阅读说明：本技术 变矩器离合器组件 (Torque converter clutch assembly ) 是由 K·纳尔逊 V·诺威奇 于 2020-05-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种变矩器包括布置成接收扭矩的盖、具有固定至盖的叶轮外壳的叶轮以及流体联接至叶轮的涡轮。提供了一种锁止离合器,该锁止离合器包括不可旋转地连接至盖的挡板以及至少部分地设置在盖与挡板之间的活塞板。导流板设置在挡板与涡轮之间,其中,挡板经由单个连接件在第一轴向侧连接至活塞板并且在与第一轴向侧相反的第二轴向侧连接至导流板。(A torque converter includes a cover arranged to receive torque, an impeller having an impeller shell secured to the cover, and a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller. A lockup clutch is provided that includes a flapper non-rotatably connected to a cover and a piston plate disposed at least partially between the cover and the flapper. A baffle plate is disposed between the baffle plate and the turbine, wherein the baffle plate is connected to the piston plate on a first axial side and to the baffle plate on a second axial side opposite the first axial side via a single connection.)

1. A torque converter, comprising:

a cover arranged to receive torque;

an impeller having an impeller housing secured to the cover;

a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller; and

a lock-up clutch, the lock-up clutch comprising:

a flapper non-rotatably connected to the cover;

a piston plate at least partially disposed between the cover and the baffle plate; and

a baffle plate disposed between the baffle plate and the turbine, wherein the baffle plate is connected to the piston plate on a first axial side and to the baffle plate on a second axial side opposite the first axial side via a single connection.

2. The torque converter of claim 1, further comprising:

an apply chamber at least partially bounded by the cover and the piston plate and arranged to receive a first fluid to axially displace the piston plate to close the lockup clutch; and

a balancing chamber at least partially bounded by the piston plate and the baffle plate and arranged to receive a second fluid to balance the first fluid in the application chamber.

3. The torque converter of claim 2, wherein the lockup clutch further comprises:

a first channel connected to the application chamber and at least partially bounded by the cover and the baffle, and arranged to route the first fluid from a first fluid circuit to the application chamber; and

a second channel connected to the balance chamber and at least partially bounded by the baffle and the baffle, and arranged to route the second fluid from a second fluid circuit to the balance chamber.

4. The torque converter of claim 3, wherein the baffle includes an opening defined therein, and the baffle is arranged to allow the second fluid to be routed from the second passage through the opening into the balance chamber.

5. The torque converter of claim 4, wherein the baffle is sealed to the baffle via a seal.

6. The torque converter of claim 5, wherein the seal is disposed radially outward of the opening in the baffle.

7. The torque converter of claim 5, wherein the seal is disposed radially inward of the connection member.

8. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein the piston plate is sealed to the cover via a first seal and to an outer diameter of the baffle via a second seal.

9. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein the first and second seals are disposed at the same radial distance from the axis of rotation.

10. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein the piston plate is sealed to the baffle at an inner diameter thereof.

11. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein the single connection is a rivet.

12. A torque converter, comprising:

a cover arranged to receive torque;

an impeller having an impeller housing secured to the cover;

a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller; and

a lock-up clutch, the lock-up clutch comprising:

a flapper non-rotatably connected to the cover;

a piston plate at least partially disposed between the cover and the baffle plate and connected to the baffle plate via a connection; and

a baffle disposed between the baffle and the turbine and connected to the baffle via the connection,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

a first chamber is formed at least in part by the cover and the piston plate, and the first chamber is arranged to receive a first fluid to axially displace the piston plate to close the lockup clutch; and

a second chamber is formed at least in part by the piston plate and the baffle plate and is arranged to receive a second fluid to balance the first fluid in the first chamber.

13. The torque converter of claim 12, wherein the lockup clutch further comprises:

a first channel connected to the first chamber and at least partially bounded by the cover and the baffle, and arranged to route the first fluid from a first fluid circuit to the first chamber; and

a second channel connected to the second chamber and at least partially bounded by the baffle and the baffle, and arranged to route the second fluid from a second fluid circuit to the second chamber.

14. The torque converter of claim 12, further comprising a spring plate disposed between the piston plate and the baffle and connected between the piston plate and the baffle via the connection.

15. The torque converter of claim 12, wherein the lockup clutch further comprises:

a reaction plate secured to the lid;

a clutch plate axially disposed between the piston plate and the reaction plate; and

a return spring disposed between the piston plate and the reaction plate, wherein the return spring is configured to bias the lockup clutch in an open position.

16. The torque converter of claim 15, wherein the return spring is disposed radially outward of the clutch plate.

17. The torque converter of claim 15 further comprising a damper assembly including an input plate, wherein the clutch plate is connected to the input plate.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to torque converters, and more particularly to a four-channel torque converter having stacked plates forming at least some of the chambers for the lock-up clutch and at least some of the channels for transferring fluid to and from the chambers.

Background

In general, it is known to use a large hub with sometimes axially overlapping drilled passages to transfer fluid to and from the chamber of the torque converter lock-up clutch. In addition, these types of torque converters typically require numerous machining and assembly steps and, at the same time, require complex components to function properly. With the attendant considerable cost in machining the parts, which typically require stamping, machining, riveting and welding. Therefore, there is a need to simplify the complexity of the design and assembly of these torque converters.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an embodiment, a torque converter includes a cover arranged to receive torque, an impeller having an impeller housing secured to the cover, and a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller. A lockup clutch is provided that includes a flapper non-rotatably connected to a cover and a piston plate disposed at least partially between the cover and the flapper. A baffle plate is disposed between the baffle plate and the turbine, wherein the baffle plate is connected to the piston plate on a first axial side and to the baffle plate on a second axial side opposite the first axial side via a single connection.

The torque converter may include an apply chamber at least partially bounded by the cover and the piston plate and arranged to receive a first fluid to axially displace the piston plate to close the lockup clutch. The balance chamber is at least partially bounded by the piston and the baffle and is arranged to receive a second fluid to balance the first fluid in the apply chamber. The lockup clutch may also include a first passage connected to the apply chamber and at least partially bounded by the cover and the flapper, and arranged to route the first fluid from the first fluid circuit to the apply chamber. A second channel may be connected to the balance chamber and at least partially bounded by the baffle and the baffle, and the second channel is arranged to route a second fluid from the second fluid circuit to the balance chamber.

In an embodiment, the baffle includes an opening defined therein and is arranged to allow the second fluid to be routed from the second channel through the opening into the balance chamber. The baffle is sealed to the baffle via a seal, wherein the seal is arranged radially outside of the opening in the baffle and radially inside of the connection. The piston plate is sealed to the cap via a first seal and to an outer diameter of the baffle via a second seal, wherein the first and second seals are disposed at the same radial distance from the axis of rotation. Further, the piston plate may be sealed to the stop plate at its inner diameter and the single connector may be a rivet.

In other embodiments, the torque converter includes a cover arranged to receive torque, an impeller having an impeller housing secured to the cover, a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller, and a lockup clutch. The lockup clutch may include a damper non-rotatably connected to the cover, a piston plate disposed at least partially between the cover and the damper and connected to the damper via a connection, and a baffle plate disposed between the damper and the turbine. The baffle is connected to the baffle via a connection, wherein: a first chamber formed at least in part by the cover and the piston plate and arranged to receive a first fluid to axially displace the piston plate to close the lockup clutch; the second chamber is at least partially formed by the piston and the baffle and is arranged to receive a second fluid to balance the first fluid in the application chamber.

In an embodiment, the lockup clutch further includes: a first channel and a second channel, the first channel connected to the first chamber and at least partially bounded by the cover and the baffle, and the first channel arranged to route the first fluid from the first fluid circuit to the first chamber; the second channel is connected to the second chamber and is at least partially bounded by the baffle and the baffle, and the second channel is arranged to route the second fluid from the second fluid circuit to the second chamber. A spring leaf may be disposed between and connected between the piston plate and the baffle plate via a connector. The lock-up clutch may further include: the locking system includes a reaction plate fixed to the cover, a clutch plate axially disposed between the piston plate and the reaction plate, and a return spring disposed between the piston plate and the reaction plate, wherein the return spring is configured to bias the locking clutch in an open position. The return spring is disposed radially outward of the clutch plate. The torque converter may further include a damper assembly including an input plate, wherein the clutch plate is connected to the input plate.

Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide several advantages, such as reducing design complexity and cost by eliminating welding operations by setting existing connections, such as rivets, for flow responsible for clutch torque transfer while also maintaining plates to direct flow to balance chambers now incorporated into the centering flange.

Drawings

The single figure shows a partial cross-sectional view of a torque converter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should be appreciated that like reference numbers appearing in different drawing views indicate structural elements that are identical or functionally similar. Further, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one figure may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combination of features shown provides a representative implementation for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be required for particular applications or implementations.

By "non-rotatably connected" parts, it is meant herein that the parts are connected such that whenever one of the parts rotates, all of the parts rotate; and relative rotation between the components is prevented. Radial and/or axial movements of the non-rotatably connected parts relative to each other are possible. Components connected by tabs, gears, teeth or splines are considered to be non-rotatably connected, although there may be gaps in the connection itself. Although the clutch may slip, the input and output members of the closed clutch are considered to be non-rotatably connected. The input and output parts of the damper that engage the springs of the damper are not considered to be non-rotatably connected due to the compression and extension of the springs.

The single figure shows a partial cross-sectional view of the torque converter 100. The torque converter 100 includes: a lockup clutch 102, a cover 104 arranged to receive torque, an impeller 106, a turbine 108, a stator 110, a torsional damper 112, and a centrifugal pendulum absorber 114. The lock-up clutch 102 includes: piston plate 116, a baffle plate 118 non-rotatably connected to cap 104, a baffle plate 120 disposed axially between baffle plate 118 and turbine 108, an application chamber 122 at least partially bounded by cap 104 and piston plate 116, a balance chamber 124 at least partially bounded by piston plate 116 and baffle plate 126, a passage 128 connected to application chamber 122 and at least partially bounded by cap 104 and baffle plate 118, and a passage 130 connected to balance chamber 124 and at least partially bounded by baffle plate 118 and baffle plate 120.

In one embodiment, the damper 112 is arranged to be non-rotatably connected to an input shaft (not shown) of a transmission (not shown). The damper 112 includes: the input plate 132, an output flange 134 arranged to be non-rotatably connected to the input shaft, at least one spring 136 engaged with the input plate 132 and the output flange 134, a cover plate 138 engaged with the spring 136 and non-rotatably connected to the input plate 132, for example by a rivet 140. The cover plate 138 may be connected to the centrifugal pendulum absorber 114 via rivets 140. Damper 112 is coupled to turbine 108. That is, the cover plate 138 of the damper 112 may be connected to the turbine 108 via rivets R.

The clutch 102 also includes a clutch plate 142 non-rotatably connected to the input plate 132, a reaction plate 144 fixed to the cover 104, and a clutch return spring 146. A clutch return spring 146 is disposed radially outwardly of the clutch plate 142 and is arranged to bias the clutch 102 in the disengaged position for the torque converter operating mode. Passage 128 is arranged to communicate pressurized fluid PF1 to apply chamber 122 to axially displace piston plate 116 to non-rotatably connect piston plate 116, clutch plate 142, and reaction plate 144 for the lockup mode of torque converter 100. That is, for the lockup mode, fluid PF1 overcomes the force of clutch return spring 146 and piston plate 116 is displaced in direction AD2 opposite axial direction AD 1. For the torque converter mode of torque converter 100, fluid PF1 is either vented from apply chamber 122 or depressurized in apply chamber 122 such that the force of clutch return spring 146 can displace piston plate 116 in direction AD1 and disengage piston plate 116 from clutch plate 142. Torque converter 100 also includes a spring plate 148 that connects piston plate 116 to baffle 118 via a connector 166, which may be a rivet.

In the example of the figure, pressurized fluid PF2 is delivered to balance chamber 124 to dynamically balance torque converter 100, and in particular, fluid PF1 in apply chamber 122. The fluid PF2 generally reaches the balance chamber 124 via a sidetrack bore in the input shaft, and the fluid flows through the passage 130 between the baffle 118 and the baffle 120, up through the piston Inner Diameter (ID) seal 154, and through a hole or opening 158 in the baffle 118 to the balance chamber 124. Passage 128 and passage 130 form separate fluid circuits in torque converter 100. Pressurized fluids PF1 and PF2 are delivered through separate passages in the input shaft to passage 128 and passage 130. In the example of the figures, the torque converter 100 is a four-channel torque converter or a four-fluid circuit torque converter.

The piston plate 116 is sealed to the cap 104 by a seal 150 and to the outer diameter of the baffle 118 by a seal 152. The seal 150 and the seal 152 may be disposed at the same or equal radial distance from the axis of rotation AR. The inner diameter of the piston 116 is sealed to the baffle 118 by a seal 154. The piston 116 is configured to transmit torque to the flapper 118 via the spring plate 148, wherein the flapper 118 is rigidly connected to the cap 104 via a weld 156. The weld points 156 may be intermittent laser weld connection points. The baffle 118 also includes a balance chamber opening 162.

The baffle 120 is sealed to the baffle 118, for example, in this particular case, the baffle is sealed to the baffle 118 via an O-ring by a face seal 160. However, it should be understood that any other sealing method (i.e., gasket) may be used. Baffle 120 is secured to baffle 118 by a connector used in spring plate connection 148, such as rivet 166. That is, the piston 116, the baffle 118, and the baffle 120 are connected together via a connector or rivet 166. In other four-pass designs, the plate is typically laser welded, which is an additional operation. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for the attachment of the baffle 120 using a riveted connection rather than a weld, thereby saving the cost of additional tooling. In addition, the baffle 120 serves to direct fluid from the input shaft to the balance chamber for normal four-way function, and in this case, serves as a diaphragm for torque converter propulsion. Riveting of the plate in combination with the clutch spring tabs eliminates the need for laser lap welding in the design and it is possible to reduce overall mass/material cost savings by combining the outer portion of the flapper with a centering flange (which is commonly used), both of which are generally thicker materials for durability and thinner plates to direct fluid.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, features of the various embodiments may be combined to form other embodiments of the disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, depending on the particular application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, and the like. Thus, any embodiment described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics may be desirable for a particular application without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

List of reference numerals

100 torque converter 102 lockup clutch 104 cover 106 impeller 108 turbine 110 stator 112 torsional damper 114 centrifugal pendulum absorber 116 piston plate 118 baffle 120 baffle 122 chamber 124 balance chamber 126 baffle 128 channel 132 channel output flange 136 spring 138 plate 140 rivet 142 clutch plate 144 reaction plate 146 clutch return spring 148 spring 150 seal 152 seal 156 weld 158 opening 160 seal 162 balance chamber opening 166 connection.