Patent ID: 6802779
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: F16D,F16F,F16H

Abstract:
A torque transmitting apparatus for transmitting a torque from a driving source to a rotary device, comprising:a first rotor driven in a rotating direction upon receipt of the torque from said driving source via a member disposed between said first rotor and said driving source, wherein: said first rotor receives a radial load in a radial direction thereof from said member while being driven in the rotating direction; said first rotor includes an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion and a plurality of projections; the inner annular portion is radially and inwardly spaced from the outer annular portion; and each projection extends radially and inwardly from the outer annular portion to the inner annular portion and axially extends in a direction generally parallel to a rotational axis of said first rotor; a radial bearing disposed between the first rotor and a support member, wherein said radial bearing supports the first rotor rotatably on said support member against the radial load on said first rotor; a second rotor connected to a rotating portion of said rotary device and rotating together with said rotating portion, wherein said second rotor includes a plurality of projections, each of which extends in a direction generally parallel to said rotational axis of said first rotor and is placed between two corresponding projections of said plurality of projections of said first rotor; and a plurality of pairs of torque transmitting members disposed between said first rotor and said second rotor for transmitting the torque in the rotating direction to said second rotor, wherein: each torque transmitting member is deformable elastically in the rotating direction and is placed between a corresponding one of said plurality of projections of said first rotor and a corresponding one of said plurality of projections of said second rotor; each torque transmitting member has a non-linear spring characteristic; each pair of torque transmitting members is arranged such that said torque transmitting members of each pair are arranged, in the rotating direction, on opposite sides, respectively of a corresponding one of said projections; and each pair of torque transmitting members is constructed such that said torque transmitting members of said pair are joined together by a connecting member, which is axially positioned between said second rotor and said corresponding one of said projections on one axial side of said corresponding one of said projections.