Abstract: A metal-film forming method of the present invention includes a surface activation process of irradiating a laser beam to the surface of the base metal, thereby activating the surface of the basemetal, a noble-metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid coating process of coating the surface of the base metal with a noble-metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid, a solvent thereof, containing noble-metal nanoparticles in as-dispersed state, and a noble-metal nanoparticle sintering process of irradiating the laser beam to the noble-metal nanoparticle dispersion liquid coated on the surface of the base metal, thereby causing the noble-metal nanoparticles to be sintered. Further, a scudding press process of executing press forming of a base metal, and the metal-film forming process of applying noble-metal plating to the surface of the base metal are executed on the same line.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a lockup device that can improve a fuel efficiency of a vehicle. The lockup device (6) has a piston (61), an output plate (63), a first coil spring (65), an inertia member (64), and a second coil spring (66). The output plate (63) is coupled to a turbine (4) such that it can rotate as an integral unit with the turbine (4). The first coil spring (65) elastically couples the piston (61) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction. The inertia member (64) is provided such that it can rotate relative to the output member (63). The second coil spring (66) elastically couples the inertia member (64) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a lockup device that can improve a fuel efficiency of a vehicle. The lockup device (6) has a piston (61), an output plate (63), a first coil spring (65), an inertia member (64), and a second coil spring (66). The output plate (63) is coupled to a turbine (4) such that it can rotate as an integral unit with the turbine (4). The first coil spring (65) elastically couples the piston (61) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction. The inertia member (64) is provided such that it can rotate relative to the output member (63). The second coil spring (66) elastically couples the inertia member (64) to the output plate (63) in a rotational direction.

Abstract: A lockup device 6 is provided for a torque converter 1 that allows for the use of larger torsion springs 50. The lockup device 6 of the torque converter 1 includes a piston 8 and a damper mechanism 13. The piston 8 constitutes a clutch together with a front cover 3. The damper mechanism 13 includes a drive plate 9, a driven plate 10 and coil spring assemblies 12. The drive plate 9 is secured to one axial side surface of the piston 8. The coil spring assemblies 12 couple the drive plate 9 and the driven plate 10 in a rotational direction. Cutouts 41 are formed in the drive plate 9 at positions corresponding to positions of the coil spring assemblies 12. Each coil spring assembly 12 is received within the corresponding one of the cutout 41 and is axially supported by the one axial side surface of the piston 8.

Abstract: A lock-up mechanism 7 of a torque converter 1 has a piston 44 with a lock-up damper 45. The lock-up damper 45 includes a drive member and a hub flange 53 with the elastic members or torsion springs 54 operatively coupled therebetween to dampen vibrations in the torque converter 1. The drive member and the hub flange 53 both have a plurality of window holes 56d, 57d and 58 that are arranged circumferentially for receiving the corresponding torsion springs 54. The drive member includes a clutch plate 56 and a retaining plate 57. The clutch plate 56 of the drive member has a plurality of holes or cutouts 56e arranged radially outward of the window holes 56d. These holes or cutouts 56e are arranged to reduce the weight of the clutch plate 56, while maintaining the stresses around the window holes 56d of the clutch plate 56 within an allowable stress range. The retaining plate 57 of the drive member also has a plurality of holes or cutouts 57e that are arranged radially outward of the window holes 57d.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch mechanism (7) includes a piston member (44), a drive member (52), a driven member (53), and a torsion spring (54). The piston member (44) is arranged between the front cover (14) and the turbine (19), such that the piston member (44) moves freely in an axial direction for engaging with and disengaging from the front cover (14). The drive member (52) includes a pair of plate elements (56) and (57), to which torque is inputted from the piston member (44). The plate elements (56) and (57) are axially arranged side by side and are fixedly couple to each other and define a spring receiving section. The driven member (53) extends between the plate elements (56) and (57) and has a window hole (58) corresponding to the spring receiving section. The torsion spring (54) is retained within the window hole (58) and is supported by the spring receiving section. The torsion spring (54) elastically couples the plate elements (56) and (57) and the driven member (53) in a rotational direction.

Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a stator and a lockup clutch piston. The lockup clutch piston is located between the front cover and the turbine and is engaged and dis-engaged in response to changes in hydraulic pressure around the piston. The turbine shell is provided at the outer peripheral portion with a flange or projection (61) that extends radially outward toward an inner wall surface (66) and (67) of an impeller shell (22) for limiting fluid flow from around the piston into an area between the turbine and impeller.

Abstract: The drive plate 25 in the lock-up clutch 15 is composed of the ring portion 32 and a plurality of protrusions 33 being positioned around the ring portion 32. The protrusion 33 has the piston connecting part 34 which projects outward in a radial direction from the ring portion 32 and connects with the piston 16 in a manner not to rotate but to move freely in an axial direction. The protrusion 33 also has the coil spring connecting part 35 which project inward in a radial direction from the ring portion 32. There is the opening 36 in the protrusion 33. The side plate 27 is placed at the side of the drive plate 25 and has the first coil spring receptacle 37 at the outer circumferential side corresponding to the coil spring connecting part 35 and has the second coil spring receptacle 39 at the inner circumferential side. The inner circumferential part of the driven plate 26 is fixed to the turbine 3.

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 lockup clutch of torque converter comprising a front cover as an input part, an impeller linked to the outer circumference of the front cover, a second turbine disposed between the front cover and impeller in a position opposite to the impeller in the axial direction, a first turbine disposed between the impeller and the outer circumference of the second turbine, a stator disposed between the impeller and the inner circumference of the second turbine, a second turbine output part to which the inner circumference of the second turbine is linked, a power take-off support of the first turbine stretching outside the second turbine in the radial direction and between the second turbine and front cover, a first turbine output part to which the inner circumference of the support is linked, and a clutch disc disposed between the support and front cover, being linked to the inside of the front cover by friction, in which the output part of the clutch disc is formed by the folded part of the support.