Importance

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Abstract

The clutch plate of a friction clutch in the power train of a motor vehicle has a hub which can transmit torque to the input shaft of a variable-speed transmission, a carrier of two annuli of friction linings which are clamped between the flywheel and the pressure plate of the engaged friction clutch, a primary damper which damps vibrations of the clutch plate when the engine which drives the flywheel is idling, and a main damper which is interposed between the primary damper and the hub. The primary damper has an input element which is clamped between the friction linings when the clutch is engaged, and such input element can turn relative to the carrier during an advantaged stage of rotation of the carrier relative to the hub from a neutral position in the traction direction. The primary damper further has coil springs which operate between the input element and the hub, and the main damper has two sets of additional coil springs. One set of additional coil springs is active to store energy when the torque of the engine exceeds the idling torque, and the other set of additional coil springs is active when the angular displacement of the carrier relative to the hub exceeds the advanced stage. The primary damper is effective in response to engagement of the friction clutch only during conditions of relatively small torque transmission. When the transmission of torque exceeds a predetermined value, operation of the primary damper is disabled.

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First Claim