Plural Radially Spaced Springs In A Common Radial Plane Patents (Class 192/213.2)
  • Patent number: 10634227
    Abstract: A torque converter includes a housing, and a fluid-operated power transmitting portion and a vibration damping device which are accommodated within the housing and which are disposed around an axis such that the vibration damping device is located adjacent to the fluid-operated power transmitting portion in a direction of the axis, the torque converter further includes a space occupying member which occupies a part of a space formed within the housing and between the fluid-operated power transmitting portion and the vibration damping device. The space occupying member comprises a wall surface facing the fluid-operated power transmitting portion in the direction of the axis. A distance in the direction of the axis between a part of the wall surface and the fluid-operated power transmitting portion is smaller than a distance in the direction of the axis between the part of the wall surface and the vibration damping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Suzuki, Hiroyuki Amano, Yu Miyahara, Shuhei Horita
  • Patent number: 10598229
    Abstract: A torque transmission device for a motor vehicle includes a torque input element for coupling to a driving shaft, a torque output element for coupling to an input shaft of a gearbox, the torque output element and the torque input element pivotable with respect to one another, and first and second elastic damping stages installed in series between the torque input element and torque output element. The first damping stage has an elastic member installed between the torque input element and a guidance device so as to act against the rotation of the guidance device with respect to the torque input element. The second damping stage has at least one elastic member installed between the guidance device and the torque output element so as to act against the rotation of the torque output element with respect to the guidance device. The guidance device has first and second stop means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventors: Michael Hennebelle, Roel Verhoog
  • Patent number: 10487908
    Abstract: A lock-up device includes an input rotary member into which the torque is inputted and an output rotary member rotatable relatively to the input rotary member in a predetermined torsion angular range. The output rotary member outputs the torque. The lock-up device also includes a plurality of first coil springs coupling the input rotary member and the output rotary member. The plurality of first coil springs are actuated in an entirety of the torsion angular range. The lock-up device further includes a plurality of second coil spring pairs or sets on either an outer peripheral side or an inner peripheral side of the plurality of first coil springs so as to be actuated in parallel to the plurality of first coil springs. The two or more coil springs have different magnitudes of stiffness and are actuated in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ken Mototsune
  • Patent number: 10473183
    Abstract: A damper device of a starting device includes a drive member, a driven member, outer springs that transmit torque between the drive member and the driven member, first and second inner springs that are placed inward of the outer springs and that transmit torque between the drive member and the driven member, and a dynamic damper having third springs coupled to a first intermediate member as a rotary element and a turbine runner as a mass body coupled to the third springs. The third springs of the dynamic damper are disposed so as to be located next to the outer springs of the damper device in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takikawa, Makoto Ueno, Masaki Wajima, Koichiro Ida, Kazuhiro Itou, Yuji Kanyama, Aki Ogawa, Kotaro Tsuda
  • Patent number: 10088027
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover and an impeller blade; a turbine including a turbine shell and a turbine blade; a first vibration damper including a drive plate to receive torque from the cover, a first cover plate including first and second portions, a first spring directly engaged with the drive plate and the first portion of the first cover plate, and a second cover plate non-rotatably connected to the first cover plate, surrounding a portion of the first spring in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis for the first spring, and including an opening; and a second vibration damper including a cover plate non-rotatably connected to the turbine shell, and a second spring directly engaged with the cover plate for the second vibration damper and with the second portion of the first cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sean Metz, Justin Clark
  • Patent number: 9010507
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; a pump shell fixed to the cover; and a vibration damper with a plurality of springs, and a cover plate partially surrounding the springs. The torque converter includes a torque convert clutch with: a piston plate; and a drive plate with a first portion and a plurality of second portions including distal ends circumferentially aligned with the springs and circumferentially disposed between pairs of adjacent springs, and a plurality of centering protrusions extending radially outward beyond the distal ends or inward of the distal ends. The second portions are arranged to engage the springs to transmit the torque. When the torque converter is not rotating, the centering protrusions are free of contact with the cover plate. When the torque converter rotates at a rate greater than a threshold speed, the centering protrusions contact the cover plate to limit radial displacement of the drive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jeremy Vanni, Brian C. Zaugg, Rolf A. Mueller
  • Patent number: 9004248
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to achieve reduction in size and weight of, and inhibition of axial size increase of, a power transmission device for a torque converter including a turbine functioning as an inertia element. The power transmission device includes a torque transmission plate fixed to a turbine, a damper mechanism disposed between a front cover and the turbine, and an engaging part. The damper mechanism elastically couples the torque transmission plate and a transmission-side member. The engaging part couples the torque transmission plate and the damper mechanism on a radially inner side of a torus center C of a torque converter main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Kawahara, Yoshihiro Matsuoka, Mitsuru Kuwahata, Shinji Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20150021139
    Abstract: A transmission clutch damper assembly having an outer carrier with at least one spring retainer plate located therein. At least one spring is retained by stops in the spring retainer plate. A hub having radially outwardly extending castles is provided. Upon rotation of the outer carrier in a first direction relative to the hub, the castles are acted upon by a first spring end, and upon rotation of the outer carrier in a second direction relative to the hub, the castles are acted upon a second spring end. Two of the spring retainer plates can be provided with a drive ring therebetween adapted to contact the castles dependent upon a relative rotational position of the hub and the outer carrier, establishing a direct drive connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicants: SCHAEFFLER GROUP USA, INC., SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Vural Ari
  • Patent number: 8857586
    Abstract: The lockup device includes a piston that is coupled to a front cover, a drive plate coupled to the piston, a plurality of outer peripheral-side torsion springs to which torque is inputted from the drive plate, and a float member that is arranged on the turbine side of the outer peripheral-side torsion springs and serves to make two of the outer peripheral-side torsion springs operate in series. The float member has a main body portion and an inner peripheral support portion. The main body portion covers an outer peripheral portion and a turbine-side side portion of the outer peripheral-side torsion springs. The inner peripheral support portion extends from the main body section toward an inner periphery and supported on an output side of the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Kawahara, Naoki Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 8839924
    Abstract: A compact fluid transmission apparatus that is able to effectively damp vibrations transmitted to an input member with a dynamic damper and a centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber. The apparatus includes a pump impeller that is connected to an input member coupled to a motor, and a turbine runner that is rotatable together with the pump impeller. The elastic body of the damper mechanism and the elastic body of the dynamic damper overlap each other with respect to an axial direction of the fluid transmission apparatus when viewed in a radial direction of the fluid transmission apparatus, and are arranged between the turbine runner and the centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber when viewed in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takikawa, Kazuto Maruyama, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Patent number: 8807310
    Abstract: A fluid transmission apparatus including a pump impeller that is connected to an input member coupled to a motor; a turbine runner that is rotatable together with the pump impeller; a damper mechanism that includes an input element, an intermediate element engaged with the input element via a first elastic body and an output element engaged with the intermediate element via a second elastic body; a lock-up clutch mechanism; a dynamic damper that includes a mass body and a third elastic body engaged with the mass body; and a centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber that includes a support member and a plurality of mass bodies each oscillatable with respect to the support member. The third elastic body of the dynamic damper is engaged with one of the intermediate element and the output element. The centrifugal pendulum vibration absorber's support member is connected to the intermediate element or the output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takikawa, Kazuto Maruyama, Kazuhiro Itou
  • Patent number: 8746424
    Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine with a turbine shell; and a damper assembly including: an output flange; a first cover plate; a first drive plate fixedly secured to the turbine shell; a first plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate; a second plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the output flange; a third plurality of springs engaged with the first cover plate and the first drive plate; and a single torque path from the turbine shell to the damper assembly, the single torque path formed by the first drive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Craig Kneidel
  • Patent number: 8695772
    Abstract: A torque converter apparatus includes a torque converter, a lock-up clutch arranged between the torque converter and an engine, and a lock-up damper arranged between the torque converter and the lock-up clutch and connected to the lock-up clutch, the lock-up damper including a plurality of springs arranged at multiple stages and separated from each other in a radial direction of the torque converter, the lock-up clutch including an outer hub and an inner hub, the outer hub extending toward the lock-up damper and supporting one of first and second frictional engagement members engageable with each other, the outer hub extending toward a first space formed between the plurality of springs in the radial direction, the inner hub extending toward the engine and supporting the other of the first and second frictional engagement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihisa Tsuzuki, Yosuke Makino, Tomoko Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 8602901
    Abstract: The damper (12) includes first (14) and second (16) damping elements which are arranged in parallel by means of a connection disc (20). The first damping elements (14) comprise at least one first group (24) of resilient units (22) including at least two first resilient units (22) arranged in series by means of a first intermediate support element (26), and the second damping element (16) comprise at least one second group (34) of resilient units (32) comprising at least two second resilient units (32) arranged in series by means of a second intermediate support element (36). The damper includes at least one annular unit (39) for phasing of the resilient units (22, 32), which is distinct from the connection disc (20) and bears both the first (26) and second (36) intermediate support elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Embrayages
    Inventor: Roel Verhoog
  • Patent number: 8579093
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter comprising a torque converter lockup clutch and a converter housing connected at the drive side, and a pump wheel non-rotatably connected thereto, as well as a turbine wheel non-rotatably connected at the output side to an output hub, and a torsional vibration damper actively arranged between the clutch output of the torque converter lockup clutch and the output hub, and comprising a centrifugal pendulum device arranged within the converter housing and having a pendulum flange with slightly swiveling pendulum masses thereupon, wherein the pendulum flange is arranged axially between the torsional vibration damper and the turbine wheel and is non-rotatably connected to the turbine wheel and the output hub by means of a keyed connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Maienschein, Peter Droll
  • Patent number: 8523685
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first rotary member formed into an annular shape and including a first protruding portion formed at an inner circumferential surface, a second rotary member connected to the first rotary member, a third rotary member including a second protruding portion formed at an outer circumferential surface, a damper portion absorbing torque fluctuations caused by torsion generated between the second rotary member and the third rotary member, and an elastic member arranged between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion and absorbing a shock generated when the first protruding portion directly makes contact with the second protruding portion when the damper portion absorbs the torque fluctuations caused by the torsion generated between the second rotary member and the third rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Saeki, Masanori Suzuki, Yoshitaka Inoshita, Atsushi Yamazumi
  • Patent number: 8376105
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lock-up clutch mechanism which is simple in construction but can increase the rigidity and the heat capacity of the lock-up piston, can lighten the lock-up piston, can suppress the temperature of a second sliding surface from being raised to enhance the heat resistance of the second friction member. The lock-up clutch mechanism is provided with a connecting member for connecting a lock-up piston with a center plate of a damper mechanism. The connecting member has a drum portion extending in the axial direction of an input shaft and splined to the radially outer peripheral portion of a center plate, and a hollow disc plate portion integrally connected with the axial end portion of the drum portion and radially inwardly extending from the axial end portion of the drum portion. The hollow disc plate portion is further in face-to-face relationship with the sliding surface of the lock-up piston across the lock-up piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ochi
  • Patent number: 8267799
    Abstract: A device for damping vibrations comprising at least two coaxially arranged damper parts rotatable relative to each other to a limited extent in the circumferential direction, coupled by torque transmitting means and damping coupling means, which exhibit at least one energy accumulator unit, and forming the impingement areas for the energy accumulator units. At least one damper part forms a guide channel for the energy accumulator units. The individual impingement area on the damper part forming the guide channel for the energy accumulator units is formed by a stop element, connected in a torsion proof manner at least indirectly to the damper part and forms the abutment faces in the guide channel in the circumferential direction. The abutment face is capable of supporting the energy accumulator unit on both sides of the impingement area on the energy accumulator unit and is a part of the other damper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: David Schnaedelbach, Christian Huegel, Stefan Jung, Eugen Kombowski, Christian Dinger
  • Patent number: 8240442
    Abstract: The lock-up device includes a piston, an output rotary member, a plurality of elastic members, a support member, and a retaining plate. The piston is supported rotatably with respect to the input rotary member and movably in the axial direction. The elastic members elastically link the piston and the output rotary member in the rotational direction. The support member has an outer peripheral support component to support the outer peripheral side of the elastic members. The retaining plate has a fixed component that is fixed to the piston, and a radial support component that supports the outer peripheral support component in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Takeyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8205731
    Abstract: A lockup device 5 of a torque converter 1 has a piston 51, a first plate 61, a second plate 62, a intermediate plate 63, a plurality of first springs 64, and a plurality of second springs 65. The intermediate plate 63 is provided so as to be able to rotate with respect to the piston 51 within a specific angular range. The second springs 65 are disposed more to the outside in the radial direction than the first springs 64 so as to act in series with the first springs 64 via the intermediate plate 63, and are supported by the intermediate plate 63 so as to be elastically deformable in the rotation direction. The driven plate 68 has prongs 68a that can come into contact with the ends of the second springs 65, and is fixed to the outer peripheral part of the turbine 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: EXEDY Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8127905
    Abstract: A series damper, including: a first damper with a flange and a cover plate; and a second damper with first and second cover plates and a flange. The flange and the cover plate for the first damper are rotationally frictionally engaged and the flange for the second damper rotates free of frictional engagement with the first and second cover plates. The series damper includes a resilient element arranged to cause the frictional engagement of the flange and the cover plate for the first damper. In some aspects, the resilient element is frictionally engaged with the cover plate for the first damper and is arranged to frictionally engage a turbine hub for a torque converter. In some aspects, the resilient element is rotationally connected to the flange for the first damper. In some aspects, the flange for the first damper includes the second cover plate for the second damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Craig Kneidel, Andre Soto, Patrick Lindemann
  • Patent number: 8047345
    Abstract: A multi-plate clutch (2) having a first plate carrier (48) and second plate carrier (50) and one or more first plates (52) received by the first plate carrier and one or more second plates (54) received by the second plate carrier, a pressure element (58) which can especially be actuated hydraulically for generating an axial load on the clutch pack configured by the first and second plates and closing the multi-plate clutch, in which the pressure element configuring the second plate carrier and/or being connected to the second plate carrier in a rotationally fixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein, Jan Loxtermann, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 8042667
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter device comprising a torsional vibration damper, an impeller, a turbine, a stator, and a converter lockup clutch. The torsional vibration damper has first and second energy accumulating devices with one or more first energy accumulators, and second energy accumulators, respectively. The converter lockup clutch and the first and second energy accumulating devices are connected in series. The turbine has an outer shell that is rotationally fixed to an intermediate part between the first and second accumulating devices. An input element of the first energy accumulating device is used to transmit torque via the lockup clutch for loading the first energy accumulating device. The input element of the first energy accumulating device has at least one lug having a free end and a non-free end, with the non-free end of the lug radially inside the free end of the lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein, Jan Loxtermann, Thorsten Krause
  • Patent number: 8020680
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter device for an automotive drive train, comprising a torsional vibration damper and a converter torus which is formed by an impeller, a turbine wheel and a stator. The torsional vibration damper has a first energy accumulating device with one or more first energy accumulators, and a second energy accumulating device with one or more second energy accumulators, which is connected in series to the first energy accumulating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Vermoegensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein, Jan Loxtermann, Thorsten Krause
  • Publication number: 20110132137
    Abstract: A damper spring device is provided with a first spring and a second spring retained by a stopper in such a manner that the second spring is compressed by a preload. The preload on the second spring is greater than a preload on the first spring. The first spring and the second spring have load-deflection characteristics such that the first spring deforms when an axial load acting in the direction of compression of the first spring is not greater than a load at which a strand of the first spring is at least partially compacted and that the first spring and the second spring deform when the axial load is greater than the load at which the strand of the first spring is at least partially compacted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Kaneyasu, Kazuo Iwata, Nobuharu Kato
  • Publication number: 20100120543
    Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS RENCOL LIMITED
    Inventors: Antony Snadden, Marcus Baker
  • Patent number: 7699150
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch includes a housing which can be brought into working connection with a drive; a hydrodynamic circuit formed by a pump wheel and a turbine wheel; a torsional vibration damper having a drive side transmission element, a takeoff side transmission element, and at least one energy storage group between the transmission elements; and a bridging clutch including first friction elements connected to the housing and second friction elements connected to the drive side transmission element. A first flow route extends from a first flow passage to the friction elements, and a second flow route extends from the hydrodynamic circuit to a second flow passage. A sealing arrangement cooperates with the drive side transmission element to separate the first flow route from the second flow route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Frey, Michael Heuler, Edgar Reinhart, Bernd Reinhardt, Stefan Mundt, Thomas Baier, Frank Zerner
  • Patent number: 7665590
    Abstract: A coupling system including at least two sub-units, one of which is pre-assembled on the engine side of a motor vehicle drive train, namely on the output shaft of the engine, and the other sub-unit is pre-assembled on the transmission side of the drive train. The pre-assembled sub-units each include respective interengaging teeth to provide a positive drive connection, and the teeth are biased toward each other to reduce circumferential play and thereby reduce noise that would be generated during operation of the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteriligungs KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Kroll, Hartmut Mende, Bin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7650973
    Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission device includes a toroid portion, a turbine hub, and a lock-up device. The toroid portion includes a pump impeller and a turbine runner. The turbine hub is engaged with an input shaft of a transmission and holds the turbine runner. The lock-up device is installed so that it engages and disengages freely and it mechanically transmits to the turbine hub rotation that is transmitted from a drive power source. The toroid portion and the lock-up device overlap in the axial direction. Because the toroid portion and the lock-up device overlap in the axial direction, the size of the hydraulic power transmission device in the axial direction can be reduced, and the hydraulic power transmission device can be made more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Tsukamoto, Kazuhisa Ozaki, Takeshi Inuzuka, Mitsugu Yamashita, Atsuhiro Mase
  • Patent number: 7648009
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper for a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic clutch arrangement has a drive-side damping device, which can be brought into working connection with the housing of the clutch arrangement and is provided with a drive-side transmission element, which acts via a drive-side energy-storage group on an intermediate transmission element, and a takeoff-side damping device, which uses a takeoff-side group of energy-storage devices to establish a working connection between the intermediate transmission element and a takeoff-side transmission element, which is connected to a takeoff-side component of the hydrodynamic clutch arrangement. A predetermined stiffness ratio is obtained between the energy-storage devices of a first group and the energy-storage devices of a second group, and the energy-storage devices of the drive-side group have a stiffness different from that of the assigned energy-storage devices of the takeoff-side group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Erwin Wack, Christoph Sasse, Jörg Sudau
  • Publication number: 20090166146
    Abstract: The present invention describes a clutch disc, particularly used in a clutch system for effecting the selective coupling between an engine and a transmission of an automotive vehicle, comprising a first torsion disc (2), associatable to the engine, a second retention disc (3) rigidly associated to the torsion disc (2) and a flange (4) associated to the first and second discs (2, 3) by means of at least one damping resilient element (5) defining a first torsion-vibration damping system, the flange (4) being associated, by means of a second torsion-vibration damping system (7) to a hub (6) associatable to the vehicle transmission. The second torsion-vibration damping system (7) comprises at least one self-centering hub element (8) cooperating with the torsion disc (2), producing a friction torque between both of them and self-centering when the system (7) effects the damping of vibrations coming from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Georges Fouad El Haddad, Thiago Thimoteo, Joel Marques, Leandro Peres de Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20090139825
    Abstract: A torque fluctuation absorber, including: an output plate that is rotatably disposed; a first rotating plate disposed for movement in the direction of rotation of the output plate relatively from the output plate; a first elastic member engaged with the output plate and the first rotating plate and capable of transmitting the power applied to the first rotating plate to the output plate; a second elastic member to which the power from a power source is applied and capable of transmitting the power to the first rotating plate; and a power transmission control mechanism. The power transmission control mechanism is located radially outside the first elastic member about an axis of rotation. The second elastic member is spaced from the first elastic member and the power transmission control mechanism in the direction of the axis of rotation. The first elastic member and the second elastic member are arranged radially offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Sugiyama, Takeshi Kanayama, Koichi Kondo
  • Publication number: 20090120754
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter device for an automotive drive train, comprising a torsional vibration damper and a converter torus which is configured by an impeller, a turbine wheel and a stator. The torsional vibration damper has a first energy accumulating device with one ore more first energy accumulators, and a second energy accumulating device with one ore more second energy accumulators, which is connected in series to the first energy accumulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: LUK LAMELLEN UND KUPPLUNGSBAU BETEILIGUNGS KG
    Inventors: Mario Degler, Stephan Maienschein, Jan Loxtermann, Thorsten Krause
  • Publication number: 20090090593
    Abstract: A damper assembly has a torque input member configured to be connected to engine crankshaft through a torque limit clutch. An output member has a hub configured to be mounted to a transmission input shaft. Damping springs operatively interconnects the input member and output member, enabling the input member and output member to rotate relative to each other at some angular displacements before the input torque from engine crankshaft is completely transmitted to transmission input shaft. The damping springs includes a series of long springs and a series of relatively short spring. The long springs compress before the short compress as the input member rotates relative to the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Cheng Mu, Jaroslaw Lutoslawski, Richard D. Muizelaar, Fuzheng Hu
  • Publication number: 20080060905
    Abstract: A combination mounting ring of resilient material, for connecting a shaft within a bore of a housing, has a hollow cylindrical part having radially extending projections. This part is for locating between the outer surface of the shaft and the inner surface of the bore, the radially extending projections being under compression and thus securing the shaft within the bore. The combination mounting ring further has an axial spring element extending radially inward from the cylindrical part and having two portions at different axial positions. The axial spring element is for locating between the shaft and a body axially displaced from the shaft, and serves to minimize axial movement of the shaft within the bore of the housing. The axial spring element may either be an annular part or a tab extending from an axial edge of the cylindrical part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: RENCOL TOLERANCE RINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Antony Snadden, Marcus Baker
  • Patent number: 7267211
    Abstract: In a damper device of a lock-up clutch-equipped torque converter which has at least two rotating members that have a common rotation axis and are rotatable relatively to each other via an elastic member, an axial-direction support portion that supports the at least two rotating members in the direction of the rotation axis with respect to each other, and a radial-direction support portion that supports the rotating members in a radial direction with respect to each other are disposed on circumferences that are substantially equidistant from the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiya Yamashita, Ryuji Ibaraki, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Hiroaki Kimura, Yasunori Nakawaki
  • Patent number: 7108112
    Abstract: A damper mechanism for a lockup device 7 is a device for mechanically transmitting a torque in a torque converter 1. A coil spring 58 is arranged in first and second windows 61 and 62 overlapping with each other, and is compressed in accordance with the relative rotation of drive and driven members 52 and 53. A maximum torsion angle ? m is defined when the coil springs 58 are compressed to a maximum extent by relative rotation between the drive and driven members 52 and 53. Each of the first and second windows 61 and 62 has an outer periphery longer than an inner periphery. Each ends 61a and 62a on the circumferential ends of the first and second windows 61 and 62 form an angle ? with respect to a center line extending through a center O of the damper mechanism and a circumferential center C1 or C2 of the first or second window 61 or 62, and this angle ? is in a range between 0.05 and 0.60 times as large as the maximum torsion angle ? m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizukami
  • Patent number: 7017724
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for starting a vehicle without using a torque converter has a simple structure yet providing high reliability. In the clutch assembly, a clutch and a damper device are housed in a housing connected to a crank shaft of an engine. A boss serving as an output member is connected to an input shaft of an automatic transmission. An output of the engine is connected/disconnected to/from the input shaft upon engagement/disengagement of the clutch. The clutch includes a friction member and a piston fit oil tightly with the housing so as to apply pressure to the friction member. One end of the damper device is connected to a clutch hub, and the other end is connected to the output member. The clutch and the damper device are aligned on the axis of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., LTD, Aisin AW Industries Co., LTD
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayabuchi, Kouji Maeda, Tomohiro Yamashita, Masahiro Yamaguchi, Yoshito Takeshita, Katsunori Tanaka, Yukihiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6708810
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly 1 is provided with a hub flange 7, a pair coil springs 8, a pair of coil springs 9, an intermediate rotary member 10, and a pair of plates 12 and 13. The hub flange 7 has a boss 7a and an integrally formed flange 7b. The flange 7b has a pair of first window holes 7c and a pair of second window holes 7b. The two coil springs 8 are arranged respectively in the pair of first window holes 7a. The more rigid two coil springs 9 are arranged respectively in the pair of second window holes 7b and window parts 25 of the plates 12 and 13. The intermediate rotary member 10 couples the coil springs 8 and the coil springs 9 together in the rotational direction. The two plates 12 and 13 are arranged on both axially facing sides of the flange 7b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uehara
  • Patent number: 6699132
    Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and the other flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input element of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel. The flywheels rotate with respect to one another and the dampers contain resilient elements which selectively oppose rotation of the flywheels during various stages of rotation. The resilient elements are also arranged not to oppose rotation of the flywheels during an initial stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Oswald Friedmann, Johann Jäckel
  • Patent number: 6571929
    Abstract: A torque converter is provided with a lockup device that functions as a clutch and as an elastic coupling mechanism. In one embodiment, the lockup device is configured to eliminate an outer cylindrical portion from its piston. Preferably, a spring holder has an outer portion arranged radially outside the torsion springs, while a drive plate has a cylindrical portion restricting radial movement of the spring holder. In other embodiments, the elastic coupling mechanism is configured with a sufficient number of sets of elastic members that act together in the rotational direction as if they were arranged end to end. The elastic coupling mechanism has one set of springs disposed radially inward of another set of springs. A spring holder connects first and second sets of springs such that the first and second sets of springs act together in the rotational direction as if they were arranged end to end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tomiyama, Shinji Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20030085097
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly 1 is provided with a hub flange 7, a pair coil springs 8, a pair of coil springs 9, an intermediate rotary member 10, and a pair of plates 12 and 13. The hub flange 7 has a boss 7a and an integrally formed flange 7b. The flange 7b has a pair of first window holes 7c and a pair of second window holes 7b. The two coil springs 8 are arranged respectively in the pair of first window holes 7a. The more rigid two coil springs 9 are arranged respectively in the pair of second window holes 7b and window parts 25 of the plates 12 and 13. The intermediate rotary member 10 couples the coil springs 8 and the coil springs 9 together in the rotational direction. The two plates 12 and 13 are arranged on both axially facing sides of the flange 7b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Uehara
  • Patent number: 6520306
    Abstract: A torsion damping device is mounted between two coaxial rotating members for transmitting a rotary toque from one member to the other with damping of vibrations and torque oscillations the damping device comprising, two rings coaxial with the rotating members, rotational coupling means between the two rotating members and the rings, circumferentially acting resilient members mounted between the rings in housing which are formed in the rings and which include a device for abutment of the ends of the resilient members, the two rings are rotatable with respect to each other and with respect to the two rotating members with a limited angular displacement, and are urged in opposite directions of rotation by the resilient members and toward abutment on the device for coupling them to the respective ones of the rotating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Eric Bertrand, Patrick Luczak
  • Patent number: 6409605
    Abstract: A hub for a predamper having two distinct coaxial parts one of which an external flange, and an internal sleeve axially longer than the external flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventor: Bruno Hemeryck
  • Patent number: 6306043
    Abstract: The invention concerns a torsional damper with circumferential action for a motor vehicle double flywheel, designed to be arranged between the double flywheel primary and secondary flywheels, the primary flywheel being designed to be connected to the vehicle engine crankshaft and the secondary flywheel being 60 designed to receive a clutch mechanism, comprising a first element (10) adapted to be connected to one of said flywheels, a second element (20) adapted to be connected to the other flywheel, said damper comprising elastic means (30, 40) associated with friction means, said elastic means consisting of at least a first spring assembly (30) functioning in series via first phasing washers (51, 53): said elastic means further comprise a second spring assembly (40) functioning in series via second phasing washers (52, 54), said first and second nests of springs (30, 40) functioning in series via a phasing assembly (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Pascal Annic, Hyoun Nam Cho
  • Patent number: 6209701
    Abstract: A clutch disk assembly 1 includes a second plate 13, an output rotary member 4, an intermediate body 3, an intermediate member 9b, second springs 10, third springs 5 and a damper 8. The intermediate body 3 is disposed radially outside the output rotary member 4. The intermediate member 9b is disposed near the output rotary member 4 and the intermediate body 3. The second plate 13 is located on a second axial side of the intermediate body 3. The second springs 10 circumferentially and elastically couple the plate 9b and the intermediate body 3 together. The third springs 5 circumferentially and elastically couple the intermediate body 3 and the second plate 13 together. The damper 8 is axially shifted from the intermediate body 3. The damper 8 has first springs 7 circumferentially and elastically coupling the output rotary member 4 and the plate 9b together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Hashimoto, Keisuke Fujioka