Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A multi-plate wet clutch (1000) comprising:
• an outer clutch basket (100) and an inner clutch basket (120),
• a clutch inner member (200),
• a plurality of friction plates (130),
• a plurality of clutch plates (140) which are superposed alternately with the said friction plates (130) resting on said clutch inner member (200) and stacked in between said clutch inner member (200) and a pressure plate (150),
• said pressure plate (150) is positioned in the clutch outer end,
wherein said pressure plate (150) comprises a flange (160) extending from the said pressure plate (150) to said clutch inner member (200).
2. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange (160) in said pressure plate (150) has equidistant slots (170) in it.
3. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange (160) in said pressure plate (150) has oil connecting path (180) in it.
4. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flange (160) in said pressure plate (150) has ribs (190).
5. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ribs (190) in said flange (160) is parallel to the central axis of the said clutch and extend longitudinally all along the slots in the flange.
6. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clutch inner member (200) has oil connecting path (210) in it.
7. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clutch is used in a two wheeler vehicle.
8. The multi-plate wet clutch (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clutch is used in a three wheeler vehicle.
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multi plate wet clutch. More particularly, the present invention relates to a wet multi plate clutch having a clutch outer member, a clutch inner member, and a pressure plate having flanges with ribs, oil connecting path and slots in the flange.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Clutch is the component placed in between the engine and the gear box unit and helps in transferring the power from engine to the gearbox and thereby to the vehicle wheels by its engaging and dis-engaging action.
In cases of wet clutch system, the clutch usually runs in oil contained in the clutch housing. This oil generally gets scattered to the outer circumference of the clutch member because of the centrifugal force which arises due to the rotation of the clutch. As a result of this effect, the amount of oil to be supplied to the clutch parts becomes insufficient. When the oil is not evenly distributed in the clutch plates, there is no uniformity in heat dissipation. This ultimately results in reduced efficiency of the clutch.
To eliminate this issue, and for uniform oil distribution there have been certain developments in the prior art. In the Japanese patent application “JP10274256” the pressure plate has oil introducing holes with ribs to guide the oil into the clutch apparatus. This oil-introducing hole are for introducing the oil for lubrication and cooling into the clutch apparatus. But the oil enters the deep recess of the pressure plate and stays therein by the centrifugal force of the pressure plate. It is difficult to discharge this oil from the deep recesses. This thereby results in higher drag torque and thus reduced efficiency of the clutch.
In another patent application art “US8997962” the pressure plate of the clutch has deep recess. The deep recess has a communicating portion formed therein for establishing the communication between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall portion so as to discharge oil towards the friction and clutch discs during operation. But there is no oil deflector arrangement in the pressure plate of the clutch, as a result of which the clutch plates does not receive uniform oil distribution.
The present invention intends to overcome limitations of prior art, provides an advancement over the prior art and discloses a solution wherein there is uniform oil distribution to all the clutch and friction plates.
Hence, the first objective of the current invention is to provide uniform oil distribution to the clutch plate and friction plate of the wet multi-plate clutch.
The second objective of the current invention is to reduce the drag torque in the wet multi-plate clutch system by prevention of accumulation of oil in the deep recess of the clutch.
The third objective of the current invention is to provide rider comfort by facilitating smooth gearshift by a precise control over drag.
The fourth objective of the current invention is to provide optimized oil management in the wet multi-plate clutch.
The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide increased performance of the wet multi plate clutch arrangement.
The sixth objective of the present invention is to aid in heat dissipation and thereby achieve improved performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a multi plate wet clutch including an outer clutch basket for supporting friction plates and the clutch plates which are stacked alternate to each other and are axially slidable along the clutch axis. A pressure plate is provided for accommodating a clutch spring engaged with the clutch inner member. The pressure plate comprises deep recess to accommodate the compression spring. The stack of clutch plate and friction plate is held between the inner clutch member and pressure plate by the compression spring and the bolt arrangement. The aforementioned clutch can be used in both two and three wheeler vehicle.
The wet multi plate clutch in order to attain uniform oil distribution to all the clutch plate and friction plate, is provided with flange in the pressure plate. The flange which extends from the pressure plate to the clutch inner member acts as an oil deflector which deflects the oil which comes through the shaft. This deflecting arrangement thereby makes the oil flow uniform to all the clutch and friction plates. The oil thus also gets transferred uniformly till the end pate of the multi plate clutch. Slots are provided at equidistant places in the flange which facilitates the oil flow and prevents the oil accumulation, thus reducing the drag torque and optimized oil management. The slots have ribs which face inwardly towards the central axis and extend longitudinally all along the slots in the flange. The ribs act as a facilitator to provide smooth oil flow in the direction parallel to the central axis of the clutch. The flanges so provided are also parallel to the central axis of the clutch and thereby restricts the oil from getting scattered un-uniformly due to the centrifugal force generated on rotation of the clutch. This results in increased performance and also better heat dissipation. Oil connecting path is also provided to the clutch inner member to ensure oil gets transferred to the clutch plates. Although the subject matter has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. As such, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the accompanying drawings and their description stated below, which are merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment of the invention and do not limit in any way the nature and scope of the invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of the wet multi plate clutch in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2a illustrates the cross sectional view of the pressure plate of the wet multi plate clutch having flange with slots, oil connecting path and ribs in it in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2a illustrates the magnified view A-A of pressure plate with oil connecting path in it.
Figure 3 illustrates the cross sectional view of the clutch inner member have oil connecting path in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which do not limit the scope and ambit of the invention. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
Figure 1 according to the illustrative embodiment is the cross sectional view of a wet multi plate clutch (1000) which is to be used for a two wheeler or a three wheeler. A cylindrical clutch inner member (200) supports clutch plate (140) and friction plate (130) which are stacked alternately to each other. The clutch plate (140) and the friction plate (130) is arranged in the axial direction along the clutch axis. The pressure plate (150) serves as an abutment against the outermost friction plate (130). Thus the stack of friction plate (130) and the clutch plate (140) is sandwiched between the pressure plate (150) and the clutch inner member (200). The clutch plates (140) and the friction plates (130) are kept in frictional engagement with each other so that the torque from the outer clutch basket (100) is transmitted to clutch inner basket (120) and the clutch shaft (not shown in the diagram) is therefore rotated with the clutch inner member (200). The pressure plate (150) has flange (160) which extends from the pressure plate (150) to the clutch inner member (200). The flange (160) acts as oil deflector and thereby oil gets uniformly distributed to the clutch plates (140) and the friction plates (130).
Figure 2a illustrates the cross sectional view of the pressure plate (150) of the wet multi plate clutch having flange (160). The flange (160) extends from pressure plate (150) till clutch inner member (200) and thereby acts as an oil deflector. Further, the flange (160) is provided with slots (170) having ribs (190) in it to ensure the oil flow in the direction parallel to the clutch axis. The ribs (190) face inwards towards the central axis of the clutch and extend longitudinally all along the slots (170) in the flange (160). Oil connecting path (180) is also provided in the flange (160), which further facilitates the oil flow and thereby no oil accumulation in the deep recess.
Figure 2b illustrates the magnified view A-A of pressure plate with oil connecting path in it which facilitates the oil flow and thereby no oil accumulation in the deep recess.
Figure 3 illustrates the cross sectional view of the clutch inner member (200) have oil connecting path (210). When the rotational speed of the engine (not shown in diagram) is increased, the oil is splashed by the rotation of the outer clutch basket (100) which is then restricted by the flange (160). The connecting path (210) in the clutch inner member (200) helps transfer the oil to the outer surface of the pressure plate (150).
The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include:
• The present invention results in uniform distribution of oil distribution to the clutch plates and friction plates.
• The flange in addition to uniform oil distribution, prevents the oil accumulation inside the clutch basket.
• The present invention results in the reduced drag torque due to the maximum oil flow.
• Due to the uniform oil distribution, the heat gets dissipated and thereby results in increased lifespan of the clutch.
• The uniform oil distribution also results in better gear shifting and thereby improved life of the clutch.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
List of Reference Numeral
100-Outer Clutch Basket
120-Inner Clutch Basket
130-Friction Plate
140-Clutch plate
150-Pressure plate
160-Flange
170-Slot
180, 210-Oil connecting path
190-Ribs
200-Clutch inner member