A selectable one-way clutch includes a pocket plate; a notch plate; engagement pieces housed in housing recesses of the pocket plate; elastic members biasing the engagement pieces; a selector plate switching states of the engagement pieces; and elastic bodies disposed at least in one of contact portions where contact are made between the engagement pieces and the notch plate and contact portions where contacts are made between the engagement pieces and the pocket plate.

A torque converter comprising a torque input element (19), an impeller wheel (3) rotationally coupled to the torque input element (19) and able to hydrokinetically drive a turbine wheel (4), a torque output element (8), clutch means (10, 38) movable between an engaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through damping means (12, 43, 44, 45), and a disengaged position in which the torque input element (19) and the torque output element (8) are rotationally coupled through the impeller wheel (3) and the turbine wheel (4), with a first bearing (31) being axially mounted between the impeller wheel (3) and the reactor (5), with a second bearing (31') being axially mounted between the reactor (5) and the turbine wheel (4).

A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a first indentation; an impeller shell fixedly secured to the cover; at least one impeller blade fixedly secured to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixedly secured to the turbine shell; and a lock-up clutch including a first carrier plate fixedly secured to the cover and including a first protrusion disposed in the first indentation and a clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the first carrier plate.

A fluid driving device, a motor assembly and a friction clutch thereof are disclosed. The friction clutch includes: a fixing member fixed on a rotary shaft; a connecting member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, wherein when the rotary shaft starts rotating, an axial distance between the connecting member and the fixing member changes such that a friction force between the fixing member and the connecting member increases until the connecting member rotates synchronously with the fixing member; a loading member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, the loading member and the connecting member being circumferentially positioned; and a restoring member configured to reduce an amount of change of the axial distance between the fixing member and the connecting member when the rotary shaft stops rotating.

A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.

A method for forming a friction facing comprises placing a bonding powder mix in to a die, and placing a performance powder mix in to the die. Pressing the performance powder mix and the bonding powder mix creates a compact. Sintering the compact forms a friction facing. A clutch disc assembly can be formed. A clutch disc can comprise a mounting hole for securing a friction facing and a backer plate can comprise a pass-through hole. A mounting mechanism joins the mounting hole to the pass-through hole. The mounting mechanism comprises a head-height for a portion of the mounting mechanism that is mounted near the sintered compact. The bonding layer comprises a thickness corresponding to the head-height of the mounting mechanism.

A driving device for a deceleration clutch, comprises a on a driving motor shaft. The drive wheel has a supporting surface with a height difference in the axial direction. A head of a shift fork lever controls the clutch sleeve to move up and down. A tail of the shift fork lever is supported on the supporting surface. The tail of the shift fork lever relatively slides on the supporting surface, so that a height of the tail of the shift fork lever changes which drives a height of the head of the shift fork and further drives the clutch sleeve to move up and down. Alternatively, the drive wheel has a supporting slide rail with a height difference in the axial direction, or has cam circumference that is radially gradient, or a bracing rod is eccentrically arranged on an end surface of the drive wheel.

Since one end of a spring is received by a planar portion of a spring seat provided on any one of an outer plate and an inner plate, it is possible to support the spring with a planar member without machining a bottom wall face of the outer plate into a planar shape. Since the spring seat has seat guide portions that contact the outer plate, it is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the spring seat and the fluctuation of the spring by the seat guide portions, so it is possible to reliably prevent interference of the spring with its peripheral portion. Therefore, a load on the spring is reduced, so it is possible to improve the durability of a one-way clutch.

A vehicle includes a continuously variable transmission, a gear mechanism and a controller. The continuously variable transmission and the gear mechanism are provided in parallel with each other between an input shaft and an output shaft. The controller is configured to i) when the vehicle travels in a state where both a first clutch and a third clutch provided on the gear mechanism side are released, gradually increase a hydraulic pressure of the first clutch such that the first clutch is engaged, ii) calculate a command hydraulic pressure for setting the first clutch to a pressure regulating state on the basis of a command hydraulic pressure of the first clutch at a timing at which the amount of change in an output-side rotation speed of the first clutch becomes larger than a predetermined value, and iii) control the first clutch by using the calculated command hydraulic pressure.

A friction material for a clutch comprising: a plurality of fibers; a filler material: and, a binder including at least 3% and at most 50% silane by weight based on total weight of the binder. The friction material is devoid of added water. In an example aspect, the silane is an organosilane having a reactive organic ureido group and a hydrolyzable inorganic triethoxysilyl group. In an example aspect, the binder further includes phenolic resin, wherein the phenolic resin forms byproduct water upon curing to react with the hydrolyzable inorganic triethoxysilyl group to form a cross-linked binder. A method forming a hybrid matrix composite for a flexible clutch friction material is also disclosed.

A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper.

The present invention relates to a lockup apparatus for a torque converter and aims to obtain a smooth relative movement of a equalizer plate with respect to a deformation of a drive plate. The drive plate 26 as an inlet sided rotating member is connected to a driven plate 22 as an outlet sided rotating member by means of damper springs 28 in a rotating direction. The damper spring 28 is constructed by a pair of divided parts 28A and 28B. An equalizer plate as an intermediate member 29 is arranged so as to slide rotatably on bearing parts 26-1 of the drive plate 26 and supporting parts 40 fixed to the equalizer plate 29 are arranged between the divided parts 28A and 28B of the damper springs 28. The bearing part 26-1 of the drive plate 26 has an outer peripheral surface 26-1a', of which arc shape has a center C' of a curvature which is offset from the center C of the arc shape of the inner peripheral surface 29a of the equalizer plate 29.

A torsional vibration reduction device that is provided inside of a fluid power transmitting device that has a driving side member that generates a fluid flow, and a driven side member that is driven by the fluid flow, includes a rolling element configured to move in a reciprocating manner according to a variation in torque; a retaining member that has a rolling chamber configured to house the rolling element in a manner that enables the rolling element to move in a reciprocating manner; and a housing configured to shield the rolling element and the rolling chamber from fluid inside of the fluid power transmitting device. The retaining member is enclosed and fixed inside the housing, and the housing is fixed to the driven side member.

A hydraulic circuit supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to and from a torque converter that is operatively associated with a lockup clutch. The torque converter is disposed upstream of an outlet regulator that maintains a predetermined pressure in the torque converter. Power transmission in a powertrain can be directed through the torque converter during a hydrodynamic mode and can be directed through the lockup clutch during lockup mode. To switch between the hydrodynamic mode and the lockup mode, the hydraulic circuit includes a diverter valve to selectively direct pressurized hydraulic fluid between the torque converter and the lockup clutch. When operating in the lockup mode, the diverter valve further diverts hydraulic fluid discharged for the torque converter to bypass the outlet regulator disposed downstream of the torque converter.

An axle disconnect system for drive axles that utilizes an engagement spring, an electric motor and a slidable gear. The motor is connected to the slidable gear which moves along threads thereby engaging or disengaging clutch teeth on a first side gear which selectively engages a second side gear. The engagement spring is located between a bearing and the first side gear wherein when engagement is desired, but blocked by misalignment of the teeth, the engagement spring can apply a load to allow for engagement once alignment of the teeth is achieved. The use of a second engagement spring allows for the disengagement of the system when disengagement is typically blocked due to high driveline torques without having to reapply current to the motor

A clutch actuation device includes two plates that can selectively extend and compress relative to one another to selectively engage or disengage a clutch. Each plate includes a plurality of grooves, each groove having a deep end portion, a shallow end portion, and a ramped or inclined surface between the end portions. Each groove on the first plate corresponds with a respective groove on the second plate to define a plurality of pockets. Within each pocket is an elongated member having a pair of curved ends and an elongated shaft therebetween. The curved ends sit in the deep end portions of the grooves. To extend the plates relative to one another, the first plate is rotated relative to the second plate. This causes the curved ends of the elongated members to pivot within the deep end portions, and the elongated shaft extends away from the ramped surface, separating the plates.

The invention relates to a device for actuating a clutch-controlled transfer case having a two-stage intermediate gearing and a clutch-controlled transfer case that has a two-stage intermediate gearing and that is equipped with such a device. The device comprises: a rotatably driven selector shaft,a drive for rotating the selector shaft,a clutch cam disk, which can be rotated about a clutch cam disk axis by means of the selector shaft, andat least one scissor lever, wherein: one end (06) of at least one scissor lever is guided in a gate provided on the clutch cam disk,the gate has a curved path for each scissor lever, in which curved path the end of the scissor lever associated with the curved path is guided,the curved path winds around the clutch cam disk axis by at least 360°,the curved path has at least one helical segment having a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the clutch cam disk axis, along which segment one end of a scissor lever guided therein experiences a continuously increasing or decreasing change in deflection with respect to the clutch cam disk axis during a rotation of the clutch cam disk with increasing angle of rotation, andthe clutch cam disk is disposed in such a way that the clutch cam disk can be rotated with respect to the selector shaft between two stops by an angle-of-rotation range such that, by means of rotation of the selector shaft within the angle-of-rotation range situated between said stops, shifting back and forth between the shifting stages of the intermediate gearing occurs, and, by means of rotation of the selector shaft beyond the angle-of-rotation range, the end of the at least one scissor lever experiences a deflection for actuating the clutch while a selected shifting stage is maintained.

An internal combustion engine which can be miniaturized, even where it includes an oil filter between a hydraulic clutch and an oil pump, without significantly increasing the length of an oil passage for the hydraulic clutch, the oil pump and a hydraulic pressure adjustment apparatus. A second oil filter is provided on an oil pan at a lower portion of the internal combustion engine so as to be disposed at a position at which the second oil filter does not overlap with any of a controlling oil pump and a hydraulic pressure adjustment apparatus as viewed in side elevation and which is lower than those of the oil pump and the hydraulic pressure adjustment apparatus.

A lockup clutch for a torque converter is provided. The lockup clutch includes a clutch plate and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a base section and a shim fixed to the base section. The shim is arranged for contacting the clutch plate to cause engagement of the lockup clutch. A method of forming a lockup clutch is also provided. The method includes fixing a shim to a base section to form a piston assembly; and arranging the piston assembly adjacent to a clutch plate such that the shim is arranged for contacting the clutch plate to cause engagement of the lockup clutch. A torque converter is also provided.

A method for operating a vehicle drive-train having a continuously power-branched transmission with secondary coupling. In the open operating condition of reversing clutches of a reversing gear unit, torque applied in the area of a drive output can be supported by a range group in the area of a variator. In the event of a command to interrupt the power flow between a drive engine and the drive output, it is checked whether the vehicle is on an inclined surface and if the result of that inquiry is positive, the power flow between the drive engine and the transmission is interrupted at the latest when the rotational speed of the drive output is reduced to zero by opening the reversing clutches, while the active connection between the drive output and the variator is maintained by way of the range group.

A synchronization unit of a switchable gear changing transmission for a vehicle. The synchronization unit includes a friction ring having an outer installation surface and a synchronizer ring having an inner installation surface. The outer installation surface of the friction ring is shaped as a first geometrically structured profile. The inner installation surface of the synchronizer ring is shaped as a corresponding second geometrically structured profile. The first profile of the friction ring is configured to engage with the second profile of the synchronizer ring in such a manner that the friction ring is secured in the radial direction to the axis and in the circumferential direction at the synchronizer ring.

A ball ramp actuator assembly including a control ring, an activation ring including a first section and a second section, two circumferential plate grooves formed between the control ring and the sections of the activation ring which contain rolling elements, two clutches, a gear and an actuator. The first and second sections are splined together allowing for axial movement. The first clutch is connected to the first section of the activation ring and a second clutch is connected to the second section of the activation ring. The rotation of a section of the activation ring axially in one direction allows the corresponding plate groove to expand and apply a load to the corresponding clutch while the other section of the activation ring remains inactive and rotation in the opposite direction activates the other clutch respectively.

A one-way clutch includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rollers, an annular cage that holds the rollers, and springs that bias the rollers toward a first side in a circumferential direction. The inner ring has a rib portion located on a first side in an axial direction and protruding outward in a radial direction. The cage has a pair of annular portions provided on the first side and a second side in the axial direction with respect to the rollers and a plurality of cage bars. One of the annular portions on the first side in the axial direction has an abutting contact surface that comes into abutting contact with the rib portion in the axial direction.

A one-way clutch includes an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of rollers, an annular cage in which pockets are formed at intervals in a circumferential direction so that the rollers are held in the pockets, and springs attached to cage bars of the cage to bias the rollers. The cage has protruding portions fitted in the inner ring so that the cage is not allowed to rotate with respect to the inner ring. The inner ring has recessed portions each including a cam surface that allows a corresponding one of the engagement elements to be engaged between the cam surface and an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring. Each of the recessed portions further has a fitting surface that is formed as a surface continuous with the cam surface in the recessed portion and on which a corresponding one of the protruding portions is closely fitted.

The present disclosure relates to a connector using a ball and a detent and, more particularly, to a connector in a clutch connection structure used in an electrical automobile, which includes: a locking part formed at a body; a latch in contact with the locking part; a first solenoid driving part disposed on one side of the latch; and a second solenoid driving part disposed on the other side of the latch, in which the first solenoid driving part and the second solenoid driving part face each other with the latch being interposed therebetween, such that an operation of a clutch when the clutch operates becomes simple, and thus, noise, vibrations, and durability thereof are improved.

A one-way clutch is configured to allow rotation in one direction with respect to a shaft and regulate rotation in the other direction, and includes a housing, a plurality of needles, a plurality of magnets, a plurality of first accommodating portions, and a plurality of second accommodating portions. The housing includes a fitting hole into which the shaft is fit. The plurality of magnets are respectively arranged adjacent to the plurality of needles. Each magnet has an S pole and an N pole corresponding to a first end side and a second end side of one of the needles, and attracts one of the needles by magnetic force to a first circumferential direction of the shaft. The plurality of first accommodating portions accommodate the plurality of needles, respectively. The plurality of second accommodating portions are respectively arranged adjacent to the first accommodating portions, and respectively accommodate the plurality of magnets.

A one-way clutch is disclosed, which improves durability while reducing a drag torque and restraining burning of a block bearing. The one-way clutch includes: a torque transfer mechanism disposed between an outer race 2 and an inner race 3 so disposed in the outer race 2 as to be spaced inwardly in a diametrical direction, and hindering the outer race 2 and the inner race 3 from making a relative rotation in a predetermined direction; and block bearings 6 disposed between the outer race 2 and the inner race 3 together with the torque transfer mechanism, and keeping the outer race 2 and the inner race 3 in a concentric state, in which each block bearing has a slide surface 6f contiguous with an axis-directional surface of the outer race 2 or the inner race 3, and at least part of the slide surface 6f is a roughened surface.

The invention relates to a polymer composition which absorbs infrared radiation (IR), containing a transparent thermoplastic plastic, an inorganic infrared absorber, also referred to as IR absorber hereinbelow, at least one inorganic nano-scale pigment, and the combination of at least two organic coloring agents of a specific structure, and to the preparation and use of the polymer compositions according to the invention and to products produced therefrom.

The present invention relates to an aqueous anti-dusting formulation for use in combination with a binder in the manufacture of fiber wool insulation, the formula comprising: a) oil; b) polyvinyl alcohol; and c) water. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a glass or mineral fiber product with the anti-dusting formulations and to products of the process.

The present invention provides a novel cationized microfibrillated plant fiber and a method for manufacturing the same. A cationic microfibrillated plant fiber that is cationically modified with a quaternary-ammonium-group-containing compound, and that has an average diameter of 4 to 200 nm.

A hair coloring composition comprising: a) dihydroxyacetone or a derivative thereof; b) from 0.2 to 10 wt % of the total composition of a cationic conditioning compound c) a sulphonic compound of formula: H2N—(CHR1}pS(—X)q—Y in which where p is an integer from 1 to 5, R1 is H or an alkyl group, X is O or S q is an integer from 0 or 1. Y is an alkyl group or hydroxyl group.

A fabric cleaning composition comprising from 1% to 20% by weight of the fabric cleaning composition of an oxygen-based bleaching source and a hueing agent, and wherein the neat composition has a pH between 2.5 and 5.5, and a method of using said fabric cleaning composition.

The invention relates to a self-contained and wireless monitoring device (10) for use in a washing machine (1) to indicate shortage of detergent in said washing machine. The monitoring device comprises a sensor (13) arranged to monitor detergent concentration in washing liquid (5) of said washing machine and to provide an alarm signal (A) when said monitored detergent concentration is below a target value. The monitoring device is capable of floating in said washing liquid and comprises signalling means (11) for indicating said shortage of detergent in response to said alarm signal. The invention further relates to a package containing such a monitoring device and a method for indicating shortage of detergent.

This application relates to thiophene azo dyes for use as hueing agents, laundry care compositions comprising such thiophene azo dyes, processes for making such thiophene azo dyes, and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The thiophene azo dyes contain a formally charged moiety and are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. These thiophene azo dyes are advantageous in providing a hueing effect, for example, a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics. The thiophene azo dyes are also generally stable to bleaching agents used in laundry care compositions.

The present invention relates to dyes of the formula (I) in which R1 to R10, D1 and D2 are defined as given in claim 1, a process for preparing them, and their use for dyeing and printing hydroxyl- and/or carboxamido-containing materials.

The present invention provides a modified cellulosic fiber having reduced hydrogen bonding capabilities. The modified fiber formed in accordance with the present invention may be useful in the production of tissue products having improved bulk and softness. More importantly, the modified fiber is adaptable to current tissue making processes and may be incorporated into a tissue product to improve bulk and softness without an unsatisfactory reduction in tensile.

The invention relates to an epilatory mixture comprising a fructan, preferably inulin. Furthermore, an epilatory composition is disclosed comprising said epilatory effective mixture. Also a method of use of said epilatory composition of the invention for the removal of unwanted hair from the skin is disclosed, as well as a method of use of said composition for carrying out an epilatory treatment which can be carried out by a professional person as well as by a non-professional person.

The invention discloses a laundry article used for both cleaning and conditioning fabrics comprising a water-insoluble nonwoven substrate and coated thereon into at least one zone each a detergent composition and a fabric conditioning composition. The fabric conditioning composition comprises a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol and a fatty acid.

A cleaning composition according to one embodiment includes a surfactant system comprising nonionic surfactant in combination with an anionic surfactant; water present in an amount from 0 to about 40 wt % based on a total weight of the cleaning composition; a solvent system comprising a polyalcohol, the solvent system being present in an amount effective to solubilize the surfactant system in the water; and an enzyme present in an amount of less than about 15 wt %; wherein the cleaning composition is in a form of a continuous phase, wherein the cleaning composition is characterized as exhibiting about a constant cleaning efficacy as measured using test procedure ASTM D4265 when the cleaning composition is added to 69 liters of exterior water in amounts ranging from about 9 to about 22 grams of cleaning composition. Methods for pretreating and cleaning laundry and nontextile surfaces are also presented.

The cellulose nanofiber production method of the present invention comprises an oxidation treatment step for oxidizing native cellulose in a neutral or acidic reaction solution containing an N-oxyl compound and an oxidizing agent that oxidizes aldehyde groups, and a dispersion step for dispersing the native cellulose in a medium following the oxidation treatment step. According to the production method of the present invention, a cellulose nanofiber is provided that has long fibers and demonstrates high strength.

Functional additives for cleansing compositions exhibiting enhanced anti soil-re-deposition and/or dye transfer inhibitory properties comprising polymers in the form of homopolymers, copolymers or terpolymers synthesized from at least one hydrophobic monomer. Examples of hydrophobic monomers include N-vinyl caprolactam, vinyl acetate, vinyl esters, acrylated glycols, methacrylamide, C1 to C12 alkyl- and C1 to C12 dialkylacrylamide, C1 to C12 alkyl- and C1 to C12 dialkylmethacrylamide, C1 to C12 alkyl aery late, C1 to C12 alkyl methacrylate, 4-butyl phenyl maleimide, octyl acrylamide.

Disclosed herein is a method of controlling drainage of wash water remaining in a washing machine. The method includes draining wash water from a tub to an outside of the washing machine, supplying wash water into the washing machine after the draining wash water, and re-draining the wash water to the outside of the washing machine after the supplying wash water.

A washing machine and a control method thereof to achieve washing performance using bubbles without damage to fiber structures of functional clothes. When a washing course of functional clothes is selected, a motor is frequently rotated at a period of a predetermined time or less, causing the clothes to uniformly adsorb the water. Thereafter, bubbles are generated and applied to the clothes. A drive operation rate of the motor is raised stepwise to wash the clothes to which the bubbles have been applied, so as to effectively remove sweat, contaminants, or the like contained in the clothes.

A process obtains an aged or faded effect on garments made of protein fibers such as wool, cashmere and silk. Granules of inert materials, which are particularly light in order not to damage very fine fibers, are introduced into a tumbler. The garments were previously treated with a chemical product commonly referred to as “dye retardant” for inhibiting dyeing of the fabric. The tumbler is pre-arranged so that the chemical product does not migrate through holes or openings. Raw confectioned garments that are to be treated, such as jerseys or outerwear, are introduced into the tumbler. The garments are extracted from the tumbler at the end of migration of the chemical product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments by the granules and steamed in an autoclave to fix the chemical process of the product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments. The garments are then dyed with a specific selection of dyes that must be defined each time according to the desired result.

A DTS system resistant to radiation induced attenuation losses during the service life of an installation at both low and high temperatures using matched multi-wavelength distributed temperature sensing automatic calibration technology in combination with designed Pure Silica Core (PSC) optical fibers and an in process photo bleaching method provided by the light sources of the distributed temperature sensing system.

Disclosed is a drum type washing machine having a touch up function and a method for touching up thereof. The drum type washing machine having the touch up function is provided with a touch up button for removing wrinkles on laundry left in the drum type washing machine and a method for touching up. Accordingly, it is not required for a user to additionally execute rinsing and dehydrating processes, or ironing so as to remove wrinkles on the laundry, thus it is convenient. And, since it is not required to additionally execute the rinsing and dehydrating processes, it is capable of preventing unwanted consumption of water and electricity.

The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for lightening keratin materials, in which the following are used: (a) a direct emulsion (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount greater than 25% by weight, such as greater than 50%, at least one surfactant; at least one alkaline agent and an amount of water greater than 5% by weight, of the total weight of the emulsion, (b) a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. It also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising, in one compartment, an emulsion (A), in another compartment a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent.

A textile comprising a diacetylene compound which is capable of changing color when irradiated with light energy. Methods of imparting color to textiles comprising irradiating the textile with light energy are also provided.

A photoresist composition includes a binder resin combined with a black dye, a monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator and a remainder of a solvent.

Novel compounds based on distyryl-biphenyl are provided. The compounds conform to the general structure The compounds are useful as optical brighteners. Compositions, such as laundry care compositions, containing such compounds are also provided.