DESCRIPTION

The invention is related to the mechanism in the clutch pressure plate keeping both clutch pedal load and clutch clamp load constant.

Clutch pedal load and clutch clamp load change in case of wear in the clutch disc facings if the clutch pressure plate does not include an automated adjusting mechanism to keep the diaphragm spring working position stable.

Clutch pedal load gradually increases as long as the diaphragm spring working position varies due to the wear of the facings and may reach a load level troubling the driver comfort. In addition, the clutch clamp load changes over time owing to the same reason and clutch becomes unusable if the load decreases below the minimum clamp load value needed for engaging.

Thanks to the invention, the clutch clamp load value is kept constant without being linked with the amount of facings' wear. Additionally, the driver comfort is ensured by the invention as the clutch pedal load remains constant even if facings continue to wear. The invention compensates facings' wear therefore clutch pressure plate also has a longer lifetime with same characteristics.

The invention has a self-adjusting mechanism in the clutch pressure plate (1). The facings of the clutch disc are worn over the time on account of engaging process and' consequently their thicknesses decrease. Pressure plate moves with the same amount of total decrement in thickness towards to clutch disc. This displacement of pressure plate alters the working position of diaphragm spring (7) which leads to change the clutch clamp load and clutch pedal load. The invented mechanism compensates the relevant value of the facings' wear to keep the diaphragm spring (7) to maintain its initial working position.

Having a rotational kinetic energy to compel the plates to move via their screw thread is the key principle for the invention. The rotations transmitted from engine crankshaft to flywheel load the rotational kinetic energy to the wear compensation plate (2) and wear sensor adjusting plate (3) to move via their screw threads (12), (13) in order to make wear compensation by the amount the wear sensor (4) detects. The mechanism works as mentioned below;

A. The wear sensor (4) is mounted on the pressure plate (1) from its mounting surface and in contact with wear compensation piate (2), wear sensor adjusting plate (3) and clutch cover lug (11) from its contact surface. If the thickness of facing decreases, the pressure plate moves towards the clutch disc. The wear sensor (4) also moves with the pressure plate (1) while its contact surface keeps in contact with the clutch cover (8) lug (1 1), the distance (14) between wear sensor contact surface and its mounting surface increases as much as the total decrement in facing's thickness. This movement creates a gap, equal to the total decrement in the facing thickness, among the wear sensor contact surface and, both wear compensation plate (2) and wear sensor adjusting plate (3).

B. In this new position, wear sensor adjusting plate (3) can start to relatively rotate by its kinetic energy depending on the change in engine speed and it moves up by relatively rotating around the pressure plate (1) via its screw thread (12) until re-setting contact again with the wear sensor surface to stop relative rotation. With this re-contact, wear sensor (4) is adjusted in the new-distance (14) position. The rollers (5) provide one way rotation for wear sensor adjusting plate (3) by preventing the movement in the opposite direction. Wear compensation plate (2) maintains its initial position while being under diaphragm spring (7) force.

C. When the diaphragm spring (7) is moved by clutch bearing for the disengagement process, the force applied by the diaphragm spring (7) on the wear compensation plate (2) begins to fade away and the wear compensation plate (2) starts to relatively rotate by its kinetic energy depending on the change in engine speed and it moves up by relatively rotating around the pressure plate (1) via its screw thread (13) until re-setting contact again with the wear sensor surface to stop relative rotation. With this re-contact, wear sensor adjusting plate (3) compensates the total decrement in the thickness of clutch disc's facings. The rollers (5) provide one way rotation for wear compensation plate (3) by preventing the movement in the opposite direction. The diaphragm spring is adjusted to its initial working position and the compensation-adjusting process is completed by the end of this movement. Explanations of Figures

Figure (1) Self-Adjusting Clutch Section-1

Figure (2) Self-Adjusting Clutch Section -2

Figure (3) Pressure Plate

Figure (4) Wear Compensation Plate

Figure (5) Wear Sensor Adjusting Plate

Figure (6) Wear Sensor

Figure (7) Pressure Plate with Self-Adjusting Mechanism-1 Figure (8) Pressure Plate with Self-Adjusting Mechanism-2 Figure (9) Self-Adjusting Clutch

Index Explanations indicated in Figures

(1) Pressure Plate

(2) Wear Compensation Plate

(3) Wear Sensor Adjusting Plate

(4) Wear Sensor

(5) Adjustment Roller

(6) Mechanism Cover

(7) Diaphragm Spring

(8) Clutch Cover

(9) Strap

(10) Disc Spring

(11) Clutch Cover Lug

(12) Screw Thread-1

(13) Screw Thread-2

(14) Wear Sensor Adjusting Distance