DIAPHRAGM SPRING CLUTCH COVER ASSEMBLY

摘要

In the clutch cover assembly 2 the pressure plate 10 has a fulcrum 22 for the diaphragm spring 8. The fulcrum consists of an annular array of lands 32 with arcuate grooves 34 containing a resilient wire fulcrum ring 42 spanning the spaces 38 and 40 between the lands 32. The spaces 38 are shorter than and alternate with the spaces 40. Over each longer space 40 the fulcrum ring 42 has a large external diameter sleeve 46 and over each shorter space the fulcrum ring has a small external diameter sleeve 48. During clutch re-engagements, as the diaphragm spring 8 applies increasing loading to the pressure plate 10, first the diaphragm 8 pushes on the larger diameter sleeves 46 to resiliently deform the more pliable portions 42A of the fulcrum ring into the spaces 40 and then contacts the smaller diameter sleeves 48 causing the fulcrum ring portions 42B to resiliently deform into the spaces 38. This causes progressive cushioning during the re-engagement.