Abstract: A lock-up device is disposed between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic pressure being increased in a space on a turbine-side of the piston to turn the clutch part from the clutch-on state to a clutch-off state and to block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.

Abstract: A lock-up device is a device disposed in a space produced between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter so as to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine, and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by means of a hydraulic pressure, turn the clutch part of the clutch-on state into a clutch-off state, and block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.

Abstract: A lock-up device is a device disposed in a space produced between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter so as to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine, and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by means of a hydraulic pressure, turn the clutch part of the clutch-on state into a clutch-off state, and block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.

Abstract: A drive unit for vehicles that prevents a blow out of lubrication oil from a breather during splash lubrication is provided. A partition plate is disposed along a flat face of a ring gear to divide an inner space of the chamber into a first reservoir in which the ring gear is disposed, and a second reservoir to which the lubrication oil partially flows thereinto to return to an oil pan. The partition plate comprises a main body disposed between the flat face of the ring gear and an inner face of the chamber opposed thereto, and a bent portion formed on an upper end of the main body to guide the lubrication oil scattered upwardly by a rotation of the ring gear in a direction away from the breather.

Abstract: Power system including differential-mechanism, clutch-mechanism, power-mechanism and dog-clutch disposed between an input rotary member to receive drive-force from a drive power source and output rotary-member to transmit drive-force to drive-wheels, the differential-mechanism including an input rotary element, output rotary element and reaction rotary element; the clutch-mechanism connecting two rotary elements of the input, output and reaction rotary elements of the differential-mechanism, to each other, the power-mechanism having predetermined gear ratio, and dog-clutch selectively placing a power path between the output rotary element and output rotary-member, in power transmitting state and power cutoff state; transmitting drive-force to drive-wheels while the clutch-mechanisms and dog-clutch are placed in engaged states.

Abstract: A power transmitting part for transmitting power has an annular main body section and a transmitting section. The transmitting section has a first protruding section extending outward in a radial direction from the main body section and a second protruding section extending toward a first side in an axial direction from a circumferential-direction-facing edge portion of the first protruding section.

Abstract: A lock-up device is a device disposed in a space produced between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter so as to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine, and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by means of a hydraulic pressure, turn the clutch part of the clutch-on state into a clutch-off state, and block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.

Abstract: A first flywheel assembly a first flywheel, a second flywheel, a first spring set, a first spring seat, and a second spring set. The first spring set is arranged between the first flywheel and the second flywheel in a pre-compressed state. The first spring seat is a member that supports an end portion of the first spring set and is pushed in a radially outward direction against the first flywheel. The second spring set is a member having a lower stiffness than a stiffness of the first spring set and is arranged between the second flywheel and the first spring set in a pre-compressed state such that it acts in series with the first spring set.

Abstract: A damper mechanism has a first rotating body, a second rotating body, at least one first elastic member, and at least one second elastic member. The second rotating body is disposed rotatably with respect to the first rotating body. The first elastic member is disposed so as to link elastically the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the rotation direction, and to operate only on the positive side of the torsional characteristics. The second elastic member is disposed so as to link elastically the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the rotation direction, and operate only on the negative side of the torsional characteristics.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ketose 3-epimerase, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for producing a ketose by using the enzyme. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a ketose 3-epimerase which is obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Rhizobium, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for converting D- or L-ketohexose into corresponding D- or L-ketohexose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketohexose; and D- or L-ketopentose into corresponding D- or L-ketopentose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketopentose; by using the enzyme.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ketose 3-epimerase, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for producing a ketose by using the enzyme. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a ketose 3-epimerase which is obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Rhizobium, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for converting D- or L-ketohexose into corresponding D- or L-ketohexose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketohexose; and D- or L-ketopentose into corresponding D- or L-ketopentose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketopentose; by using the enzyme.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ketose 3-epimerase, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for producing a ketose by using the enzyme. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a ketose 3-epimerase which is obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Rhizobium, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for converting D- or L-ketohexose into corresponding D- or L-ketohexose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketohexose; and D- or L-ketopentose into corresponding D- or L-ketopentose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketopentose; by using the enzyme.

Abstract: A first flywheel assembly a first flywheel, a second flywheel, a first spring set, a first spring seat, and a second spring set. The first spring set is arranged between the first flywheel and the second flywheel in a pre-compressed state. The first spring seat is a member that supports an end portion of the first spring set and is pushed in a radially outward direction against the first flywheel. The second spring set is a member having a lower stiffness than a stiffness of the first spring set and is arranged between the second flywheel and the first spring set in a pre-compressed state such that it acts in series with the first spring set.

Abstract: A power transmitting part for transmitting power has an annular main body section and a transmitting section. The transmitting section has a first protruding section extending outward in a radial direction from the main body section and a second protruding section extending toward a first side in an axial direction from a circumferential-direction-facing edge portion of the first protruding section.

Abstract: A damper mechanism has a first rotating body, a second rotating body, at least one first elastic member, and at least one second elastic member. The second rotating body is disposed rotatably with respect to the first rotating body. The first elastic member is disposed so as to link elastically the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the rotation direction, and to operate only on the positive side of the torsional characteristics. The second elastic member is disposed so as to link elastically the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the rotation direction, and operate only on the negative side of the torsional characteristics.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel ketose 3-epimerase, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for producing a ketose by using the enzyme. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a ketose 3-epimerase which is obtainable from a microorganism of the genus Rhizobium, a process for producing the same, a DNA encoding the enzyme, a recombinant DNA and transformant comprising the DNA, and a process for converting D- or L-ketohexose into corresponding D- or L-ketohexose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketohexose; and D- or L-ketopentose into corresponding D- or L-ketopentose by epimerizing the hydroxyl group at the C-3 position of the D- or L-ketopentose; by using the enzyme.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly with an improved bearing structure is provided. The flywheel damper (11) is a flywheel assembly for transmitting torque from the crankshaft of an engine, and has a first flywheel assembly (4), a second flywheel assembly (5), a damper mechanism (6), and a needle bearing (43). The first flywheel assembly (4) is fixed to the crankshaft (2). The second flywheel assembly (5) is disposed so as to be able to rotate relative to the first flywheel assembly (4). The damper mechanism (6) elastically connects the second flywheel assembly (5) to the crankshaft (2) in the rotation direction. The needle bearing (43) is a bearing to support rotatably the second flywheel assembly (5) on the crankshaft (2), and has a plurality of needles (44) disposed between the peripheral surfaces (21d) and (37b) of both members.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly that receives torque from a crankshaft of an engine includes a flywheel, a damper mechanism, and a frictional resistance generation mechanism. The damper mechanism elastically connects the flywheel to the crankshaft in a rotational direction. The damper mechanism includes an input member, an output member, elastic members to connect elastically the input member and the output member in the rotational direction. The frictional resistance generation mechanism is located functionally in parallel with the damper mechanism in the rotational direction. The frictional resistance generation mechanism utilizes a portion of the flywheel as a friction surface.

Abstract: A flexible flywheel is a member to which torque is input from a crankshaft 91 of the engine and includes a first flywheel 2 and a damper mechanism 4. The first flywheel 2 includes an inertia member 13, and a flexible plate 11 for connecting the inertia member 13 with the crankshaft 91. The flexible plate is flexibly deformable in the bending direction. The damper mechanism 4 includes an input-side disc-like plate 20 to which torque is input from the crankshaft 91, output plates 32 and 33 located rotatable relative to the input-side disc-like plate 20, and coil springs 34, 35, and 36 to be compressed in the rotational direction when both the plates rotate relative to each other. The first flywheel 2 can move relative to the damper mechanism 4 in the bending direction with a limited range.

Abstract: A damper mechanism or a damper disk assembly realizing a low rigidity using a pair of elastic members is provided to achieve a further low rigidity in a region with small torques. The damper mechanism has a drive member 52, a driven member 53, a pair of first torsion springs 58A and 58B, and a second torsion spring 59. The springs 58A and 58B are functionally provided in series with each other in a rotational direction. The spring 59 is functionally provided in parallel with the springs 58A and 58B in such a way that the spring 59 is compressed in the rotational direction after the springs 58A and 58B are compressed to a certain angle when the drive member 52 and the driven member 53 rotate relative to each other.