Internal assisted clutch

Abstract

A clutch cover assembly including a clutch cover and pressure plate axially movable relative thereto and unitarily rotatable therewith. A release collar within the cover actuates a plurality of levers which move the pressure plate toward and away from its engaged position. A plurality of engagement springs act between the cover and the collar to spring load the clutch. Three assister springs are disposed equidistantly about the collar and engage the latter and an inwardly facing surface carried by the cover. When the pressure plate is in its engaged position, the assister springs are disposed perpendicular to the clutch axis. When the collar is moved toward the clutch disengaged position, the assister springs are tilted away from their engaged position and begin to generate a force axially in the direction of movement of the release collar and assist in the axial movement thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spring loaded clutch cover assembly comprising (a) a clutch cover means,   (b) a pressure plate disposed coaxially with said cover means,   (c) means connecting said cover means and said pressure plate for unitary rotation and relative axial movement,   (d) said pressure plate having an engaged position and a disengaged position wherein said pressure plate is spaced axially from said cover means a lesser distance .Iadd.in said disengaged position .Iaddend.than in said engaged position,   (e) release means for selectively moving said pressure plate from said engaged to said disengaged position, said release means including an axially movable release collar and lever means operatively connecting said release collar to said pressure plate,   (f) first resilient means reacting between said cover means and said pressure plate for biasing said pressure plate to its engaged position, and   (g) second .[.spring.]. .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.means connected between said release collar and said cover means and disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar when the latter and said pressure plate are in the engaged position,   (h) the reactive axis of said second .[.spring.]. .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.means movable to an angular relationship relative to the axial direction of movement of said collar as said collar moves toward said disengaged position.   
     
     
       2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first resilient means is connected between said release collar and said clutch cover means. 
     
     
       3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is disposed within said cover means and a sleeve means is connected to said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar and extends axially out of said cover means and a throw-out bearing is carried by the axially outer end of said sleeve means. 
     
     
       4. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein said first resilient means is always disposed with its reactive axis angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       5. An assembly according to claim 2 including means for adjusting the axial position of said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar relative to said cover means whereby said second .[.spring.]. .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.means will be disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is in the engaged position. 
     
     
       6. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said release collar is disposed within said clutch cover means and a sleeve means is connected to said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar and extends axially out of said cover means and a throw-out bearing is carried by the axially outer end of said sleeve means. 
     
     
       7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein said first resilient means is always disposed with its reactive axis angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       8. An assembly according to claim 6 including means for adjusting the axial position of said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar relative to said cover means whereby said second .[.spring.]. .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.means will be disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said  .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is in the engaged position.[.,.Iadd.. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the reactive axis of said first resilient means is always disposed angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       10. An assembly according to claim 9 including means for adjusting the axial position of said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar relative to said cover means whereby said second .[.spring.]..Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.means will be disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said  .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is in the engaged position.[.,.]..Iadd.. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       11. An assembly according to claim 1 including means for adjusting the axial position of said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar relative to said cover means whereby said second .[.spring.]. .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.means will be disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is in the engaged position. 
     
     
       12. A spring loaded clutch cover assembly comprising (a) a clutch cover means,   (b) a pressure plate disposed coaxially with said cover means,   (c) means for drivingly connecting said cover means and said pressure plate for unitary rotation and relative axial movement,   (d) said pressure plate having an engaged position and a disengaged position wherein it moves towards said cover means from said engaged position,   (e) release means for selectively moving said pressure plate from its engaged to its disengaged position, said release means including .Iadd.an .Iaddend.axially movable release collar and a plurality of lever means operatively connecting said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar to said pressure plate,   (f) first resilient spring means connected between said collar and said cover means for biasing said pressure plate to its engaged position,   (g) second .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.spring means connected between said release collar and said cover means and disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said collar when the latter and said pressure plate are in the engaged position,   (h) said second spring means moving to an angular relationship of its reactive axis relative to the axial direction of movement of said collar as said collar moves to its disengaged position.   
     
     
       13. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein said release collar is disposed within said cover means and a sleeve means is connected to said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar and extends axially out of said cover means and a throw-out bearing is carried by the axially outer end of said sleeve means. 
     
     
       14. An assembly according to claim 13 wherein said first resilient .Iadd.spring .Iaddend.means is always disposed with its reactive axis angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       15. An assembly according to claim 12 wherein said .[.front.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.resilient .Iadd.spring .Iaddend.means is always disposed with its reactive axis angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       16. An .[.Assembly.]. .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.according to claim 15 including means for adjusting the axial position of said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar relative to said cover means whereby said second .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.spring means will be disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is in the engaged position. 
     
     
       17. An assembly according to claim 12 including means for adjusting the axial position of said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar relative to said cover means whereby said second .Iadd.resilient .Iaddend.spring means will be disposed with its reactive axis perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said .Iadd.release .Iaddend.collar is in the engaged position. 
     
     
       18. An .[.Assembly.]. .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.according to claim 17 wherein said first resilient .Iadd.spring .Iaddend.means is always disposed with its reactive axis angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       19. A clutch assembly comprising a cover, a pressure plate disposed coaxially with said cover, means for connecting said cover and said pressure plate for unitary rotation and relative axial movement, said pressure plate having an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in said disengaged position said pressure plate is disposed at a lesser axial distance from said cover than in said engaged position, an axially movable release collar for selectively moving said pressure plate from said engaged position to said disengaged position, means for biasing said pressure plate to said engaged position, and an assist spring positioned with its reactive axis substantially radially between said cover and said release collar when said pressure plate is in said engaged position, whereby said assist spring exerts an axial force between said cover and said release collar when said pressure plate is moved from said engaged position toward said disengaged position. 
     
     
       20. A clutch as defined in claim 19 further comprising at least one lever operatively connecting said release collar to said pressure plate. 
     
     
       21. A clutch as defined in claim 20 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with .[.it.]. .Iadd.its .Iaddend.reactive axis substantially perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       22. A clutch as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for biasing said pressure plate comprises at least one pressure spring between said cover and said release collar. 
     
     
       23. A clutch as defined in claim 22 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with .[.it.]. .Iadd.its .Iaddend.reactive axis substantially perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       24. A clutch as defined in claim 22 wherein said release collar is disposed within said cover. 
     
     
       25. A clutch as defined in claim 24 wherein said pressure spring is always disposed with its reactive axis angularly relative to the axial direction of movement of said release collar. 
     
     
       26. A clutch as defined in claim 25 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with its reactive axis substantially perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       27. A clutch as defined in claim 24 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with its reactive axis .[.subtantially.]. .Iadd.substantially .Iaddend.perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       28. A clutch as defined in claim 24 further comprising a sleeve connected to said release collar, said sleeve extending axially out of said cover. 
     
     
       29. A clutch as defined in claim 28 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with its reactive axis substantially perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       30. A clutch as defined in claim 28 further comprising a throw-out bearing carried by the axially outer end of said sleeve. 
     
     
       31. A clutch as defined in claim 30 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with its reactive axis substantially perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       32. A clutch as defined in claim 19 further comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said release collar relative to said cover, whereby said assist spring will be disposed with its reactive axis substantially perpendicularly relative to said release collar axis when said release collar is in said engaged position. 
     
     
       33. A clutch as defined in claim 19 comprising three (3) assist springs circumferentially equally spaced about said release collar. 
     
     
       34. A clutch as defined in claim 19 further comprising an adjusting ring for adjusting the engaged position on said pressure plate, said adjusting ring threaded onto said cover. 
     
     
       35. A clutch as defined in claim 19 further comprising raised surfaces on said release collar and said cover for mounting said assist spring. 
     
     
       36. A clutch as defined in claim 35 further comprising buttons mounted on each of said cover raised surface and said release collar raised surface for mounting said assist spring. 
     
     
       37. A clutch as defined in claim 36 wherein said buttons have ramped bases to accommodate axial movement of said assist spring. 
     
     
       38. A clutch as defined in claim 37 wherein said assist spring is a coil spring and wherein said buttons have protuberances projecting into the ends of said assist spring. 
     
     
       39. A clutch as defined in claim 19 comprising one or more assist springs wherein said one or more assist springs collectively impose a smaller axial force between said cover and said release collar than said means biasing said pressure plate to said engaged position when said pressure plate is in said disengaged position. 
     
     
       40. A clutch as defined in claim 19 wherein said assist spring is a coil spring which is substantially closed when said pressure plate is in said engaged position, whereby said assist spring forms a near positive circumferential driving connection between said cover and said release collar. .Iadd. 
     
     
       41.  A cover assembly for a clutch comprising: a cover;   a pressure plate;   means for connecting said pressure plate to said cover for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto between engaged and disengaged positions relative to said cover;   means for selectively moving said pressure plate between said engaged and disengaged positions;   means connected to said cover for exerting a relatively large force to urge said pressure plate toward said engaged position; and   means connected to said cover for exerting a relatively small force to urge said pressure plate toward said disengaged position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The invention defined in claim 41 wherein said means for exerting a relatively small force includes resilient means reacting between said cover and said means for selectively moving said pressure plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The invention defined in claim 42 wherein said resilient means includes a spring extending between said cover and said means for selectively moving said pressure plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. The invention defined in claim 43 wherein said means for selectively moving said pressure plate includes a release collar movable between engaged and disengaged positions and means connecting said release collar to said pressure plate such that movement of said release collar between said engaged and disengaged positions causes corresponding movement of said pressure plate between said engaged and disengaged positions. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.45.  The invention defined in claim 44 wherein said cover and said release collar have respective spring seats provided thereon for supporting the ends of said spring. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The invention defined in claim 44 wherein the reactive axis of said spring is oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of movement of said pressure plate when said release collar is in said engaged position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The invention defined in claim 41 wherein said means for exerting a relatively small force exerts said force only when said pressure plate is moved out of said engaged position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. The invention defined in claim 47 wherein said means for exerting a relatively small force includes resilient means reacting between said cover and said means for selectively moving said pressure plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. The invention defined in claim 48 wherein said resilient means includes a spring extending between said cover and said means for selectively moving said pressure plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The invention defined in claim 49 wherein the reactive axis of said spring is oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of movement of said pressure plate when said pressure plate is in said engaged position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. The invention defined in claim 41 wherein said means for exerting a relatively small force exerts an increasing magnitude of said force as said pressure plate is moved toward said disengaged position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. The invention defined in claim 51 wherein said means for exerting a relatively small force includes resilient means reacting between said cover and said means for selectively moving said pressure plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. The invention defined in claim 52 wherein said resilient means includes a spring extending between said cover and said means for selectively moving said pressure plate. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. The invention defined in claim 53 wherein the reactive axis of said spring is oriented generally perpendicular to the axis of movement of said pressure plate when said 
     
     
        pressure plate is in said engaged position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55.  A cover for a clutch assembly having a release sleeve movable between first and second positions, the cover comprising: a main body portion which is generally annular in shape;   an engagement spring seat provided on said main body portion and adapted to receive a spring thereon for urging the release sleeve toward the first position; and   an assister spring seat provided on said main body and adapted to receive a spring thereon for urging the release sleeve toward the second position.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.56.  The invention defined in claim 55 wherein said assister spring seat includes a button having a base portion and a projection, said projection adapted to pilot one end of the assister spring thereon. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. The invention defined in claim 56 wherein said base of said button has a ramp formed thereon. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.58.  The invention defined in claim 56 further including a bracket having a first end secured to said main body portion and having a second end carrying said assister spring seat. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59. A release sleeve for a clutch assembly having a cover, the release sleeve being movable between first and second positions, comprising: an end portion which is generally annular in shape;   an engagement spring seat provided on said end portion and adapted to receive a spring thereon for urging the release sleeve toward the first position; and   an assister spring seat provided on said end portion and adapted to receive a spring thereon for urging the release sleeve toward the second position.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.60.  The invention defined in claim 59 wherein said assister spring seat includes a button having a base portion and a projection, said projection adapted to pilot one end of the assister spring thereon. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61. The invention defined in claim 60 wherein said base of said button has a ramp formed thereon. .Iaddend.