Nonmetallic Patents (Class 192/209)
  • Patent number: 11739799
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement is provided and includes a first component, a second component, a press-on element, and an actuating unit, such that the second component can be displaced from a first position to a second position. The actuating unit includes an actuator and a lever rotatably mounted in the second component about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and having a contact surface to contact a fixed mating surface. The contact surface and/or the mating surface has a convex curvature, and the actuator and the lever cooperate such that the movement of the actuator along the longitudinal axis is converted into movement of the lever on the mating surface, and such that the second component is displaced along the longitudinal axis in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KENDRION (VILLINGEN) GMBH
    Inventor: Björn Bergfeld
  • Patent number: 11519466
    Abstract: An armature is configured to come into contact with an actuator due to magnetic attraction force. An outer plate is fixed to an armature, the outer plate being located on an opposite side of the armature from the actuator, the outer plate being configured to rotate together with the armature. An inner hub is located between the armature and the outer plate to be movable in a direction along a rotation axis, the inner hub being fixed to a driven device. A rubber member is disposed between the inner hub and the outer plate to give an urging force to the inner hub and the outer plate in a direction away from each other. This electromagnetic clutch is configured such that the urging force of the rubber member non-linearly increases as the actuator and the armature approach each other due to the magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Sakuraba, Toshihiro Hayashi, Kiyoshi Kurohata, Toshihiro Konishi, Kazuma Tachibana
  • Patent number: 11111927
    Abstract: A turbomolecular pump has a housing, a rotor shaft supported by a plurality of bearings for rotation relative to the housing about an axis of rotation, a deflector, a lubricant supply system and a lubricant transfer device provided on the rotor shaft. The bearings include a rolling bearing that receives lubricant from the lubricant supply system to via the lubricant transfer device. The rolling bearing is disposed intermediate the lubricant transfer device and the deflector and the deflector is configured to deflect lubricant that passes through the rolling bearing outwardly with respect to the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventor: Nicola Perrino
  • Patent number: 10648532
    Abstract: A damper device is capable of attenuating fluctuations in torque. The damper device includes a first rotor and a second rotor rotatable relatively to the first rotor. The damper device also includes a plurality of elastic members elastically coupling the first rotor and the second rotor. The second rotor is rotatable relatively to the first rotor while held by the first rotor with use of the plurality of elastic members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Tomita
  • Patent number: 10539194
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission assembly is provided that includes a dampening component configured to reduce at least one of noise and vibration within the transmission assembly. In some versions, the dampening component is disposed between first and second transmission components, and the dampening component may be fixed to and/or abutting one of the transmission components. The dampening component may comprise a dampening layer disposed between a pair of outer layers. In some versions, the dampening component has a metallic portion and a non-metallic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott W. Heitzenrater
  • Patent number: 10513171
    Abstract: A drive arrangement and a vehicle having a damper device having a damper primary side and a damper secondary side. The damper primary side forms a first drive interface for the coupling of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, having a freewheel device with a freewheel input and a freewheel output. The damper secondary side is coupled rotationally conjointly to the freewheel input, having a gearbox section operatively connected to the freewheel output, having an output interface for the coupling of a drive output section of the vehicle, wherein the output interface is operatively connected to the gearbox section, and having a second drive interface for the coupling of the electric motor and operatively connected to the gearbox section by a control device. The drive arrangement can, by the control device, be switched into different operating states such that a drive torque can be transmitted to the output interface by the first drive interface or by the second drive interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Mehlis, Andreas Kinigadner, Robert Hayes, Alexander Reimchen, Hartmut Mende
  • Patent number: 10309486
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum absorber is provided. The centrifugal pendulum absorber includes a flange; a first mass slidably attached on a first axial side of the flange; a second mass slidably attached on a second axial side of the flange; and a roller received in slots formed in the flange, the first mass and the second mass. The roller is geared to the flange and at least one of the first and second masses. A method of forming a centrifugal pendulum absorber is also provided. The method includes gearing a roller to a flange of the centrifugal pendulum and to a mass slidably attached to an axial side of the flange. The roller is received in slots formed in the flange and the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Rentfrow
  • Patent number: 9982765
    Abstract: An object is to provide a fluid coupling capable of effectively utilizing an internal space of a cover member and of sufficiently exerting a performance of a device damping torsional vibration. In a fluid coupling including a cover member accommodating a fluid, a pump impeller, a turbine runner, a lockup clutch operated by a fluid pressure and selectively connecting the cover member and an output shaft, a damper mechanism having an elastic member, and a pendulum damper having a rotary member rotating integrally with the output shaft and an inertial mass capable of relative rotation with respect to the output shaft, the turbine runner, the damper mechanism, the lockup clutch, and the pendulum damper are arranged in this order in an axial direction of the output shaft inside the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Amano, Yu Miyahara, Shingo Aijima, Hirotsugu Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9810301
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque converter in a vehicle, in which a torsional damper reduces a natural frequency and absorbs vibration energy in an anti-resonance state for enhancing a vibration isolation function. The torque converter in a vehicle includes a torsional damper including a retaining plate coupled to the piston, a plurality of springs arranged at the retaining plate for imparting elastic force in a circumferential direction, a driven plate coupled to a spline hub which acts as a reaction force on the springs and forwards driving power to a transmission, and an inertial lever arranged between the piston and the driven plate, the inertial lever including a fixed pivot coupling portion coupled to the piston with a fixed pivot and a movable pivot coupling portion coupled to the driven plate with a movable pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Powertrain Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Hyun Kwon, Gi-Woo Kim, Soon-Seok Hong
  • Patent number: 9056564
    Abstract: An adjusting device is disclosed for performing at least one adjusting function, such as in a vehicle seat. The device comprises a drive having a drive means and an output, a braking device that generally prevents torque from the output acting on the drive means. At least one spring is arranged between the drive and the braking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Dirk Schulz, Stefan Haida
  • Patent number: 8646549
    Abstract: A drilling machine includes a compressor coupled to a prime mover through a hydraulic clutch, wherein the hydraulic clutch is repeatably moveable between engaged and disengaged conditions. The compressor is allowed to provide air and is restricted from providing air in response to the hydraulic clutch being in the engaged and disengaged conditions, respectively. The hydraulic clutch is moveable between the engaged and disengaged conditions during operation of the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Ledbetter, Iain A. Peebles
  • Patent number: 8550226
    Abstract: A transmission synchronizer assembly is provided that alleviates noise associated with functional clearances and backlashes. A synchronizer ring is provided that has a periphery with at least one tab extending at least partially radially at the periphery. An annular hub has at least one recess configured to receive the at least one tab to axially align the synchronizer ring with the hub. The recess and the tab define a clearance when the tab is received in the recess. A damping material is provided in the clearance such that the damping material contacts the annular hub when the synchronizer is moved about the axis of rotation relative to the annular hub. Such movement may occur during engagement of an annular sleeve with a gear whose speed is synchronized with the sleeve by the synchronizer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paulo Falcone, Demetrio Vettorazzo Neto, Renato Freitas Silva, Flavio Gomes Dias
  • Patent number: 8528507
    Abstract: A water pump of an electromagnetic clutch type, which feeds a coolant with pressure to a water jacket in an engine may include a belt pulley mounted at one end of a bearing shaft for being rotated on the bearing shaft by power transmitted through a belt, an impeller that is fixed to the other end of the bearing shaft, an electromagnetic actuator selectively supplying magnetic force, a clutch operating member movable along the bearing shaft to selectively engage the belt pulley with the bearing shaft by using the magnetic force of the electromagnetic actuator, and an elastic member exerting a force on the clutch operating member to support elastically the clutch operating member toward the belt pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Youn Taek Park
  • Patent number: 8297423
    Abstract: This twin-clutch apparatus for use in a transmission of an engine, including: a hydraulic first disk clutch and second disk clutch that exert a predetermined engagement force by pressure members displaced in an axial direction by the pressure of a supply oil from outside, the first disk clutch and the second disk clutch being coaxially arranged adjacent to each other, in which: clutch plates of the first disk clutch and clutch plates of the second disk clutch are different in thickness from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsukada, Tomoo Shiozaki, Atsushi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8267237
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes an electromagnetic coil positioned within a coil housing. A pulley rotates relative to the housing and the coil. A shaft is rotatably supported by the housing. A hub plate is fixed for rotation with the shaft. A floating element is positioned between the pulley and the hub plate. An elastomeric ring is mounted between the pulley and the floating element and provides a driving connection therebetween. The elastomeric ring is sized to urge the floating element into frictional driving engagement with the hub plate and is compressible during energization of the coil to decouple the floating element from the hub plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain Inc.
    Inventors: Fritz Winkler, Ryszard Ostrowski, Zoran Ivovic, Dejan Vukojicic
  • Patent number: 8172055
    Abstract: A one-way clutch is proposed which includes an outer race having a radially inner surface in which a plurality of pockets are formed. Rollers are each received in one of the pockets. Wedge-shaped spaces are defined between respective cam surfaces of the pockets and a shaft inserted through the outer race. When the shaft rotates in one direction, the rollers are wedged into the narrow ends of the respective wedge-shaped spaces, thereby locking the clutch. When the shaft rotates in the opposite direction, the rollers move toward the wide ends of the wedge-shaped spaces, thereby unlocking the clutch. The casing includes a main body and a cylindrical member fitted in the main body and made of an elastic synthetic resin. The outer race is fitted in the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Chiyori Satou
  • Patent number: 7849991
    Abstract: A quick disconnect coupling including a first hub, a shaft fixedly connected to the first hub, the shaft being non-round in cross-section, and a second hub having a non-round recess extending therethrough, the non-round recess being sized to closely receive the shaft such that the second hub is capable of sliding along the shaft and is prevented from rotating about the shaft, wherein rotation of the first hub results in corresponding rotation of the second hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: William L. Harrison, William M. Oliver, Jeffrey D. Wightman
  • Patent number: 7331438
    Abstract: To prevent coupling breakage between an elastic body and an outer ring due to friction heat of an armature and a rotor, an solenoid clutch coupling is provided with an elastic body (3) elastically coupling a hub (10) attached to a rotation shaft (6), and an outer ring (20) coupled to an armature (5) solenoidally moved close to and apart from a rotor (4), a sleeve (40) buried in an outer peripheral portion of the elastic body (30), a fit layer (32) constituted by a part of the elastic body (30) in an outer peripheral side of the sleeve (40) and attached to an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring (20), and non-cylindrical surfaces (21a) engaging with the fit layer (32) in a circumferential direction, and axial stoppers (23, 24) to an outer periphery of the elastic body (30) in a sleeve (21) of the outer ring (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Yanagi
  • Patent number: 7090063
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch capable of reducing attracting noise generated when an armature plate is attracted to the friction surface of a rotor, wherein the thickness of the projected part (32) of an elastic member (31) in the state of being compressingly held by an inner plate (26) and the armature plate (12) is increased more than the thickness of the projected part (33) of the elastic member (31) in the state of being compressively held by an outer plate (17) and the armature plate (12), whereby the volume of the projected part (32) of the elastic member (31) can be increased relative to that of the projected part (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Thermal Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Imai, Kuniaki Shimizu, Takashi Watanabe, Daisuke Asakura
  • Patent number: 6857514
    Abstract: A damper mechanism is provided to suppress the enlargement of a prescribed angle in a damper mechanism. A clutch disk assembly 1 has an input rotary member 2, a spline hub 3, a damper section 4, a large friction mechanism 13, a friction suppressing mechanism, and an elastic member 104. The spline hub 3 is arranged to rotate relative to the input rotary member 2. The damper section 4 couples the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub 3 together rotationally. The large friction mechanism 13 can generate friction when the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub rotate relative to each other. The friction suppressing mechanism is a rotational gap ?ACp for preventing the large friction mechanism operating within a prescribed angular range. The elastic member 104 softens the impact between the members that touch against each other at the end of the prescribed angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Michitomo Masaki, Tatsuyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 6823974
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch reduces clutch operating noise at a low cost by utilizing elastic members which are suited to a spring force of a leaf spring. An approximate nonagonal leaf spring has an outer ring portion, attachment portions connected to a hub, and connecting portions. Under the outer ring portion, securing portions of an armature are disposed. First elastic members are disposed at intermediate points of the securing portions, and a second elastic member is disposed in a gap between the leaf spring and the hub along an axial direction. When actuating the electromagnetic clutch, the leaf spring compresses the second elastic member, and when stopping the electromagnetic clutch, the armature collides with the first elastic member so that an axial position of the armature is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6789655
    Abstract: A damper mechanism is provided to suppress the enlargement of a prescribed angle in a damper mechanism. A clutch disk assembly 1 has an input rotary member 2, a spline hub 3, a damper section 4, a large friction mechanism 13, a friction suppressing mechanism, and an elastic member 104. The spline hub 3 is arranged to rotate relative to the input rotary member 2. The damper section 4 couples the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub 3 together rotationally. The large friction mechanism 13 can generate friction when the input rotary member 2 and the spline hub rotate relative to each other. The friction suppressing mechanism is a rotational gap &thgr;ACp for preventing the large friction mechanism operating within a prescribed angular range. The elastic member 104 softens the impact between the members that touch against each other at the end of the prescribed angular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Michitomo Masaki, Tatsuyuki Aoki
  • Patent number: 6705181
    Abstract: A torque transmission apparatus absorbs torque fluctuations (vibrations) while limiting the size of the outside dimensions of a pulley. Elastomeric dampers and pendulum type vibration-absorbing mechanisms are located between an outer tube and an inner tube of a pulley body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Tabuchi, Junichi Ohguchi, Naoki Hakamada
  • Patent number: 6669568
    Abstract: A driving coupling for the torque transmission in the transmission line of a motor vehicle includes a shaft-hub coupling provided with longitudinal toothings for the releasable coupling of a crankshaft with a coaxially arranged hydrodynamic torque converter. The longitudinal toothings of the shaft-hub coupling have tooth cross-sections which become larger and smaller respectively in the longitudinal direction of the teeth. An elastomer layer is situated at least between the tooth flanks of the shaft and the hub which transmit the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignees: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Mannesmann Sachs AG, ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Neuner, Roland Gollmer, Karl-Heinz Hodermann, Marco Noack, Renate Walk, Wolfgang Kundermann
  • Patent number: 6626276
    Abstract: A clutch disk has a hub area with a rotational axis, the hub area carrying a friction lining assembly radially outside of the hub area. A damper mass assembly can move circumferentially around the rotational axis relative to the hub area and the friction lining assembly against the action of an elastic support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Matthias Diemer, Andreas Orlamünder, Andreas Dau
  • Publication number: 20030159901
    Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch reduces clutch operating noise at a low cost by utilizing elastic members which are suited to a spring force of a leaf spring. An approximate nonagonal leaf spring has an outer ring portion, attachment portions connected to a hub, and connecting portions. Under the outer ring portion, securing portions of an armature are disposed. First elastic members are disposed at intermediate points of the securing portions, and a second elastic member is disposed in a gap between the leaf spring and the hub along an axial direction. When actuating the electromagnetic clutch, the leaf spring compresses the second elastic member, and when stopping the electromagnetic clutch, the armature collides with the first elastic member so that an axial position of the armature is secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Toshihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6578688
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor clutch eliminates all rivets and utilizes only one return spring. A hub with multiple radial teeth closely fitting into armature openings supports the armature plate concentric and parallel to a pulley friction disk. The armature is free to slide relative to the hub as the return spring is compressed. The thrust areas between the hub teeth and armature are large, which reduces compressive stress. The lower stress reduces the wear rate for both the all-metal and rubber torque cushion versions of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: North Coast Clutch Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh James Muirhead, Frank Joseph Mastromatteo
  • Publication number: 20030085095
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning compressor clutch eliminates all rivets and utilizes only one return spring. A hub with multiple radial teeth closely fitting into armature openings supports the armature plate concentric and parallel to a pulley friction disk. The armature is free to slide relative to the hub as the return spring is compressed. The thrust areas between the hub teeth and armature are large, which reduces compressive stress. The lower stress reduces the wear rate for both the all-metal and rubber torque cushion versions of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Hugh James Muirhead, Frank Joseph Mastromatteo
  • Publication number: 20020014388
    Abstract: A clutch disk comprises a hub area designed for nonrotatable connection to a shaft and at least one friction lining element supported on a support area arranged radially outside the hub areas. A circumferential support surface for circumferential support of each friction lining element is provided on the support area at each circumferential end of each friction lining element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Matthias Diemer, Andreas Orlamunder, Andreas Dau
  • Patent number: 6342012
    Abstract: Known two-step flexible shaft couplings comprise coupling parts of relatively complex configuration. According to the invention, the coupling elements (7, 7a, 7b) are positively held at least in one circumferential direction, each coupling element comprises an axially open receiving opening that is axially engaged without play by a corresponding jaw of the other coupling part, and the elastic coupling elements comprise at least one cavity for the corresponding jaw, at least on one side of the respective receiving opening—viewed in circumferential direction—, the wall sections of each coupling element adjoining the cavity being elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Stromag AG
    Inventors: Günter Dorok, Andreas Mehlan
  • Patent number: 6305515
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated power takeoff clutch assembly is rigidly coupled to the flywheel of an engine and has an input hub which serves as a gear to drive auxiliary hydraulic pumps. The input hub is a portion of a wet clutch which is hydraulically actuated through a rotary union connected to an output shaft. The serviceable parts of the clutch are secured to the output shaft and are separably removable from the hydraulic power takeoff assembly for servicing. The clutch is of a multiple disk type. An electronic controller monitors the input and output speeds of the hydraulic power takeoff device and is effective to “bump” the unit to accomodate high inertia loads and to further monitor the operation of the device, such that the clutch thereof serves as a torque limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Power Transmission Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Heidenreich, Robert E. Herchick, Joseph W. Guinter
  • 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: 6149176
    Abstract: A shock absorbing member includes a first elastic body and a second elastic body at least partially overlapping the first elastic body in a rotational direction of a first member and the second member. An elasticity of the first elastic body is different from an elasticity of the second elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6112872
    Abstract: A clutch is provided with an input section for inputting driving force in to the clutch, an output section for outputting driving force from the clutch, a shifting device for shifting one of the input section and the output section against the other one between an engaging position where the driving force is transmitted by the engagement of the input section with the output section and a releasing position where the driving force is intercepted by releasing the one from the other; and a shock easing member provided to at least one of the input section and the output section, for ease shock caused by the shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Miwa, Toru Makino, Naoki Watanabe, Sadatoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6068098
    Abstract: The dynamic damper allows for a stable operation of a sub-clutch without complicating a structure of the sub-clutch. A dynamic damper 170 attached to a coupling mechanism 191 for coupling a crankshaft 90 of an engine and an input shaft 9 of a transmission includes a mass member 171, a sub-clutch 173 and an annular rubber member 172. The sub-clutch 173 has a release member 186 which can be directly coupled to an inner peripheral portion of a diaphragm spring 4b and is axially movable, and releases the interlocked relationship between the input shaft 9 and the mass member 171 when the crankshaft 90 and the input shaft 9 are released from each other. The annular rubber member 172 elastically couples the input shaft 9 and the mass member 171 together in a rotating direction when the sub-clutch 173 keeps the interlock relationship between the input shaft 9 and the mass member 171.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6059662
    Abstract: A torsional pre-damping device for damping the impact between a hub and a hub disc. A crown insert (20) made of absorbent material is arranged between the engaging teeth (18) and the engaged teeth (19) of the loose meshing portions (16) defined between the disc and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Gino Villata, Nicolas Phelps
  • Patent number: 6044942
    Abstract: Dynamic dampers 10, 50 and 70 can operate in a flywheel assembly of a coupling mechanism 1 to dampen vibrations. Each of the dynamic dampers 10, 50 and 70 has an inner periphery supporting mechanism arranged radially inside of a mass member 11 or 71 for supporting the mass member 11 or 71. This arrangement allows the mass member 11 or 71 to be increased in mass without increasing the sizes of a flywheel assembly. The dynamic damper 10 can dampen both torsional and axial vibrations. The dynamic damper 10 includes a mass member 11, a sub-clutch 13 and an elastic portion assembly 12. The coupling mechanism 1 has a main clutch 3, which is operatively coupled between a crankshaft 8 of an engine and an input shaft 9. The mass member 11 can selectively rotate with the input shaft 9 upon engagement of the sub-clutch 13. The sub-clutch 13 releases an interlocked relationship between the input shaft 9 and the mass member 11 when the main clutch 3 disengages the crankshaft 8 from the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6032773
    Abstract: A dynamic damper 10 allows for stable operation of a coupling mechanism by compensating for wear occurring in friction facings (friction member) of the coupling mechanism. The dynamic damper 10 is part of the coupling mechanism 1, which is provided for coupling a crankshaft 8 of an engine and an input shaft 9 of a transmission, to perform an operation interlocked with the input shaft 9 of the transmission, and includes a mass member 11, a sub-clutch 13 and an elastic portion assembly 12. The coupling mechanism 1 includes a main clutch 3 having a friction facing 5a. The mass member 11 can rotate in accordance with the input shaft 9. The sub-clutch 13 is operable to release an interlocked relationship between the input shaft 9 and the mass member 11 when the main clutch 3 disengages the crankshaft 8 and the input shaft 9 from each other. The sub-clutch 13 also has a position correcting mechanism to compensate for the amount of wear occurring in the friction facings 5a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6006882
    Abstract: A dynamic damper 10 employs rubber members in a manner to reduce stresses being applied to the rubber members and portions around the same without sacrificing a cost and damper characteristics. The dynamic damper 10 can operate in a coupling mechanism 1, which is provided for coupling a crankshaft 8 of an engine and an input shaft 9 of a transmission, to perform an operation interlocked with the input shaft 9 of the transmission, and includes a mass member 11, a sub-clutch 13 and an elastic portion assembly 12. The mass member 11 can rotate with the input shaft 9. The sub-clutch 13 releases an interlocked relationship between the input shaft 9 and the mass member 11 when a main clutch disengages the crankshaft 8 and the input shaft 9 from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotaka Fukushima
  • Patent number: 5996751
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter has a converter circuit which is formed of an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel and a stator wheel. A driver for a piston of a lockup clutch is provided at the turbine wheel. The piston is rotatable in the circumferential direction and displaceable in the axial direction. The driver has at least one projection projecting in the direction of an associated recess in the piston in order to produce a connection forming a positive engagement in the circumferential direction while allowing a relative movement of the piston in the axial direction. The projection has at least two legs which are arranged at a distance from one another and extend at a predetermined angle relative to the circumferential direction. These legs are connected with one another, at least at their free ends, by a stiffener and have transmission surfaces at their sides remote of the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Uwe Dehrmann
  • Patent number: 5979627
    Abstract: A damper assembly for use with a transmission structure having at least two spline tooth spaces. The damper assembly comprises a torque transmission plate having at least a first and second spline situated to engage the at least two splined tooth spaces and a damper element located such that when the torque transmission plate engages the transmission structure, the damper element will be compressed between the first spline and one of the at least two splined tooth spaces before the second spline engages the other of the at least two spline spaces. Accordingly, the engagement of the second spline with the other of the at least two splined tooth spaces is dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Means Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Ruth, Sharon G. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5944156
    Abstract: A power transmission mechanism which is adapted to completely interrupt power transmission when a torque exceeds a predetermined value, and which has a simple configuration and is manufactured at low cost, and which is bidirectionally rotatable. When a torque, whose magnitude is not more than the predetermined value, is transmitted from a pulley (1) to a shaft (4), each of three elastic members is accommodated in such a manner as to extend over both of a holding portion (3) of the pulley and a holding part (6) of a hub (5). When an excessive torque, whose magnitude exceeds the predetermined value, is applied to the pulley, deformation of each of the elastic members is gradually enhanced by a compressive force applied from the pulley in a radial direction, so that each of the elastic members moves in the radial direction. Then, each of the elastic members further advances and is detached from a corresponding one of the holding portion of the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Hideharu Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 5943913
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus includes a pair of rotatable members joined by a stress dissipating structure. The stress dissipating structure can be employed in a gear, sprocket, clutch or the like. In one aspect of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes an elastomeric material and a web which radially extend outward from the hub. In another aspect of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes a plurality of rotationally flexible spoke-like structures radially extending between the rim and the hub. In a further aspect of the present invention, corrugated spokes are used. An additional aspect of the present invention provides a stress dissipating structure employing various anti-buckling plate configurations. In still another preferred aspect of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes a plurality of rotatably deformable formations. Furthermore, the present invention provides a compressible washer stress reduction structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • 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: 5718317
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, a clutch disc assembly has a retaining plate 5, a hub 2, a first coil spring 6, a second coil spring 7, and a first friction washer 8. A connecting plate 3 is positioned in an outer circumference of the of the hub 2. The first coil spring elastically couples the connecting plate 3 and the hub 2 in a circular direction. The second coil spring 7 elastically couples the retaining plate 5 and the connecting plate 3 in a circular direction and is more excellent in rigidity than the first coil spring 6. The first friction washer 8 includes a first friction member 13 positioned between the retaining plate 5 and the hub 2, a second friction member 14 positioned between the connecting plate 3 and the retaining plate 5, and a coupling element coupling the first and second friction members 13 and 14 and elastically deformable in axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Hiroshi Teramae, Yasushi Takehira
  • Patent number: 5697261
    Abstract: A damping device (10) of the type comprising damping means which are disposed between two coaxial rotating inertia parts (12, 14), and which comprise at least one block of elastically deformable material (56A, 58A, 56B, 58B), which is interposed between the two rotating parts (12, 14), and on which there acts a mechanism which comprises a cam (46A, 46B) and a cam follower element (64A, 64B), characterised in that the cam (46A, 46B) is formed on a tilting member (42A, 42B) which is articulated with respect to a first one (12) of the two rotating parts, and in that the cam follower element is a roller (64A, 64B) which is carried by the second rotating mass (14, 66A, 66B), and which cooperates with the cam (46A, 46B) when the two parts (12, 14) rotate with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Ayman Mokdad, Didier Duclos
  • 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: 5690554
    Abstract: A torsion damper for a clutch disc is disposed in window holes provided in power input and output rotating elements of the clutch disc, for elastically coupling the power input and output rotating elements in a direction of their rotation. The torsion damper includes a pair of seat elements (11) and a rubber element (12) therebetween. In one embodiment, the rubber element (12) is positioned between both the seat elements (11) and is capable of expanding and contracting. The rubber element includes a projection (20) and a through-hole (16) is provided in each of the seat elements (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Imanaka, Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Hiroshi Teramae
  • Patent number: 5687827
    Abstract: A clutch having a primary part and a secondary part for coupling together two coaxial rotating shafts including a driven shaft. The second part includes a driving disk, a trailing disk and tangential spring bodies forming a non-positive, engaging relationship between the driving disk and the trailing disk. At least one tangential spring body is a clamping body which is disposed within the second recess and abuts the radial edges of the first recess. The clamping body includes a cylinder, a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder to form a closed cylinder space. A cylindrical body made of an elastic material is disposed within the cylinder space. The cylindrical body completely occupies the cylinder space under initial axial compression of the piston whereby the cylindrical body absorbs further axial forces as an incompressible medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Patentverwertungsgesellschaft Rohs Voight mbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Rohs
  • Patent number: 5683299
    Abstract: A device for transmitting rotational power from a rotational power source to a rotational driven member is provided with a first rotating member provided for rotation in a rotational direction about an axis, and a second rotating member provided for rotation about the same axis. The first rotating member is connected to the rotational power source and the second rotating member is connected to the rotational driven member. An mechanism for rotationally connecting the first and second rotating member is provided. The connecting mechanism is provided with at least one elastic member made of a rubber material; a first holder member for holding the elastic member from the radially outside of the elastic member; and a second holder member for holding the elastic member from the radially inside of the elastic member. The first and second holder members are mounted to one of the first and second rotating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kishibuchi, Kiyomi Okuda, Junichi Toyama, Yasuo Takahara, Kazuo Oyobe