Accessory drive with friction clutch and electric motor

摘要

A friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump, and more particularly as part of a dual mode drive for a cooling pump, together with an electric motor. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A biased armature member is adapted to force a friction plate member with friction linings thereon against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.

主权项

1. A friction clutch assembly for a vehicle engine accessory, the accessory having a housing member with a cover member and a solenoid portion, a pulley member attached to the cover member, an internal shaft member which is selectively rotatable for operating the accessory, and a solenoid assembly positioned in the solenoid portion of the housing, said friction clutch assembly comprising:
an armature member, said armature member made of a magnetic material and capable of axial movement relative to the internal shaft member when energized by the solenoid assembly; said armature member having spring retaining members; a friction plate member positioned axially adjacent said armature member; friction members positioned on opposite sides of said friction plate member; coil spring members positioned on said spring retaining members and biasing said armature member in an axial direction away from the pulley member; wherein when said solenoid assembly is actuated, said armature member is pulled axially toward said solenoid member preventing at least one of said friction members from contacting the cover member; and wherein when said solenoid assembly is not activated, said coil spring members bias said armature member axially against said friction plate member causing one of said friction members to contact said cover member and thereby causing rotation of said internal shaft member and operating said accessory.