Patent Application
20190011030
The present disclosure relates to a fluid-type rotary bladed wheel.
In general, torque converters include an impeller, a turbine and a stator. Fluid-type rotary bladed wheels such as the impeller and the turbine include a shell and a plurality of blades (see Japan Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2011-002005). The plurality of respective blades are annularly disposed while being fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the shell.
Each of the plurality of blades includes a protruding portion, and the shell is provided with a plurality of through holes, each of which corresponds to the protruding portion. The protruding portion is bent while penetrating each of the through holes provided in the shell, and is brazed thereto. Accordingly, each of the plurality of blades is fixed to the shell. It is preferable to enhance joint strength between each of the plurality of blades and the shell.
It is an object of the present disclosure to enhance joint strength between each of blades and a shell.
A fluid-type rotary bladed wheel according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is used for a torque converter. The fluid-type rotary bladed wheel includes a shell, a plurality of blades and a plurality of reinforcing portions. Each of the plurality of blades is fixed to an inner surface of the shell. Each of the plurality of blades extends in a radial direction and an axial direction. The plurality of respective blades are disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of reinforcing portions extends in the radial direction along a root between the shell and each of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of reinforcing portions joins the shell and each of the plurality of blades. The shell, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective reinforcing portions are integrated.
According to this configuration, each of the plurality of reinforcing portions extends along the root between the shell and each of the plurality of blades. Hence, joint strength between the shell and each of the plurality of blades can be enhanced. Additionally, the shell, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective reinforcing portions are integrated. In other words, the shell, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective reinforcing portions are included as constituent elements in a single member. Therefore, the member composed of the shell, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective reinforcing portions can be enhanced in stiffness.
Preferably, an outer surface of each of the plurality of reinforcing portions curves to be recessed toward the root as seen in a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of each of the plurality of reinforcing portions. Therefore, the flow of hydraulic oil can be made smooth in the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel.
Preferably, the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel further includes a core having an annular shape and a plurality of ribs. The core extends in the circumferential direction and is fixed to an axial end surface of each of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of ribs extends in the circumferential direction, and is provided on a root between the core and each of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of ribs joins the core and each of the plurality of blades. According to this configuration, each of the plurality of ribs is provided on the root between the core and each of the plurality of blades. Hence, joint strength between the core and each of the plurality of blades can be enhanced.
Preferably, the shell, the plurality of respective blades, the core, the plurality of respective reinforcing portions and the plurality of respective ribs are integrated. Thus, the respective members can be provided as constituent elements in a single member. According to this configuration, the member composed of the shell, the plurality of respective blades, the core, the plurality of respective reinforcing portions and the plurality of respective ribs can be enhanced in stiffness.
Preferably, the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel further includes a driven plate integrated with the shell.
Preferably, the shell, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective reinforcing portions are made of at least one selected from the group of aluminum, magnesium and resin.
A fluid-type rotary bladed wheel according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is used for a torque converter. The present fluid-type rotary bladed wheel includes a shell, a plurality of blades, a core having an annular shape, and a plurality of ribs. Each of the plurality of blades is fixed to an inner surface of the shell. Each of the plurality of blades extends in a radial direction and an axial direction. The plurality of respective blades are disposed at intervals in a circumferential direction. The core extends in the circumferential direction and is fixed to an axial end surface of each of the plurality of blades. Each of the plurality of ribs extends in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of ribs is provided on a root between the core and each of the plurality of blades, and joins the core and each of the plurality of blades. The plurality of respective blades, the core, and the plurality of respective ribs are integrated.
Incidentally, it is preferable to enhance joint strength between the core and each of the plurality of blades, too. To deal with this, in the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of ribs extends along the root between the core and each of the plurality of blades. Hence, joint strength between the core and each of the plurality of blades can be enhanced. Additionally, the core, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective ribs are integrated. In other words, the core, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective ribs are included as constituent elements in a single member. Therefore, the member composed of the core, the plurality of respective blades and the plurality of respective ribs can be enhanced in stiffness.
According to the present disclosure, joint strength between each of blades and a shell can be enhanced.
A turbine, which is an exemplary embodiment of a fluid-type rotary bladed wheel according to the present disclosure, will be hereinafter explained with reference to drawings. It should be noted that in the following explanation, the term “axial direction” means an extending direction of a rotational axis O of the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel. Additionally, the term “radial direction” means a radial direction of an imaginary circle about the rotational axis 0 of the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel. The term “circumferential direction” means a circumferential direction of the imaginary circle about the rotational axis O of the fluid-type rotary bladed wheel.
As shown in
The front cover 1 is a disc-shaped member and includes an outer peripheral tubular portion 11 in the outer peripheral portion thereof. The outer peripheral tubular portion 11 protrudes toward a transmission.
The impeller 2 includes an impeller shell 21 (an exemplary shell), a plurality of impeller blades 22 (exemplary blades), reinforcing portions (not shown in the drawings), an impeller core 24 (an exemplary core) and ribs (not shown in the drawings). Additionally, the impeller 2 includes an impeller hub 25. The impeller shell 21 is fixed to the outer peripheral tubular portion 11 of the front cover 1. For example, the impeller shell 21 and the outer peripheral tubular portion 11 are fixed by, for instance, welding. Additionally, the impeller shell 21 is also fixed to the impeller hub 25. The impeller shell 21, the impeller blades 22, the reinforcing portions, the impeller core 24 and the ribs are integrated. It should be noted that the configuration of the impeller 2 is basically the same as that of the turbine 3 to be described, and hence, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.
The turbine 3 is disposed in axial opposition to the impeller 2 within a fluid chamber. As shown in
The turbine shell 31 has a disc shape and includes an opening in the middle thereof. The turbine shell 31 curves to be recessed axially toward the front cover. As described below, the turbine shell 31 is integrated with the turbine blades 32, and hence, does not include through holes into which the turbine blades 32 are inserted. In other words, the turbine shell 31 does not include through holes in a region in which the turbine blades 32 are provided. It should be noted that the turbine shell 31 includes rivet attachment holes 311 in the inner peripheral end thereof so as to be fixed to the turbine hub 36. The turbine shell 31 is fixed to the turbine hub 36 by rivets 37.
The turbine blades 32 are fixed to the inner surface of the turbine shell 31. It should be noted that the inner surface of the turbine shell 31 faces the impeller 2. The respective turbine blades 32 are disposed at intervals from each other in the circumferential direction.
Each of the turbine blades 32 extends in the radial direction and the axial direction. It should be noted that each of the turbine blades 32 curves and extends in the radial direction. Additionally, each of the turbine blades 32 extends in the axial direction, while tilting in the circumferential direction. Therefore, as shown in
As shown in
The outer surface of each of the reinforcing portions 33 curves to be recessed toward the root as seen in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of each of the reinforcing portions 33. In other words, the outer surface of each of the reinforcing portions 33 has a circular-arc shape as seen in the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of each of the reinforcing portions 33. The turbine shell 31 and each of the turbine blades 32 are smoothly joined through each of the reinforcing portions 33.
As shown in
As described below, the turbine core 34 is integrated with the turbine blades 32, and hence, does not include through holes into which the turbine blades 32 are inserted. In other words, the turbine core 34 does not include through holes in a part thereof to which the turbine blades 32 are joined. It should be noted that the turbine core 34 does not include through holes in the entirety thereof.
As shown in
The ribs 35 extend along the lower end surface of the turbine core 34. It should be noted that the term “lower end surface” of the turbine core 34 means one surface of the turbine core 34 that is located axially closer to the turbine shell 31 than the other surface thereof. A root between each of the ribs 35 and each of the turbine blades 32 has a circular-arc shape as seen in a cross section taken along the extending direction of each of the ribs 35.
The turbine shell 31, the respective turbine blades 32, the respective reinforcing portions 33, the turbine core 34 and the respective ribs 35 are integrated. In other words, the turbine shell 31, the respective turbine blades 32, the respective reinforcing portions 33, the turbine core 34 and the respective ribs 35 are included as constituent elements in a single member. For example, the turbine shell 31, the respective turbine blades 32, the respective reinforcing portions 33, the turbine core 34 and the respective ribs 35 can be made of aluminum, magnesium, resin or so forth.
The turbine shell 31, the respective turbine blades 32, the respective reinforcing portions 33, the turbine core 34 and the respective ribs 35 can be integrally formed by three-dimensional lamination shaping. When the turbine 3 is formed by three-dimensional lamination shaping, it is preferable to form the turbine 3, for example, from the turbine shell 31 side toward the turbine core 34 in the axial direction.
Detailedly, as a first step, the turbine shell 31 is formed; as a second step, the turbine shell 31, the turbine blades 32 and the reinforcing portions 33 are simultaneously formed; as a third step, the turbine shell 31 and the turbine blades 32 are simultaneously formed; as a fourth step, the turbine shell 31, the turbine blades 32 and the ribs 35 are simultaneously formed; and as a fifth step, the turbine shell 31, the turbine blades 32 and the turbine core 34 are simultaneously formed. The turbine 3 is completely formed by sequentially executing the first to fifth steps. It should be noted that as a sixth step, a step of simultaneously forming the turbine shell 31 and the turbine core 34 can be executed after the fifth step.
As shown in
The lock-up device 5 is disposed in a space between the front cover 1 and the turbine 3. The lock-up device 5 includes a piston 51, a drive plate 52, a plurality of outer peripheral side torsion springs 53, a float member 54, an intermediate member 55, a plurality of inner peripheral side torsion springs 56 and a driven plate 57.
The piston 51 has an annular shape and is supported by the outer peripheral surface of the turbine hub 36 so as to be axially movable and be rotatable relatively thereto. The piston 51 includes a friction member 51a having an annular shape. When the friction member 51a is pressed onto the front cover 1, a torque is transmitted from the front cover 1 to the piston 51.
The drive plate 52 is fixed to the piston 51. The drive plate 52 is provided with a plurality of engaging portions 52a in the outer peripheral part thereof. The engaging portions 52a are engaged with both circumferential ends of the outer peripheral side torsion springs 53. The float member 54 is an annular member having a C-shaped cross section, and supports the outer peripheral side torsion springs 53.
The intermediate member 55 is composed of a first plate 55a and a second plate 55b, and is rotatable relatively to the drive plate 52 and the driven plate 57. The first plate 55a is provided with a plurality of engaging portions 551 that are engaged with the outer peripheral side torsion springs 53. The inner peripheral side torsion springs 56 are disposed between the first plate 55a and the second plate 55b. The intermediate member 55 enables the outer peripheral side torsion springs 53 and the inner peripheral side torsion springs 56 to act in series.
The driven plate 57 is an annular disc-shaped member and is fixed at the inner peripheral part thereof together with the turbine shell 31 to the turbine hub 36 by the rivets 37. The driven plate 57 is disposed between the first plate 55a and the second plate 55b, while being rotatable relatively to both plates 55a and 55b. The driven plate 57 is provided with holes for accommodating the inner peripheral side torsion springs 56 in the outer peripheral part thereof.
The torque transmitted to the piston 51 is transmitted through a path of “the drive plate 52→the outer peripheral side torsion springs 53→the intermediate member 55 the inner peripheral side torsion springs 56→the driven plate 57” and is then outputted to the turbine hub 36.
One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been explained above. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and a variety of changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present advancement.
In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the driven plate 57 is fixed to the turbine shell 31 by the rivets 37. However, the configuration of the driven plate 57 is not limited to this. For example, the driven plate 57 can be integrated with the turbine shell 31.
In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, each of the ribs 35 is made in the shape of a plate extending in the circumferential direction and the axial direction. However, the shape of each of the ribs 35 is not limited to this. For example, the shape of each of the ribs 35 can extend in the radial direction as well. In this case, each of the ribs 35 can be also configured to gradually increase in height from the radially inside and outside thereof toward the middle thereof. When each of the ribs 35 has the shape described above, the flow of hydraulic oil can be made smooth without being hindered by the ribs 35.
In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, when formed by three-dimensional lamination shaping, the turbine 3 is gradually formed from the turbine shell 31 side toward the turbine core 34. However, the turbine 3 can be formed in the opposite direction from the turbine core 34 side toward the turbine shell 31.
2: Impeller
3: Turbine
31: Turbine shell
32: Turbine blade
33: Reinforcing portion
34: Turbine core
35: Rib
57: Driven plate
100: Torque converter
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-042023 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |
This application is the U.S. National Phase of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2016/089146, filed on Dec. 28, 2016. That application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-042023, filed Mar. 4, 2016. The contents of both applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2016/089146 | 12/28/2016 | WO | 00 |
