A flexible coupling includes a flexure, a first drive member defining an axis and connected to the flexure, and a second drive member. The second drive member defines an axis and is connected to the flexure on a side of the flexure opposite the first drive member. An angular stop is fixed within the first drive member, extends through a portion of the second drive member, and is arranged to limit angular misalignment of the first drive member axis relative to the second drive member axis while transmitting torque between the first and second drive members.

A flexplate assembly comprising a central plate having a general disc shape disposed about and extending radially from an axis. The central plate has a first radial width. A ring gear is annularly secured about the central plate and presents an outer circumference that defines a plurality of ring teeth extending therefrom. At least one noise plate is disposed adjacent to the central plate and extends circumferentially about the axis for reducing vibrations and noise from the flexplate assembly. The noise plate has a second radial width that is at least one half of the first radial width of the central plate. A method of constructing such a flexplate assembly is also provided.

A coupling assembly (20, 120, 220) and method can include a first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) and a second rotatable member (26, 126, 226) defining a cylindrical hub portion having a plurality of springs (42, 142, 242) interposed between the cylindrical hub portion of the second rotatable member (26, 126, 226) and the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) for transferring rotational torque between the first and second rotatable members. A plurality of load-bearing surfaces (32, 132, 232) associated with the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) are engageable by the plurality of springs (42, 142, 242) to accommodate radial clearances (34, 36, 134, 136, 234) between the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) and the cylindrical hub portion while providing rotational drive torque from the first rotatable member (22, 122, 222) to the second rotatable member (22, 122, 222) through the plurality of springs (42, 142, 242).

A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.

A reduced noise flexplate assembly and method of construction is provided. The assembly includes a central plate that is generally disc shaped and extends radially from an axis. A ring gear is disposed annularly about the central plate and presents a plurality of ring teeth that extend radially therefrom for engaging a pinion gear coupled to a starter of an automobile. A noise plate is attached to the central plate with a plurality of plate fasteners and extends circumferentially about the axis. The noise plate includes a flange and a lower lip extending generally axially and radially outwardly from the inside flange to a maximum deflection zone adjacent to the ring teeth of the ring gear. The noise plate is frictionally engaged with and slideably moveable relative to the central plate and/or ring gear to reduce noise and reduce vibrations during starting of the automobile by converting friction into heat.

A reduced noise flexplate assembly and method of construction is provided. The assembly includes a central plate that is generally disc shaped and extends radially from an axis. A ring gear is disposed annularly about the central plate and presents a plurality of ring teeth that extend radially therefrom for engaging a pinion gear coupled to a starter of an automobile. A noise plate is attached to the central plate with a plurality of plate fasteners and extends circumferentially about the axis. The noise plate includes a flange and a lower lip extending generally axially and radially outwardly from the inside flange to a maximum deflection zone adjacent to the ring teeth of the ring gear. The noise plate is frictionally engaged with and slideably moveable relative to the central plate and/or ring gear to reduce noise and reduce vibrations during starting of the automobile by converting friction into heat.

A mechanical connection includes first and second components supported for rotation, the first component formed with first spline teeth, the second component formed with second spline teeth meshing with the first spline teeth, and a damper fitted in a groove formed in one of the first and second components, including an extension secured to the damper, contacting and extending between at least some of the first and second spline teeth.

Screw connection for a non-shiftable multiple plate clutch with a clamping bolt, a bolt nut cooperating with the clamping bolt, and a clamping bushing which likewise cooperates with the clamping bolt. A seat between the clamping bolt and clamping bushing has at least one gradation such that a first cylindrical seat surface having a first diameter is formed at a first side of the respective gradation and a second cylindrical seat surface having a second diameter is formed at a second side of the respective gradation.

A splined coupling comprises a radially inner shaft and a radially outer shaft having a cavity for receiving the inner shaft. First splines are provided on a radially outwardly facing surface of the inner shaft. Second splines are provided on a radially inwardly facing surface of the cavity of the outer shaft. The first splines are slidably engaged with the second splines. At least one biasing element, for example a diaphragm is arranged to act between the radially inner and radially outer shafts for locating the first splines in a desired axial position relative to the second splines and to provide a biasing force resisting the axial movement of the first splines relative to the second splines upon relative axial movement of the inner and outer shafts.

A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.