Abstract: A torsional vibration damping device is disposed between an input front cover and a torque converter body for damping torsional vibration transmitted to an output member from an input member. The device includes a pair of side plates 20 and 21, a pair of cases 22 and 23. and a slider 25. The pair of side plates 20 and 21 are coupled together but spaced apart from one another and define an annular chamber therebetween. A piston 11 is coupled to the plates for axial movement but restricted from movement in a radial direction with respect to the plates. The pair of cases 22 and 23 is disposed between the side plates 20 and 21 within the annular chamber defining an arcuate chamber 24. The slider 25 is connectable to a driven plate 12 and is slidably disposed in the fluid chamber 24. Thee outer surfaces of the slider and tile inner surfaces of the fluid chamber 24 define a choke which restricts tile flow of fluid around the slider as it moves within the chamber.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly having a clutch cover 10, a pressure plate 11, a support mechanism 12, a diaphragm spring 13, a plurality of wear compensation mechanisms 14, and a ring plate 27 which operates as a coincidence control device. The support mechanism 12 is disposed on the opposite side of the pressing surface to move freely of the pressure plate 11. The diaphragm spring 13 pushes the pressure plate 11 toward the flywheel 2 via the support mechanism .12. The plurality of wear compensation mechanisms 14 are disposed at several places around the pressure plate 11, each being a mechanism for moving the support member 12 a distance toward the diaphragm spring 13 compensating for the amount of wear on friction facings 6. The ring plate 27 is a mechanism for simultaneously moving the various wear compensation 14 mechanisms.

Abstract: A lock-up device for a torque converter is disposed between a front cover 1 and a turbine 3, and comprises a clutch mechanism 10 for connecting the front cover 1 and an output member to each other and releasing the connection therebetween, an elastic connecting mechanism 11 comprising a torsion spring 22 for elastically connecting the clutch mechanism 10 and a turbine hub 6 to each other, and a hysteresis torque generating mechanism 12 disposed radially outward of the torsion spring 22 for damping torque variations from the front cover 1.

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: The shock absorber mechanism for a bicycle (10) is a device mounted between the handlebar stem (4) and fork stem (5) of a bicycle and includes a sleeve case (11), a spring (18), and a free cushion bushing (20). The sleeve case (11) is mounted to the lower edge of the handlebar stem (4) and joins when the upper portion of said fork stem (5) slides freely and does not rotate. The spring (18) is arranged between the sleeve case (11) and the fork stem (5). The free cushion bushing (20) is mounted to the lower edge of the sleeve case (11) and can be freely installed and removed as well as slide on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5) controls relative movement of the handlebar stem (4) and the fork stem (5) caused by friction on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5). One purpose of the present invention is to allow for easy adjustment of the dampening characteristics of a dampener depending on bicycle riding conditions and rider requirements.

Abstract: A vehicle which goes up and down stairs includes a vehicle body 101, front and rear wheels 102 and 103 provided at the front and rear of the vehicle body 101, respectively, front and rear auxiliary wheels 105 and 107 for lifting up or down the front and rear wheels 102 and 103 by one step of stairs, respectively, a driving unit for driving each wheel, a pivoting unit for pivoting the front and rear auxiliary wheels 105 and 107, sensors 121 to 124 for detecting a riser portion of stairs, and a control unit 120 for controlling the driving unit and the rotating unit in accordance with results of the sensors 121 to 124. Since the vehicle goes up and down stairs by rotation of the auxiliary wheels 105 and 107, a corner portion of the step of stairs is not damaged while the vehicle goes up and down stairs.

Abstract: A damper disc assembly is provided for transmitting a torque between an input rotary member and an output rotary member, including a hub, a flange, a first spring member, a support member, a second spring member and an input member. The hub is coupled with the output rotary member. The flange is disposed on an outer circumference of the hub, the flange having, on its outer circumferential portion, first and second spring member receiving portions each extending in a circumferential direction. The first spring member is disposed within the first spring member receiving portion. The support member is retained so as to be non-rotatable relative to the hub for supporting the first spring member in the circumferential direction. The second spring member is disposed within said second spring member receiving portion, and has a higher rigidity than that of the first spring member. The input member is coupled with the flange through the second spring member and capable of being coupled with the input rotary member.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly 3 having a disk-shaped clutch cover 4, an annular pressure plate 5, a cone spring 6, and a diaphragm spring 7. The pressure plate 5 is disposed in the clutch cover 4 and has a pressing surface 5a. The cone spring 6 is disposed on the opposite side of the pressure plate 5 in the clutch cover 4, and has its radial inner end supported on the clutch cover and its radial outer end biasing the pressure plate 5. Within the clutch cover, a hardened support member coupled to the cover is provided to engage at least one inner portion of the cone spring 6 in order to minimize wear associated with engagement with the spring 6 as it moves in response to movement of the pressure plate 5. The hardened support member is provided in the present invention is a number of forms. In one embodiment the hardened support member is integrally formed with the clutch cover 4.

Abstract: A clutch device comprises an input part 3 to which power from a crankshaft 2 is inputted, an output part disposed concentrically with the input part 3 and connectable to an input shaft of a transmission, a clutch body 5, a pressure plate 40, and a main cone spring 41. The clutch body 5 has friction discs 20 and 21 connected to the input part 3 and a driven plate 31 connected to the output part 4. The pressure plate 40 presses the friction discs 20 and 21 and the driven plate 31 against each other. The main cone spring 41 urges the pressure plate 40 so that the friction discs 20 and 21 and the driven plate 31 are pressed against each other. Further, the friction disc 21 is provided with serrations or teeth 21a on an inner radial surface thereof. The input part 3 is provided with retractable gear teeth 23 which engage the teeth 21a to allow for rotation of the friction disk 21 with the input part 3 in one rotational direction but not in the other rotational direction.

Abstract: A lockup unit for a torque converter is provided with a front cover coupled to an input member and a turbine coupled to an output member. The lockup unit includes: a disc-like piston disposed movably between the front cover and the turbine and pressingly contactable against the front cover; a flexible coupling mechanism for coupling the disc-like piston and the turbine in a circumferential direction; and a frictional resistance generating mechanism including a stationary member fixed to the disc-like piston and a flexible member which is brought into pressing contact with the stationary member so as to be rotatable together with the turbine, for generating a frictional resistance when the piston and the turbine are rotated relative to each other, to thereby reduce the number of the necessary mechanical components.

Abstract: Construction in order to improve wear-resistance of a hydraulic fluid chamber in which a clutch release-actuating tubular piston is operative within a cylindrical housing made of a resin-based material reinforced with glass fiber, the piston axially driving a clutch release bearing to force a clutch diaphragm spring to release the clutch of a motor vehicle power train. A sealing member is provided on tile piston for sealing piston-driving hydraulic fluid within the fluid chamber. The cylindrical housing is double-walled, defining the axially extending tubular fluid chamber. A layer of nickel is electroless-plated at least along the fluid chamber bore where the sealing member slides; alternatively stainless steel linings are installed along the corresponding portions of the chamber bore.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly is used for urging a friction member connected to an output member against an input rotation member and for releasing urging on the input rotation member. The clutch cover assembly comprises a clutch cover, a pressure plate, an urging member, a support mechanism and a movement regulation mechanism. The clutch cover is fixed to the input rotation member. The pressure plate is located within said clutch cover and urges the friction member. The urging member urges the pressure plate toward the friction member. The support mechanism is movable toward the friction member and supports the urging member. The movement regulation mechanism moves the support member toward the friction member according to wear displacement of the friction member.

Abstract: The clutch cover assembly comprises a clutch cover, a pressure plate, a fulcrum ring, a diaphragm spring, and a diaphragm spring posture maintenance mechanism. The maintenance mechanism includes an adjustment mechanism which is composed with a pair of wedge mechanisms inclined surfaces of which extend in the circumferential direction and keep in contact with each other, and a spring for urging one of the wedge mechanisms against the other in the circumferential direction so as to move either one of the wedge mechanisms in the axial direction. Since adjustment mechanism functions by the circumferential wedge mechanisms, it is possible to accurately maintain the diaphragm spring posture without being affected by the engine rotation speed.

Abstract: A directional control valve is composed of a cylinder and a spool located therein so as to be slidably shiftable. The cylinder is formed to have a first input port, a second input port and a control port to which hydraulic fluid is supplied from a fluid pump; a first output port for supplying hydraulic fluid for clutch operation to a power-disconnection clutch, and a second output port for supplying hydraulic fluid for lubrication to the clutch. Positioning of the spool is shiftable between a first position wherein the first input port and the first output port are communicated, and a second position wherein the second input port and the second output port are communicated, according to hydraulic pressure via the control port.

Abstract: A lock-up device is used for a torque converter comprising a front cover connected to an input-side rotation member, an impeller fixed to the front cover, and a turbine provided opposite to the impeller and connected to an output-side member. This lock-up device comprises a plate member and a piston. The above described plate member is connected to the output-side member and located between the turbine and the inner wall of the front cover, and can be brought into contact with the inner wall of the front cover. The above described piston which is connected to the front cover so as not to be relatively rotatable is for pressing the plate member against the inner wall of the front cover.

Abstract: A torque convertor includes a torque convertor body and a power disconnecting clutch. The torque convertor body is connected to an input-side member for transmitting power to the power disconnecting clutch. The power disconnecting clutch has a drive-side member connected to the torque convertor body, a driven-side member connectable to an output-side member, a clutch part for connecting and disconnecting the drive-side member to and from the drive-side member, and an elastic connecting part for elastically connecting the drive-side member and the output-side member. One aspect of the torque convertor includes a sealing mechanism for preventing hydraulic fluid in the torque convertor from entering a space where the power disconnecting clutch is disposed. Another aspect of torque convertor includes a lock-up clutch disposed radially outward of the torque convertor body for connecting and disconnecting the input-side rotation member to and from the power disconnecting clutch.

Abstract: The clutch cover assembly comprises a clutch cover, a pressure plate, a washer-type spring and a lever member. The clutch cover is fixed to a flywheel. The pressure plate is located within said clutch cover and is fashioned with a pressing surface for clamping facings against the flywheel. The washer-type spring engages the pressure plate to the flywheel. The lever member, supported by the clutch cover, is for engaging the pressure plate in combination with the washer-type spring to the flywheel and for releasing engaging loads of the washer-type spring from the pressure plate.

Abstract: The invention includes a bearing assembly having concentric inner and outer races and roller elements disposed therebetween. Seal members are disposed on either side of the races, flanking the roller elements. The outer race is provided with circumferential grooves adjacent to each axial face of the outer race. Annular urging members are fitted between the races, adjoining the seal members on the outer sides thereof, urging the seals into contact with the races. The outer circumferential edge of each urging member extends into one of the grooves in the outer race. The urging members are biased such that the inner circumferential edge of each engages the adjacent seal and retains the inner race within the outer race in order to reduce wobble and vibration between the inner and outer races.

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 torsional vibration damping device located between an input member and an output member of a power transmission device comprises a case and a slider. The case is connected to either the input or output member, extends circumferentially and contains fluid. The slider is connected to the other input or output member and is located within the case at a given clearance from an inner wall thereof wherein It is slidable circumferentially. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the slider is greater than that of the case.