Abstract: A transmission includes a clutch basket and a driving disc each having teeth and tooth spaces which correspond to one another. A plug-in intermeshing connection between the driving disc and the clutch basket is provided such that there is no torsional backlash and such that no rattling noises are produced. To this end, at least one of the teeth of the driving disc and/or at least one of the teeth of the clutch basked has a slot. The tooth thickness of at least one of the teeth of the driving disc is greater than at least one of the tooth space widths of the clutch basket. In order to avoid rattling noises, it is also suggested that at least one pair formed of a tooth and a corresponding opposite tooth space may be configured such that the tooth is displaced with respect to the corresponding tooth space.

Abstract: A high performance clutch pack assembly for use in the high gear clutch of a Powerglide transmission is disclosed. The present clutch assembly is disposed in a modified clutch drum having weight reduction features for receiving a modified clutch pack comprising up to ten friction disks and eleven steel disks, which represents a 150 per cent increase in surface contact area and holding force in comparison to the original equipment Powerglide clutch pack having only four friction disks and five steel disks. The present clutch pack assembly is actuated by a modified clutch piston having an increased stroke correlated to the increased number of friction disks providing maximum holding force for the present clutch pack assembly with minimal increase in rotating mass.

Abstract: A driving plate for a multi-plate clutch system includes a plurality of external teeth adapted to be matingly engaged within corresponding internal teeth of a housing of the clutch system. The external teeth are disposed substantially equidistantly along the circumference of the driving plate. At least one tooth of the external teeth is disposed offset in the circumferential direction from adjacent external teeth.

Abstract: A driver unit for multi-disk clutch systems includes a driver disk having a plurality of external teeth and a clutch hub into which the driver disk is adapted to be inserted. The clutch hub also includes a casing and a plurality of internal teeth disposed on the casing and adapted to be cooperatively received in meshing engagement with the external teeth.

Abstract: A compact dry power takeoff clutch unit is adapted for interconnection with a flywheel of an engine. A housing is adapted for attachment to the engine and has a plurality of interleaved friction and separator disks maintained therein. A drive ring is connected to the friction disks and to the flywheel for driving the friction disks by the engine. An output shaft is interconnected with the separator disks. A pair of anti-friction bearings are received by the housing and provide the sole support for the output shaft. A pressure plate is configured to be nestingly received by a cup-shaped flywheel in order to maintain certain standardized dimensional constraints. Actuation of the clutch is achieved by a rotary union interposed between the pair of support bearings. A quiescent position for the separator disks is achieved by the mounting of the separator disks between the head and spring of shoulder bolts secured to an output hub mounted upon the output shaft.

Abstract: A torque converter is provided with an impeller and a cover, fixed to one another and configured for attachment to a drive member. A turbine is rotationally mounted between the impeller and the cover and is configured for attachment to a driven member. A lockup clutch is provided to lock the impeller and cover to the turbine when a fluid pressure applied to the lockup clutch increases above a torque converter lockup pressure. The lockup clutch may include a clutch-pack having rings that are splined to the piston or to the cover via tabs. The flanks of the tabs and their corresponding lugs may be substantially radial, or the flanks of the tabs or lugs may be parallel to one another. The cover may be formed from a base plate and a cylindrical wall piece. A plurality of lugs may be formed around the periphery of the base plate, and ones of the tabs may be splined thereto.

Abstract: A splined annular member has spline teeth formed in its cylindrical wall. The teeth are formed as an arrangement of alternating ridges which protrude inwardly and troughs formed between the ridges. Each ridge has a transverse (circumferential) groove that extends outwardly. The groove is defined by two side walls that face each other and a bottom portion extending between the side walls. The side walls are substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of the junctions between the bottom portion and the side walls is formed by half blanking. The spline grooves increase the overall rigidity of the annular member without increase in weight or size. Thus, the present invention provides a light-weight and small-size splined annular member having high rigidity and an automatic transmission incorporating the splined annular member.

Abstract: A friction clutch includes a housing arrangement connectable to a drive element for rotation in common about an axis of rotation, a plurality of first friction disks connected to the housing arrangement such that the first friction disks are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the housing arrangement, a hub rotatable about the axis of rotation relative to the housing arrangement and having a plurality of radially outward-projecting connection arms, a plurality of second friction disks defining engagement opening therein being closed on radial inner sides thereof, wherein the connection arms of the hub engage the engagement openings of the second friction disks such that the second friction disks are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the hub, and a force-exerting arrangement exerting a force for urging the first friction elements and the second friction elements into contact with each other

Abstract: A clutch disk arrangement for a multi-disk clutch includes a hub element connectable to a shaft for rotation with the shaft about an axis of rotation. A carrier arrangement has a first carrier element and a second carrier element. The first carrier element is connected to the hub so that the first carrier element rotates with the hub. The second carrier element is connected to the first carrier element such that it is foxed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the first carrier element. The clutch disk arrangement further comprises at least two friction lining units. On of the friction lining units is firmly connected to the first carrier element and a second one of the friction elements is firmly connected to the second carrier element. Accordingly, the friction lining units are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the hub element via the carrier arrangement.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprises a housing with an inner surface and an outer surface for a vehicle driveline component, a retention element disposed in the housing, and at least one deformation formed on the inner surface operatively in contact with the retention element to retain the vehicle driveline component in the housing. This design and method of manufacture eliminates the need for differently sized spacers because the location of the deformations and the retention element can be tailored relative to the actual location of the components to ensure proper distance between components and the retention element. Moreover, because the spacer may be used as the retention element, the need for a snap ring is eliminated.

Abstract: In an automotive transmission, with a closeable and separable clutch, which is in the form of a disk clutch, wherein the disk carrier exhibits, distributed about the circumference of a cylindrical segment, disk-facing alternating axial grooves and axial projections, and on one axial end is connected with a hub via a drive plate, and wherein for transmission of torque a connection fixed against rotation is established between the drive plate and the disk carrier via a plug-in gearing, in which teeth arranged radially at the outer circumference of the drive plate engage in corresponding radial recesses in the disk carrier, thereby characterized, that the drive plate is connected with the disk carrier axially free of play, in that the recesses of the disk carrier are in the form of open-ended cutouts, through which the first teeth (load teeth) of the drive plate pass radially and lie against with their axial inner sides, and in that axially outside the disk carrier exhibits a form-fittingly supported securing ri

Abstract: A separator plate useful in a wet-type multiplate clutch is provided on a friction surface thereof with elongated asperities extending with regularity in a predetermined direction. Peak portions of the elongated asperities, said peak portions being to project toward a counterpart member when the separator plate is assembled in the wet-type multiplate clutch, have been removed to form elongated plateaus. The separator plate can be manufactured by fixedly mounting a blank for the separator plate on a work support, forming elongated asperities with regularity in a predetermined direction on one of opposite surfaces of the blank by a grinding wheel, and then removing peak portions of the elongated asperities, said peak portions being to project toward a counterpart member when the separator plate is assembled in the wet-type multiplate clutch, to form elongated plateaus.

Abstract: An axially asymmetrical vibration-reducing torque tube radially surrounds an axle and axially spans brake disks with intervening ones of the brake disks angularly fixed to a torque tube. The torque tube is a hollow generally annular member having an axis, a radially outwardly flared portion near one end to facilitate axially fixing end one of the disks, a flange near the other end thereof adapted to fix the torque tube to the stationary member, and a radially inwardly extending annular support flange intermediate the one and other end for augmenting the support of the tube on the stationary member. Cut-outs in support flange impart dynamic asymmetry to the torque tube and displace its elastic center off-axis of the brake discs, reducing the brake vibration amplitudes. A brake actuating mechanism is operable upon command to axially force the pressure plate toward the end plate compressing the brake disks therebetween.

Abstract: A pressure force transmission plate for a friction clutch includes a ring-like plate body which on a first axial side, with respect to a plate axis of rotation A, has a force transmission surface curved at least in a radial region.

Abstract: A transmission includes a clutch basket and a driving disc each having teeth and tooth spaces which correspond to one another. A plug-in intermeshing connection between the driving disc and the clutch basket is provided such that there is no torsional backlash and such that no rattling noises are produced. To this end, at least one of the teeth of the driving disc and/or at least one of the teeth of the clutch basked has a slot. The tooth thickness of at least one of the teeth of the driving disc is greater than at least one of the tooth space widths of the clutch basket. In order to avoid rattling noises, it is also suggested that at least one pair formed of a tooth and a corresponding opposite tooth space may be configured such that the tooth is displaced with respect to the corresponding tooth space.

Abstract: A multiple disc clutch apparatus, comprises a plurality of externally splined annular friction plates, to one side surface only of each externally splined annular friction plate being fixed a friction material, and each externally splined annular friction plate being formed with engagement teeth at an outer periphery, a plurality of internally splined annular friction plates, to one side surface only of each internally splined annular friction plate being fixed a friction material, and each internally splined annular friction plate being formed with engagement teeth at an inner periphery. The externally splined friction plate and the internally splined friction plate are alternately arranged in a direction in which the frictional materials are not overlapped each other.

Abstract: A clutch outer includes a cylindrical portion with a plurality of slits defined therein which extend in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion. Engagement claws on outer peripheries of a plurality of friction plates slidably engage the slits. Each slit includes a wide portion defined on an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion and into which the engagement claws are engaged, and a narrow portion defined on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion with a width in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion being smaller than that of the wide portion. The wide and narrow portions are connected through a step facing a radially inward direction of the cylindrical portion. A draft for the wide portion during die-casting is less than a draft for the narrow portion, and a die-parting face in the die-casting is established on the side of the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a carbon/carbon clutch comprising a hub, a first clutch plate, and retaining means or locator releasably attachable to the first clutch plate thereby axially to define the position of the first clutch plate with respect to the hub.

Abstract: A driver unit for multi-disk clutch systems includes a driver disk having a plurality of external teeth and a clutch hub into which the driver disk is adapted to be inserted. The clutch hub also includes a casing and a plurality of internal teeth disposed on the casing and adapted to be cooperatively received in meshing engagement with the external teeth.

Abstract: A driving plate for a multi-plate clutch system includes a plurality of external teeth adapted to be matingly engaged within corresponding internal teeth of a housing of the clutch system. The external teeth are disposed substantially equidistantly along the circumference of the driving plate. At least one tooth of the external teeth is disposed offset in the circumferential direction from adjacent external teeth.

Abstract: A housing arrangement for a friction clutch including a ring-like housing wall region which has on its radially inward-facing inside a toothing formation for the rotary coupling of at least one friction member, the housing arrangement further including an annular disk-shaped housing bottom region integral with the housing wall region.

Abstract: A disc brake system (10) comprises a disc (12,14), and a hub (16) which is arranged to rotate about an axis (18) thereof. The system (10) also comprises a mounting arrangement (20,22) by which the disc (12,14) is mounted on the hub (16) so that the hub and the disc rotate as a unit about the axis (18) and the disc can perform axial sliding movement on said hub. The mounting arrangement comprises a plurality of axially-extending grooves (20) formed in the hub (16) and teeth (22) projecting from the disc (12,14) into the grooves. The system (10) also comprises springs (32,42) located in at least some of the grooves (20) and engaging the teeth (22) acting to apply radial force between the disc (12,14) and the hub (16).

Abstract: A hydrodynamic clutch arrangement, particularly a torque converter or fluid coupling, includes a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel provided in the housing arrangement, and a lockup clutch arrangement by which a torque transmitting connection can be produced selectively between the turbine wheel and the housing arrangement. The lockup clutch arrangement includes at least two friction members which are rotatable with one of the housing arrangement and turbine wheel, and at least one counter-friction member which is interposed between the two friction members and is rotatable with the other of the housing arrangement and turbine wheel. A first friction facing on at least one of the friction members at its first side faces the at least one counter-friction member. This at least one of the friction members can be brought into frictional interaction, via a second friction facing, with another counter-friction member on its second side located opposite to the first side.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprises a housing with an inner surface and an outer surface for a vehicle driveline component, a retention element disposed in the housing, and at least one deformation formed on the inner surface operatively in contact with the retention element to retain the vehicle driveline component in the housing. This design and method of manufacture eliminates the need for differently sized spacers because the location of the deformations and the retention element can be tailored relative to the actual location of the components to ensure proper distance between components and the retention element. Moreover, because the spacer may be used as the retention element, the need for a snap ring is eliminated.

Abstract: A clutch housing assembly for use in vehicle drivelines includes at least one strengthening member at an open end of the housing. The strengthening member preferably is formed by cutting away portions of the housing near the open end and then deforming the remaining portions. The deformed portions preferably are folded over and against a surface of the housing near the open end. The strengthening members provide additional strength to the housing at the open end to resist deformations that may otherwise occur because of forces incident on the assembly during operation of the vehicle driveline.

Abstract: A device for positively coupling one force transmission element with a further force transmission element includes a multi-disk clutch formed of at least four disk rings for adjusting the rotary position of the further transmission element in relation to the one force transmission element, the disk rings being axially displaceably mounted and, for both directions of rotation, having a play-free operative connection with the force transmission elements.

Abstract: A wet multi-disk clutch comprises an input member (2) and an output member (3), and first disks (22) and second disks (21), which are connected to the input member (2) and the output member (3) respectively and can be pressed together by actuating means (24). In order to create a low-vibration tribosystem with a long life, the first disks (22) are composed of steel and their friction faces are linings (42) composed of carbon fibers embedded in a carbon matrix and having channels (43) leading from the inside outward, and the second disks (21) are composed of steel and their friction faces are provided with a nickel dispersion layer.

Abstract: An improvement in a motor vehicle transmission/casing assembly where an end pressure plate of a clutch plate assembly, is positioned on a surface of an hydraulic piston located in the casing of the transmission/casing assembly. Spaced externally extending splines on the pressure plate are positioned in correspondingly spaced channels in the interior casing wall, for arresting the pressure plate from rotation. A loosely fitted buffer member or liner is positioned in each channel between the periphery of the externally extending splines and the walls of the channel for intercepting contact between the spline of the pressure plate and the wall of the channel. A groove in a circumference of the interior wall of the casing, supports a snap ring which transverses each channel and blocks the buffer member, positioned in the channel, from slipping out of the channel.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a converter housing and a turbine wheel which is arranged in the converter housing and is rotatable with respect to the converter housing about a rotational axis of the converter. The torque converter further includes a lockup clutch for producing a torque transmission connection between the converter housing and the turbine wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to “wet” friction clutch packs used in land motor vehicle's transmissions. The clutch pack comprises a multitude of friction plates and steel plates, which are stacked one upon the other. The clutch pack further comprises a multitude of splines attached to the outer portions of the steel plates. The steel splines have rubber inserts attached to them. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the clutch pack it is compressed engaging the friction and steel plates and allowing the clutch pack to rotate, however, when the pressure is released the friction plates stay static, whereas the steel plates rotate. The rubber inserts facilitate a rapid release when the clutch pack is disengaged. When pressure is applied to the clutch pack, the rubber inserts do not interfere with the proper operation of the clutch pack.

Abstract: A multiplate clutch has a stopper ring arranged at an opening of a clutch case to limit axial movements of frictionally engaging elements such as separator plates, friction plates and a backing plate. Among these frictionally engaging elements, the backing plate which is operably brought into engagement with the stopper ring is provided on a stopper-ring-engaging wall thereof with a stopper portion to support the stopper ring at an inner periphery thereof.

Abstract: A compact dry power takeoff clutch unit is adapted for interconnection with a flywheel of an engine. A housing is adapted for attachment to the engine and has a plurality of interleaved friction and separator disks maintained therein. A drive ring is connected to the friction disks and to the flywheel for driving the friction disks by the engine. An output shaft is interconnected with the separator disks. A pair of anti-friction bearings are received by the housing and provide the sole support for the output shaft. A pressure plate is configured to be nestingly received by a cup-shaped flywheel in order to maintain certain standardized dimensional constraints. Actuation of the clutch is achieved by a rotary union interposed between the pair of support bearings. A quiescent position for the separator disks is achieved by the mounting of the separator disks between the head and spring of shoulder bolts secured to an output hub mounted upon the output shaft.

Abstract: A transfer clutch includes a magnetorheological actuator which controls operation of a ball screw operator for controlling the magnitude of clutch engagement force exerted on a multi-plate clutch assembly that is operably disposed between an input member and an output member. The magnetorheological actuator includes an electromagnetic coil, and a rotor having a first segment retained in a sealed chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. The ball screw operator includes a threaded screw mounted on the output member and which is splined to a second segment of the rotor, a threaded nut, a plurality of balls retained between the aligned threads of the screw and nut, and a drag spring providing a predetermined drag force between the screw and the output member. The multi-plate clutch assembly includes a drum driven by the input member, a hub driving the output member, and a clutch pack operably disposed between the drum and hub.

Abstract: An improvement in a motor vehicle transmission/casing assembly where an end pressure plate of a clutch plate assembly, is positioned on a surface of an hydraulic piston located in the casing of the transmission/casing assembly. Spaced externally extending splines on the pressure plate are positioned in correspondingly spaced channels in the interior casing wall, for arresting the pressure plate from rotation. A loosely fitted buffer member or liner is positioned in each channel between the periphery of the externally extending splines and the walls of the channel for intercepting contact between the spline of the pressure plate and the wall of the channel. A groove in a circumference of the interior wall of the casing, supports a snap ring which transverses each channel and blocks the buffer member, positioned in the channel, from slipping out of the channel.

Abstract: A chain sprocket assembly for use in a motor vehicle transfer case includes a torque limiting clutch which limits the torque provided to a secondary drive line. The chain sprocket assembly includes a chain receiving collar having an inwardly extending annular member which is received between two friction clutch packs. The friction clutch packs are operably disposed between the chain receiving collar and a circular housing which is splined to a secondary output shaft of the transfer case. A spring biasing mechanism which engages outer faces of the clutch packs and compresses them against the annular member of the chain receiving collar may be adjusted to provide a desired compressive force to achieve a desired maximum torque throughput from the chain to the secondary output shaft.

Abstract: A torque-limiting accessory drive assembly comprising a pulley to transfer torque to an accessory drive system, a torque limiting device adapted to limit the maximum amount of transferred torque, and a one-way clutch assembly adapted to both selectively transfer torque and selectively interrupt torque transfer at predetermined times to the vehicle accessory drive.

Abstract: A hydraulic clutch has an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel with a turbine wheel shell, a turbine torsional vibration damper and a lockup clutch. The turbine wheel shell receives a connection element with which it acts on the torsional vibration damper. The lockup clutch has at least one clutch disk arranged at a disk carrier. The turbine wheel shell is connected on the radial inner side with the connection element. The disk carrier passes into a holding clamp which is connected to the turbine wheel shell in a radially eccentric manner. The disk carrier is connected with the connection element so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to “wet” friction clutch packs used in land motor vehicle's transmissions. The clutch pack comprises a multitude of friction plates and steel plates, which are stacked one upon the other. The clutch pack further comprises a multitude of splines attached to the outer portions of the steel plates. The steel splines have rubber inserts attached to them. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the clutch pack it is compressed engaging the friction and steel plates and allowing the clutch pack to rotate, however, when the pressure is released the friction plates stay static, whereas the steel plates rotate. The rubber inserts facilitate a rapid release when the clutch pack is disengaged. When pressure is applied to the clutch pack, the rubber inserts do not interfere with the proper operation of the clutch pack.

Abstract: A clutch disk arrangement for a multi-disk clutch includes a hub element connectable to a shaft for rotation with the shaft about an axis of rotation. A carrier arrangement has a first carrier element and a second carrier element. The first carrier element is connected to the hub so that the first carrier element rotates with the hub. The second carrier element is connected to the first carrier element such that it is foxed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the first carrier element. The clutch disk arrangement further comprises at least two friction lining units. On of the friction lining units is firmly connected to the first carrier element and a second one of the friction elements is firmly connected to the second carrier element. Accordingly, the friction lining units are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the hub element via the carrier arrangement.

Abstract: A clutch of a friction type between an internal-combustion engine and a transmission is installed in a motor vehicle, for example, of the high-performance class, and comprises drive friction disks and transmission friction disks. For increasing the stressing capacity of the drive friction disks and of the transmission friction disks, at least the drive friction disks consist of a material of a high resistance to wear and a high rotational speed stability.

Abstract: The disclosed method produces a spline-grooved cylindrical member, e.g. torque converter front cover, including a cylindrical portion having a target wall thickness t2, from a plate blank having a plate thickness t1. An outer peripheral portion of a disc-shaped blank is plastically deformed by pressing it against a mandrel with the concave peripheral edge of a thickness-increasing roller, so that a thick wall portion, of a thickness greater than the plate thickness t1 of the blank, is formed in the cylindrical portion. The thick wall portion is then pressed against the mandrel by forming rollers to form spline grooves therein. Thus, the other portions of the product have a wall thickness which is not unnecessarily increased. In this manner, the wall thickness t2 of the cylindrical portion is not entirely dictated by the wall thickness t1 of the blank material.

Abstract: A clutch outer has a cylindrical portion, and slits defined in the cylindrical portion at a plurality of points circumferentially equally spaced apart from one another to extend in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion so that engagement claws on outer peripheries of a plurality of friction plates are slidably engaged into the slits. Each of the slits includes a wide portion which is defined on the side of an inner periphery of the cylindrical portion and into which the engagement claws are engaged, and a narrow portion defined on the side of an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion with a width in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion being smaller than that of the wide portion. The wide portion and the narrow portion are connected to each other through a step facing a radially inward direction of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A clutch disk arrangement for a multi-disk clutch includes a hub element connectable to a shaft for rotation with the shaft about an axis of rotation. A carrier arrangement has a first carrier element and a second carrier element. The first carrier element is connected to the hub so that the first carrier element rotates with the hub. The second carrier element is connected to the first carrier element such that it is foxed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the first carrier element. The clutch disk arrangement further comprises at least two friction lining units. On of the friction lining units is firmly connected to the first carrier element and a second one of the friction elements is firmly connected to the second carrier element. Accordingly, the friction lining units are fixed with respect to rotation and axially movable relative to the hub element via the carrier arrangement.

Abstract: A clutch drum 15 is configured to reduce the weight of a clutch drum while keeping the mechanical losses of the clutch drum 15 in check. The clutched drum 15 houses several clutch plates 17 and has a cylindrical part 23 and a plurality of the teeth 25 that are arranged circumferentially around the inside of the cylindrical part 23 and extend in the axial direction. The teeth 25 have tooth cusps 29 and tooth flanks 31 on both rotational-direction sides. Bottom lands 35 are formed on the inside surface of the cylindrical part 23 between the teeth 25 in the axial direction. The outside recesses 37 are formed on the portions of the outside surface of the cylindrical part 23 that correspond to the teeth 25 and the inside recesses 27 are formed on the inside surfaces of the teeth 25.

Abstract: In a power-split transmission for driving a first and a second axle of a motor vehicle, in the case of which transmission are located a first and a second output shaft (3, 4) and a friction clutch (12), the latter is intended to transmit a controllable torque. For this purpose, (a) for the action of pressure upon the pressure plate (29), there are provided two rotationally uncoupled ring parts (31, 32) which are coaxial to the friction clutch and at least one of which possesses ramps rising in the circumferential direction, (b) the two ring parts (31, 32) are supported in the axial direction and each possess a ramp lever (35, 36), the free end (37, 38) of which cooperates with a control unit (11) which moves the ramp levers in opposite directions, and (c) the control unit (11) having a rotatable control disk (40) with two slots, and the drive means being an electric geared motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet multi-plate clutch comprising a clutch case and hub disposed on a same axis, a first friction engagement element disposed in the clutch case, a second friction engagement element disposed on the hub, and a piston for applying an axial load to the first and second friction engagement elements, and wherein a recessed groove is formed in a surface of the piston opposing to the first and second friction engagement elements, and a wave spring is disposed within the recessed groove, and only a portion of the opposed surface at an outer diameter side or an inner diameter side of the recessed groove urges the respective friction engagement elements.

Abstract: A splined annular member has spline teeth formed in its cylindrical wall. The teeth are formed as an arrangement of alternating ridges which protrude inwardly and troughs formed between the ridges. Each ridge has a transverse (circumferential) groove that extends outwardly. The groove is defined by two side walls that face each other and a bottom portion extending between the side walls. The side walls are substantially parallel to each other, and at least one of the junctions between the bottom portion and the side walls is formed by half blanking. The spline grooves increase the overall rigidity of the annular member without increase in weight or size. Thus, the present invention provides a light-weight and small-size splined annular member having high rigidity and an automatic transmission incorporating the splined annular member.

Abstract: An automatic transmission formed so that the axial displacement of a clutch drum is restricted without causing an increase in the manufacturing cost and number of man-hour. A first spline is formed on an inner circumferential surface of a carrier of first planetary gear mechanism, and a second spline meshed with the first spline is formed on an outer circumferential surface of a free end section of a hub portion of a clutch drum of a clutch. The second spline is formed by cutting process, and has a diagonally cut rising portion at a terminal end thereof. When the clutch drum is displaced from its set position toward an intermediate partition wall by a predetermined amount, an inclined surface of the cut rising portion of the second spline on the hub portion engages a radially inner corner edge portion of the carrier.

Abstract: A torque-limiting module (20) is adapted to be mounted on a body (21) at any of a plurality of locations. Each location has a particular mounting geometry that mandates the relative position and orientation of the module relative to the body. The body includes a housing (28) adapted to be mounted on the body, in input shaft (22), an output shaft (29), a coupling (30) between the shafts, a brake (31) arranged to act between the housing and output shaft for braking the shafts when the torque transmitted by the output shaft exceeds a predetermined value, a spring (84) urging the brake to move toward a position at which the output shaft will be released, a cam surface (25) mounted on the body at each of the locations, a cam follower (32) mounted on the module for movement along an axis and engageable with the cam surface at any location, and wherein the module has a variable characteristic, such as torque, that is settable as a function of the position of the cam follower relative to the module.

Abstract: A multi-plate clutch 1 of a boss driving type is provided with structure to make it easy to replace a boss, and to limit the number of parts. The clutch 1 basically includes a flywheel 2, a boss 9, a clutch cover assembly 3, and input-output friction members such as clutch disks 42 and 43, an intermediate plate 44, and a pressure plate 17. The boss 9 is detachably coupled to the flywheel 2. The boss 9 includes an annular portion 10 and a plurality of columnar portions 11, which are formed integrally with the annular portion 10. The columnar portions 11 extend in an axial direction from the annular portion 10. Each of the columnar portions 11 is disposed circumferentially next to one another in a circular pattern with a radial pass-through space formed therebetween The clutch cover assembly 3 includes a clutch cover 16 which is detachably coupled to the boss 9, a pressure plate 17, and a diaphragm spring assembly 18.