Abstract: A device for preventing torque peaks generated by an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle from being introduced into its drive train. The device is connectable to the internal combustion engine via a friction clutch which is frictionally engaged on a flywheel mass. The friction clutch is arranged in a clutch housing which is fixedly connected with the flywheel mass so that said clutch housing rotates with said flywheel mass. A pressing plate is urged into frictional engagement with the friction clutch by a first spring element. The pressing plate is also frictionally engaged with the housing via a second spring element.

Abstract: A lockout clutch on a torque converter includes an axially deflectable piston through which torque can be transmitted from the drive side of the torque converter to its output side. The lockout clutch also has a torsional vibration damper having an input part connected to the piston and an output part connected to the turbine wheel of the torque converter. One of the input part and the output part includes a cover element with control elements for energy storage devices acting on the torsional vibration damper on at least one radial support of the cover element. The control elements are designed to project into the cover element with a depth at which the associated energy storage devices rests on a control element along substantially the extension width in the contact area of the control element. The control elements are also designed to avoid penetration to the axial support at least at the point where the other of the input and output elements engages the energy storage elements.

Abstract: A pressure plate arrangement 10 including a housing 12 that is fixedly connected to a flywheel 14 and rotatable therewith about an axle. A pressure plate 16 is arranged in the housing 12 so as to be adjustable in the axial direction. The pressure plate 16 may be prestressed in the direction of the flywheel 14 by an energy storage device 18. Interposed between the energy storage device 18 and the pressure plate 16 is a wear compensation device 26. The pressure plate arrangement 10 also includes at least one clearance indicator 31 which is supported on the pressure plate 16 by a friction clamping seat. The clearance indicator 31 detects wear that has occurred during operation by means of relative movement between the pressure plate 16 and a further component of the pressure plate arrangement 10 and brings about an axial repositioning corresponding to the wear using the wear compensation device 26.

Abstract: A pressure plate assembly comprises a housing and a pressure plate that is axially movably arranged therein. A diaphragm spring is positioned between the housing and the pressure plate and rests on the pressure plate via a wear compensation device. A clearance indicator with a wear detection section is inserted through an opening in the pressure plate. The clearance indicator also includes an activating lever section 30 that interacts with the wear compensation device to compensate for wear that has occurred on friction linings during operation. The clearance indicator is biased by a spring part in a friction clamp seat in the opening or a clamping seat section. The spring part produces a force substantially orthogonal relative to a rotational axis A in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A stator assembly for use in a torque converter wherein the stator assembly includes a grounded member, a reaction member and a blade assembly operatively coupled with the reaction member for rotational movement about an axis of rotation relative to the grounded member in one direction and fixed against rotational movement relative to the grounded member in the opposite direction. The reaction member is movable axially relative to the grounded member in response to fluid forces acting on the blade assembly between a first position wherein the reaction member and the blade assembly are free to rotate in one direction and a second, locked position wherein the reaction member and the blade assembly are fixed relative to the grounded member and against rotation in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A hub body for clutches, especially friction clutches in motor vehicles, with internal toothing for connection to a gear input shaft and with at least one encircling shoulder extending radially outward or with elements spaced in the circumferential direction and extending radially and axially for connection to a take-along disk of the clutch. The hardness curve in the shoulder or in the elements rises in the axial direction, relative to a constant axial plane, from a minimum value to a maximum value and declines again, and the hardness curve declines, relative to a constant radial plane, from a maximum value on the radial inside to a minimum value on the radial outside.

Abstract: A wear indicator for a friction clutch which is located in the drive train in a housing between an engine and a transmission. The wear indicator includes a marking which is stationary relative to the housing during operation of the friction clutch, and a marking which is movable during the engagement and/or disengagement movement of the clutch during operation. When observed in a pre-determined limit position, in particular when the clutch is engaged or released as far as possible, the two markings move closer to one another as clutch wear increases. A distance between the two markings which has been essentially reduced to zero indicates that the clutch has reached its maximum allowable wear. It thus becomes possible to easily and unambiguously check the wear of the clutch, even in situations were access to the clutch is difficult.

Abstract: A gear-change switch, particularly a stepping switch for controlling gears on bicycles or similar vehicles, has a fixed housing and an actuating element rotatably mounted for rotation in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions to tension or release a traction cable for controlling the bicycle gears. The actuation element comprises a thumb-operated gear-change switch or a twist-grip gear-change switch. The advantage of the switching device lies in the considerable simplification of the design and in the production of the components in plastic material.

Abstract: A twist-grip shifter for bicycles having a twist grip or grip part which is actuated by the rider's hand to change the gears of the bicycle, and a cable winding mechanism or coil wind-up mechanism. The twist grip and the cable winding mechanism of the twist-grip shifter can be connected to one another by providing claws or projections on a tubular extension of the cable winding mechanism, and by providing corresponding recesses inside the twist grip, in which recesses the claws can be engaged. One of the claws and one of the recesses can be configured differently from the other claws and recesses, in order to simplify the assembly of the two parts with respect to one another.

Abstract: A friction device for controlling a clamping roller coupling for a drive device or for a back-pedal brake device connected to a bicycle hub can include a driving link with an ascending surface profile, at least one roll, a cage ring with cage arms, and an output link. The output link can be a brake jacket of the brake device. The brake device can be actuated by pedalling backword to tighten a friction spring on the hub axle. The friction spring can be realized as a loop spring, and a freewheel can be connected between the loop spring and the cage ring. The freewheel can include a first notch element non-rotatably connected to the cage ring, and a second notch element non-rotatably connected to the loop spring. When pedaling in the normal direction of rotation, the first and second notch elements are disengaged and torque is not transmitted to the loop spring.

Abstract: A clutch disk for a friction clutch, especially for motor vehicles, has a driver disk with friction facings and a cover plate which is connected with the driver disk so as to be fixed with respect to rotation thereto. A hub disk and at least one control plate provided with two diametral arms are held between the driver disk and the cover plate. The hub disk, the cover plate and the driver disk are provided with windows in order to receive springs. The windows provided in the hub disk have, on at least one circumferential edge, a recess extending substantially in the circumferential direction. The arms of the control plate are provided with stop tabs on the radially outer side. The stop tabs cooperate with the radial outer region of the springs and, in the region of the stop tabs, the windows in the hub disk are enlarged along the circumference corresponding to the material thickness of the stop tabs.

Abstract: A friction clutch, preferably a multi-plate clutch, in which the pressure plate is made of carbon material and has a wear-resistant surface coating and/or an inserted wire ring in the contact area for the diaphragm spring.

Abstract: A climate control device for a cooling compressor operated by a driving means. The climate control device including a control device for operating the cooling compressor at a compressor speed associated with a speed of the driving means and a connection device operatively connecting the cooling compressor and the driving means. The connection device comprises a viscous coupling including a drive-side element with a work chamber and a reserve chamber in which the filling level ratios of viscous fluid in the chambers are controlled in accordance with preset values from the control device. In addition, the connection device also includes a belt disposed about the drive-side element and driven by the driving means so as to rotate the drive-side element. A driven-side element operatively connected to said drive-side element by the work chamber and in transmitting connection with an input element of the cooling compressor.