Exedy Corporation

Hiroyuki Matsubara

Hiroshi Takeuchi

Masaaki Asada

Koji Kajitani

Hiroshi Teramae

Yasunobu Fukatani

Takeo Shimizu

Hideyuki Imanaka

Ikuo Murata

Hisashi Honjo

A modular clutch includes a flywheel 2, a clutch cover assembly 3 and a clutch disk assembly 4, which form a single module that in one embodiment is installed directly onto the crankshaft of an engine, and in an alternate embodiment is attached to a flex plate. The modular clutch is configured to be installed and replaced as a unit. The clutch cover assembly 3 has a clutch cover 21, a pressure plate 22 and diaphragm spring 23. The clutch disk assembly 4 has a clutch engagement portion 31 made of a metallic sintered body.

Modular clutch

A clutch disc assembly (1) is provided with lubrication members (11a, 11b) to reduce the wear of the parts which contact the large coil springs (7) disposed within the clutch disc assembly (1). Plates (4) and (5) and a separated flange (3) are configured to rotate relative to each other. Raised portions (4a) and (5a) of the plates (4) and (5) correspond to a window (3c). Each of the large coil springs (7) extends in a circumferential direction with respect to the clutch disc assembly (1). Each large coil spring is confined within a corresponding the window (3c) of the separated flange (3) and further between the raised portions (4a) and (5a) of the plates (4) and (5). Lubricant-impregnated members (11a, 11b) are provided on a portion of respective sides of the separated flange (3), and are contactable with the large spring coil (7). In one alternate embodiment, a portion of plates (105) and (106) is provided with a plurality of minute apertures (140). The plates (105) and (106) are then provided with a surface hardened layer (130) to reduce wear due to friction.

Damper disc assembly having a plate formed with lubricating members for

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Neyagawa, Japan

Hiroyuki Matsubara