Abstract: A torque converter is provided with both a lock-up clutch and a disengaging clutch for use with a manual transmission. When the disengaging clutch is engaged, torque is transmittable through a torque converter impeller and turbine fluid coupling. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, torque is mechanically transmitted through the lock-up clutch to a manual transmission input shaft. A single control mechanism effects selective engagement and disengagement of both the lock-up clutch and the disengaging clutch. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a weight may be engaged and disengaged from various components within the torque converter to change the ratio of a moment of inertia of a power input mechanism and a power output mechanism defined by portions of the torque converter. A lock-up clutch in the alternate embodiment and the weight are also engaged and disengaged by a single control mechanism.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with both a lock-up clutch and a disengaging clutch for use with a manual transmission. When the disengaging clutch is engaged, torque is transmittable through a torque converter impeller and turbine fluid coupling. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, torque is mechanically transmitted through the lock-up clutch to a manual transmission input shaft. A single control mechanism effects selective engagement and disengagement of both the lock-up clutch and the disengaging clutch. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a weight may be engaged and disengaged from various components within the torque converter to change the ratio of a moment of inertia of a power input mechanism and a power output mechanism defined by portions of the torque converter. A lock-up clutch in the alternate embodiment and the weight are also engaged and disengaged by a single control mechanism.

Abstract: A flywheel assembly 1 includes a flexible plate 3 and a flywheel 2. The flexible plate 3 has a rigidity in a rotation direction and flexibility in a bending direction, and is coupled at its radially inner portion to a crankshaft 100. An elastic plate body of the flexible plate 3 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical support portion 16 projected away from the crankshaft 100. The flywheel 2 is fixed at its outer peripheral portion to an outer peripheral portion of the flexible plate 3. The flywheel 2 is provided at its inner periphery with a cylindrical portion 13 projected toward the flexible plate 3 and radially overlapping the cylindrical support portion 16.

Abstract: In a clutch apparatus, a clutch cover assembly can be reused after replacement of a clutch disk assembly. The clutch apparatus includes an input flywheel and a clutch cover assembly. The input flywheel is provided at its outer peripheral surface with a plurality of engagement portions which are circumferentially spaced from each other and project radially outwardly. The clutch cover assembly has a clutch cover, a fixing member, a pressure plate and a biasing member. The clutch cover is provided at its outer periphery with a bent engagement portion which is circumferentially engageable with the engagement portion of the flywheel for preventing axial movement relative to the flywheel. The fixing member is removable, and fixes the flywheel and the clutch cover for integral rotation. The pressure plate is disposed between the clutch cover and the flywheel. The biasing member is supported by the inner peripheral portion of the clutch cover, and biases the pressure plate toward the flywheel.

Abstract: A lockup clutch (8) includes a lockup clutch unit and an elastic coupling unit. The clutch unit is operable to transmit and interrupt a torque between a front cover of a torque convertor and a turbine therein. The elastic coupling unit includes a plurality of arc-shaped springs (13) extending circumferentially, and a coupling member (30) radially coupling the arc-shaped springs together.

Abstract: In a lock-up clutch for a torque convertor, the number of mechanical parts is reduced to thereby simplify the structure. The lock-up clutch used in the torque convertor is provided with a clutch portion composed of a piston member and an elastic coupling portion composed of an outer circumferential support member and arc springs. The arc springs extend in the circumferential direction. The outer circumferential support member integrally includes outer circumferential support portions for covering outer circumferences of the arc springs and circumferential direction support portions engages with both ends, in the circumferential direction, of the arc springs.

Abstract: In a charging connector device for an electric vehicle composed of a power supplying connector and a power receiving connector, an indicator lamp of a two color type is set in an illumination chamber within a case body of the power supplying connector. One color of the two colors is used for illumination. The power supplying connector includes a locking lever and a microswitch. When both connectors are provisionally coupled with each other, a securing piece at the one end of the locking lever runs over a securing protrusion of the power receiving connector so that the pressing potion at the other end of the locking lever presses a switch spring of the microswitch to be turned off, thereby giving rise to no energization of the charging connector device. When both connectors are completely coupled with each other, the lever is elastically restored by the action of a coil spring, thus energizing the connector device.

Abstract: A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with both a lock-up clutch and a disengaging clutch for use with a manual transmission. When the disengaging clutch is engaged, torque is transmittable through a torque converter impeller and turbine fluid coupling. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, torque is mechanically transmitted through the lock-up clutch to a manual transmission input shaft. A single control mechanism effects selective engagement and disengagement of both the lock-up clutch and the disengaging clutch. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a weight may be engaged and disengaged from various components within the torque converter to change the ratio of a moment of inertia of a power input mechanism and a power output mechanism defined by portions of the torque converter. A lock-up clutch in the alternate embodiment and the weight are also engaged and disengaged by a single control mechanism.

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: A power transmission system 1 includes a lock-up clutch 5, an elastic coupling mechanism 7, a torque converter 4 and a torque disengaging clutch 6. The lock-up clutch 5 is coupled to a power output shaft 2 so as to receive torque from the power input shaft 2. The elastic coupling mechanism 7 is coupled to the lock-up clutch 5 so as to receive torque from the lock-up clutch 5 and is capable of being deformed in circular directions. The torque converter 4 is coupled to the power output shaft 2 so as to receive torque from the power output shaft 2. The torque disengaging clutch 6 is coupled to the elastic coupling mechanism 7 and the torque converter 4 so as to receive torque from them respectively and is further coupled to a power input shaft 3 of a transmission.

Abstract: Two separate lids are openably provided at two power receiving portions, respectively. A lid fixing unit is provided for sliding movement in a direction of the juxtaposition of the two power receiving portions. The lid fixing unit overlaps both of the two lids to prevent the two lids from being opened when the lid fixing unit is disposed in an intermediate position between the two power receiving portions. The lid fixing unit is movable away from one of the two lids to face the other lid, thereby allowing the opening of the one lid, and the lid fixing unit is movable away from the other lid to face the one lid, thereby allowing the opening of the other lid.

Abstract: A connector in which the sliding movement of a movable contact member is stabilized, thereby securing a positive electrical connection. In the connector of the invention, a hollow connection terminal is fitted in a connector housing, and a coil spring and the slidable, movable contact member are received in this connection terminal. When the two connectors are fitted together, the coil spring urges the movable contact member toward a front end of the connector, thereby providing a sufficient contact load. A resilient, electrically-conductive contact band is provided in a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the movable contact member and an inner peripheral surface of the connection terminal. The connection terminal and the movable contact member are electrically connected together through this contact band, and this contact band prevents the movable contact member from being displaced in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fitting of the connection (that is, the axial direction).

Abstract: A power feed connector device includes an electromagnetic moving device for moving at least one of a pair of female and male connectors forward and backward along a fitting axis so as to fit the two connectors together and to disengage the two connectors from each other.

Abstract: A flexible plate (3) transmits torque from a crank shaft (4) in an engine to a fly wheel main body (2) while absorbing axial vibration, and includes a first disc element (7) and a second disc element (8). The first disc element (7) is fixed to a distal end of the crank shaft (4). A second disc element (8) has its inner circumferential portion is connected to the first disc element (7), with both being connected to the crank shaft (4) at their respective inner circumferential portions. The outer circumferential portion of the second disc element (8) is longer in the radial direction than the first disc element (7) and is connected to the fly wheel main body (2). The second disc element (8) can be flexibly transformed in axial directions.

Abstract: A power feed connector includes an outer casing, a connector body which is slidably mounted within the outer casing, and receives a plurality of terminals, and a handle in the form of a pipe through which wires connected to the plurality of terminals are passed. The handle is pivotally connected to the outer casing at one side of a front end portion thereof (by bearing portions and pin shafts), and is connected in a loosely-fitted manner to a rear end portion of the connector body at the other side of the front end portion thereof (by connecting pins and slots).

Abstract: The feeder connector is designed to prevent incomplete engagement of the feeding and receiving side connectors and to facilitate connection work when charging an electric car. The feeder connector comprises a feeding side connector A on the power supply apparatus side and a receiving side connector B on the car body side. The feeding side connector A has a connector body 1, a protective case 2 and a lock lever 12. The protective case 2 consists of a main case 2A made up of a cylinder portion 3, a half-cylinder portion 4 and a trough portion 5, all formed integral, and a subcase 2B. The connector body 1 is formed integral with the cylinder portion 3 of the main case 2A through a flange 19 formed along the periphery of the body. An opening 11 is formed ranging from the cylinder portion 3 of the main case 2A to the subcase 2B. In this opening 11, a lock lever 12 for the receiving side connector B is rotatably provided.

Abstract: A power coupling mechanism having fluid dampening device with interfitting members which assist in the absorption and transmittance of stress due to torsion and thrust loads, thus reducing the size of a bearing supporting relatively rotatable parts.