Abstract: A hydrodynamic retarder suitable for use as a supplementary brake on trucks consists of a rotor wheel 20 fixed to an output shaft and a stator wheel 21. Movable blades 24 are attached to edges of blades 30 of the stator wheel 21 facing toward the rotor wheel 20. The movable blades 24 are biased by spring members to prevent air flowing into the stator wheel 21, but allow working oil to flow into the stator wheel 21. The movable blades 24 and spring members are provided internally of a torus defined by the stator wheel and provide an efficient hydrodynamic retarder of reduced weight and cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a friction device of a lockup clutch which comprises an annular and plate-shaped piston linking with pressure to the input portion of a torque converter, an annular driven plate linking to the turbine of the torque converter, and damper springs for coupling the piston and driven plate in the circumferential direction, in which a friction mechanism is disposed between the internal circumferential portion of the piston and the turbine hub, and this friction mechanism is provided with a first friction member not rotatable relative to the turbine hub and a second friction member not rotatable relative to the piston, and these two friction members are pressed to each other so as to produce friction in the friction members by the relative rotation of piston and turbine hub.

Abstract: This invention is applicable to an automobile air clutch. An output side clutch disc (54) is disposed between an input side flywheel (50) and an annular plate (53) integral with the flywheel, two friction facings (60) of the clutch disc (54) are connected by a fluid actuator (59), and the friction facings (60) are moved in their axial direction by expansion or contraction of the actuator (59) so as to engage or disengage a clutch. In this way, reduction in overall dimension of clutch and prevention of faulty cut-off of clutch can be accomplished.

Abstract: A release device for a clutch comprising a cylinder disposed within a clutch housing and having a cylindrical intermediate wall portion projecting toward a release bearing, a piston having a cylindrical hollow portion and connected to the release bearing, the intermediate wall portion being slidably fitted in the hollow portion through a main seal, an operation chamber defined by a part of the hollow portion, the operation chamber facing the front end of the intermediate wall portion, an external hydraulic mechanism connected to the operation chamber, the cylinder further having an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion, both of a cylindrical shape, which fit in the piston, an auxiliary seal provided between each of the wall portions and the piston, and a drain oil passage formed in the cylinder which connects internal spaces between the inner and intermediate wall portions of the cylinder and between the outer and intermediate wall portions of the cylinder to a discharge site outside the clutch housing

Abstract: In a stepless speed-change power transmission for vehicle having an acceleration clutch comprising a fluid coupling, a forward/backward change-over mechanism coupled to a rear stage of the acceleration clutch, and a stepless speed changer coupled to a rear stage of the forward/backward change-over mechanism; a centrifugal lock-up clutch for the stepless speed-change power transmission for vehicle characterized by that an approximately disc-like output hub is connected to a turbine hub coupled to a turbine wheel of a fluid coupling fixed to an output shaft of said acceleration clutch, two side plates are so provided as to sandwich both side faces of the output hub, a damper mechanism is interposed between the side plate and the output hub, and a clutch shoe is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the side plate, which is movable in a radial direction of the side plate by means of a centrifugal force and can be freely engaged with or disengaged from an input member inputting a power from an engine.

Abstract: A friction mechanism of a lock-up clutch for a torque converter comprising an annular friction plate installed between a retaining plate and turbine; stud pins fastening the retaining plate to a piston and supporting the friction plate movably with respect to the retaining plate; a friction member installed between the friction plate and retaining plate for generating friction by a relative movement between the friction plate and retaining plate; claw-shaped portions formed at inner periphery of the friction plate and projecting into slits formed in the turbine for connecting the friction plate with turbine rigidly in a circumferential direction and slidably in an axial direction.

Abstract: A clutch disc including a disc-like annular facing members arrange to front on each other and a cushioning plate corrugated in circumferential direction. Stiffening plates which are disc-like annular bodies having inside and outside diameters approximately identical with those of facing members and on which slotted holes extending nearly in radial direction are made at plural places in circumferential direction, are glued to fronting surfaces of the facing members. The cushioning plate is disposed between the fronting stiffening plates to make convex portions on its both surfaces contact with portions located between the slotted holes of the stiffening plates, and is fastened by rivets to the contacting portions.

Abstract: A release bearing mechanism of a clutch of pull-type comprises a release bearing including an inner race provided with a cylindrical extension, a cylindrical wedge collar disposed around the cylindrical extension, a lever plate disposed around the wedge collar. The wedge collar and the lever plate being movable through a predetermined axial distance relative to each other. The lever plate being axially immovably connected to the diaphragm spring. The wedge collar includes engagement portions adapted to engage the cylindrical extension and the lever plate. The cylindrical extension, wedge collar and lever plate are formed to be assembled and disassembled by axially relatively shifting.

Abstract: A modulation valve device comprising an inlet passage, an outlet passage selectively connected to one of a plurality of hydraulic clutches through a selector valve, an operation chamber to which the inlet and outlet passages connect, a plunger to be moved in accordance with a pressure in the operation chamber, an accumulator controllably connected to the outlet passage through a passage whose opening degree is controlled by the plunger, and a variable orifice mechanism associated to the inlet passage. The variable orifice mechanism includes a plurality of orifices which have different flow resistances and are adapted to form a part of the inlet passage, respectively. A control mechanism is provided for selecting the orifice forming a part of the inlet passage among a plurality of the orifices in accordance with the selected clutch.

Abstract: A damping mechanism for clutch disc for use in an automobile clutch, including an axially compressible cushioning plate supporting a facing in between a flywheel and a pressure plate. In order for minimizing "resonance sound" of the cushioning plate due to axial vibration, a damping member for controlling the axial vibration of the cushioning plate is installed between the cushioning plate and the clutch plate.

Abstract: In a clutch cover assembly including a diaphragm spring and a coned disc spring, circumferential plural places of the coned disc spring are secured to projecting portions provided on a clutch cover in such a manner as leaving no play at least in a circumferential or axial direction. Since there is no clearance between secured portions of the coned disc spring and projecting portions of the clutch cover, the coned disc spring can be prevented from emitting abnormal sound due to its axial or circumferential vibration.

Abstract: A cooling device of a pull type clutch having a diaphragm spring comprising an air induction body for inducing cool air fixed on a face of the diaphragm spring. The induction body including a plurality of air scoops opening toward a rotation direction of the clutch. A plurality of washers and rivets fix the induction body to the diaphragm spring.

Abstract: A release bearing mechanism of a clutch comprises release bearing including an inner race provided with axial extension, a lever plate fitted to the extension and fixed to a diaphragm spring, the lever plate provided with a ring escape groove, a tapered guide portion and a ring fitting portion, the extension being provided with a ring escape groove and a second ring fitting portion, an elastic connecting ring interposed between the lever plate and the extension, a ring pushing means for pushing the connecting ring from ring fitting portion to the other ring escape groove. The ring escape grooves have depth which permits axially relative movement between the lever plate and the extension when the connecting ring is accommodated therein. The fitting portions are adapted to fit to the connecting ring at radially opposite directions and axially opposite directions.

Abstract: A diaphragm spring device comprising a diaphragm spring including a plurality of tongues having radially inner ends adapted to be pushed in an axially foward direction by a release bearing, an annular lever plate seated on the rear surfaces of the ends of the tongues and having a portion through which the radially inner ends of the tongues are pushed by the release bearing, an annular fixing bushing fixed to the inner periphery of the lever plate, and having a spring seat flange at the forward end, which is located in front of the tongues and projects radially outwardly beyond the adjacent end of the lever plate, and a conical spring interposed between the flange and the tongues.

Abstract: A damper disk having an output hub; an annular intermediate member disposed around the output hub; an annular spring seat member disposed around the intermediate member, and including spring seats which project radially inwardly; a pair of annular input plates disposed at opposite sides of the intermediate member; a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of input springs which circumferentially connect the input plates and the intermediate member to each other, the input springs in each pair being arranged circumferentially in series with the spring seat therebetween; output springs which circumferentially connect the intermediate member and the output hub to each other, the output springs being formed by compressible coil springs; and stop means for restricting relative rotation between the components in the disk.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission incorporating a planetary gear transmission at a rear stage of a four-element torque converter comprising two stators, a turbine and a pump; a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission, wherein a reversal torque of a first stator reversing in a low speed ratio zone is converted into a normal torque by the planetary gear train so that this output from the first stator can be added to an output shaft, when a first speed of the planetary gear transmission is selected; a friction element is provided for limiting a rotation of the first stator in the speed ratio zone where the first stator rotates in the reverse direction, a one-way clutch for transmitting a torque only in a specified direction is installed, and the first stator is permitted to run idle by this one-way clutch so that a fluid loss in a stator portion can be minimized, when a second speed of the planetary gear transmission is selected.

Abstract: A damper disk of a rubber-series type including elastic members made from rubber, in which second arms are provided with support members made from elastic material having a high rigidity and operable to increase the pushing force transmitting area from the second arms to the elastic members. Rubber sheets are provided between the second arms and the elastic members and the end surfaces of the support members, being of enlarged area, prevent deformation of the rubber sheets.

Abstract: A working oil is supplied to a first set of clutch through a first control valve when the first control valve is functioning. The working oil is supplied to a second set of clutch through a second control valve, a third control valve and a fourth control valve when the second control valve is functioning and third and fourth control valves are not functioning. The working oil is supplied to a third set of clutch through the second control valve, the fourth control valve and the third control valve when the second and third control valves are functioning and the fourth control valve is not functioning. The working oil is supplied to a fourth set of clutch through the second control valve and the fourth control valve when the second and fourth control valves are functioning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flywheel assembly including a flywheel divided into first and second flywheels (20 & 23). An intermediate friction force generation mechanism (42) generating a weak friction force in a small torsion angle range and a medium friction in an intermediate torsion angle range is provided and further a maximum friction force generation mechanism (54) generating a maximum friction force in a large torsion angle range is provided, in between the both flywheels (20 & 23). A large torsion torque exceeding a working torsion angle of the intermediate friction force generation mechanism (42) can be buffered by a large friction force generated by a slip action of the maximum friction force generation mechanism (54).

Abstract: A friction device of a damper disk comprises a hub provided with a flange, a pair of annular side plates disposed at opposite sides of the flange, springs disposed in openings in the side plates and the flange for connecting the side plates to the flange, a pair of annular sub-plates disposed around the hub with the side plates and the flange therebetween, first friction mechanisms disposed between the side plates and the flange, respectively, second friction mechanisms disposed between the side plates and the adjacent sub-plates, respectively, stud pins rigidly connecting the both of the sub-plates together, and bent portions formed at one of the side plates, passing though the openings in the flange and axially contacting the other side plate.