Patent ID: 6830136
Filing Date: 2004-12-14
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A hydrokinetic coupling apparatus, for a motor vehicle, comprising:a casing (10) having a generally transversely oriented wall (36) adapted to be coupled in rotation to a driving shaft; a turbine wheel (16) including an internal plate element (104) and coupled in rotation to a hub (30) which is adapted to be counted in rotation to a driven shaft; a lock-up clutch (14) interposed between the turbine wheel (16) and the transverse wall (36), and including, arranged axially between the turbine wheel (16) and the transverse wall (36), a generally transversely oriented piston (50), a radially inner portion (54) of which is mounted for sliding movement along a cylindrical outer surface (58) of a central sleeve which an annular transverse rear end face (64) thereof lies facing a front transverse face of an assembly including the turbine wheel (16) and hub (30, 86); and a thrust bearing (84) interposed axially between the annular transverse rear end face (64) of the central sleeve and the front transverse face (102) to limit friction there between, a portion (88) of the thrust bearing extends radially outward beyond said rear end face (64) and being disposed facing a rear transverse face (51) of the radially inner portion (54) of the piston (50) so as to constitute an axial abutment defining the maximum rearward position of the piston (50) when the clutch is disengaged; wherein said portion 88 is formed as a ring extension (88) of a front ring portion 108 of said thrust bearing, said thrust bearing being disposed radially inward of said radially inner portion (54) of the piston (50) while ring extension portion 88 extends radially outward beyond said radially inner portion (54) of the piston (50) thereby providing said axial abutment to engaging piston 50; and wherein said extension (88) is formed as an elastic member provided to absorb shock when engaging piston 50.