Clutch Pressure Plate

The clutch pressure plate, the flywheel and the clutch disc together form a friction system which is attached to the flywheel above the housing connection.

It transfers the engine torque via the clutch disc to the clutch shaft.

The diaphragm spring clutch superseded coil springs in the car sector in the 70s. Since then a slatted diaphragm spring has produced the contact pressure which transfers the engine torque.

The diaphragm spring has tangible benefits for the driver, who now needs less pedal force to trigger the clutch release. Depending on the construction and the type of actuation diaphragm spring clutches are compressed or extended.

Power flow from the crankshaft

Normally the power flows from the crankshaft to the flywheel which is directly attached by a flange and then on to the clutch and the transmission. In the extended diaphragm spring clutch however, the clutch pressure plate is bolted to the crankshaft.

In this design the diaphragm spring is supported by its outer edge on the clutch housing and its inner edge on the contact plate. The diaphragm spring does not reverse direction when the clutch is disengaged.

The diaphragm spring is simply raised by the pressure plate which is fitted in the tops of the diaphragm spring fingers. The pressure plate is actuated by a push rod.

This is located in the hollow clutch shaft and extends to the end of the transmission where the release bearing and release lever are located.

The LuK TS diaphragm spring clutch is a compressed clutch. The polygonal hub is bolted to the crankshaft along with the V-belt pulley.

The power flows first through the clutch housing to the flywheel bolted to it. The contact plate is connected to the clutch housing by leaf springs.

The cams on the contact plate project through the openings in the housing. The cams support the external diaphragm spring which is pivotally attached to the housing with pins and wire links.

The release bearing is moveably located on the cylindrical outer circumference of the polygonal hub.

The torque is transfered via the clutch disc to the clutch shaft. This shaft is hollow and is seated on the crankshaft stub between the clutch and the engine.