Friction clutch assemblies

摘要

A friction clutch assembly, preferably for a hybrid cooling pump. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction lining carrier member, a friction lining member, a compression spring member, a clutch carrier member and a flux plate member. A solenoid can be utilized to control the compression of the spring member. The friction clutch assembly has a preferred use in a hybrid coolant pump with two modes of operation, an electric motor operation, and a mechanical pulley-driven operation. The friction clutch assembly can be positioned inside a motor housing. The softening compression spring can minimize parasitic clutch power consumption.

主权项

1. A friction clutch assembly comprising:
a friction lining carrier member; at least one friction lining member positioned on said friction lining carrier member; a compression spring member fixedly attached to said friction lining carrier member; a clutch carrier member fixedly attached to said compression spring member; and a flux plate positioned between said clutch carrier member and said compression spring member and attached to said friction lining carrier member; wherein said flux plate actuated by a solenoid can cause the spring member to compress; wherein the amount of force necessary to compress said compression spring member lessens over displacement once a peak amount of force has been reached; said compression spring member comprising an outer ring member, an inner ring member and a plurality of deformable connecting members connecting together said inner and outer ring members; said friction lining carrier member attached to said outer ring member, and said clutch carrier member attached to said inner ring member; and when said plurality of connecting members deform when said friction lining carrier member and said clutch carrier member are moved axially toward each other.