Three-pass turbine damper

Abstract

A torque converter comprising a torque converter clutch arranged to transmit torque from a housing of the torque converter to a turbine, a piston plate fixed to a drive hub, a clutch plate fixed to a turbine hub, the turbine hub operatively arranged to rotate at transmission input shaft speed, a pressure chamber bounded by a cover and a clutch piston plate, and a flow chamber, the flow chamber bounded by the piston plate and the clutch plate. A method of converting torque in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of driving a torque converter housing via an engine, transferring fluid to a turbine within the torque converter, rotating a transmission input shaft via the turbine fluid transfer, transferring engine torque via a mechanical lock-up mechanism, controlling lock-up mechanism fluid flow via a flow chamber, and releasing flow chamber fluid via an orifice.

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 general block diagram illustration of power flow in a motor vehicle, intended to help explain the relationship and function of a torque converter in the drive train thereof;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art torque converter, shown secured to an engine of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a left view of the torque converter shown in FIG. 2, taken generally along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the torque converter shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a first exploded view of the torque converter shown in FIG. 2, as shown from the perspective of one viewing the exploded torque converter from the left; and,

FIG. 6 is a second exploded view of the torque converter shown in FIG. 2, as shown from the perspective of one viewing the exploded torque converter from the right;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the torque converter assembly of the invention; and,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the encircled region shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of torque converter 10. Torque converter 10 comprises torque converter clutch 49. Torque converter clutch 49 comprises clutch piston plate 17. Seal 104 is arranged to create a fluid-tight seal between clutch piston plate 17 and cover 11. Seal 106 is arranged to create a fluid-tight seal between clutch piston plate 17 and sealing member 153. Anti-rotation means (not shown) non-rotatably connects clutch piston plate 17 and cover 11, preventing wear of seals 104 and 106 caused by rotation of clutch piston plate 17 in cover 11. In some aspects, anti-rotation means comprises a protrusion on cover 11 and a receiving indent in clutch piston plate 102. Sealing member 151 is further sealed to input shaft (not shown) by seal 152. Cover 11, sealing member 151 and clutch piston plate 17, together with seals 152, 104, and 106, comprise an outer periphery of pressure chamber 200.

FIG. 8 is a detail of the encircled region labeled “FIG. 8” in FIG. 7. Torque converter clutch 49 further comprises clutch pack 108. Clutch pack 108 is comprised of a plurality of clutch plates 110, 112, 114, and 116, and friction material rings 118, 120, 122, and 124. In some aspects, friction material ring 118 is bonded to friction clutch plate 110, friction material ring 120 is bonded to clutch plate 112, friction material ring 122 is bonded to clutch plate 114, and friction material ring 124 is bonded to clutch plate 116. Clutch plate 110 is rotationally connected to cover 11 via leaf spring 126. Clutch plate 114 is rotationally connected to cover 11 via leaf spring 128. Clutch plate 112 is driveably engaged with cover plate 130 via spline portion 132. Apply plate 155 is fixedly connected to pump housing 20 via weld 160. Apply plate 155 comprises flow orifice 24.

Returning to FIG. 7, clutch plate 116 is driveably engaged with turbine hub 19 by engagement with spline portion 28. Turbine hub 19 is fixedly connected to turbine shell 22 by rivet 32. A fluid-tight seal is formed between clutch plate 116 and turbine hub 19 by welding or adhesive. Seal 36 is arranged to create a fluid-tight seal between turbine hub 19 and drive hub 156. Drive hub 156 comprises orifice 40. Clutch piston plate 102, cover 11, apply plate 155, friction material ring 124, clutch plate 116, turbine hub 19, drive hub 156, sealing member 153, seals 152, 36, 104, and 106, and weld 160 comprise an outer periphery of flow chamber 202.

Cover plate 130 is driveably engaged with turbine hub 19 by engagement with spline portion 28. Cover plate 130 is fixedly connected to cover plate 134 by rivet 136. Together, edges of window cutouts in cover plates 130 and 134 engage a first end of coil spring 138. Coil spring 138, in turn, engages edge of window cutout in flange 140. Flange 140 is driveably engaged with drive hub 156 through spline portion 157. Drive hub 156 is driveably engaged with input shaft 203 through spline portion 157. Overload spline (not shown) driveably engages turbine hub 19 and drive hub 156 after a predetermined amount of rotational displacement by cover plate 130 relative to flange 140.

During operation in torque converter mode, clutch pack 108 is not engaged. Therefore, torque received by cover 11 is transferred to pump housing 20 through weld 160. Pump torque received by turbine shell 30 is imparted on turbine hub 19 through rivet 32. Spline 28 transmits torque to cover plate 130 which is in turn shared with cover plate 134 by riveted connection 136. Cover plates 130 and 134 compress spring 138 against flange 140. Flange outputs damper torque to drive hub 156 through spline connection 157. When rotational displacement exceeds the predetermined amount, overload spline (not shown) directly engages turbine hub 19 and drive hub 156, advantageously preventing excessive turbine torque from passing through coil springs 138. Therefore, cover plates 130 and 134, and flange 140 need only be sized for engine torque rather than multiplied turbine torque.

When torque converter clutch mode is commanded, pressurized oil enters pressure chamber 200 through input shaft (not shown). Pressurized oil in pressure chamber 200 forces clutch piston plate 102 towards pump 34, thereby compressing clutch pack 108. Torque received by cover 11 is transferred to clutch plates 110 and 114 by leaf springs 126 and 128, respectively, and apply plate 155 through weld 160. Compression of friction material rings 118, 120, 122, and 124 transfers torque to clutch plates 112 and 116. Clutch plate 112 transfers a portion of torque to cover plate 130 through spline connection 132. Clutch plate 116 transfers a remaining portion of torque to cover plate 130 through spline portion 28 in turbine hub 19. Therefore, plates 116 and 130 are tightly engaged with spline portion 28, advantageously eliminating the possibility of rattle caused by spline lash.

A three-pass apply system allows cooling of clutch pack 108 while maintaining a controlled pressure in pressure chamber 200. Cooling flow enters flow chamber 202 through orifice 40 from gap between input shaft 203 and stator shaft 158. Oil is forced radially outward through friction material rings 118, 120, and 122. In some aspects, friction material rings are grooved to allow oil flow. After cooling oil passes through rings 118, 120, and 122, it exits flow chamber 202 through orifice 24 in apply plate 155 or through friction material ring 124. Oil exits torque converter flow chamber 202 through the gap between stator shaft 158 and pump hub 50.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modification and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

PARTS LIST
7   engine
8   transmission
9   differential/axial assembly
10  torque converter
11  cover
12  cover plates
13  flange
14  diaphragm spring
15  springs
16  cover plates
17  clutch piston plate
18  o-ring
19  turbine hub
22  turbine shell
24  orifice
28  spline portion
30  turbine shell
31  axial thrust bearings
32  rivet
34  pump housing
36  turbine hub seal
37  pump
38  turbine
39  stator
40  orifice
41  flexplate
42  crankshaft
43  transmission input shaft
44  turbine outlet
45  stator shaft
46  one-way clutch
47  transmission housing
48  stator blades
49  torque converter clutch
50  pump hub
51  friction material ring
52  friction material ring
104 od seal
106 id seal
108 clutch pack
110 clutch plate
112 clutch plate
114 clutch plate
116 clutch plate
118 friction material ring
120 friction material ring
122 friction material ring
124 friction material ring
126 leaf spring
128 leaf spring
130 cover plate
132 spline portion
134 cover plate
136 rivet
138 coil spring
140 flange
152 id seal
153 sealing member
155 apply plate
156 drive hub
157 spline
158 stator shaft
160 weld
200 pressure chamber
202 flow chamber
203 input shaft

Claims

1. A torque converter, comprising: a torque converter clutch arranged to transmit torque from a housing of the torque converter to a turbine of the torque converter, said housing operatively arranged to rotate at engine speed;a piston plate fixed to a drive hub, said drive hub operatively arranged to rotate at transmission input shaft speed;a clutch plate fixed to a turbine hub, said turbine hub operatively arranged to rotate at transmission input shaft speed;a pressure chamber bounded by a cover and a clutch piston plate; and,a flow chamber, said flow chamber bounded by said piston plate and said clutch plate.

2. A method of converting torque in a motor vehicle comprising the steps of: driving a torque converter housing via an engine;transferring fluid to a turbine within said torque converter;rotating a transmission input shaft via the turbine fluid transfer;transferring engine torque via a mechanical lock-up mechanism;controlling lock-up mechanism fluid flow via a flow chamber; and,releasing flow chamber fluid via an orifice.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said fluid in said flow chamber is cooling fluid.