Clutch plate, friction clutch, and coupling device

Abstract

A friction clutch has a plurality of iron inner clutch plates and a plurality of iron outer clutch plates. Both the clutch plates have sliding surfaces which are friction-engaged each other. A thin carbon film in a diamond form, which functions as a solid lubricant, is formed on each of the sliding surfaces of the outer clutch plates by a known method such as the Chemical Vapor Deposition method. A known nitride treatment or quenching and tempering treatment is applied to the sliding surfaces of the inner clutch plates. A coupling device has a pilot clutch mechanism with the friction clutch and an electromagnetic actuator. As a result, the friction clutch is resistant to wear and the coupling device is excellent in durability.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a friction clutch used in, for example, a coupling device of a vehicle. [0002] A typical friction clutch includes a drive clutch plate and a driven clutch plate which friction-engage with each other to transmit power. [0003] Surface treatment is applied onto sliding surfaces of both clutch plates to retard wear by friction. The surface treatment includes, for example, nitride treatment, or quenching and tempering treatment. Wear of the sliding surfaces is reduced by reinforcing the sliding surfaces of both clutch plates by these surface treatments. [0004] However, even in the case in which the surface treatment as describe above is applied, if both clutch plates are friction-engaged in the state without lubricant oil, or if a great power is transmitted even in the friction engagement with the lubricant oil, the sliding surfaces wear significantly, and the clutch plates have less durability. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVE...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a clutch plate that is resistant to wear and excellent in durability. This is achieved by forming a thin carbon film in a diamond form on the sliding surface of the clutch plate. The invention also provides a friction clutch and a coupling device that have such clutch plates. The clutch plates friction-engage with each other to transmit torque. The thin carbon film helps to improve the performance of the clutch and make it more durable.

Problems solved by technology

However, even in the case in which the surface treatment as describe above is applied, if both clutch plates are friction-engaged in the state without lubricant oil, or if a great power is transmitted even in the friction engagement with the lubricant oil, the sliding surfaces wear significantly, and the clutch plates have less durability.

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