1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a clutch cover assembly for an automotive vehicle or the like, and more particularly to a clutch cover assembly which includes a diaphragm spring.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional clutch cover assembly is disclosed in FIG. 8. This conventional art shown in Japanese Utility Model Laid Open Print No. 6256832, includes a cover 101 connected to an input delve member 102, a pressure plate 103 arranged in and connected to the cover 101, a clutch disk 104 disposed between the pressure plate 103 and the input drive member 102 and connected to an output driven member (not shown), and a diaphragm spring 105 disposed between the cover 101 and the pressure plate 103 wherein the pressure plate 103 is biased into the direction of the clutch disk 104.
However, the diaphragm spring 105 is radially positioned by contacting with an inner wall surface 101a of the cover 101. Therefore, an outer peripheral surface 105a of the diaphragm spring 105 must be cut so as to position a center thereof accurately. Thus, the positioning of the center of the diaphragm spring 105 is very difficult.
Also, when a facing 107 of the clutch disk 104 is worn or damaged, the pressure plate 103 is moved in the direction of the clutch disk 104 by the spring force of the diaphragm spring 105. The diaphragm spring 105 is also moved in the direction of the clutch disk 104 by the spring force thereof. Thereby, an inner peripheral portion 105b of the diaphragm spring 105 contacts the clutch disk 104 and presses it against the input drive member 102 even when the facing 107 is worn away. Thus, the clutch disk 104 is damaged. In order to avoid this problem, a stopper 108 which is provided on an outer peripheral portion 101b of the cover 101 prevents the movement of the pressure plate 103 in the direction of the clutch disk 104 by more than a certain amount. However, the stopper 108 requires a large radial space.