first pressure member being biased to compress the driving and driven friction disks together by at least one spring, and   an actuation system supported at least in part by one of the inner and outer clutch member and connected to the first pressure member, the actuation system adapted to overcome the biasing force of the at least one spring and release the compression force exerted by the first pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks such that the friction disks are spaced apart and power transmission through the multiple-disk clutch is interrupted.   
   
   
       2 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the actuation system is positioned at least in part within a central cavity formed by the plurality of alternating driven and driving friction disks. 
   
   
       3 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the actuation system includes at least two bearings sandwiched between a first actuator plate and a second actuator plate, each actuator plate including cavities for receiving the bearings and each cavity including a ramping area, the actuator plates being adapted to rotate in opposite direction such that the bearings are forced up the ramping areas thereby pushing the actuator plates apart and forcing the pressure member to release the compression force on the driving and the driven friction disks. 
   
   
       4 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a first lever shaft connected at one end thereof to the first an actuator plate, and a second lever shaft connected at one end thereof to the second actuator plate, the first lever shaft having a first lever connected at the other end thereof, the second lever shaft having a second lever connected at the other end thereof, movement of at least one of the first and second levers causing rotation of the first and second actuator plates. 
   
   
       5 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second levers are connected together via a cable linked to one of a clutch handle and pedal for interaction with an operator. 
   
   
       6 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one spring is positioned within the central cavity formed by the plurality of alternating driven and driving friction disks. 
   
   
       7 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the actuation system includes a hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly, a hydraulic line connected and in fluid communication with the piston/cylinder assembly, the piston/cylinder assembly being connected to the pressure member, wherein in operation hydraulic fluid under pressure expands the piston/cylinder assembly which in turn pushes the pressure member to release a compression force exerted by the pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks. 
   
   
       8 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the hydraulic line is adapted to extend through the transmission input shaft and is connected at one end to the piston/cylinder assembly and at its other end to one of a clutch handle and pedal for interaction with an operator. 
   
   
       9 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the hydraulic line extends through a piston of the piston/cylinder assembly. 
   
   
       10 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the pressure member is positioned within the central cavity formed by the plurality of alternating driven and driving friction disks. 
   
   
       11 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a centrifugal actuation system including a second pressure member disposed in alignment with the alternating driving and the driven friction disks and axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together and positioned opposite the first pressure member; the centrifugal actuation system being adapted to apply pressure to the alternating driving and the driven friction disks as a function of the RPM of the multiple-disk clutch. 
   
   
       12 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the axial movement of the first pressure plate is independent of the axial movement of the second pressure plate. 
   
   
       13 - A multiple-disk clutch for transmitting power from a crankshaft of an engine to a transmission input shaft, the multiple-disk clutch comprising:
 an inner clutch member disposed on a first side of the multiple-disk clutch and adapted to be connected to the transmission input shaft,   an outer clutch member disposed on a second side of the multiple-disk clutch and adapted to be connected to the crankshaft,   a plurality of driving friction disks connected to and extend away from one of the inner and outer clutch member,   a plurality of driven friction disks connected to and extend away from the other one of the inner and outer clutch member, the driven friction disks and the driving friction disks being arranged alternately,   a first pressure member disposed in alignment with the alternating driving and the driven friction disks and axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together and to disengage the driven friction disks from the driving friction disks, the first pressure member being biased to compress the driving and driven friction disks together by at least one spring, and   a first actuation system supported at least in part by one of the inner and outer clutch member and connected to the first pressure member, the actuation system adapted to overcome the biasing force of the at least one spring and release the compression force exerted by the first pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks such that the friction disks are spaced apart and power transmission through the multiple-disk clutch is interrupted, and   a second centrifugal actuation system including a second pressure member disposed in alignment with the alternating driving and the driven friction disks and axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together and positioned opposite the first pressure member, the centrifugal actuation system being adapted to apply pressure to the alternating driving and the driven friction disks as a function of the RPM of the multiple-disk clutch.   
   
   
       14 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first actuation system includes at least two ball bearings sandwiched between a first actuator plate and a second actuator plate, each actuator plate including cavities for receiving the ball bearings and each cavity including a ramping area, the actuator plates being adapted to rotate in opposite direction such that the ball bearings are forced up the ramping areas thereby pushing the actuator plates apart and forcing the pressure member to release the compression force on the driving and the driven friction disks. 
   
   
       15 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising a first lever shaft connected at one end thereof to the first an actuator plate, and a second lever shaft connected at one end thereof to the second actuator plate, the first lever shaft having a first lever connected at the other end thereof, the second lever shaft having a second lever connected at the other end thereof, movement of at least one of the first and second levers causing rotation of the first and second actuator plates. 
   
   
       16 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the first actuation system includes a hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly, a hydraulic line connected and in fluid communication with the piston/cylinder assembly, the piston/cylinder assembly being connected to the first pressure member, wherein in operation hydraulic fluid under pressure expands the piston/cylinder assembly which in turn pushes the first pressure member to release the compression force exerted by the first pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks. 
   
   
       17 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the hydraulic line extends through the first pressure member. 
   
   
       18 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the axial movement of the first pressure plate is independent of the axial movement of the second pressure plate. 
   
   
       19 - A multiple-disk clutch for transmitting power from a crankshaft of an engine to a transmission input shaft, the multiple-disk clutch comprising:
 an inner clutch member disposed on a first side of the multiple-disk clutch and adapted to be connected to the transmission input shaft,   an outer clutch member disposed on a second side of the multiple-disk clutch and adapted to be connected to the crankshaft,   a plurality of driving friction disks connected to and extend away from one of the inner and outer clutch member,   a plurality of driven friction disks connected to and extend away from the other one of the inner and outer clutch member, the driven friction disks and the driving friction disks being arranged alternately,   a pressure member disposed in alignment with the alternating driving and the driven friction disks and axially movable to compress the driving and the driven friction disks together and to disengage the driven friction disks from the driving friction disks, the pressure member being biased to compress the driving and driven friction disks together by at least one spring, and   an actuation system positioned at least in part within a central cavity formed by the plurality of alternating driven and driving friction disks and connected to the pressure member, the actuation system supported at least in part by one of the inner and outer clutch member and adapted to overcome the biasing force of the at least one spring and release a compression force exerted by the pressure member on the driving and the driven friction disks such that the friction disks are spaced apart and power transmission through the multiple-disk clutch is interrupted.   
   
   
       20 - A multiple-disk clutch as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the at least one spring is supported by the inner clutch member.