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A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition,

A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters.

대표청구항 ▼

A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition,

A hydraulic torque converter, particularly for use in a motor vehicle between the prime mover and the transmission of the power train, employs a combination of a bypass clutch with one or more torsional vibration dampers which brings about savings in space and/or in the number of parts. In addition, the torque converter can stand long periods of use and is less prone to wear, adverse influences of abruptly developing stresses and/or other undesirable influences than conventional torque converters. Furthermore, the improved torque converter employs or can employ a bypass clutch and/or one or more torsional vibration dampers simpler and less expensive than but superior to those in conventional torque converters. he dual-mode drum brake assembly acts as a duo-servo brake for generating a braking force for braking the wheel; and a stopper on said intermediate lever which limits a displacement of said second strut relative to said intermediate lever in a direction away from said web and prevents disengagement of said second strut from said intermediate lever. 2. A dual-mode drum brake assembly according to claim 1, wherein said stopper includes a protrusion provided on one of opposite surfaces of said intermediate lever which one is remote from said web, said protrusion projecting from said first end portion of said intermediate lever toward said second strut over a predetermined distance, so as to be engaged with one of opposite surfaces of said second strut which one is remote from said web. 3. A dual-mode drum brake assembly according to claim 1, wherein said backing plate consists of a generally circular disk; wherein said parking lever is disposed substantially along said first arcuate brake shoe, and is connected to said second end portion of said intermediate lever such that said parking lever is pivotable relative to said intermediate lever about a second pivot axis that is substantially parallel with said pivot axis as a first pivot axis, said parking lever being pivoted about said second pivot axis toward said second arcuate brake shoe when a parking brake cable connected to said parking lever is operated; wherein said first strut is engaged with said second arcuate brake shoe such that said second arcuate brake shoe is displaced outwardly in a radial direction of said backing plate when said parking lever is brought into engagement with said first strut as a result of the pivot movement of said parking lever about said second pivot axis toward said second arcuate brake shoe, and such that said second pivot axis is displaced outwardly in said radial direction by a reaction force which resists the radially outward displacement of said second arcuate brake shoe; and wherein said second strut is associated with said intermediate lever and said second arcuate brake shoe, such that said second arcuate brake shoe is displaced outwardly in said radial direction when said intermediate lever is pivoted about said first pivot axis as a result of the radially outward displacement of the second pivot axis, and such that said first arcuate brake shoe is displaced outwardly in said radial direction by a reaction force which resists the radially outward displacement of said second arcuate brake shoe. 4. A dual-mode drum brake assembly according to claim 1, wherein said backing plate consists of a generally circular disk; wherein said parking lever is disposed substantially along said second arcuate brake shoe, and is connected to said second arcuate brake shoe such that said parking lever is pivotable relative to said second arcuate brake shoe about a second pivot axis that is substantially parallel with said pivot axis as a first pivot axis, said parking lever being pivoted about said second pivot axis toward said first arcuate brake shoe when a parking brake cable connected to said parking lever is operated; wherein said first strut is engaged with said second end portion of said intermediate lever such that said second end portion of said intermediate lever is displaced outwardly in a radial direction of said backing plate when said parking lever is brought into engagement with said first strut as a result of the pivot movement of said parking lever about said second pivot axis toward said first arcuate brake shoe, and such that said second pivot axis is displaced outwardly in said radial direction by a reaction force which resists the radially outward displacement of said second end portion of said intermediate lever; and wherein said second strut is associated with said intermediate lever and said second arcuate brake shoe, such that said second arcuate brake shoe is displaced outwardly in said radial direction when said i