Multi-disk friction device having low-drag characteristics

摘要

A friction device includes drive and driven members rotatable about a common axis and defining a housing therebetween in which a piston assembly is supported and an expandable chamber is defined. A clutch pack is interposed between the drive and driven members and has separation plates interleaved with friction plates. The piston assembly is adapted to move among disengaged, pre-staged, and engaged positions wherein the friction plates are disposed in non-contacting, proximate contacting, and contacting relationship, respectively, with the separation plates. In the engaged position, the piston assembly is disposed forcing such contacting relationship to actuate the clutch pack to connect the drive and driven members. The clutch pack further has a separation device disposed between adjacent friction plates and adapted to bias the adjacent friction plates in opposite directions to facilitate non-contacting rotation of the adjacent friction plates when torque translation between the drive and driven members is interrupted.