Abstract: A torque converter is provided with both a lock-up clutch and a disengaging clutch for use with a manual transmission. When the disengaging clutch is engaged, torque is transmittable through a torque converter impeller and turbine fluid coupling. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, torque is mechanically transmitted through the lock-up clutch to a manual transmission input shaft. A single control mechanism effects selective engagement and disengagement of both the lock-up clutch and the disengaging clutch. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a weight may be engaged and disengaged from various components within the torque converter to change the ratio of a moment of inertia of a power input mechanism and a power output mechanism defined by portions of the torque converter. A lock-up clutch in the alternate embodiment and the weight are also engaged and disengaged by a single control mechanism.

Abstract: To provide a separate hub type damper disc assembly in which a force to be applied to engagement projections is reduced in view of the fatigue service life and a weight of a hub is reduced by reducing a size of the hub while maintaining a satisfactory durability of the hub, the damper disc assembly 1 includes a hub 2, a flange 3, first torsion springs 4, a clutch plate 5 and a retaining plate 6. The hub 2 has a plurality of engagement projections 2c and 2d on its outer circumferential portion. The flange 3 is disposed on the outer circumference of the hub 2 and has, in the inner circumferential portion, engagement cutaway portions 3b and receiving cutaway portions 3c. Engagement cutaway portions are engaged with the engagement projections 2c and 2d through a predetermined gap. The first torsion springs 4 are received in spaces defined by the adjacent engagement projections 2d and the receiving cutaway portions 3c. The clutch plate 5 is connected to the flange 3.

Abstract: To provide a stator in which a stator and an impeller or a turbine are brought into direct contact with each other to thereby dispense with a thrust bearing, and in which a frictional wear in the contact portion is suppressed to a small extent to thereby prolong a service life of a torque convertor, a stator 7 is provided with a thrust receiving portion 7c for a torque convertor with an impeller and a turbine facing each other. The thrust receiving portion 7c is provided in an inner circumferential portion of the stator, and brought into contact with the impeller so that an axial movement of the thrust receiving portion 7c is limited. Oil grooves 7d for recirculating and holding working oil are formed in a contact surface of the thrust receiving portion 7c.

Abstract: A clutch cover 25 is disposed opposite to a pressure surface 26a of a pressure plate 26 and is fixed to a flywheel. The pressure plate 26 has the pressure surface 26a facing a friction surface 15 of a clutch disk. An annular lever plate 28 is supported at its outer circumferential edge to a clutch cover 25 and is contacted at a radially intermediate portion to the pressure plate 26. The pressure plate 26 is biased to be disengaged from the friction surface 15 of the clutch disk. A release bearing 31 is in contact with an inner circumferential edge of the lever plate 28 on the transmission side. A hydraulic cylinder 32 serves to move the release bearing 31 in the axial direction.

Abstract: A damper apparatus which includes a first disc member, at least one coil spring, and a second disc member. The first disc member includes at least one window generally trapezoidal in shape, with at least one coil spring disposed within each window. The coil spring comprises a plurality of wire coils that spirally extend at a generally constant pitch and include first and second end portions, with the end portions being tapered and disposed in the same plane as the last coil on each end of the coil spring. The overall shape of the coil spring when in a torsion and stress free state is generally trapezoidal. The second disc member is disposed on one or both sides of the first disc member and includes a portion which engages with the first and second end portions of the coil spring.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flywheel assembly having a first flywheel, a second flywheel, a viscous damper mechanism 3 disposed therebetween, and a boss member 5. The second flywheel is supported on the first flywheel so as to be relatively rotatable via the viscous damper mechanism. The viscous damper mechanism 3 includes disc-shaped plates 9, each having radially inner serrations 9d on radially inner surface thereof. The boss member 5 has radially outer serrations 5a. The boss 5 and plates 9 are provided with a thermal expansion differential prior to assembly. After assembly, the serrations 5a on the boss securely engage the serrations 9d on the inner surface of the plates 9. The plates 9 may be heated or the boss 5 may be cooled to provide a thermal expansion differential.