Patent ID: 7255213

Claim:
A clutch device comprising: a first friction clutch disposed between an input member and an output member, said first friction clutch including first clutch discs and first pressure plates on opposite sides of said first clutch discs, said first clutch discs having a first inside diameter, one of said first pressure plates having a recess radially inside the first inside diameter of said first clutch discs, the first friction clutch having a power transfer state and a power cut-off state; a second friction clutch disposed adjacent the first friction clutch, the second friction clutch having a power transfer state and a power cut-off state, wherein the second friction clutch goes into the power cut-off state upon exertion of a clutch releasing force; and a torque cam mechanism disposed between the first and second friction clutches such that the first friction clutch changes from the power cut-off state to the power transfer state upon a relative rotation difference between the input member and the output member, said torque cam mechanism fitting in the recess in said one of said first pressure plates; wherein the first and second friction clutches comprising a clutch outer common to both, the torque cam mechanism disposed between the first and second friction clutches within the clutch outer; and wherein the second friction clutch includes a clutch center rotatable relative to the clutch outer, a second pressure plate not rotatable relative to the clutch center, and a second clutch disc engaged with the clutch outer not rotatable relative to the clutch outer and disposed between the clutch center and the second pressure plate.