Cone connected torque converter

Abstract

The present invention broadly comprises a cone connection assembly for a torque converter, including: a first surface operatively arranged for connection to a crankshaft and a second surface on a cover of the torque converter. The first and second surfaces are arranged to be engaged and the first surface is arranged to transfer torque to the second surface via the engagement of the first and second surfaces. In some aspects, the crankshaft comprises a longitudinal axis, the first surface is disposed about the longitudinal axis, the cover comprises an outside surface, and the outside surface comprises the second surface. In some aspects, the first and second surfaces are arranged to be frictionally engaged or the first and second surfaces have complementary surface features and the first and second surface features are arranged to interlockingly engage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a present invention cone connection assembly;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section of the cone connection assembly in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second present invention cone connection assembly; and,

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a third present invention cone connection assembly.

Claims

1. A cone connection assembly for a torque converter, comprising: a first surface operatively arranged for connection to a crankshaft; and,a second surface operatively connected to a cover of said torque converter, where said first and second surfaces are arranged to be engaged and said first surface is arranged to transfer torque to said second surface via said engagement of said first and second surfaces.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said crankshaft comprises a longitudinal axis, said first surface is disposed about said longitudinal axis, said cover comprises an outside surface, and said outside surface comprises said second surface.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second surfaces are arranged to be frictionally engaged.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second surfaces have complementary surface features and said first and second surface features are arranged to interlockingly engage.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said complementary surface features are selected from the group consisting of splines, notches, tabs, indents, and coined slots.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first surface defines a recess.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second surfaces are complementarily tapered.

8. The assembly of claim 7 further comprising a taper element operatively connected to said cover and including said second surface and wherein said first surface defines a recess.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said taper element is fixedly connected to said cover.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said taper element is riveted to said cover.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said taper element is integral to said cover.

12. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a plate connected to said crankshaft and including said first surface.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said first and second surfaces are complimentarily tapered.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said cover is arranged to be inserted in said plate.

15. A cone connection assembly for a torque converter, comprising: a plate connected to a crankshaft, said plate comprising a surface radially disposed about a longitudinal axis for said crankshaft; and,an outside surface for a cover of said torque converter, where said surface and said outside surface are complimentarily tapered, at least a portion of said cover is arranged to be inserted in said plate, said surface and said outside surface are arranged to be frictionally engaged, and said surface is arranged to transfer torque to said outside surface due to said frictional engagement.

16. A method for transferring torque from a crankshaft to a torque converter, comprising: engaging first and second surfaces, where said first surface is arranged for connection to said crankshaft and said second surface is operatively connected to a cover for said torque converter; and,transferring said torque via said engagement of said first and second surfaces.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein engaging further comprises frictionally engaging.

18. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said first and second surfaces have complementary surface features; and, said method further comprising: interlockingly engaging said first and second surfaces.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said complementary surface features are selected from the group consisting of splines, notches, tabs, indents, and coined slots.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising complimentarily tapering said first and second surfaces.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising operatively connecting a taper element to said cover, said taper element including said second surface, and defining a recess with said first surface.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein operatively connecting a taper element comprises fixedly connecting said taper element to said cover.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein fixedly connecting said taper element to said cover comprises riveting said taper element to said cover.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein said taper element is integral to said cover.

25. The method of claim 16 further comprising connecting a plate to said crankshaft, said plate including said first surface.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising complimentarily tapering said first and second surfaces.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising arranging at least a portion of said cover for insertion in said plate.