Friction clutch for automobile - has friction pads to inhibit large torsional oscillations by hysteresis

摘要

The clutch of an automobile transmission system has a driving plate (18) which carries outer plates (13) by means of spacers (14). The drive is transmitted to the driven plate (12) by means of compression springs (20B) which fit in slots in all three plates. In order to damp out large torsional oscillations the spacers have friction pads on their inner surfaces which are aligned with slots in the periphery of the plate (12). These slots are wider than the friction pads (30) so that the pads only come into contact with the periphery of the plate n12) when large differential movements occur between the plates (13) and plate (12) creating a hysteresis which inhibits any torsional vibration.