A clutch assembly for selectively transmitting torque between an engine and a torque converter is provided. A first plate is non-rotatably connected to a torque converter cover. A second plate is configured to receive a torque input from an engine. A wedge clutch is disposed axially between the first and second plates and is configured to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate. The wedge clutch includes wedge segments that are configured to collectively radially expand and contract to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate.

A torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell fixedly connected to the cover and including a first surface; a first plurality of blades fixedly connected to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell with a second surface; a second plurality of blades fixedly connected to the turbine shell; friction material bonded, with an adhesive, to one of the first surface or the second surface; and a stator connected to the turbine and the impeller and including a third plurality of blades. The one of the first surface or the second surface includes a periodic pattern etched into the one of the first surface or the second surface.

A method of making a wet friction material layer includes joining filler particles and fibers together to form a material base; adding water based phenolic resin to the material base; and curing the water based phenolic resin.

A lock-up device for a torque converter is disclosed. The lock-up device includes a clutch part, first and second rotary members, a plurality of elastic members and a stopper mechanism. The clutch part is provided between a front cover and a turbine, and transmits the torque inputted to the front cover to the turbine. The first rotary member is disposed between the clutch part and the turbine. The second rotary member is rotatable relative to the first rotary member. The elastic members elastically couple an outer peripheral part of the first rotary member and an outer peripheral part of the second rotary member in a rotational direction. The stopper mechanism is disposed axially between the elastic members and an outer peripheral part of a turbine shell. The stopper mechanism includes an engaging portion restricting an angular range of relative rotation between the first rotary member and the second rotary member.

A clutch assembly for selectively transmitting torque between an engine and a torque converter is provided. A first plate is non-rotatably connected to a torque converter cover. A second plate is configured to receive a torque input from an engine. A wedge clutch is disposed axially between the first and second plates and is configured to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate. The wedge clutch includes wedge segments that are configured to collectively radially expand and contract to selectively transfer torque between the first plate and the second plate.

A torque converter (10) translates torque between an internal combustion engine and an automatic transmission. The torque converter (10) includes a rotatable torque input member (20) adapted to be operatively coupled to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, and an impeller assembly (12) operatively coupled to rotate with the torque input member (20). The torque converter (10) further includes a turbine assembly (14) and a one-way clutch assembly (62). The turbine assembly (14) is fluidly connected in driven relationship with the impeller assembly (12) and adapted to be coupled to a rotatable transmission input shaft (56). The one-way clutch assembly (62) is disposed radially between the turbine assembly (14) and the transmission input shaft (56).

A fluid transmission device that includes a pump impeller connected to an input; a turbine runner disposed so as to face the pump impeller; an output coupled to the turbine runner; and a lockup clutch device configured to execute lockup in which the input and the output are coupled and lockup release in which the coupling of the input and the output is disconnected, the pump impeller, the turbine runner, the output, and the lockup clutch device being provided in the input.

A clutch plate assembly includes a central axis, a clutch plate with a first friction surface and a radially outer depressed portion, and a friction material ring. The friction material ring is bonded to the first friction surface and extends radially outside of the first friction surface such that an outer portion of the friction material ring is axially aligned with the clutch plate radially outer depressed portion. In an example embodiment, the first friction surface is disposed at an acute angle to a plane orthogonal to the central axis. In some example embodiments, the first friction surface is conical. In an example embodiment, the radially outer depressed portion is conical and axially offset from the first friction surface. In an example embodiment, the radially outer depressed portion is manufactured by machining, stamping, or coining.

A method of etching a surface of a metal clutch part for bonding of friction includes etching, by a laser, a plurality of craters into a specified etching area of the surface of the metal clutch part. The specified etching area is defined by an outer circumference and an inner circumference. The craters define an etch pattern on the surface. The laser follows a predefined path during the etching to generate the etch pattern. The path is one of a plurality of radially aligned and circumferentially overlapping figure eights, each of the figure eights extending from the outer circumference of the specified etching area to the inner circumference of the specified etching area; a plurality of rows of circumferentially aligned and radially overlapping figure eights extending from the outer circumference of the specified etching area to the inner circumference of the specified etching area; or a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending lines extending from the outer circumference of the specified etching area to the inner circumference of the specified etching area. The method also includes bonding the friction material to the metal clutch part on the etch pattern.

A method of making a wet friction material includes providing an outer layer on a base layer to form the wet friction material. The base layer includes a proportion of first fiber material and a proportion of first filler material and the outer layer includes a proportion of second fiber material and a proportion of second filler material. The proportion of second fiber material is less than the proportion of first fiber material and the proportion of second filler material is greater than the proportion of first filler material. The method also includes forming a plurality of orifices passing through the outer layer.