Patent ID: 7059459
Filing Date: 2006-06-13
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
1. A multiple disc clutch apparatus, comprising: a plurality of externally splined annular friction plates each having a friction material fixed to one side surface thereof only, and each being formed with engagement teeth at an outer peripheral portion thereof, a plurality of internally splined annular friction plates each having a friction material fixed to one side surface thereof only, and each being formed with engagement teeth at an inner peripheral portion thereof, wherein said externally splined friction plates and said internally splined friction plates are alternately arranged and are oriented such that their friction materials are not overlapped with each other, wherein a plurality of externally splined annular separator plates, each formed with engagement teeth on an outer peripheral portion thereof, are respectively interposed between said internally splined friction plates and said externally splined friction plates and wherein communication grooves for communicating an inner periphery with an outer periphery are formed on at least one of: (i) a surface of each externally splined friction plate facing a said externally splined separator plate, and (ii) a surface of each externally splined separator plate facing a said externally splined friction plate.