| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention provides a pressure plate for a clutch system that has been modified such that the upper surface provides a plurality of recesses at circumferentially spaced-apart locations, preferably in equally radially spaced locations to form a circular array. Each recess is dimensioned to retain a shaft with a rotational bearing for free rotation and yet also permit axial movement of the rotational bearing along the shaft. The shaft and rotational bearing arrangement form a bearing contact between the pressure plate and the diaphragm. The rotational and axial movements occur when the diaphragm is flattened or curved for disengagement and engagement of the clutch disk, respectively. The axial movement permits the bearing to center itself on the shaft during the engagement and disengagement of the clutch disk, thus increasing the pressure capacity of the pressure plate. In this arrangement, the rotational bearing and the pressure plate depressed by the diaphragm when transitioning from a flattened to a curved shape and vice versa. The rotational bearing may be a spherical ball bearing or needle bearing for example.</p> |
