Torque transmitting and torsion damping apparatus for use in motor vehicles

Apparatus for compensating for variations of torque, especially for fluctuations of torque which is transmitted between a combustion engine and an input means of a transmission, comprising at least two flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other, one of which is connectable with the engine and the other of which is connectable with the input means of the transmission and carries a friction clutch, said other flywheel having a shoulder;

• a substantially disc-shaped member non-rotatably affixed to said other flywheel;
• antifriction bearing means interposed between said flywheels, said bearing means being axially confined on said other flywheel between said shoulder and said substantially disc-shaped member;
• and damper means arranged to oppose rotation of said flywheels relative to each other, said damper means at least comprising energy storing means acting in the circumferential direction of said flywheels, and a friction generating device which is axially interposed between said substantially disc-shaped member and said one flywheel, said friction generating device comprising an energy storing element and a friction ring interposed between said energy storing element and said substantially disc-shaped member, said energy storing element being axially stressed to bias said friction ring toward a component of the apparatus, said substantially disc-shaped member including a portion which is acted upon by said damper means and axially confines said bearing means.

Apparatus for compensating for variations of torque, especially for fluctuations of torque which is transmitted between a combustion engine and an input means of a transmission, comprising at least two flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other, one of which is connectable with the engine and the other of which is connectable with the input means of the transmission and carries a disengageable friction clutch;

• a substantially disc-shaped member non-rotatably affixed to said other flywheel;
• antifriction bearing means interposed between said flywheels, said other flywheel having a shoulder and said bearing means being axially confined on said other flywheel between said shoulder and said substantially disc-shaped member;
• and damper means arranged to oppose rotation of said flywheels relative to each other, said damper means at least comprising energy storing means acting in the circumferential direction of said flywheels, and a friction generating device which is axially interposed between said substantially disc-shaped member and said one flywheel, said friction generating device comprising an energy storing element acting in the axial direction of said flywheels, said energy storing element being stressed to exert a force having a component acting against said other flywheel in a direction counter to the direction of action of force which is to be applied to disengage the friction clutch, said substantially disc-shaped member including a portion which is acted upon by said damper means and axially confines said bearing means.