Abstract: A clutch cover assembly comprising, in addition to a clutch cover containing a pressure plate and a diaphragm spring, a spring washer in location and retainment such that it provides cushioning against clutch engagement shock. In a recess in the pressure plate adjacent the diaphragm spring, the spring washer is supported on opposite corresponding sides on annular fulcra, which in clutch disengagement are staggered laterally of the spring washer and remote from each other. During clutch engagement, the spring washer deforms elastically as it transmits the impelling force of the diaphragm spring in tandem therewith, flexing on the fulcra and therein cushioning the clutch-engaging force of the diaphragm spring. One of the annular fulcra is along a curved bottom surface of the clutch pressure plate recess, and as the load from the diaphragm spring on the spring washer increases, the fulcrum locus of contact thus shifts along the washer, approaching the other annular fulcrum.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprises a first flywheel connectable to an engine crankshaft, a second flywheel on which a clutch mountable, rotatably supported by the first flywheel, and a replaceable inter-flywheel drive-driven plates/damper unit. The unit is composed of a drive plate sandwich detachably connected to the first flywheel, a composite driven plate disengageably engaged with the second flywheel, and a viscous damper. The viscous damper connects the drive and driven plates, and the compound damper/drive-driven plates unit is replaceable as a whole.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprises a first flywheel connectable 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 rapidly 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: In a torsional vibration damping device functioning in a torque transmission comprising an input rotation member, an output member, and drive/driven assemblies, viscous damping is effected in a structurally integral fluid chamber. The damping device includes a hydraulic damper essentially consisting in the viscous-fluid containing fluid chamber as formed by respective surfaces of the input rotation member and of the drive and driven assemblies. Torsional vibration damping is thus provided in the connection of the drive and driven assemblies.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly comprising, in addition to a clutch cover containing a pressure plate and a diaphragm spring, a disc spring in location and retainment such that it provides cushioning against clutch engagement shock. The disc spring is installed in a receptacle on the pressure plate, adjacent the diaphragm spring, permitting its elastic deformation as it transmits the impelling force of the diaphragm spring in tandem therewith during clutch engagement. The thereby cushioned force of the diaphragm spring presses the pressure plate pressure surface against the friction facing of a clutch disc and sandwiches the clutch disc between the pressure plate and an engine flywheel.

Abstract: A compound flywheel assembly self-adjusting to compensate in operation wear on a clutch disc pressed to an end friction facing of the flywheel assembly by a clutch pressure plate. It comprises a first flywheel peripherally carrying a ring gear via which the assembly is cranked in starting the engine, afforded a certain amount of angular backlash; a second flywheel bearing the friction facing, connected to the first flywheel so as to be angularly fixed yet axially movable relative thereto; a clutch wear-gauging mechanism provided peripherally in an end surface of the first flywheel opposite the peripheral margin of the pressure plate sandwiching the clutch disc; and an adjusting mechanism. Wear on the clutch disc is gauged by the clutch wear-gauging mechanism in contacting the pressure plate peripheral margin meanwhile the pressure plate is pressing the clutch disc against the second flywheel.

Abstract: A damper disc having an output-side plate between a pair of side plates, containing two torsion springs in series in rectangular holes made on the both plates, and disposing a float body freely movable in circumferential direction between the springs. The output-side plate is divided into inside and outside pieces. Each float body is connected by an annular connecting body in such a manner as not to be protrudable. The float body is made of plastic-based resin light in weight and small in friction coefficient.

Abstract: A clutch unit in which a facing (9) of a clutch disc (5) is disposed between a flywheel (1) and a pressure plate (6) so as to engage and disengage the clutch unit by moving the pressure plate (6) in its axial direction; a projection (6a) extending to an axis side is formed integrally on the pressure plate (6), a release bearing (20) is made directly engage with the projection (6a), and a release sleeve (24) supporting the release bearing (20) is made movable in the axial direction by a hydraulic cylinder (23).

Abstract: In a built-up flywheel comprising a first flywheel (12), a second flywheel (30) and a clutch covering body (32), a cooling mechanism is provided which has a cooling port (52) formed in the inner periphery of said second flywheel (30) and a cooling groove (50) arranged generally radial at the front surface of said second flywheel (30) so as to rake the air inside said clutch covering body (32) discharged from said cooling port outwards in a radial direction. The cooling port (52) forms a circulating route of the cold air, so that the atmospheric cold air can be effectively supplied into the clutch covering body (32), and the frictional face of the second flywheel (30) can be cooled. Moreover, the cooling groove (50) works to discharge the air inside the clutch covering body (32) positively outside through the cooling port (52), rendering the pressure inside the clutch covering body (32) negative, whereby the atmospheric cold air can be further positively supplied into the clutch covering body (32 ).

Abstract: A method for exactly and effectively correcting an unbalance of a rotating body such as a turbine assembly for a torque converter without worsening a quality of the rotating body. A filler metal is brazed to a welding position by TIG welding while changing an intensity of produced arc by pulse control under an inert gas atmosphere created at a backside of the welding position of the rotating body.

Abstract: A liquid viscous damper having drive plates (3) and driven plates (23) in a case (1). The drive plates (3) have an annular housing (35) mounted thereon and slidable relative to drive plates (3) in a circumferential direction. A maximum torsional torque limiting stopper mechanism is installed between the housing (35) and the driven plates (23). A torque limiter (51), including balls (52), ball engaging concave portions (53) and urging springs (55) are positioned between the casing (1) and the drive plates (3). The ball engaging concave portions (53) are formed on a sliding surface of the casing (1) and the balls are urged by the urging springs (55) to be pressed onto the sliding surfaces of the case (1) so as to engage with the ball engaging concave portion (53) by a specified pressure for disengagement from concave portions (53) when excessive impact torque is applied.

Abstract: In a pull-type clutch, a holder (10) is installed in an inner face of a clutch cover (4), which includes a diaphragm spring support supporting an outside fulcrum point (C1) of a diaphragm spring (5) and a coned spring support supporting an outer peripheral edge of a disc-like annular coned spring (8). The diaphragm spring (5) and the coned spring (8) are supported by the holder (10). By this structure, a load of the diaphragm spring (5) can be prevented from increasing more than necessary in the midway of use of clutch, and the coned spring (8) provided therefor can be assembled easily.

Abstract: A damper disc comprising an annularly extending retainer plate for holding in position a plurality of damper springs circumferentially connecting an annular input plate and an output plate, the retainer plate being fixed to the input plate, connector portions connected to ends of the springs, and support portions for supporting the outer periphery of the springs, the input plate being formed on its outer periphery with a cylindrical portion fitted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical support portion, the retainer plate comprising a plurality of arcuate retainer plates arranged in annular pattern, the retainer plate having circumferentially spaced spring end connector portions with support portions therebetween, the retainer plate being fixed by rivets to the input plate and slits extending radially outward between the ends of connector portion of the retainer plate.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly having an annular bearing plate 27 located between a pressure plate 13 and a diaphragm spring 14 in coaxial relation to them. The bearing plate 27 integrally has a releasing fulcrum point 30 which is disposed in a clearance S between the pressure plate 13 and a back face of a projection 25. The releasing fulcrum point 30 is distorted in axial direction to elastically supports an outer peripheral part of the diaphragm spring 14. The releasing fulcrum point 30 and the loading fulcrum point 26 are arranged on the same circumference.

Abstract: A release bearing assembly free from breakage and deformation, in which a force exerted from a release fork is not applied directly onto a sleeve. To this end, a cylindrical sleeve (7) guided by a guide (2) is not secured directly to a side plate (9) between an inner race (10) and the guide (2), as with a conventional structure. A cover (8) which has not hitherto been used, is used in the present invention. The cover (8) is secured to the side plate (9), and the cover (8) sandwiches the sleeve (7) in cooperation with a release bearing (6).

Abstract: A 3-position actuator having a moving body comprising a piston and piston rod slidingly reciprocating in an axial direction within a casing, a part of the rod protruding from said casing, said moving body being moved to one end side when fluid flows into a first fluid chamber through a first port formed on said casing, and said moving body being moved to the other end side when fluid flows into a second fluid chamber through a second port formed on said casing; characterized by that a pair of stoppers are installed in said casing with a specified clearance left between them in the axial direction, a pair of spring seats and a spring are installed between the pair of stoppers, said spring is located between the pair of spring seats to press one spring seat against one stopper and to press the other spring seat against the other stopper, a pair of stopping portions are provided on said moving body in a projecting manner with a specified clearance left between them in the axial direction, one stopping portion ma

Abstract: A damper disc comprising an annularly extending retainer plate assembly for holding in position a damper spring circumferentially connecting an annular input plate and an output plate, the retainer plate assembly having a stationary portion fixed to the input plate, a connector portion connected to the spring, and a support portion for supporting the outer periphery of the spring, the input plate being formed on its outer periphery with a cylindrical portion fitted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical support portion, the retainer plate assembly being comprised of a plurality of arcuate retainer plates arranged in annular patter, each of the retainer plates having the stationary portion, connector portion, and support portion, the stationary portion being fixed by rivets to the input plate, the stationary portion being formed with a rivet insertion hole in the form of a radially elongate hole through which the rivets are inserted into position.

Abstract: A clutch cover assembly equipped with a diaphragm spring (8), which is intended to prolong a service life of a clutch by making it possible to automatically maintain an initial setting load according to a wear amount of a facing (6). For this purpose, fulcrum rings (14, 15) are divided into inside and outside pieces, fitted in a pressure plate (7) in such a manner as movable in an axial direction, and pressed to the diaphragm spring (8) side through annular spring receiving plates (38, 39) by inside and outside pressing springs (31, 32). Annular lock wires (16, 17) movable in the axial direction are disposed between the fulcrum rings (14, 15) and the pressure plate (7), and lock springs (26, 27) weaker than the foregoing pressing springs (31, 32) are compressively installed between the lock wires (16, 17) and the spring receiving plates (38, 39), so that axial return motions of the fulcrum rings (14, 15) are locked.

Abstract: A release mechanism for a pull-type clutch which is disengaged by pulling an inner peripheral part of a diaphragm spring (6) to an axial backside of the clutch. A release bearing assembly (10) is connected to the inner peripheral part of the diaphragm spring (6). A cylinder assembly (11) is mounted to a housing (12) of the clutch at an axial backside of the release bearing assembly (10). The release bearing assembly (10) is connected to the cylinder assembly (11) through means of a connecting ring (60) and a stopper (70).

Abstract: A viscous liquid damper having a damper for developing a torsion torque in between an output-side driven plate (23) and an input-side drive plate (3), and a liquid chamber located between the drive plates (3) is partitioned into front and rear divided chamber (38 & 39) in rotation direction. In order to allow absorption of vibrations of different kinds without mutual confrontation in such a damper; an outward facing projection (41) is formed on the drive plate (3), a slider (40) is mated with the drive plate (3) in such a manner as slidable in the rotation direction, a main choke (A1) is formed between the slider (40) and the projection (41), stoppers (40a) able to mate with the projection (41) are formed on circumferential both ends of the slider (40), and a sub-choke (S2) connecting the both divided chambers (38 & 39) is formed separately from the main choke (S1).