Abstract: A ratcheting, locking actuator for selectively positioning ergonomic devices is disclosed. The actuator has an overrunning, locking clutch in a housing, a lever, a hanging ratchet and a pulley for anchoring a traction element. The pulley is driven by a gear which is driven by the one of two ratchet pawls in either of two selectable directions. The drive direction is controlled by a lever to which a ratchet post is attached. Engagement and disengagement of the ratchet pawls with the drive gear is controlled by steps on the housing. The actuator is especially useful for controlling traction elements such as bowden cables for ergonomic devices such as lumbar supports.

Abstract: A power transfer device for amplifying and transmitting torque consists of an impeller (14), a turbine (16), a stator (18). A one-way clutch (32) responsive to impeller (14) rotational speed allows the stator (18) to rotate when the turbine is stationary or during high speed operation.

Abstract: A release bearing includes a rolling-contact bearing having a non-rotatable inner ring, a rotating outer ring, and plural rolling members located between the inner and outer rings, An adjustment ring having a ring flange is provided for abutment against a disk spring of a clutch mechanism, and a sliding element made of bearing material is disposed in a support zone defined between complementary calotte-shaped portions of the outer ring and the adjustment ring so that the adjustment ring and the outer ring are movable relative to one another for effecting a self-adjustment of the release bearing.

Abstract: A clutch-actuator device is equipped with a position-detecting device for detecting at least one of the different possible positions of engagement, disengagement and partial engagement of a clutch that serves to control the amounts of torque being transmitted between two rotary components of a torque-transmitting mechanism. The position-detecting device performs its detecting function independently of any measurement of the clutch position which may be performed by a displacement-measuring device.

Abstract: In a friction plate formed by fixing a plurality of friction material segments on a core plate, an edge portion opposed to a mating member of an end portion of the friction material segment extends from an inner periphery side to an outer periphery side and has a cross-sectional shape in an axial direction formed of a curved face.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seat cushion pumping device for a vehicle. The device comprises a clutch section arranged between a clutch cover and a base member to generate operating force required for adjusting a height of a seat cushion, and a brake section arranged between a brake cover and the base member to conserve operating force of the clutch section. The clutch section includes a pair of clutch blocks, a lever block interposed between the pair of clutch blocks to operate them, and a lever coupled with the lever block and having a lever spring.

Abstract: A pressure plate is held so as to be movable axially with respect to the housing by means of at least one leaf spring arrangement which is secured in a first coupling area to a first mounting area of the pressure plate and is secured in a second coupling area to a second mounting area of the housing. A contact surface is provided on each mounting area for the contact of the at least one leaf spring arrangement with the first coupling area and the second coupling area. The contact surface in at least one of the mounting areas is inclined relative to a plane (E) extending essentially orthogonal to an axis of rotation (A) of the thrust plate.

Abstract: A power transmission has two selectively engageable input clutches, four selectively manipulatable synchronizer clutches, and a planetary gearset. The input clutches and the synchronizer clutches are manipulated to establish at least seven forward power paths and a reverse power path between an input shaft and an output shaft. Interchanges between adjacent speed ratios are controlled by preselecting the synchronizer condition and then interchanging the selectively engageable input clutches.

Abstract: A shifting device for a powerless or non mechanical transmission of shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a shift gate, a gearshift lever mounted pivotably with respect to the shift gate, a detection device for detecting the position of said gearshift lever, and a powerless or non mechanical i.e., by wire) signal transmission device for transmitting shift commands to the automatic transmission. The detection device and/or the transmission device are operated at least partially electrically/electromagnetically. A brake unlocking device is provided for unlocking the parking brake of the automatic transmission. The brake unlocking device includes a mechanical coupling between said gearshift lever and said automatic transmission.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a friction plate, capable of improving the throughput of friction material and reducing the time and work required for adhering friction material segments to a core plate. The method produces a friction plate having oil grooves communicating between the internal periphery and the external periphery, by fixing friction material segments formed from a friction material to a core plate, and is featured by forming the oil grooves by plastic working of the friction material and fixation of the friction material segments with predetermined gaps therebetween to the core plate.

Abstract: A torque converter of a power transmitting apparatus includes a pump impeller connected to a crank shaft of an engine via a front cover, a turbine runner opposing thereto and an input clutch switching a relationship between the turbine runner and an input shaft to an engaged or disengaged state of an automatic transmission. A lockup clutch switched to an engaged or disengaged state with respect to the front cover includes a torsion damper provided between an upstream side plate fixed to the lockup clutch and a downstream side plate, in which a clutch drum is provided with an inertial mass at a downstream side of the torsion damper. Thereby, low-frequency sounds or vibrations in the power transmitting apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a starting clutch in which an input side element and an output side element are joined together by applying an axial load thereby to transmit a power, which clutch comprises an urging device for always providing the axial load, and a releasing device for releasing the input side element and the output side element from the axial load.

Abstract: A full-time transfer case is equipped with an integrated planetary gearset assembly and a synchronized range shift mechanism to provide high-range and low-range drive connections. The integrated planetary gearset assembly includes a first gearset which acts as a two-speed reduction unit and a second gearset which acts as an interaxle differential. The synchronized range shift mechanism is arranged to concurrently move two components of the first gearset and is synchronized to permit on-the-move range shifts.

Abstract: An irreversible adjustment mechanism comprising a casing, a pivotally-mounted lever urged resiliently towards a rest position, a pivotally-mounted intermediate member connected to the lever via a drive stage adapted to move the intermediate member only when the lever moves away from its rest position, a fixed ring, an outlet member co-operating with the ring to define hollow wedge-shaped spaces facing in opposite directions and receiving clamping bodies which are urged apart and which are flanked by two fingers that are part of the intermediate member. The outlet member is secured to a coupling shaft which is guided in rotation by a ring held by catches of the casing that pass through recesses in the inlet member while leaving a central portion of the inlet member visible, on which portion an actuating handle may be fixed.

Abstract: A release system for a clutch assembly comprises a release slide, which is or can be connected to a stored-energy element of the clutch assembly to execute release movements, and at least one brake element, which can move along with the release slide during the execution of release movements. This brake element can be brought into braking interaction with an opposing brake element which is or can be connected in an essentially nonrotatable manner to a clutch output shaft, where the release slide and the minimum of one brake element form a piston/cylinder unit with at least one fluid chamber. Pressure fluid is introduced into the minimum of one fluid chamber to produce a force which preloads or moves the minimum of one brake element relative to the release slide.

Abstract: A clutch unit has an oil pump which is powered by the input shaft and an oil pump which is powered by the output shaft. The oil pump powered by the input shaft pumps oil in both a clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the input shaft. The oil flow is controlled by a unique bi-directional check valve which automatically selects the passage through which oil is being pumped. The oil pump powered by the output shaft provides oil to the friction plates of the clutch only when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A friction coupling includes a friction member including a brake surface and a clutch surface in a different plane from the brake surface; a spring abutting the friction member; a brake member proximate to the brake surface; the brake member mounted relative to the friction member to permit relative rotation; and a brake actuator connected to the brake member. The friction member can include an insert.

Abstract: A two speed gear box includes a wheel hub that is rotatably supported by a spindle. The two speed gear box further includes an inboard planetary gear assembly and an outboard planetary gear assembly that cooperate to provide four modes of operation for the wheel hub with respect to a drive axle. The four modes of operation include a neutral mode, a braking mode, a high speed mode and a low speed mode. Selective engagement and disengagement of a clutch in the inboard planetary gear assembly, and selective engagement and disengagement of a clutch in the outboard planetary gear assembly provide for selection of one of the modes of operation.

Abstract: The power train of a motor vehicle has an engine which normally drives the wheels and can be started by an electric motor which acts as a generator once the engine is started. The torque transmitting connection between the crankshaft of the engine and a shaft of the motor includes a planetary and one or more freewheels of the type employing an elongated belt surrounding a rotary part and being surrounded by the internal surface of a hollow part. The belt or belts can be urged into or released from frictional engagement with one of the adjacent surfaces by centrifugal force and/or by an electromagnet.

Abstract: In order to achieve a repair-friendly and maintenance-friendly arrangement with improved conduction away of heat to the outside in a wheel drive, in particular for mobile machines, having a carrying axle (2) which is mounted fixed in terms of rotation to the vehicle frame (1) and which is rotatably connected as a wheel hub to a ring gear (4) via a roller bearing arrangement (3a, 3b), the ring gear (4) being driven via at least one planetary gear mechanism (24) with drive-end sun wheel (16), and an integrated dynamic service brake (24) being provided between the ring gear (4) and the carrying axle (2), it is proposed that the service brake (24) be arranged within the ring gear (4) at the end directly behind a detachable gear mechanism cover (11) and at the outer radius on a hollow-cylinder-shaped brake carrier (10) which forms the end piece of the carrying axle (2) which is fixed in terms of rotation, and that the planetary gear mechanism (34) be arranged behind the service brake (24), viewed from the end, wit