A dynamic vibration absorbing device for an automobile can be on an output-side member of a torque converter. The dynamic vibration absorbing device includes a rotary member, a mass part, and an elastic member. The rotary member is fixed to the output-side member. The rotary member can be rotated about a rotational center of the output-side member. The mass part includes a first accommodation part. The mass part is for attenuating vibration of the output-side member by rotating about the rotational center relative to the rotary member. The elastic member is held by the first accommodation part. The elastic member elastically couples the rotary member and the mass part in a rotational direction. The elastic member is for generating a hysteresis torque by sliding against the first accommodation part in rotation of the rotary member.

A control apparatus for a lockup clutch is provided. The control apparatus for the lockup clutch includes an electronic control unit that is configured to: calculate a driven target clutch torque capacity and a driving target clutch torque capacity; set a target clutch torque of the lockup clutch and control the lockup clutch, based on the driven target clutch torque capacity and the driving target clutch torque capacity; and change over the target clutch torque capacity from the driven target clutch torque capacity to the driving target clutch torque capacity when the driven target clutch torque capacity and the driving target clutch torque capacity coincide with each other after an operation state of an accelerator of the vehicle changes over from an accelerator OFF state to an accelerator ON state.

A control apparatus for a lockup clutch is provided. The control apparatus for the lockup clutch includes an electronic control unit that is configured to: calculate a driven target clutch torque capacity and a driving target clutch torque capacity; set a target clutch torque of the lockup clutch and control the lockup clutch, based on the driven target clutch torque capacity and the driving target clutch torque capacity; and change over the target clutch torque capacity from the driven target clutch torque capacity to the driving target clutch torque capacity when the driven target clutch torque capacity and the driving target clutch torque capacity coincide with each other after an operation state of an accelerator of the vehicle changes over from an accelerator OFF state to an accelerator ON state.

A torque converter comprising: a damper assembly including a spring retainer; and, a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly, the turbine assembly including: a turbine shell including an axially movable turbine piston; a drive plate fixed to the turbine piston; and a diaphragm spring, the drive plate having openings for receiving the diaphragm spring; the diaphragm spring acting on the turbine piston with a preload force. In an example aspect, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of radially inward tabs and the drive plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving the radially inward tabs.

A torque converter comprising: a damper assembly including a spring retainer; and, a turbine assembly connected to the damper assembly, the turbine assembly including: a turbine shell including an axially movable turbine piston; a drive plate fixed to the turbine piston; and a diaphragm spring, the drive plate having openings for receiving the diaphragm spring; the diaphragm spring acting on the turbine piston with a preload force. In an example aspect, the diaphragm spring includes a plurality of radially inward tabs and the drive plate includes a plurality of openings for receiving the radially inward tabs.

Disclosed is a hydrokinetic torque converter (TC) with a TC housing. An impeller is disposed within the TC housing and connects to an engine output shaft. A turbine is disposed within the TC housing and connects to a transmission input shaft via a TC output shaft. A torque converter clutch (TCC), which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the TC output shaft, selectively locks the impeller to the TC output shaft. A damper, which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the TCC, dampens vibrations transmitted by the TCC. A disconnect device, which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the damper assembly and TC output shaft, connects the turbine to the TC output shaft or damper when positive torque is being transferred, and disconnects the turbine and TC output shaft or damper when negative torque is being transferred.

Disclosed is a hydrokinetic torque converter (TC) with a TC housing. An impeller is disposed within the TC housing and connects to an engine output shaft. A turbine is disposed within the TC housing and connects to a transmission input shaft via a TC output shaft. A torque converter clutch (TCC), which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the TC output shaft, selectively locks the impeller to the TC output shaft. A damper, which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the TCC, dampens vibrations transmitted by the TCC. A disconnect device, which is disposed within the TC housing and coupled to the damper assembly and TC output shaft, connects the turbine to the TC output shaft or damper when positive torque is being transferred, and disconnects the turbine and TC output shaft or damper when negative torque is being transferred.

Disclosed are engine flexplates with integrated engine disconnects, methods for making and for using such flexplates, and motor vehicles with an engine flexplate having an integrated engine disconnect device. An engine flexplate assembly is disclosed for operatively coupling an engine to a hydrokinetic torque converter. The flexplate assembly includes a disk-shaped body with a central hub that rigidly attaches on the fore side thereof to the engine output shaft for common rotation therewith. A disconnect device, which is positioned on the aft side of the disk-shaped body, includes concentric inner and outer races. The outer race is rigidly attached to the disk-shaped body for common rotation therewith. The inner race rigidly attaches to the front cover of the TC housing for common rotation therewith. The disconnect device operatively disconnects the engine output shaft from the TC housing front cover when a torque transmitted therebetween reverses direction.

Disclosed are engine flexplates with integrated engine disconnects, methods for making and for using such flexplates, and motor vehicles with an engine flexplate having an integrated engine disconnect device. An engine flexplate assembly is disclosed for operatively coupling an engine to a hydrokinetic torque converter. The flexplate assembly includes a disk-shaped body with a central hub that rigidly attaches on the fore side thereof to the engine output shaft for common rotation therewith. A disconnect device, which is positioned on the aft side of the disk-shaped body, includes concentric inner and outer races. The outer race is rigidly attached to the disk-shaped body for common rotation therewith. The inner race rigidly attaches to the front cover of the TC housing for common rotation therewith. The disconnect device operatively disconnects the engine output shaft from the TC housing front cover when a torque transmitted therebetween reverses direction.

A lock-up device for a torque converter transmits a torque from a front cover to an input shaft of a transmission. The lock-up device includes a clutch portion, a piston and hydraulic oil leading-out portion. The clutch portion is disposed between the front cover and a turbine, and includes at least one clutch plate. The piston is disposed to be axially movable and presses the at least one clutch plate toward the front cover so as to turn the clutch portion into a torque transmitting state. The hydraulic oil leading-out portion is mounted to a piston-side lateral surface of the front cover, and leads a hydraulic oil residing between the front cover and the piston to an oil discharge channel provided in the input shaft of the transmission by utilizing rotation of the front cover.