Patent attributes
A clutch outer member (1) for a multi-plate clutch is provided that includes an end wall (7), a large number of fins (30) extending axially from the outer peripheral part of the end wall (7) and arranged at equal intervals in the peripheral direction so as to define spline grooves (20B) therebetween, and an annular connecting part (31) formed on the outer periphery at the extremity of this group of fins (30) and connecting the fins (30) integrally to each other, the fin (30) having an axially-extending weight-cutting bottomed groove (33) formed, wherein the annular connecting part (31) is provided, on a part of its outer end face corresponding to each of the spline grooves (20B), with a reference notch (32) indicating the position of the spline groove (20B), and spline teeth (20A) of a friction plate (3) are fitted into the spline grooves (20B) corresponding to the reference notches (32). This enables differentiation between the weight-cutting bottomed groove and the spline groove of the clutch outer member to be carried out quickly and appropriately and an operation of fitting the spline teeth of the friction plate into the spline grooves to be carried out quickly.
