Abstract: A clutch disc assembly is provided with a support structure and friction generating members that provide generally constant friction generation, even when misalignment occurs between adjacent members. The clutch disc assembly 1 includes a hub 2, a fourth friction washer 19, a clutch plate 3 and a second coil spring 7. The fourth friction washer 19 is fixed to the hub 2 and has a tapered surface 19a. The clutch plate 3 has an inner peripheral edge tapered portion 3c which is abutted against the tapered surface 19a and disposed on the outer periphery of the hub 2. The second coil spring 7 couples the hub 2 to the clutch plate 3 in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: To reduce a frictional resistance generated between undulated ribbon-like springs and outer circumferential walls, a flywheel assembly is composed of a first flywheel 1, a second flywheel 3 and ribbon-like springs 18. A fluid chamber 17 is formed between the second flywheel 3 and the first flywheel 1. The undulated ribbon-like spring 18 is disposed within the fluid chamber 17. In one embodiment, a projecting ring portion 20a that projects beyond the other ring portions 20 is provided so as to contact with an outer circumferential portion 7a of the fluid chamber 17 in order to prevent the remainder of the spring from contacting the portion 7a of the chamber 17. In another embodiment, a mid-portion of the undulated ribbon-like spring is confined to restrict radially outward movement by a plate and axially aligned pins which prevent radial movement of portions of the spring.

Abstract: A clutch disc assembly includes a flange having a plurality of window holes formed in a circumferential direction about the flange. A clutch plate and a retaining plate are disposed on either side the flange. The clutch plate and the retaining plate are fixed to each other and include a plurality of window holes corresponding to the window holes of the flange. A plurality of first coil springs are disposed in the window holes of the flange such that each end of the first coil springs are supported in the circumferential direction by the window holes in the retaining plate and the clutch plate. Protrusions are formed on circumferentially opposite ends of the window holes in the flange. The protrusions are configured to engage the first coil spring in response to rotary displacement between the flange and the retaining and clutch plates. Upon engagement between the ends of the first coil spring and the protrusions, the protrusions limit the radial outward movement of the first coil spring.

Abstract: A clutch disc assembly (1) is provided with lubrication members (11a, 11b) to reduce the wear of the parts which contact the large coil springs (7) disposed within the clutch disc assembly (1). Plates (4) and (5) and a separated flange (3) are configured to rotate relative to each other. Raised portions (4a) and (5a) of the plates (4) and (5) correspond to a window (3c). Each of the large coil springs (7) extends in a circumferential direction with respect to the clutch disc assembly (1). Each large coil spring is confined within a corresponding the window (3c) of the separated flange (3) and further between the raised portions (4a) and (5a) of the plates (4) and (5). Lubricant-impregnated members (11a, 11b) are provided on a portion of respective sides of the separated flange (3), and are contactable with the large spring coil (7). In one alternate embodiment, a portion of plates (105) and (106) is provided with a plurality of minute apertures (140).

Abstract: A metal plate for electromagnetic heating is disclosed which includes a substrate comprising aluminum or aluminum alloys, an intermediate layer formed on at least a portion of one surface of the substrate and comprising zinc or zinc alloys and a conductive layer formed on the intermediate layer for serving as a heat generating body when eddy current induced by high-frequency magnetic flux flows therethrough. Methods of manufacturing a metal plate for electromagnetic heating and a metallic mold for electromagnetic heating are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reprographic device is disclosed in which the read timing of three data bit streams can be synchronized with each other by means of two FIFO memory units. The least significant bit of an 8-bit first image signal is replaced with a 1-bit area data, with both then stored in a first FIFO memory unit. A second image data, either 1-bit or 8-bit, is stored in a second FIFO memory unit. The data from the first FIFO memory unit and the second FIFO memory unit are then synchronously output therefrom by means of a read timing controller. After the data is output, the 1-bit area data is separated from the remaining seven bits of the first image data, and a null bit is added to these seven bits.

Abstract: Fluorine-containing dioxolane compounds and electrolytic solution compositions containing the fluorine-containing dioxolane compounds are disclosed. Lithium secondary batteries or electric double layer capacitors, having various improved characteristics such as improved charge and discharge cycle life or improved durability over a long period of time can be obtained by using the electrolytic solution compositions.

Abstract: In a toner cartridge for supplying toner to the developing unit in a xerographic image forming apparatus, the casing containing toner has two toner discharge openings sealed prior to installation by a sealing film having a sealing portion peel-separably affixed to the casing around the toner discharge openings, as well as a peel-separating leader portion. The sealing film overlaps itself, having open opposite lateral edges. The toner cartridge is fitted with retaining elements affixed to the casing along opposite lateral edges of the toner discharge openings, for covering the open opposite lateral edges of the sealing film. An installation seat having a toner-disgorging opening corresponding to the toner discharge openings is fixed to the end of the toner cartridge casing. The installation seat includes pressing elements therein disposed over the retaining elements for maintaining external pressure on the retaining elements.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which facilitates replacement of a toner cartridge and collecting tank as a unit. The toner cartridge's exterior surface has an integrally formed collecting tank support portion having two opposing claws angled at an obtuse angle. The collecting tank has a support member for engaging the support portion of the toner cartridge for freely attaching/detaching the collecting tank to the toner cartridge.

Abstract: A viscous resistance generation mechanism includes a first flywheel, a plurality of sliders and a driven plate. The first flywheel includes an arcuate fluid filled chamber, with the plurality of sliders disposed within the fluid filling chamber and movable in the circumferential direction. The driven plate is formed with a plurality of protrusion which are inserted into each of the plurality of sliders. The plurality of sliders are connected to the driven plate, and the interior of each of said sliders is sealed from the fluid filled chamber. Small torsional vibrations are dampened by large gaps between the fluid filled chamber and the plurality of sliders, and large torsional vibrations are dampened by small gaps between the plurality of protrusions and the interior of each of the plurality of sliders.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum unit for an image forming device includes a tubular member having two openings at the opposite ends thereof, two flange members pressed into the openings of the tubular member, and an electroconductive ground plate attached to one or both of the flange members. The ground plate is provided with a plurality of projections formed integrally with the ground plate. The projections engage with the tubular member in order to create an electrical connection between the photosensitive drum and the body of the image forming device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly 10 is used with clutch friction disks of a dry multi-disk clutch 1, and is provided with a diaphragm spring 30, a clutch cover 28 and a support structure 31. The outer periphery portion of the diaphragm spring 30 loads the clutch friction disks. The support structure 31 includes a first annular disk-like ring member 35 possessing a first ring main body 38 which contacts a portion of the diaphragm spring 30 from the clutch cover 28 side and a seating portion 40 which extends from the first ring main body 38 and seats against the clutch cover 28, a second annular disk-like ring member 36 possessing a second ring main body which contacts the diaphragm spring 30 on the side opposite the first annular disk-like ring member 35, and bolts 37 for fixing the first and second annular disk-like annular disk-like ring members 35 and 36 to the clutch cover 28. One purpose of the invention is to suppress clutch cover wear caused by annular disk-like annular disk-like wire ring members.

Abstract: A flexible plate assembly which transmits torque from a crankshaft in an engine to a flywheel while absorbing bending vibration, and includes a first flexible plate, a second flexible plate, and a friction plate. An inner portion of the first flexible plate is fixed to a distal end of the crankshaft, and an outer portion of the first flexible plate is connected to a flywheel. The friction plate is disposed between the first and second flexible plates. The friction plate and the second flexible plate are connected to a mid-portion of the first flexible plate between the crankshaft and the flywheel.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a clutch disc assembly has a retaining plate 5, a hub 2, a first coil spring 6, a second coil spring 7, and a first friction washer 8. A connecting plate 3 is positioned in an outer circumference of the of the hub 2. The first coil spring elastically couples the connecting plate 3 and the hub 2 in a circular direction. The second coil spring 7 elastically couples the retaining plate 5 and the connecting plate 3 in a circular direction and is more excellent in rigidity than the first coil spring 6. The first friction washer 8 includes a first friction member 13 positioned between the retaining plate 5 and the hub 2, a second friction member 14 positioned between the connecting plate 3 and the retaining plate 5, and a coupling element coupling the first and second friction members 13 and 14 and elastically deformable in axial directions.

Abstract: To smooth the response characteristics at a transition point between a first stage and second stage of friction mechanism in a damper disc assembly, the damper disc assembly includes several friction generating mechanisms. One friction generating mechanism 9 includes, a flange 2b, a retaining plate 4, a friction washer 18 and a conical spring 19. A flange 2b has projections 2f projecting toward the retaining plate 4 and extending through a predetermined angle in a circumferential direction. The friction washer 18 is formed with two distinct friction surfaces, disc portion 18a and high frictional coefficient member 18c. The disc portion 18a has a low frictional coefficient and is in contact projections 2f formed on a hub 2 when there is no torsion applied to the damper disc. The high frictional coefficient member 18c is formed at spaced apart intervals on the friction washer 18 and are engagable with the projections 2f in response to torsional vibrations being applied to the damper disc.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprising a unitary first flywheel having a hub portion and a radial circumferential portion, the first flywheel connectable to an output shaft, a viscous fluid damping mechanism having a drive member and a driven member, the drive member connected to the first flywheel radial portion, a bearing attached to the driven member and the first flywheel hub portion providing limited rotary displacement therebetween, the bearing, the drive member and the first flywheel defining an annular fluid chamber confining the dampening mechanism, and a second flywheel removably mounted to the driven member.

Abstract: A clutch disc assembly (1) is provided a lubrication member (11) to suppress the wear of parts which contact any of the coil springs (7) disposed within the clutch disc assembly (1). Plates (4) and (5) and a separated flange (3) are configured to rotate relative to each other. Raised portions (4a) and (5a) of the plates (4) and (5) correspond to a window (3c). Each of the large coil springs (7) is confined within the window (3c), the raised portions (4a) and (5a) of the plates (4) and (5) and the separated flange (3) in the circumferential direction. A lubricant-impregnated member (11) is provided in the plates (4) and (5), and is contactable with the large spring coil (7).

Abstract: A compact cleaning apparatus capable of having a good cleaning function is provided with an image forming apparatus. The cleaning apparatus of the image forming apparatus is pivoted inside this image forming apparatus and cleans an intermediate transfer belt or photosensitive drum. This cleaning apparatus is arranged by a casing having an opening for collecting toner stripped from the surface of the object; a cleaning member mounted on one side edge of the opening of the casing and depressed against the surface of the object; and a drive mechanism having a fulcrum located below the opening of the casing, for pivoting the casing in a direction along which the casing is separated from the object. Three shafts cooperate to perform an engagement or removal operation.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmission mechanism which is disposed between a vehicle engine and a transmission. The vehicle power transmission mechanism includes a hydraulic coupling that inputs a power from an engine and a planetary gear unit that decreases the output rotating speed of the hydraulic coupling and transmits the rotating speed to the transmission. The planetary gear unit includes a ring gear coupled to an output of the hydraulic coupling, a plurality of planetary gears which are meshed with the ring gear, a carrier that supports the plurality of planetary gears and are coupled to a member at a side of the transmission, and a sun gear which is meshed with the plurality of planetary gears. A brake unit selectively brakes the rotation of the sun gear. A direct coupled clutch unit is configured to selectively directly transmit power from the engine to the carrier of the planetary gear unit.