Clutch Element Resiliently Carried On Hub Patents (Class 192/200)
  • Publication number: 20030098212
    Abstract: An impeller wheel is connected to a housing cover on the drive side so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The housing cover has a cover hub. At least one clutch plate of a lockup clutch is coupled to a plate driver and is arranged between the housing cover and a piston which is displaceable axially between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the clutch plate is coupled with the impeller wheel so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and in the disengaged position the clutch plate is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the impeller wheel. The piston is supported on the cover hub and is connected to a driver disk so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it, this driver disk being connected to the cover hub so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The piston is supported in axial direction at the cover hub in the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Christoph Sasse, Martin Bremer, Bernd Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 6564920
    Abstract: A facing carrier of a driver disk for a clutch plate includes a plurality of segments situated at a slight distance from one another around a circumference of a reinforcement part. The segments are pretensioned against the reinforcement part during assembly and welded thereto. The spacing of the segments allows uniform pretensioning of the segments against the reinforcement part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Karl Hörmann, Andreas Dorsch, Carmen Schleicher, Alfred Schraut, Klaus Steinel, Norbert Lohaus
  • Patent number: 6561330
    Abstract: The rotary housing of a hydrokinetic torque converter, which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle—for example, in conjunction with a continuously variable transmission—contains a torque monitoring device which is installed in such a way that it does not take up any, or any appreciable, additional space, especially in the axial direction of the housing. The torque monitoring device can serve to transmit torque between the lockup clutch and the output element of the torque converter. Additional features reside in the provision, configuration and manner of mounting of an auxiliary mass, and in the provision of a member for centering the piston of the lockup clutch in the housing as well as a member for centering the housing on the output element of a prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Uwe Wagner, Hartmut Faust, Marc Meisner, Steven Olsen
  • Patent number: 6536575
    Abstract: A clutch disk is provided having a connecting arrangement, by means of which the friction linings can execute a radial movement with respect to the hub rotation axis and/or tilting movement with respect to a plane orthogonal to the hub rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Mario Lory, Klaus Dollhopf, Achim Link, Reinhard Feldhaus, Bernhard Schierling, Norbert Ament, Jürgen Kleifges, Erwin Wack, Jürgen Weth, Bernd Peinemann, Andreas Orlamünder
  • Publication number: 20030029685
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device, particularly a hydrodynamic torque converter or fluid coupling, comprises a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the housing arrangement so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing arrangement about an axis of rotation, a lockup clutch arrangement by means of which a torque-transmitting connection can be selectively produced between the housing arrangement and the turbine wheel, wherein the lockup clutch arrangement comprises a clutch element which is connected by a connection arrangement to the housing arrangement so as to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation but axially displaceable relative to it, wherein the connection arrangement comprises at least one elastically deformable connection element which is fixedly connected with the housing arrangement on the one hand and with the clutch element on the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Peter Frey, Rudiger Hinkel, Sven Koepke, Ralf Ronnebeck
  • Publication number: 20020117373
    Abstract: A clutch disc, particularly for use between a pressure plate and a counterpressure plate in a friction clutch which is installed in the power train of a motor vehicle, has two friction linings flanking resilient carriers mounted on a washer which has a hub connectable with a torque receiving part, such as the input shaft of a change-speed transmission. The carriers are connected with reinforcing sections of the friction linings by rivets in such a way that the friction linings and the washer are movable radially relative to each other. This reduces the likelihood of excessive wear upon the friction linings in response to repeated engagement and disengagement of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Martin Kraus, Hans-Dieter Elison, Rudolf Honemann
  • Publication number: 20020056603
    Abstract: A thrust plate assembly for a friction clutch, including a housing having an axis of rotation and a pressure plate arrangement which is held so as to be movable axially with respect to the housing by means of at least one leaf spring arrangement. The leaf spring arrangement has a first coupling area secured to a first mounting area of the pressure plate, a first longitudinal area adjoining the first coupling area, and a second longitudinal area adjoining the second coupling area. A leaf spring arrangement support is arranged in such a way that when the first coupling area and the second coupling area approach one another in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation, at least one of the first longitudinal area and second longitudinal area contacts the leaf spring arrangement support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Schwingenstein
  • Publication number: 20020020598
    Abstract: A clutch disk including a hub area and a plurality of friction lining elements carried on the hub area, which are arranged in sequence around the circumference relative to the clutch disk rotational axis, and provide at least part of the friction surface area, where the friction lining elements are designed to make frictional contact with the associated opposing friction surface of a flywheel, a pressure plate, or the like. At least one friction lining element is carried on the hub area with freedom to shift position essentially in the circumferential direction relative to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Matthias Diemer, Andreas Orlamunder, Andreas Dau
  • Publication number: 20020017444
    Abstract: A clutch disk includes a hub area and a plurality of friction lining elements arranged in sequence in the circumferential direction relative to a clutch disk rotational axis, each providing at least part of an associated friction surface area. The friction lining elements are intended to make frictional contact with the associated opposing friction surface of a flywheel, a pressure plate, or the like. At least one of the friction lining elements is supported on the hub area in such a way that it can move in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Matthias Diemer, Andreas Orlamunder, Andreas Dau
  • Patent number: 6321891
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter in the power train between the engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle has a rotary engine-driven housing which is of one piece with a pump and contains a rotary turbine having a hub which drives the input shaft of a transmission. A lockup clutch can be engaged, either entirely or with slip, to transmit torque from the housing or from the pump to the hub of the turbine. Such clutch can employ flat or conical friction linings and/or friction surfaces, for example, a friction lining on the shell of the turbine and a friction surface on a wall of the housing. The shell of the turbine in the torque converter employing such clutch is movable axially to advance the friction lining into or from engagement with the friction surface. Alternatively, the lockup clutch can be installed in a torus which is defined by the turbine and the pump of the torque converter, and such clutch can be cooled by one or more streams of a hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-System GmbH
    Inventors: Steven Olsen, Johannes Hahn, Volker Middelmann, Hubert Friedmann, Marc Meisner
  • Patent number: 6280334
    Abstract: A flywheel for an internal combustion engine includes a flexible plate connected to a crankshaft of the engine. A mass member is connected to the flexible plate. A clearance is formed at an axially outer portion with respect to a connecting portion of the flexible plate to the crankshaft. A spring member is disposed in the clearance such that both ends of the spring member being in contact with clearance defining surfaces of the flexible plate and the mass member, respectively. This flywheel enables the prevision of the spring member without increasing a thickness of an installing portion to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichi Tsuchiya, Masamichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 6277027
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter is embodied with a converter housing that, on its side facing a drive, has a substantially radially-running primary flange. Attached to the primary flange are a central pin for mounting and a holder for holding the converter housing on the drive, as well as a housing hub for mounting a transmission shaft of an output. At least one of the connecting elements on the primary flange (i.e., the holder, the housing hub and the central pin) is connected to the primary flange by an outward pressing. The holder, housing hub and central pin respectively establish a connection between the primary flange and the drive or output. This connection to the primary flange is created by material displacement into an opening in the connecting element in question, which opening is located on the side facing away from the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schöder, Ruthard Schneider
  • Publication number: 20010011621
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch device, particularly a hydrodynamic torque converter or fluid coupling, comprises a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the housing arrangement so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing arrangement about an axis of rotation, a lockup clutch arrangement by means of which a torque-transmitting connection can be selectively produced between the housing arrangement and the turbine wheel, wherein the lockup clutch arrangement comprises a clutch element which is connected by a connection arrangement to the housing arrangement so as to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation but axially displaceable relative to it, wherein the connection arrangement comprises at least one elastically deformable connection element which is fixedly connected with the housing arrangement on the one hand and with the clutch element on the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bauer, Peter Frey, Rudiger Hinkel, Sven Koepke, Ralf Ronnebeck
  • Publication number: 20010008197
    Abstract: The rotary housing of a hydrokinetic torque converter, which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle—for example, in conjunction with a continuously variable transmission—contains a torque monitoring device which is installed in such a way that it does not take up any, or any appreciable, additional space, especially in the axial direction of the housing. The torque monitoring device can serve to transmit torque between the lockup clutch and the output element of the torque converter. Additional features reside in the provision, configuration and manner of mounting of an auxiliary mass, and in the provision of means for centering the piston of the lockup clutch in the housing as well as means for centering the housing on the output element of a prime mover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Applicant: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Uwe Wagner, Hartmut Faust, Marc Meisner, Steven Olsen
  • Publication number: 20010006142
    Abstract: A facing carrier of a driver disk for a clutch plate includes a plurality of segments situated at a slight distance from one another around a circumference of a reinforcement part. The segments are pretensioned against the reinforcement part during assembly and welded thereto. The spacing of the segments allows uniform pretensioning of the segments against the reinforcement part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Karl Hormann, Andreas Dorsch, Carmen Schleicher, Alfred Schraut, Klaus Steinel, Norbert Lohaus
  • Publication number: 20010006141
    Abstract: A driver disk for a clutch plate includes a facing carrier for holding friction facings. The facing carrier is designed in one piece with facing springs for axial suspension of the friction facings. The facing springs are constructed as pot-shaped protuberances and have a flat area provided for contacting the friction facings. Since the facing springs are made as one piece with the facing carrier, the driver disk has only a small number of structural component parts and can be produced very economically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Winfried Sturmer, Norbert Lohaus
  • Patent number: 6216837
    Abstract: The rotary housing of a hydrokinetic torque converter, which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle—for example, in conjunction with a continuously variable transmission—contains a torque monitoring device which is installed in such a way that it does not take up any, or any appreciable, additional space, especially in the axial direction of the housing. The torque monitoring device can serve to transmit torque between the lockup clutch and the output element of the torque converter. Additional features reside in the provision, configuration and manner of mounting of an auxiliary mass, and in the provision of a member for centering the piston of the lockup clutch in the housing as well as a member for centering the housing on the output element of a prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Uwe Wagner, Hartmut Faust, Marc Meisner, Steven Olsen
  • Patent number: 6209699
    Abstract: A spring plate member is connected to a hub. The spring plate member includes a plate spring portion generating a resilient force to separate an armature from a rotor, and an outer ring portion, which faces the armature. An elastic member is provided between the armature and the outer ring portion for connecting the armature directly with the outer ring portion. Thus, operation noises of the electromagnetic clutch and a compressor are efficiently reduced. Further, the axial dimension of elastic member can be made much smaller than that of the conventional cylindrical elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hayashi, Yasuo Tabuchi, Masashi Tobayama
  • Patent number: 6193040
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch and pulley assembly includes a clutch assembly, a pulley assembly having a pulley member drivable for rotation about a shaft axis by a flexible belt, and an electromagnetic coil assembly disposed adjacent to the pulley member. The pulley member is coupled to a shaft when the electromagnetic coil assembly is energized. The clutch assembly includes a hub, an armature disk, torsion transmitting structure and axially compressible resilient structure. The torsion transmitting structure can transmit torsional movement of the armature disk to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tesma International Inc.
    Inventor: Zdenek Cerny
  • Patent number: 6138811
    Abstract: A spline hub 6 is formed with a cylindrical boss (11) configured for engagement with a shaft extending from, for instance, a transmission. Axial spline grooves and circumferential grease grooves (14) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the boss (11). A first axial end surface (14) of the grease groove (14) is tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Hashimoto, Naohiko Takahashi, Katsutoshi Seino
  • Patent number: 6131486
    Abstract: A flexible plate is formed with a first rigidity about a first axis and a second rigidity about a second axis where the first and second axis are each perpendicular to a central axia about which the flexible plate is rotatable. The first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity such that the flexible plate may flex more easily about the second axis than the first axis, thus providing the flexible plate with an anisotropic flexural rigidity. In one embodiment, the flexible plate is formed with an eliptical intermediate portion. In another embodiment, the flexible plate includes first and second plates. Each plate has a central portion. The first plate has first foot portions and the second plate has second foot portions. The first and second foot portions have differing circumferential widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunori Doman
  • Patent number: 6129194
    Abstract: An armature assembly for a selectively engageable and disengageable electromagnetic coupling is provided. The armature assembly includes a hub having a central axis that is disposed radially outwardly, and mounted for rotation with, a shaft used to drive an air-conditioning compressor. The assembly also includes a resiliently flexible spider disposed radially outwardly of the hub. The spider is fixed against rotation relative to the hub, but is able to flex axially relative to the hub at a hinge. The armature assembly further includes an annular armature disc disposed radially outwardly of the hub and connected to a first side of the spider. Finally, the armature assembly includes a counterweight disposed on a second side of the spider. The counterweight may be integral with the spider or connected to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight E. Booth, Brian A. Taylor, Mark E. Blakeman
  • Patent number: 6112871
    Abstract: In order to eliminate noise generated from a clutch disk at racing state of a press, a clutch disk (29) arranged between a flywheel (27) and a working cylinder (40) is provided with a lining applying part (30) of annular shape and a projection (31) mounted on the flywheel (27). On inner circumferential surface of the projection (31), an inner groove part (311) is formed throughout the whole circumference from the inner circumferential edge to the outer circumferential edge in the circumferential direction, and on outer circumferential surface of the projection (31), an outer groove part (312) is formed throughout the whole circumference in the circumferential direction. Thereby the clutch disk (29) has flexibility in the axial direction, and if the lining applying part (30) is pushed by the working cylinder (40), the clutch disk (29) pushes a clutch rotary plate (34) by deflection of the projection (31) in the axial direction and rotates a crank shaft (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Yamada Dobby Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6105465
    Abstract: Positive acting differentials of the type having toothed drivers and couplers which automatically connect the two axles together to provide optimum traction for the vehicle, yet releases one axle when the vehicle is proceeding around a curve without drive wheel slippage, whereby only a single axle is engaged through the drive system. In assemblies of the type wherein the axles are retained in the assembly by a C clip, at least one driver is slotted so as to provide space for the insertion of C clip during assembly. This allows selection of the driver and coupler thicknesses without being restricted by the possible positions of the C clip groove in the axles during assembly, and reduces wear in the driver and coupler teeth by eliminating asymmetry between the engaging drivers and couplers. Preferred and some alternate embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Vehicular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Tyson, Valentine Cucu, Peter A. Dickey
  • Patent number: 6076642
    Abstract: A bridge coupling on a hydrodynamic torque converter is embodied with an axially movable piston arranged on a radial bearing. In one operating position, the piston can be brought into active connection with a support surface of a radial flange of the converter housing via at least one friction lining. The piston executes its axial movement under the influence of an axially elastic element integrated in the radial bearing and having an elastomer substantially deformable in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Roland Illig, Frank Thorn, Robert Besendorf, Maximilian Henze, Bernd Schoder, Klaus Seemann
  • Patent number: 6053295
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper having an input part, an output part, and a plurality of coupling members coupling the input part with the output part. The input part and the output part are tiltable relative to one another so that when a wobbling movement of at least one of the parts occurs, this wobbling movement is not compulsorily or positively transmitted to the other part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Orlamunder, Reinhard Feldhaus
  • Patent number: 6053073
    Abstract: A positive acting differential which automatically connects the two axles together to provide optimum traction for the vehicle, yet releases one axle when the vehicle is proceeding around a curve without drive wheel slippage, whereby only a single axle is engaged through the drive system. The positive acting differential includes a ring structure which, for the disengaged wheel, will shift to a position preventing the driver and coupler teeth from engaging in the normal manner, thereby alleviating the noise and harsh operating characteristic known as "cycling" associated with locking types of differentials. A spacer with attached paddles supports multiple pinion pins. The paddles loosely couple the motion of the pinion pins to the ring structure. A preferred and an alternate embodiment are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Vehicular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Tyson, Valentine Cucu, Peter A. Dickey
  • Patent number: 6047615
    Abstract: Positive acting differentials of the type having toothed drivers and couplers which automatically connect the two axles together to provide optimum traction for the vehicle, yet releases one axle when the vehicle is proceeding around a curve without drive wheel slippage, whereby only a single axle is engaged through the drive system. In assemblies of the type wherein the axles are retained in the assembly by a C clip and a thrust slug, at least one driver and one spacer are slotted so as to provide space for the insertion of C clip during assembly, and a thrust slug is fitted within the spacers. This allows selection of the driver and coupler thicknesses without being restricted by the possible positions of the C clip groove in the axles during assembly, and reduces wear in the driver and coupler teeth by eliminating a source of possible cocking between the engaging drivers and couplers. Preferred and some alternate embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Vehicular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Tyson, Valentine Cucu, Peter A. Dickey
  • Patent number: 6039651
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Mitsuhiko Takenaka
  • Patent number: 5975271
    Abstract: A spline hub 1 is a component of a clutch disk assembly 30, which transmits torque between a flywheel 31 and an input shaft 32 of a transmission. The spline hub 1 is produced without being plated, while maintaining the resistance to wear and the accuracy of the dimension of the spline hub 1. The spline hub 1 includes a flange portion 3 and a boss portion 2. The flange portion 3 is coupled to a plate 7 of the clutch disk assembly 30, through which torque is transmitted from the flywheel 31. The boss portion 2 is fixedly coupled to the inner peripheral end of the flange portion 3. Spline grooves 20 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the boss portion 2. The boss portion 2 is spline-engaged with an input shaft 32 of the transmission. Hardened layers 20a are partially formed on the surface of the spline grooves 20. In one embodiment, the bore of the spline hub 1 has ring-shaped hardened layers 20a intersecting the spline grooves 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 5901618
    Abstract: A quiet and smooth, positive acting, no-slip differential which automatically connects the two axles together to provide optimum traction for the vehicle, yet releases one axle when the vehicle is proceeding around a curve without drive wheel slippage, whereby only a single axle is engaged through the drive system. The quiet and smooth, positive acting, no-slip differential includes a movable member which, for the disengaged wheel, will shift to a position preventing the driver and coupler teeth from engaging in the normal manner, thereby eliminating the noise and harsh operating characteristic known as "cycling" associated with locking types of differentials. This moveable member does not prevent all engagement, however, so that re-engagement of the driver and coupler will automatically occur to provide the desired differential locking when called upon to do so. A preferred and an alternate embodiment are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Vehicular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Tyson, Peter Dickey, Valentine Cucu
  • Patent number: 5868624
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Mitsuhiko Takenaka
  • Patent number: 5813505
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter in the power train between the engine and the wheels of a motor vehicle has a rotary engine-driven housing which is of one piece with a pump and contains a rotary turbine having a hub which drives the input shaft of a transmission. A lockup clutch can be engaged, either entirely or with slip, to transmit torque from the housing or from the pump to the hub of the turbine. Such clutch can employ flat or conical friction linings and/or friction surfaces, for example, a friction lining on the shell of the turbine and a friction surface on a wall of the housing. The shell of the turbine in the torque converter employing such clutch is movable axially to advance the friction lining into or from engagement with the friction surface. Alternatively, the lockup clutch can be installed in a torus which is defined by the turbine and the pump of the torque converter, and such clutch can be cooled by one or more streams of a hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: LuK Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Steven Olsen, Johannes Hahn, Volker Middelmann, Hubert Friedmann, Marc Meisner
  • Patent number: 5797474
    Abstract: A clutch disc is constructed to achieve superior performance by increasing the allowable torque or the angle of torsion of the damper plate. The clutch disc includes a clutch hub, a disc spring, and the damper plate interposed between the clutch hub and the disc spring. The damper plate is provided with an arc-like slit. In a portion of the slit proximate to the end of the slit at the peripheral or the inner peripheral side of the damper plate, the slit is centrifugally curved or curved toward the clutch axis such that both ends thereof are close to a radius of a concentric circle. According to another aspect of the invention, the damper plate is provided with a plurality of first rivets and a plurality of first rivet holes. The radii of the first rivet holes gradually decrease as the distance between the clutch axis and each hole decreases, whereas the radii increase gradually as the distance between the clutch axis and each hole increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mototaka Nakane, Kiyonori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5751202
    Abstract: The electromagnetic coupling device 1 has a one piece armature hub (8) with a central bore attached to a compressor drive shaft (3). Flanges (8b) extend tangentially from the boss (8a) of the armature hub (8). The peripheral edges of the boss (8a) and the flanges (8b) are bent in an axial direction to form a peripheral wall (8c). A portion of the peripheral wall (8c) on the ends of the flanges (8b) form the chamber walls (8d) of damper covers (8e). The chamber walls (8d) have an opening on the side of the damper chamber facing the boss (8a). Rubber dampers (10) are compressed and mounted in each damper cover (8e). Torque pins (11) are mounted in the rubber dampers (10), pass out of the damper covers (8e) and are staked to the armature (12). Projections (8i) can be formed in the flanges (8b) by a press and limit movement of the armature (12) away from the rotor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiteru Seino
  • Patent number: 5692591
    Abstract: An armature assembly (4 or 15) for an electromagnetic coupling device has a stop plate (9), rubber dampers (11) and an armature (12). Stop plate (9), which is formed in a press from a single steel plate, has a boss (9b), flanges (9c) and a periphery wall (9a). The periphery wall (9a) reinforces the stop plate (9) and forms damper covers (9e) on the ends of the flanges (9c). The damper covers (9e) have a wall surface (9d) that surrounds the damper chamber except for an opening on one side of the damper cover facing toward the boss (9b). A rubber damper (11) with a torque pin (10) is mounted in each damper cover (9e). An armature (12) is secured to the torque pins (10) by staking. The opening in one side of the damper cover permits the rubber damper 11 adjacent to the opening to move toward the torque pin (10) when that portion of the rubber damper is subjected to a tension force. This movement of the rubber damper (11) reduces the maximum stress in the damper and increases damper life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 5669820
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 5667043
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter consists of a pump wheel driven by an internal combustion engine, a turbine wheel coupled to a drive shaft, and a stator which can be blocked in one direction of rotation. These wheels, together form a converter circuit filled with a hydraulic fluid, preferably oil, which interacts with a lock-up clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Uwe Dehrmann, Peter Volland, Hans-Wilhelm Wienholt
  • Patent number: 5603246
    Abstract: An automotive differential assembly for a vehicle having a driving case enclosing a pair of driving members operably coupled with a pair of driven members. The driven members are secured to output shafts and the driving members are forcibly driven by a driving shaft having its opposite ends in engagement with the driving case. The driving shaft passes through eccentric or angled apertures formed by cooperating arcuate surfaces provided in opposing surfaces of the driving members. The driving members and the driven members are urged together respectively by at least four dampening springs providing both axial and radial force which dampens or eliminates sudden impact encountered when the shaft moves back and forth within the apertures. The driving members may be loosely aligned and interrelated by pins and enlarged holes, by pins and laterally opened holes or by a key and keyway or channel construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: John Zentmyer
  • Patent number: 5601176
    Abstract: The armature assembly (9 or 17) includes a hub (10 or 19) adapted to be connected to and rotate with an input shaft (8 or 18). The hub (10 or 19) includes a flange (10a or 19a) connected to a composite material armature support plate (12 or 21). Rubber dampers (15 or 23) are molded to rivets (14 or 24) and are pressed into cylindrical peripheral walls (12a or 21b) of damper holder sections (13 or 22). The rivets (14 or 24) are staked to an armature (16 or 25). The rubber dampers (15 or 23) bias the armature (16 or 25) into contact with surface of a stopper (10e or 21g) when an electromagnetic clutch (1) is not energized and a space (G or G.sub.2) is formed that extends axially from the armature (16 or 25) to the armature support plate (12 or 21) and radially outward from the stopper (10e or 21g).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ogura Clutch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ishimaru, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5590752
    Abstract: A clutch disc assembly interposed between an input side rotary member and an output side member has a hub, disc-like plates, a friction member, an elastic member and a viscous damper mechanism. The hub is connectable for co-rotation with the output side member. The hub has a flange on its outer circumference. The dlsc-like plates are rotatably mounted on the hub. The friction member is connected to said disc-like plates, for frictional engagement with the input side rotary member. The elastic member is for elastically connecting the flange and the dlsc-like plates whereby the flange and the disc-like plates are rotatable with respect to each other. The viscous damper mechanism includes a fluid medium, for displacing the fluid medium through restrictions in response to angular movements of the dlsc-like plates and the flange with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasushi Takehira, Shinichi Noda
  • Patent number: 5582280
    Abstract: A clutch plate with a torsional vibration damper has a hub for non-rotational mounting on a transmission shaft, a driving plate and a cover plate held at a fixed axial distance from the driving plate by means of a multiplicity of spacer bolts, whereby the driving plate is penetrated by a multiplicity of fastening elements, each of which is engaged at the base of the lining spring segments. For the purpose of connecting to the driving plate, there is a single fastening element and a rotational locking mechanism which interacts with it for each lining spring segment, whereby one of these two function elements acts as a spacer bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Jens Schneider, Harald Jeppe
  • Patent number: 5566803
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clutch disc for a friction clutch in which the connection between the hub and the friction linings is made by several leaf-spring-like elements distributed over the circumference, which elements are fastened in their central area to the hub, are essentially tangential to the axis of rotation and run at some radial distance from the axis of rotation in both directions, and are connected by means of their terminal areas to the friction linings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Joachim Lindner, Jorg Sudau, Bernhard Schierling
  • Patent number: 5515745
    Abstract: A flywheel assembly comprises a flywheel having a friction surface, a flexible plate, and a stopper plate serving as a stopper mechanism. The above-described flexible plate is flexible in the bending direction and rigid in the rotational direction, and has a radially outer portion fixed to the flywheel and a radially inner portion fixable to an end of a crankshaft of an engine. The stopper plate is for restraining bending deflection of the flexible plate when it exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daikin Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Tsuruta, Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 5480012
    Abstract: A piston pin (124, 156) fixed to a piston plate (60) includes a body portion extending into a hole (112) formed in a drive plate (70) that is fixed to an impeller cover. A spring clip sleeve (128, 162) includes a sleeve surrounding the pin body and located in the drive plate hole. The sleeve, resiliently contacting the pin body and the surface of the hole at angularly spaced positions, drivably connects the drive plate and piston plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Ann T. Polubinski