Abstract: A multiple plate friction clutch includes clutch plates or discs having reduced frictional (spin) losses and thus reduced heat generation and improved service life. The clutch plates include both leaf springs or spring tabs at the periphery of the clutch plate that axially bias adjacent plates away from one another and a reduced area of friction material that contacts an adjacent reaction plate. On a typical motor vehicle automatic transmission clutch, a total of six or eight leaf springs or tabs are utilized: with three or four offset to one side and three or four offset to the other side.

Abstract: A clutch arrangement of disc-type design, which has two clutch parts that have at least one element which forms a surface of a friction pairing and which bears friction surfaces. The clutch parts can be operatively connected to one another by an actuating device, which has a pressure element. The actuating force, which acts on the clutch parts, is supported centrally on a support surface which is situated opposite the effective piston surface and which is aligned in the direction of the piston surface. The final element, which forms a surface of a friction pairing, in the line of action of the actuating force has a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the other elements.

Abstract: In a wet-type multi-plate clutch comprising an externally-toothed plate and an internally-toothed plate each of which is formed by adhering a friction material on a core plate and in which torque is transmitted by engaging the externally-toothed plate and the internally-toothed plate, the friction materials are adhered on opposed surfaces of the externally-toothed plate and the internally-toothed plate which are opposed to each other.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device having an apply/return plate or member is provided. The torque transmitting device includes a hydraulically actuated piston and a clutch pack. The plate includes an annular disc having an inner edge and an outer edge and having a first side and a second side. A plurality of tabs extend radially out from the outer edge. A plurality of drain holes are disposed through the annular disc extending between the first side and the second side and located between the outer edge and the inner edge. The plate contacts the clutch pack to engage the clutch pack when translated by the piston and hydraulic or lubrication fluid communicates through the drain holes.

Abstract: In a frictional engagement apparatus that includes a clutch drum, separator plates, a clutch hub, and friction plates, a plurality of concave portions that dip inward in the plate thickness direction and a plurality of convex portions that protrude outward in the plate thickness direction are formed on an edge of the separator plates and/or a an edge of the friction plates, with each convex portion being arranged between two adjacent concave portions. Ridge lines of the concave portions and the convex portions pass through positions away from a center point of the separator plates and/or the friction plates.

Abstract: In a clutch device wherein a plurality of clutch plates are relatively non-rotatably engaged with a clutch outer, a plurality of clutch disks disposed alternately with the clutch plates are relatively non-rotatably engaged with a clutch inner, and an end plate disposed so that the clutch plates and the clutch disks are disposed between itself and a piston slidably fitted in the clutch outer is relatively non-rotatably and axially movably supported on the clutch outer in the manner of being restricted in movement toward one end side in the axial direction, to prevent the clutch inner from coming out of position at the time of assembling the clutch device into position, thereby to enhance workability in the assembling operation, and to prevent the clutch inner from generating a collision sound by colliding against other member than the component members of the clutch device when the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet-type multi-plate friction engaging apparatus comprising a clutch portion including internally toothed plates and a piston adapted to apply an urging force for engaging the internally toothed plates and wherein load acting portions acting on the clutch portion are arranged on both sides of the clutch portion, and a contact area of the load acting portion through which the load acting portion is contacted with the clutch portion is located in a predetermined range between about 20% of a radial width of a friction engaging portion from a central position of the friction engaging portion in an outer diameter direction and about 20% of the radial width of the friction engaging portion in an inner diameter direction, and a radial width of the contact area is smaller than about 10% of the radial width of the friction engaging portion.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a brake, as a frictional coupling device, includes a snap ring, a friction plate, and a back plate. The snap ring fits in a groove that extends in a circle. The back plate is disposed between the friction plate and the snap ring. The back plate is pressed against the snap ring. The snap ring has a first end face that faces the back plate and a second end face that faces the opposite side from the first end face and is in contact with a sidewall of the groove. The back plate has an end face that is in contact with the first end face. The static friction coefficient between the first end face of the snap ring and the end face of the back plate is smaller than that between the second end face of the snap ring and the sidewall of the groove.