Abstract: A lockup unit for a torque converter is provided with a front cover coupled to an input member and a turbine coupled to an output member. The lockup unit includes: a disc-like piston disposed movably between the front cover and the turbine and pressingly contactable against the front cover; a flexible coupling mechanism for coupling the disc-like piston and the turbine in a circumferential direction; and a frictional resistance generating mechanism including a stationary member fixed to the disc-like piston and a flexible member which is brought into pressing contact with the stationary member so as to be rotatable together with the turbine, for generating a frictional resistance when the piston and the turbine are rotated relative to each other, to thereby reduce the number of the necessary mechanical components.

Abstract: A drive ring (13) is fixed to a clutch plate (11) of a lock-up clutch. The ring (13) is provided with rims (13a) and support walls (17), which radially hold damper springs (15 and 16), as well as spring receiver projections (21A and 21B) and claws (23) aligned to each other. A spring seat (24), which have legs (24a) fitted into the damper spring, for correcting the unbalance is attached at each end of the damper spring.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a clutch cover assembly comprising a first process in which an annular clutch cover body of a clutch cover is formed, a plurality of projections extending substantially radially inwardly from the inner periphery of the clutch cover body are formed and ends of said projections are bent so that the projections may extend in an axially inside direction of the clutch cover and toward a center of the clutch cover; a second process in which projection bodies between the clutch cover body and said projection ends are bent so that the projection bodies may extend in the axially inside direction of the clutch cover and toward the center of the clutch cover; and a third process in which a diaphragm spring and a pair of wire rings disposed at both sides of said spring for forming fulcrums for the spring are assembled to the projections, and then, the projection bodies are bent in a radially outward direction of the clutch cover and the projections ends are bent toward the inner peripheral porti

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a clutch cover assembly comprising an annular clutch cover provided with a plurality of projections, a diaphragm spring, and a pair of wire rings supported by said projections, characterized in that; said method comprises supporting the lower surface of the diaphragm spring, to which the wire rings have been assembled, by a lower die in such a position that said projections project upwardly from a body of the clutch cover; supporting radially inner sides of portions of said projection bodies positioned below the diaphragm spring by a projection body support provided in the lower die; downwardly bending the free ends of the projections, which incline upwardly from the projection bodies, to predetermined positions by an end pushing-down portion provided in the upper die; and supporting radially inner sides of portions of said projection bodies positioned above the diaphragm spring by a projection body support provided in the upper die.