Starting clutch

Abstract

The present invention provides a starting clutch disposed between a transmission and an engine and having a wet type multi-plate clutch for transmitting a power, in which the wet type multi-plate clutch includes a plurality of friction plates housed for an axial sliding movement, a clutch drum for housing the friction plates, and a piston for urging a radial central region or therearound of the friction plate to engage the friction plates, and oil which has lubricated the wet type multi-plate clutch is temporarily trapped within the clutch drum and then is discharged.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A starting clutch disposed between an engine and a transmission and having a wet type multi-plate clutch portion for transmitting a power, wherein:
 said wet type multi-plate clutch portion comprises:   a plurality of friction plates housed for an axial sliding movement, each of said friction plates having a friction surface;   a clutch drum for housing said friction plates;   a cover member for covering an open portion of said clutch drum, said cover member being engaged with a spline portion provided on an inner periphery of said clutch drum and rotated together with said clutch drum to drive an oil pump;   a piston for pressing a radially central portion of a first friction plate at a first axial end of the plurality of friction plates in an axial direction for engagement of the plurality of friction plates; and   a contacting member for contacting a radially central portion of a second friction plate at a second axial end of the plurality of friction plates to stop sliding movement of said friction plates in said axial direction, said contacting member is engaged with and fixed in the spline portion of the clutch drum,   wherein the piston is provided with a curved portion protruding toward the friction plates and the contacting member is provided with a curved portion protruding toward the friction plates.   
     
     
         23 . A starting clutch according to  claim 22 , wherein the curved portion of the piston and the curved portion of the contact member are formed as a continuous annulus. 
     
     
         24 . A starting clutch according to  claim 22 , wherein the curved portion of the piston and the curved portion of the contact member are formed as ring segments with a predetermined gap therebetween.