Patent ID: 7815027
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
1. A lock-up clutch mechanism for a torque converter, comprising: a lock-up piston; a front cover opposed to said lock-up piston; and a friction material having a friction surface secured to one of said lock-up piston and said front cover, said friction surface including a cut outer peripheral friction surface which is engaged at an initial stage of engagement between said lock-up piston and said front cover, and a cut inner peripheral friction surface which is engaged upon tightening, wherein said outer peripheral friction surface has a taper with respect to said inner peripheral friction surface, and both of said inner peripheral friction surface and said outer peripheral friction surface are simultaneously engaged upon said tightening, and wherein a thickness of the friction material decreases from a radially inner portion of the outer peripheral friction surface to a radially outer portion of the outer peripheral friction surface.