A lock-up device for a torque converter transmits a torque from a front cover to a transmission-side member through a turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch portion, a piston, a support member, and a synchronization mechanism. The clutch portion is disposed between the front cover and the turbine. The piston is movable in an axial direction. The piston turns the clutch portion into a torque transmission state. The support member supports the piston such that the piston is movable. The support member defines an oil chamber together with the piston. The oil chamber is supplied a hydraulic oil for activating the piston. The synchronization mechanism causes the piston to rotate in synchronization with the support member.

A fail-safe friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump, and more particularly as part of a dual mode drive for a cooling pump, together with an electric motor. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A pair of friction lining members are positioned on opposite sides of the friction plate member. An armature member is spring biased to axially force the friction plate member and friction lining member against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.

A fail-safe friction clutch assembly for a vehicle accessory, particularly to drive a vehicle cooling pump, and more particularly as part of a dual mode drive for a cooling pump, together with an electric motor. The friction clutch assembly includes a friction plate member connected to a central rotatable shaft member used for operating the vehicle accessory. A pair of friction lining members are positioned on opposite sides of the friction plate member. An armature member is spring biased to axially force the friction plate member and friction lining member against a housing or cover which is rotating at input speed. A solenoid assembly is used to overcome the spring bias and pull the armature and friction plate member away from the housing.

A clutch is provided with a drive-side rotational body and a driven-side rotational body, which can move in the axial direction between a coupled position and a decoupled position. The driven-side rotational body has a groove having a helical portion and an annular portion that is deeper than the helical portion. The driven-side rotational body is urged toward the coupled position by an urging member. The driven-side rotational body is moved to the decoupled position against the urging force of the urging member by insertion of a pin into the helical portion. A projection is provided on the tip of the pin, and a recessed groove for accommodating the projection when the pin is inserted into the helical portion is provided in the bottom surface of the helical portion.

An automotive air conditioning assembly including a scroll compressor and a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch enables the use of a comparatively smaller pulley (a diameter of at most 85 mm) which comparatively increases the compressor speed and hence cooling capacity at a given engine speed. The clutch requires low power (e.g. less than 5 Watts) for continuous operation.

An automotive air conditioning assembly including a scroll compressor and a wrap spring clutch. The wrap spring clutch enables the use of a comparatively smaller pulley (a diameter of at most 85 mm) which comparatively increases the compressor speed and hence cooling capacity at a given engine speed. The clutch requires low power (e.g. less than 5 Watts) for continuous operation.

In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.

In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.

Various embodiments may include a clutch assembly comprising: a first coupling and a second coupling; and a vibration damper with a spring. The first coupling includes a crankshaft connection and a coupling-in element which can be connected to one another in a controlled manner. The second coupling has an output connection and an intermediate element which can be connected to one another in a controlled manner. The spring connects the intermediate element and the coupling-in element to one another.

Various embodiments may include a clutch assembly comprising: a first coupling and a second coupling; and a vibration damper with a spring. The first coupling includes a crankshaft connection and a coupling-in element which can be connected to one another in a controlled manner. The second coupling has an output connection and an intermediate element which can be connected to one another in a controlled manner. The spring connects the intermediate element and the coupling-in element to one another.