Stator and one-way clutch assembly for a torque converter

Abstract

The present invention broadly comprises a stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter. The stator has a segment radially disposed between stator blades and a stator axis. The one-way clutch has a plate connected to a hub. The segment forms a portion of the clutch and the stator is axially displaceable to control operation of the clutch. A displacement element urges the stator in a first axial direction. The stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, in response to pressure from fluid in the torque converter. In some aspects, the displacement element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring and a wave spring. In some aspects, the one-way clutch is arranged to disengage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the first direction and to engage when the stator is sufficiently displaced in the second direction.

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-section of a present invention stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter with the clutch in a free-wheel mode;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-section of the stator and clutch assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the clutch in a locked mode;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of an axial half and hub shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the axial half and hub shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the axial half shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the hub shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a back perspective view of a stator segment and hub in a present invention stator and clutch assembly; and,

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the segment and hub shown in FIG. 7.

Claims

1. A stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter, comprising: a stator with a first segment radially disposed between blades for said stator and a longitudinal axis for said stator; and,a one-way clutch with a first plate connected to a hub, wherein said first segment is configured to form a portion of said one-way clutch and said stator is axially displaceable to control operation of said clutch.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a displacement element arranged to urge said stator in a first axial direction; and, wherein said torque converter further comprises a fluid and said stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite said first axial direction, in response to pressure from said fluid.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said torque converter is configured so that said fluid applies pressure to said blades and said first segment.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said displacement element is disposed between said first segment and said first plate.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said displacement element is selected from the group consisting of a coil spring and a wave spring.

6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said one-way clutch is arranged to disengage when said stator is sufficiently displaced in said first direction and to engage when said stator is sufficiently displaced in said second direction.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first segment comprises a first substantially annular disc having at least one first axial protrusion and said first plate comprises at least one first indentation axially aligned with said at least one first protrusion.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said at least one first indentation and said at least one first axial protrusion are arranged to lockingly engage.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first plate comprises at least one second axial protrusion and said first segment comprises a second substantially annular disc having at least one second indentation axially aligned with said at least one second protrusion.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said at least one second indentation and said at least one second axial protrusion are arranged to lockingly engage.

11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a wear-prevention element; and, wherein said stator further comprises a second segment disposed between said blades and said axis and said wear-prevention element is disposed between said second segment and said first plate.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said stator further comprises a third segment disposed between said blades and said axis and said third segment and said first plate are in contact.

13. A stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter, comprising: a one-way clutch with a plate connected to a hub;a stator with a segment radially disposed between blades for said stator and a longitudinal axis for said stator and forming a portion of said clutch; and,a displacement element arranged to urge said stator in a first axial direction, wherein said torque converter further comprises a fluid, said stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite said first axial direction, in response to pressure from said fluid, said one-way clutch is arranged to rotate when said stator is sufficiently displaced in said first direction, and said one-way clutch is arranged to lockingly engage when said stator is sufficiently displaced in said second direction.

14. A stator and clutch assembly in a torque converter, comprising: a one-way clutch with a plate connected to a hub;a stator with a segment radially disposed between blades for said stator and a longitudinal axis for said stator and forming a portion of said clutch; and,a displacement element arranged to urge said stator in a first axial direction, wherein said torque converter further comprises a fluid, said stator is arranged to move in a second axial direction, opposite said first axial direction, in response to pressure from said fluid, said segment comprises a substantially annular disc having at least one axial protrusion and said plate comprises at least one indentation axially aligned with said at least one protrusion.