The invention relates generally to a backing plate connection, and more specifically to a sealed backing plate connection with a drive connection.
Backing plates for torque converters are known. Some prior art designs include a welded connection between the backing plate and a hub. The welded connection prevents rotation of the backing plate relative to the hub, and seals the backing plate to the hub. Welding is an additional process and adds expense to the manufacture of the torque converter.
Example aspects broadly comprise a backing plate connection including a hub having an outer surface comprised of flat surfaces and arcuate surfaces and a backing plate including an inner bore surface complementary to and press-fit onto the hub outer surface. The hub and the plate are sealingly connected and drivingly connected at the complementary surfaces. In some example embodiments, the hub includes a groove for receiving a snap ring. In an example embodiment, the groove is a plurality of groove segments extending circumferentially through the arcuate surfaces and ending at the flat surfaces. In an example embodiment, the hub is arranged to be fixed to a torque converter cover. In an example embodiment, the hub is integrally formed with a torque converter cover.
Other example aspects broadly comprise a hub for a torque converter including a plurality of arcuate segments forming respective first portions of a radially outwardly facing surface and having a same radius and a plurality of flat segments connecting the plurality of arcuate segments and forming respective second portions of the radially outwardly facing surface. The pluralities of arcuate and flat segments are arranged for sealing engagement with a backing plate for the torque converter. In some example embodiments, the arcuate segments form portions of a cylinder having a circular edge and the flat segments extend from chords of the circular edge along the length of the cylinder. In an example embodiment, the flat segments form portions of a cuboid.
In some example embodiment, a number of arcuate segments in the plurality of arcuate segments equals a number of flat segments in the plurality of flat segments. In an example embodiment, the number of arcuate segments and the number of flat segments is four. In some example embodiments, the hub includes a plurality of grooves, for receiving a snap ring, disposed in the arcuate segments. In an example embodiment, the plurality of grooves extends entirely through respective arcuate segments and intersect with respective flat segments.
Other example aspects broadly comprise a torque converter including a cover for driving engagement with a prime mover, a hub fixedly connected to the cover and including a backing plate mounting surface with arcuate segments and flat segments, and a backing plate drivingly and sealingly connected to the hub at a sealing portion having an aperture shaped complementary to the backing plate mounting surface. In some example embodiments, the backing plate has a press-fit connection with the backing plate mounting surface. In some example embodiments, the torque converter includes a snap ring for axially retaining the backing plate. The hub includes a groove and the snap ring is disposed in the groove. In some example embodiment, the torque converter includes a piston plate sealingly engaged with the hub and drivingly engaged with the backing plate or the cover. In an example embodiment, the hub includes a flow channel with an opening axially disposed between the backing plate and the piston plate.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers appearing in different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited only to the particular embodiments, methodology, materials and modifications described herein, and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the following example methods, devices, and materials are now described.
The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis 81, radius 82, or circumference 83, respectively. The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes.
The following description is made with reference to
Converter 100 also includes cover assembly 112, clutch assembly 114 and damper assembly 116 forming a mechanical circuit. Cover 112 includes lugs 118 for driving engagement with the vehicle engine, and is fixed to impeller 104 via weld 120. After launch, the fluid circuit is less efficient than the mechanical circuit, so clutch 114 is hydraulically engaged with cover 112 to lock the converter activate the mechanical circuit. During this “lockup” condition, torque is transmitted from cover 112 through clutch 114 and damper 116 to a transmission input shaft as will be described in more detail below.
Piston plate 122 and cover drive ring 124 are drivingly engaged with cover 112 via respective leaf spring sets 126 and 128. In some embodiments (not shown), piston plate 122 is drivingly engaged with backing plate 138 instead of cover 112. Damper drive ring 130 and damper drive plate 132 are engaged with one-another at tab connection 134. Pressure in chamber 136 between piston 122 and backing plate 138 urges the piston towards cover 112, clamping rings 124 and 130, and drive plate 132 to transmit torque from cover 112 to damper assembly 116. Torque received by spring 140 from plate 132 is transmitted to spring retainer 142 and cover plate 144, through spring 146 to flange hub 148, and out to the input shaft at spline 150.
Piston plate 122 is sealed with cover hub 152 at seal 154, and sealed with backing plate 138 at seal 156. Hub 152 is fixed to cover 112 by weld 158, for example. Although hub 152 is shown fixed to cover 112 by weld 158, the hub may be attached to the cover by other methods including projection welding, adhesives, or brazing, for example. In other embodiments (not shown), hub 152 may be integrally formed with cover 112 similar to pilot 159. Backing plate 138 is drivingly and sealingly engaged with portion 153 of cover hub 152 at backing plate connection 160.
The following description is made with reference to
Surface 168 is press-fit onto surface 162. Otherwise stated, backing plate 138 is forcefully engaged with portion 153 of hub 152. Plate 138 and hub 152 are sealingly connected and drivingly connected at the complementary surfaces 162 and 168. Backing plate 138 is drivingly and sealingly connected to hub 152 at sealing portion 168. Portion 168 has an aperture shaped complementary to backing plate mounting surface 162.
As can be seen in
Flat segments 164 connect arcuate segments 166, forming portions of radially outwardly facing surface 162. Otherwise stated, arcuate segments 166 form portions of a cylinder having circular edge 174 and flat segments 164 extend from chords of circular edge 174 along the length of the cylinder (i.e., into or out of the page when viewed as shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Of course, changes and modifications to the above examples of the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed. Although the invention is described by reference to specific preferred and/or example embodiments, it is clear that variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as claimed.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61489099 | May 2011 | US |