Clutch assembly for hybrid transmission
View Patent ↗A fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.
1. A clutch assembly for connecting a power producing device to a transmission, comprising:
a clutch cover having slots;
a moveable pressure plate having radially outwardly directed tabs engaging the slots of the clutch cover;
a fixed pressure plate fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, ensuring the assembly is fully contained;
a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate; and
a diaphragm spring arranged within the clutch cover,
wherein, in a free state, the diaphragm spring urges the moveable pressure plate away from the fixed pressure plate.
2. The clutch assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a first retaining member which secures an outer circumferential edge of the diaphragm spring within the clutch cover.
3. The clutch assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first retaining member is a rivet or a radial inward protrusion formed in the clutch cover.
4. The clutch assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a wire ring or a steel stamping arranged between the moveable pressure plate and the diaphragm spring.
5. The clutch assembly of claim 4 , further comprising a second retaining member, which secures the diaphragm spring and the wire ring to the moveable pressure plate.
6. The clutch assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second retaining member is a spring clip.
7. A clutch assembly, which is normally open, for connecting a power producing device to a transmission, comprising:
a clutch cover having slots;
a moveable pressure plate having radially outwardly directed tabs engaging the slots of the clutch cover;
a fixed pressure plate fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, ensuring the assembly is fully contained;
a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate;
a diaphragm spring urging the moveable pressure plate away from the fixed pressure plate; and a first retaining member securing an outer circumferential edge of the diaphragm spring within the clutch cover.
8. The clutch assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first retaining member is a rivet or a radial inward protrusion formed in the clutch cover.
9. The clutch assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a wire ring or a steel stamping arranged between the moveable pressure plate and the diaphragm spring.
10. The clutch assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a second retaining member, which secures the diaphragm spring and the wire ring to the moveable pressure plate.
11. The clutch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second retaining member is a spring clip.