A dry-plate clutch (single or dual) of inverted construction for a vehicle transmission includes a clutch structure with a connecting device arranged to be connected to a prime mover; a pressure plate rotationally fixed and axially displaceable relative to the clutch structure, and a driven disc connected to a driven shaft and located between the clutch structure and the pressure plate. An actuator is arranged to displace the pressure plate between an engaged state, where the driven disc is clamped between the clutch structure and the pressure plate, and a disengaged state, where the disc is rotatable relative to the clutch structure. The connecting device has hollow sections at a number of angular locations extending into a radial surface facing the pressure plate. The pressure plate has corresponding axially extending protrusions in a radial surface facing the connecting device; and the protrusions at least partially extend axially into the hollow sections in the disengaged state.

A clutch includes a drive disc, a driven disc, and a friction plate unit capable of engaging or disengaging the drive disc with or from the driven disc, the friction plate unit including a first friction plate assembly and a second friction plate assembly, the clutch further including a pressing unit configured to engage or disengage the drive disc with or from the driven disc selectively by the first friction plate assembly alone or by a combination of the first friction plate assembly and the second friction plate assembly. Such an arrangement enables the clutch to select an appropriate number of friction plates as required for engagement, solving the problem that in existing multi-plate clutches, it is impossible to select an appropriate number of friction plates to participate in work to make the clutches obtain optimal performance according to different working conditions of the automobile.

A clutch includes a drive disc, a driven disc, and a friction plate unit capable of engaging or disengaging the drive disc with or from the driven disc, the friction plate unit including a first friction plate assembly and a second friction plate assembly, the clutch further including a pressing unit configured to engage or disengage the drive disc with or from the driven disc selectively by the first friction plate assembly alone or by a combination of the first friction plate assembly and the second friction plate assembly. Such an arrangement enables the clutch to select an appropriate number of friction plates as required for engagement, solving the problem that in existing multi-plate clutches, it is impossible to select an appropriate number of friction plates to participate in work to make the clutches obtain optimal performance according to different working conditions of the automobile.

A shifting system includes an input member, a disconnect, an output member, and a shifting assembly to selectively rotationally couple the input member and the output member. The shifting assembly includes an input hub having a disconnectable component engageable with the disconnect and a clutch engagement component extending radially away from an axis. A plurality of clutch plates is coupled to the clutch engagement component and is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions. A biasing member is coupled to the clutch plates to bias the clutch plates toward the engaged position, and an apply plate is coupled to the biasing member. The apply plate is moveable between a first plate position where the clutch plates are in the engaged position, and a second plate position where the clutch plates are in the disengaged position. A clutch plate carrier is coupled to the clutch plates and to the output member.

A shifting system includes an input member, a disconnect, an output member, and a shifting assembly to selectively rotationally couple the input member and the output member. The shifting assembly includes an input hub having a disconnectable component engageable with the disconnect and a clutch engagement component extending radially away from an axis. A plurality of clutch plates is coupled to the clutch engagement component and is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions. A biasing member is coupled to the clutch plates to bias the clutch plates toward the engaged position, and an apply plate is coupled to the biasing member. The apply plate is moveable between a first plate position where the clutch plates are in the engaged position, and a second plate position where the clutch plates are in the disengaged position. A clutch plate carrier is coupled to the clutch plates and to the output member.

A clutch cover for a friction clutch and a friction clutch, where the clutch cover forms a ring wall and the ring wall forms a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates having each a radially outer end. The ring wall also form two or more concentric annular stiffening bands extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band. The ring wall also forms an outermost annular stiffening band, wherein the annular stiffening bands connect the radial plates to each other and having each a radial thickness that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions of the ring wall between respectively two successive radial plates. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members of the friction clutch protrude axially from or can be screw connected to said radially outer ends of the radial plates.

A clutch cover for a friction clutch and a friction clutch, where the clutch cover forms a ring wall and the ring wall forms a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending plates having each a radially outer end. The ring wall also form two or more concentric annular stiffening bands extending at a radial distance from one another and including an innermost annular stiffening band. The ring wall also forms an outermost annular stiffening band, wherein the annular stiffening bands connect the radial plates to each other and having each a radial thickness that is smaller than the radial distance therebetween measured in intermediate regions of the ring wall between respectively two successive radial plates. A plurality of circumferentially spaced drive members of the friction clutch protrude axially from or can be screw connected to said radially outer ends of the radial plates.

A clutch assembly comprising a sealed clutch and a spacer. The clutch is connected to the spacer and the spacer is connectable to a flywheel along a common axis and the spacer facilitates connection of the clutch to the flywheel in at least two different axially spaced positions. A connection ring can connect the spacer connection to flywheel.

A clutch assembly comprising a sealed clutch and a spacer. The clutch is connected to the spacer and the spacer is connectable to a flywheel along a common axis and the spacer facilitates connection of the clutch to the flywheel in at least two different axially spaced positions. A connection ring can connect the spacer connection to flywheel.

A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.