Patent ID: 6068096
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: F16F,F16H

Abstract:
A dampening mechanism in a device which transmits torque between a input rotary member and a output rotary member, the dampening mechanism dampening vibration transmitted from the input rotary member to the output rotary member, the dampening member comprising:a piston configured to be disposed within a torque converter housing adjacent to a front cover of the torque converter housing;a power output member connected to the output rotary member,a retaining plate attached to said piston, said retaining plate being formed with a plurality of circumferentially extending outer portions, each of said outer portions being separated by claw portions formed on said retaining plate, each of said outer portions being formed with a radially extending slit thus dividing each of said outer portions into two divided parts; anda plurality of elastic members disposed between said retaining plate and said power output member elastically coupling said retaining plate and said power output member in a circular direction, thus allowing limited relative rotary displacement between said piston and said power output member;wherein said circumferentially extending outer portions of said retaining plate are shaped to retain said elastic member restricting radially outward movement of said elastic member, and said claw portions are configured to engage ends of said elastic member, and said power output member includes at least one protrusion which extends between pairs of said claw portions for engagement with said ends of said elastic member, and each of said circumferentially extending outer portions retains a radially outer portion of a corresponding one of said plurality of elastic members, with said slit being located proximate a circumferential mid-portion of said corresponding one of said plurality of elastic members with the damper mechanism in a torsion free state.