Patent ID: 6561943
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A clutch apparatus for an automatic transmission, which is arranged at an input end of the automatic transmission to connect and disconnect engine power flow to the automatic transmission and to transfer multiplied torque to the automatic transmission, the clutch apparatus comprising:a clutch base mounted to a flywheel of an engine and having a supporting boss which possesses a cylindrical configuration and is projectedly formed on an inner surface of the clutch base, the supporting boss having first spline grooves which are defined on a circumferential inner surface of the supporting boss; a clutch cover coupled to a circumferential outer portion of the clutch base and possessing a cylindrical configuration which is opened at one end in a manner such that a space is defined in the clutch cover, the clutch cover being formed, at a center portion of a closed surface thereof, with a center hole through which a driven shaft connected to the automatic transmission is inserted; an output shaft rotatably fitted at one end thereof through the clutch base and at the other end thereof through the center hole of the clutch cover, and having a sun gear which is formed on a circumferential outer surface of the output shaft and second spline grooves which are defined on a circumferential inner surface of the output shaft; a pair of one-way rotating bearings fitted around both ends of the output shaft, respectively, in a manner such that the output shaft can be rotated in one direction which is the same as a rotating direction of the flywheel and cannot be rotated in the other direction which is opposite to the rotating direction of the flywheel; a plurality of planetary gear sections each possessing a guide shaft and a planetary gear, the guide shaft having one end which is rotatably fitted through the clutch base and the other end which is rotatably supported by the clutch cover, the planetary gear being formed on a circumferential outer surface of the guide shaft and being meshed with the sun gear of the output shaft; a rotating member having an internal ring gear and third spline grooves, the internal ring gear being formed on a circumferential inner surface of the rotating member and being meshed with planetary gears of the plurality of planetary gear sections, the third spline grooves being defined on a circumferential outer surface of the rotating member; a multiple disc clutch member having a plurality of inner plates which are fitted around the rotating member and a plurality of outer plates which are fitted into the supporting boss of the clutch base and each of which is intervened between two adjoining inner plates, each inner plate having spline teeth which are formed on a circumferential inner surface thereof and are splined into the third spline grooves of the rotating member, each outer plate having spline teeth which are formed on a circumferential outer surface thereof and are splined into the first spline grooves of the supporting boss; a pressing plate disposed between the multiple disc clutch member and the clutch cover, the pressing plate being moved by pressing force which is applied thereto in a manner such that the inner plates and the outer plates are tightly engaged one with another and thereby are locked one to another, the pressing plate possessing an annular plate-shaped configuration; pressing means arranged between the pressing plate and the clutch cover for applying pressing force to the pressing plate; and pressing force adjusting means arranged in a circumferential space which is defined between circumferential outer portions of the clutch base and the clutch cover, in a manner such that each pressing force adjusting means is capable of pivoting movement for changing an axial position of the pressing plate and adjusting a magnitude of pressing force which is applied to the multiple disc clutch member, depending upon a magnitude of centrifugal force generated by rotating force which is transferred from the flywheel.