Patent Application
20170108102
The present disclosure relates to a torque converter. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a torque converter having a one way clutch assembly present therein.
Earth moving machines have long been known to employ torque converters to co-operate with their engines. Torque converters typically contain clutches having several sets of clutch plates and/or friction plates. However, the current design of the clutches is such that the one way clutches are sensitive to variations in speed.
A torque converter is generally a hydrodynamic fluid coupling that transfers rotational torque from a prime mover to a driven load such as a transmission. The torque converter typically includes an impeller, a turbine, and a stator. The torque converter multiplies the torque from the prime mover and transfers the torque to the transmission. In an example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,298, a one-way clutch having a lock-up function, comprises an outer race, an inner race radially spaced apart from the outer race and disposed within the outer race concentrically for relative rotation, a cam surface provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer race or an outer peripheral surface of the inner race, a track surface provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner race or the inner peripheral surface of the outer race in a confronting relationship to the cam surface, a plurality of roller members disposed between the outer race and the inner race and adapted to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, springs for biasing the roller members toward one circumferential direction, a side plate for holding the roller members and the springs with predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction, and a control member for acting on the roller members to effect lock-up control, and wherein the control member controls the one-way clutch to lock up the one-way clutch in both directions or one direction by urging the roller members radially against the outer peripheral surface of the inner race or the inner peripheral surface of the outer race to frictionally engage the former with the latter or by releasing the roller members.
In one aspect of the present disclosure a one way clutch includes a first ring member and a second ring member located concentrically with respect to the first ring member. The one way clutch includes at least one engaging assembly disposed between the first ring member and the second ring member. The engaging assembly includes at least one cam member positioned in at least one of the first ring member and the second ring member. The one way clutch further includes at least one biasing member that is contacted to a corresponding cam member in a radial direction. Further, the biasing member is adapted to apply a positive biasing force on the corresponding cam member in the radial direction.
In another aspect of the present disclosure a method of operating a one way clutch that includes a first ring member, a second ring member and at least one engaging assembly. The method includes applying, through the biasing member, a positive force on the cam member in a radial direction, engaging the engaging assembly with one of the first ring member and the second ring member and restricting a relative rotation of the first ring member and the second ring member.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure a torque converter includes a turbine rotatably coupled to a torque converter output to rotate therewith and an impeller that is hydraulically coupled to the turbine. The torque converter includes a stator housed on a stationary member, within the turbine and the impeller, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of vanes. The torque converter further includes a one way clutch coupled to the stator. The one way clutch includes a first ring member and a second ring member located concentrically with respect to the first ring member. The second ring member adapted to rotate relative to the first ring member. Further, one of the first ring member and the second ring member is coupled to the stator. The one way clutch includes at least one engaging assembly disposed between the first ring member and the second ring member. Each of the engaging assembly includes at least one cam member positioned in at least one of the first ring member and the second ring member. The engaging assembly further includes at least one biasing member contacted to a corresponding cam member in the radial direction. Further, the biasing member is adapted to apply a positive biasing force on the corresponding cam member to engage the cam member in the radial direction with other of the first ring member and the second ring member, thereby selectively restricting relative rotation of the first ring member and the second ring member.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.
The torque converter 100 also includes an impeller 108, a turbine 110, a stator 112, and a one way clutch 200. The turbine 110 is rotatably coupled to the torque convertor output 104. The impeller 108 is rotatably coupled to the prime mover input 124 by means of a fastening member 109. The impeller 108 may rotate in response to the input torque from the prime mover. The stator 112 is located between the impeller 108 and the turbine 110. The stator 112 comprises a plurality of vanes 130 (shown in
The biasing member 214 of the engaging assembly 210 is contacted to a corresponding cam member 212 in a radial direction, as shown. The biasing member 214 can be a spring, pin, metal strip or any other objects that are known in the art. In an example, the engaging assembly 210 is housed on an outer peripheral face 206 of the second ring member 204. The outer peripheral face 206 includes a grooved portion 205. The grooved portion 205 includes a first groove 208 and a second groove 209. It can be contemplated that the engaging assembly 210 may be housed on an inner peripheral face 207 of the first ring member 202. The first and second grooves 208, 209 are configured to house the engaging assembly 210.
Referring to
The first ring member 202 may rotate relative to the second ring member 204 either in a first direction, e.g., clockwise direction or in a direction opposite to the first direction, e.g., counter clockwise. Referring to the embodiment as shown in
When the first ring member 202 rotates in a direction opposite to the first direction, i.e., in the counter clockwise direction, the biasing member 214 applies a positive biasing force on the nose portion 220 in the radial direction. The bottom curved portion 216 slidably turns along the first groove 208 such that the cam member 212 moves outwards in the radial direction. Further, the cam member 212 applies the positive biasing force via the top curved portion 218 on the inner peripheral face 207 of the first ring member 202.
The positive biasing force restricts the rotation of the first ring member 202 in the direction opposite to the first direction. When the first ring member 202 rotates in the direction opposite to the first direction, the cam member 212 turns about the first groove 208 and exerts an opposing force on the biasing member 214. Thus, allowing motion opposite to the first direction. It may be contemplated that the arrangement of the engaging assembly 210 may allow the motion of the second ring member 204 in the direction opposite to the first direction.
In operation, the prime mover input 124 can receive the input torque from the prime mover. The impeller 108 can be configured to rotate in response to the prime mover input 124. The rotation of the impeller 108 may generate a hydrodynamic fluid coupling within the torque converter 100, which rotates the turbine 110. The stator 112 may be interposed between the impeller 108 and the turbine 110, and can positivity and efficiently alter the fluid flow between the turbine 110 and the impeller 108. The stator 112 may freely rotate with the torque converter 100. However, the stator 112 is configured to rotate in the first direction, and is prevented from rotating in the second direction by the one way clutch 200.
Referring to
In an example, with the arrangement of the engaging assembly 210 as shown in
The one way clutch 200 disclosed herein includes components that are less complicated and are more efficient in transmitting torque from the turbine 110 to the impeller 108.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
