Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.

Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners-as the primary connecting means.

Abstract: A wear adjusting arrangement compensates for the wear of a clutch disc that is interposed axially between, and communicates frictionally with, a pressure plate and a flywheel of a vehicle. The pressure plate is urged by a diaphragm spring toward the clutch disc and the flywheel, and is pivotable about a fulcrum ring. The axial relationship of the fulcrum ring with respect to the pressure plate varies as the clutch disc wears. A fulcrum support element which is axially displaceable with respect to the pressure plate supports the fulcrum ring in fixed relation thereto. The arrangement also includes a bias actuator mechanism that communicates mechanically with the fulcrum support element. The bias actuator mechanism establishes an axially spatial relationship between the fulcrum support element and the pressure plate. The arrangement additionally includes a resilient biasing element arranged in communication with the fulcrum support element for applying a resilient biasing force to the fulcrum support element.

Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprises a first flywheel connectable to an engine, a second flywheel, and an inter-flywheel viscous damping mechanism, providing viscous damping through a fluid of flywheel torsional vibrations. The second flywheel is rotatably supported on the first flywheel and has a friction facing on which a friction material presses. The second flywheel includes an annular capturing channel provided radially inward of the friction facing for capturing fluid from leakage driven on the friction facing side by centrifugal force, and a plurality of through-holes, extending from the capturing channel to a space between the flywheels, for guiding fluid captured by the capturing channel to the space.

Abstract: Modular clutch construction in which a clutch cover assembly, concentrically containing a pressure plate actuating a clutch disc assembly, is fixed to the flywheel of an engine as a modular unit. The construction improves the modular connection between the clutch cover peripheral wall and the flywheel; in particular through the use of pins to restrain the cover from whirling relative to the flywheel, and by a taking advantage of a method of starter ring-gear installation in which the gear is shrink-fitted over the flywheel with the clutch cover peripheral wall intervening, such that the circumferential end margin of the clutch cover is simultaneously clamped between the ring gear and the flywheel cylindrical surface. The clutch cover is thus secured onto the flywheel in an assembly stage of reduced steps, by comparison with methods employing bolts or other fasteners as the primary connecting means.

Abstract: A damper disc assembly comprises a radially flanged hub, connectable to an output shaft, flanked by lateral subplates, and surrounded by an input rotation member; a first torsional vibration damping mechanism; a second torsional vibration damping mechanism; and an action limiting member. The first torsional vibration damping mechanism elastically connects the hub and the lateral subplates and includes a first, low-rigidity elastic member and a first hysteric damping mechanism developing lesser hysteresis. The second torsional vibration damping mechanism, also elastically connecting the lateral subplates and the input rotation member, includes second and third elastic members more rigid than the first elastic member, and a second hysteretic damping mechanism developing greater hysteresis.

Abstract: A hydraulic parking brake controller for a motor vehicle for controlling the operation of a parking brake of the transmission output-shaft mounted type in response to the operating unit. The controller comprises a primary control and a secondary control. The primary control actuates and releases the parking brake at a first rate. The secondary control actuates the parking brake at a second rate slower than the first rate in an instance in which the parking brake is in the released state and the operation unit malfunctions. If a circuit break should occur in the operation unit while the parking brake is in the released state, the secondary control actuates the parking brake at the second rate. The parking brake is thus not actuated suddenly in the event of an abrupt wire disconnection, such that the braking action is dampened.

Abstract: A motor vehicle torque transmission apparatus incorporating a multi-stage torque converter, a main reduction gear and a stepless speed-change transmission. The multi-stage torque converter comprises separate stators. The main reduction gear is connectable to an output section of the multi-stage torque converter. Connected to one of the stators and to the main reduction gear is a stepless speed-change transmission therebetween, such that output torque of the stator is added to output torque of the main reduction gear.

Abstract: A viscous-fluid disc damper includes an input-side drive plate having a containing space, an output-side driven plate disposed in the containing space, and a viscous fluid medium damper mechanism arranged between both plates for absorbing torsional torque. The damper mechanism has a fluid housing provided in the peripheral portion of the drive plate and opening radially toward the center, choke projections provided on the periphery of the driven plate which project into the fluid housing, sliders slidably located in the fluid housing and fitted over the choke projection, and choke tabs formed in the fluid housing. The flow passage of the choke tab is smaller than that of the choke projection. The viscous-fluid disc damper can include a fluid storage for compensating fluid within the fluid housing, via a connecting path between the fluid storage and the fluid housing.

Abstract: A torque convertor having a tubular toroidal member constituted by a pump, a turbine and a stator is so dimensioned that sufficient room is provided to accommodate associated components without sacrificing performance standards. In particular, since the cross sectional area of the flow passage of the stator, wherein eddies tend to generate and power transmission loss due to fluid collision increases, is larger in proportions to the cross sectional area of either the pump or the turbine the fluid turbulence is reduced.

Abstract: A lock-up device disposed between a front cover and a turbine coaxial with the front cover of a torque converter includes a piston elastically connected to the turbine, a plurality of friction discs provided between the piston and the front cover, and an elastic member for spacing the friction discs apart from one another when the device is disengaged. When this lock-up device is engaged, the piston presses the friction discs against the front cover, whereby torque is transmitted to the turbine through the friction discs and the piston. When the lock-up device is disengaged, the piston is moved away from the front cover, and the elastic member spaces the friction discs apart from one another so as not to transmit torque. The performance of the lock-up device is thus improved in order to decrease drag torque.

Abstract: A release assembly to a pull-type clutch releases the clutch by extracting the radially inward portion of a diaphragm spring in the direction toward an associated transmission. The release assembly comprises a release bearing and its retainer. The release bearing includes an outer race fixed onto the radially inward margin of the diaphragm spring and an inner race grooved by a concavity along its radially inward portion the focus of which coincides with the pivotal deviation center of the release assembly. A complementarily convex surface along the retainer slidably mates with the concavity of the inner race, allowing the retainer in this release assembly to be slidable along inner race of the release bearing. Accordingly, if the clutch and the transmission come into misalignment, the resultant slide of the retainer on the inner race of the release bearing compensates.

Abstract: A release assembly releases a pull-type clutch by extracting the radially inward portion of its diaphragm spring in the direction of an associated transmission. It comprises a support member fixed onto the radially inward margin of the diaphragm spring; a wire ring retained in the interior of the support member; and a release bearing which includes an inner race member having an axial sleeve extension which fastens to the support member through the wire ring, and a retaining part for holding the wire ring securely and coaxially when the release bearing is connected or disconnected to the support member. The wire ring thus cannot impede smooth installation of the release bearing into the support member.