Hydraulic torque converter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a torque converter, comprising: a housing arranged around a rotation axis for receiving an input torque; a pump impeller arranged around the rotation axis and including a pump impeller housing, a pump impeller core ring, and a plurality of pump impeller blades; a turbine arranged axially opposite to the pump impeller around the rotation axis, the turbine including a turbine housing and a plurality of turbine blades; an output hub arranged around the rotation axis and fixedly connected to the turbine housing for outputting torque; wherein the torque converter further includes: an internal friction disk arranged around the rotation axis and axially between the pump impeller and the turbine, and a plurality of elastic members are arranged on the internal friction disk, and the plurality of elastic members are held between the internal friction disk and the pump impeller core ring; and wherein the turbine is axially displaceable between a locked position and a disengaged position, in the locked position, the turbine housing engages with the internal friction disk to form a locked connection, and in the disengaged position, the turbine housing disengages from the internal friction disk.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a torque converter, and more particularly to a torque converter having an internal friction disc. Background Art

[0002] Typically, a torque converter is provided between an engine and a transmission of a motor vehicle with an automatic transmission. The torque converter is used to transmit the driving power of the engine to the transmission by using a fluid (usually oil), and functions to transmit torque and vary the torque.

[0003] A torque converter generally includes a housing, a pump impeller, a turbine, a lock-up clutch, a shock absorber, and an output hub. The pump impeller and the turbine are axially opposed to each other. The pump impeller includes a pump impeller housing and a plurality of pump impeller blades fixed to the pump impeller housing, and the pump impeller housing rotates together with the housing. The turbine includes a turbine housing fixedly connected to the output hub and a plurality of turbine blades, and the turbine blades are fixed to a side of the turbine housing facing the pump impeller. The turbine housing and the pump impeller housing jointly enclose and define a circulation circle, as known in the prior art.

[0004] In some prior arts, a lock-up clutch is formed between the pump impeller and the turbine. For example, in Chinese Patent Application CN106574701A, the turbine housing serves as a piston disc of the lock-up clutch and includes a first friction pair, which can axially move to engage or disengage with the pump impeller housing including a second friction pair. In US Patent Application US2015152951A1, a first piston disc and a second piston disc are provided between the pump impeller housing and the turbine housing. The first piston disc is floatingly disposed between the turbine and the second piston disc, and the second piston disc is connected to the turbine but does not limit its axial displacement.

[0005] In the above prior arts, the shock absorber is formed outside the circulation circle jointly defined by the turbine housing and the pump impeller housing. The shock absorber generally includes a driving disc connected to the lock-up clutch, a driven disc fixedly connected to the output hub, and a circumferentially acting elastic member. The circumferentially acting elastic member is interposed between the driving disc and the driven disc. It has been found that the presence of a plurality of components of the shock absorber occupies a relatively large space inside the torque converter, especially in the axial direction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure aims to improve the utilization rate of the internal space of the torque converter and streamline the external dimensions of the torque converter through a clever design of part sharing.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a torque converter, which includes: a housing disposed around a rotation axis for receiving an input torque; a pump impeller disposed around the rotation axis and including a pump impeller housing, a pump impeller core ring, and a plurality of pump impeller blades; a turbine disposed axially opposite to the pump impeller around the rotation axis, the turbine including a turbine housing and a plurality of turbine blades; an output hub disposed around the rotation axis and fixedly connected to the turbine housing for outputting torque; wherein, the torque converter further includes: an internal friction disc disposed around the rotation axis and axially between the pump impeller and the turbine, and a plurality of elastic members are disposed on the internal friction disc, and the plurality of elastic members are held between the internal friction disc and the pump impeller core ring to transmit torque from the pump impeller to the internal friction disc via the plurality of elastic members; and wherein the turbine is axially displaceable between a locked position and a disengaged position, in the locked position, the turbine housing engages with the internal friction disc to form a locked connection, and in the disengaged position, the turbine housing disengages from the internal friction disc.

[0008] In the torque converter according to the present disclosure, the internal friction disc serves as a component of both a lock-up clutch and a shock absorber, and simultaneously functions as an elastic member holding disc of the shock absorber and a friction disc of the lock-up clutch. Two components that are usually separated from each other are combined into one component, and the shock absorber that is usually located outside the first chamber formed by the pump impeller housing and the turbine housing is disposed inside the first chamber. Thereby, the torque converter can have a smaller volume, and the saved space provides rich design options, such as being available for adding additional components, etc. In addition, the torque converter can have a lighter weight, which allows reducing the energy consumption of a motor vehicle equipped with the torque converter, meeting the current environmental protection requirements of energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the internal friction disc is in an annular shape, the internal friction disc includes an inner circumferential portion located on its radial inner side, the inner circumferential portion includes a plurality of elastic member holding windows extending circumferentially, and adjacent two elastic member holding windows are separated from each other in the circumferential direction by a radial partition portion, and the plurality of elastic members are axially held between the plurality of elastic member holding windows and the pump impeller core ring.

[0010] Thereby, the components of the shock absorber (the pump impeller core ring, the elastic members, and the elastic member holding windows) are located at an intermediate position in the radial direction of the first chamber without occupying the fluid transmission path for hydraulic drive between the pump impeller and the turbine. Thereby, the torque converter according to the present disclosure makes full use of the internal space at the intermediate position in the radial direction of the first chamber to arrange the shock absorber, greatly compressing the size of the torque converter in the radial direction and having a compact structure so as to adapt to the trend of reducing the size of components in the current automotive industry.

[0011] In some embodiments, the pump impeller core ring includes a plurality of drive tabs extending toward the inner friction disk. Each elastic member is circumferentially compressed between the drive tabs of the pump impeller core ring and the radial partition of the inner friction disk.

[0012] In some embodiments, the inner friction disk includes an outer peripheral portion located radially outside thereof, and the outer peripheral portion includes a first surface facing the pump impeller and a second surface facing the turbine, and friction plates are provided at the second surface for forming a locking connection with the turbine housing.

[0013] In some embodiments, a first limiting bushing is provided at the first surface of the outer peripheral portion of the inner friction disk, and the first limiting bushing is in an annular shape around the rotation axis for axially supporting the inner friction disk when the turbine is in the locked position.

[0014] In some embodiments, a sealing ring is provided at the first surface of the outer peripheral portion of the inner friction disk.

[0015] In some embodiments, a plurality of centering bosses are provided in the inner friction disk for centering the sealing ring and / or the first limiting bushing relative to the rotation axis. The sealing ring is in an annular shape around the rotation axis for forming a fluid seal between the pump impeller housing 31 and the inner friction disk 5 when the turbine is in the locked position, thereby ensuring the pressure difference between the first chamber and the second chamber. Therefore, the inner friction disk and the turbine housing form a tight and firm frictional locking connection, thus ensuring the efficiency of torque transmission in the rigid transmission mode.

[0016] In some embodiments, the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the inner friction disk are connected by a plurality of radial webs, and a circumferentially extending fluid flow window is formed between adjacent radial webs. The fluid flow window allows the hydraulic transmission fluid circulating inside the first chamber to pass through, while reducing the weight of the inner friction disk and the entire torque converter.

[0017] In some embodiments, each radial web is radially aligned with the corresponding radial partition of the inner peripheral portion, thereby enhancing the mechanical strength of the inner friction disk 5 as a torque transmission component.

[0018] In some embodiments, a second limiting bushing is provided between the output hub and the housing, and the second limiting bushing is in an annular shape around the rotation axis for axially supporting the output hub when the turbine is in the disengaged position.

[0019] In some embodiments, a plurality of radially extending fluid passages are provided in the second limiting bushing to allow fluid to flow into or out of the space between the turbine housing and the housing.

[0020] The present disclosure also provides a motor vehicle, which includes a torque converter as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings are incorporated in and form a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon study of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals are given to like or corresponding components, and in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 shows an inner friction disc of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 shows the structures of the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the inner friction disc of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 shows a pump impeller core ring of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 shows a second limiting bushing of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 shows in detail a part of the inner friction disc of a torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 shows the liquid flow path of a torque converter in a locked state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0030] Figure 9 shows the torque transmission path of a torque converter in a locked state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments and methods of the present disclosure shown in the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like or corresponding components. It should be noted, however, that the present disclosure in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices, and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and methods.

[0032] The description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are regarded as a part of the entire written specification. In the specification, relative terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and their derivatives (e.g., "downward", "upward", etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation described or shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and are not intended to require a particular orientation. Unless otherwise explicitly described, terms such as "connected", "coupled", etc. refer to a relationship in which structures are directly or indirectly fixed or attached to each other through an intermediate structure, and either a movable or a firm attachment or relationship. The term "operatively connected" is such a connection relationship that allows the related structures to have such a connection relationship during operation or actual use. Additionally, the words "a" and "an" used in the claims mean "at least one", and the word "two" used in the claims means "at least two".

[0033] A first exemplary embodiment of the torque converter 1 is generally shown in Figure 1 FIG. The torque converter 1 receives an input torque from the engine and transmits the torque to the input shaft (not shown) of the transmission, for example, in a motor vehicle.

[0034] It should be understood that the axial and radial orientations are considered with respect to the rotational axis X of the torque converter 1. Relative terms such as "axially", "radially" and "circumferentially" refer to orientations parallel, perpendicular and circularly around, respectively, the rotational axis X.

[0035] The accompanying drawings discussed herein show only half of the torque converter 1, i.e., a partial cross-section of the portion of the torque converter 1 above the rotational axis X. As is known in the prior art, the torque converter 1 is rotationally symmetric about the rotational axis X.

[0036] The torque converter 1 includes a housing 2 as an input member, which is disposed around the rotational axis X. The housing 2 receives the torque from the engine as the input torque of the torque converter 1. The housing 2 rotates at the same speed as the output shaft of the engine.

[0037] The torque converter 1 further includes an output hub 6 as an output member, which is disposed around the rotational axis X. The output hub 6 is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the input shaft of the transmission. For example, the output hub 6 may be provided with internal splines for non-rotatably coupling the output hub 6 to the input shaft of the transmission provided with complementary external splines. Alternatively, welding or other connections may be used to fix the output hub 6 to the input shaft of the transmission.

[0038] As Figure 1 shown, the torque converter 1 includes a pump impeller 3 disposed around the rotational axis X, a turbine 4 disposed around the rotational axis X and coaxially aligned with the pump impeller 3, and a stator disposed between the pump impeller 3 and the turbine 4.

[0039] The impeller 3 includes a generally annular impeller housing 31, an impeller core ring 32, and a plurality of impeller vanes 34 which are firmly attached to the impeller housing 31 and the impeller core ring 32, such as by brazing. The impeller 3 is fixed to the outer housing 2 and thus connected to the drive shaft (or flywheel) of the engine so as to rotate at the same speed as the engine output shaft. In some embodiments, as Figure 1 shown, the impeller housing 31 is axially opposite to the outer housing 2 and fixed to the outer housing 2 by a welding portion 21.

[0040] The turbine 4 is arranged axially opposite to the impeller 3 and can be hydraulically driven by it. The turbine 4 includes a turbine housing 41 and a plurality of turbine vanes 43. The turbine 4 includes a turbine housing 41, a generally annular turbine 4 core ring, and a plurality of turbine vanes 43 which are firmly attached to the turbine housing 41 and the turbine 4 core ring, such as by brazing. The turbine housing 41 is fixedly connected to the output hub 6, for example by rivets. The turbine vanes 43 are fixed to the side of the turbine housing 41 facing the impeller 3. The turbine 4 and the stator together form a circulation circle. In the hydraulic transmission mode of the torque converter 1, the impeller 3 and the turbine 4 can transmit power through the fluid without a rigid connection, as known in the prior art.

[0041] The impeller housing 31 and the turbine housing 41 define a first chamber 11 (or circulation circle chamber) therebetween. The turbine housing 41 and the outer housing 2 define a second chamber 12 therebetween. Referring to Figure 1 , the first chamber 11 is generally located on the left side of the turbine housing 41, and the second chamber 12 is generally located on the right side of the turbine housing 41.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the torque converter 1 further includes a generally annular internal friction disk 5 which is arranged around the rotation axis X and axially between the impeller 3 and the turbine 4.

[0043] The internal friction disk 5 is formed as part of a lock-up clutch of the torque converter 1. The lock-up clutch is configured to mechanically transmit torque when in the locked position. The lock-up clutch is typically locked after the start-up process of the hydraulic transmission in a motor vehicle so as to avoid efficiency losses caused by, for example, the slip phenomenon between the turbine 4 and the impeller 3. The lock-up clutch further includes the turbine housing 41 which forms the piston part of the lock-up clutch. The turbine 4 and thus the turbine housing 41 can axially shift between the locked position and the disengaged position. In the locked position, the turbine housing 41 engages with the internal friction disk 5 and forms a locked connection, and the torque converter 1 operates in the rigid transmission mode. In the disengaged position, the turbine housing 41 disengages from the internal friction disk 5, and the torque converter 1 operates in the hydraulic transmission mode.

[0044] The internal friction disk 5 is also formed as part of a shock absorber of the torque converter 1. Referring toFigure 2 and Figure 4 On the inner friction disk 5, a plurality of elastic members 7 are provided. The plurality of elastic members 7 are held between the inner friction disk 5 and the pump wheel core ring 32 to transmit torque from the pump wheel 3 to the inner friction disk 5 via the plurality of elastic members 7, while the plurality of elastic members 7 can absorb sudden torque.

[0045] The inner friction disk 5 serves as a component of both the lock-up clutch and the shock absorber, as described above. In this way, two components that are usually separated from each other are combined into one component, and the shock absorber that is usually located outside the first chamber 11 formed by the pump wheel housing 31 and the turbine housing 41 is provided inside the first chamber 11. Thereby, the torque converter can have a smaller volume, and the saved space provides rich design options, such as for adding additional components and so on. In addition, the torque converter can have a lighter weight, which enables the reduction of the energy consumption of the motor vehicle equipped with the torque converter, meeting the current environmental protection trend of energy conservation and emission reduction.

[0046] Reference Figures 2 to 4 , the inner friction disk 5 includes an outer peripheral portion 52 located on its radial outer side. The outer peripheral portion 52 extends substantially radially and includes a first surface 52a facing the pump wheel 3 and a second surface 52b facing the turbine 4 ( Figure 4 ). As Figure 1 and 4 best shown, a friction plate 54 is provided at the second surface 52b for forming a locking connection with the turbine housing 41. The friction plate 54 is, for example, in an annular shape and is firmly attached to the second surface 52b by suitable means known in the art, such as by adhesive bonding.

[0047] The turbine housing 41 includes a substantially annular flat flange 42. The flange 42 is a radially extending portion of the turbine housing 41 and, as Figure 1 shown, is arranged radially outside the turbine blades 43. The turbine flange 42 and the other parts of the turbine housing 41 are integral, for example, made of a single or integral component, but can also be separate components connected together. The flange 42 of the turbine housing 41 axially overlaps the second surface 52b of the inner friction disk 5. As explained below, the turbine housing 41 and its flange 42 can move axially towards or away from the second surface 52b of the inner friction disk 5 to enter the locking position or the disengaged position.

[0048] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, fluid can flow into or out of the second chamber 12 on one side of the turbine housing 41 to drive the axial movement of the turbine housing. The flow of the fluid is controlled, for example, by a valve. When the valve is opened, the fluid can flow into the second chamber 12 on one side of the turbine housing 41, and the fluid pressure in the second chamber 12 gradually increases until it is greater than the pressure in the first chamber 11 on the other side of the turbine housing 41, thereby driving the turbine housing 41 to move axially towards the second surface 52b of the inner friction disk 5. Thus, the locking clutch is locked. On the contrary, when the valve is closed, the fluid can flow out of the second chamber 12 on one side of the turbine housing 41, so that the pressure in the second chamber 12 gradually decreases until it is less than the pressure in the first chamber 11 on the other side of the turbine housing 41. Under the action of the pressure difference, the turbine housing 41 moves axially away from the second surface 52b of the inner friction disk 5. Thus, the locking clutch is released.

[0049] Of course, those skilled in the art can also conceive of other driving methods to achieve the axial movement of the turbine housing 41, such as using a diaphragm spring, etc.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, referring to Figure 1 , to limit the stroke end points of the axial movement of the turbine housing 41, a first limit bushing 58 is provided at the first surface 52a of the outer peripheral portion 52 of the inner friction disk 5. The first limit bushing 58 is an annular shape around the rotation axis X and is used to axially support the inner friction disk 5 when the turbine 4 is in the locked position, thereby defining the left end point of the stroke of the turbine housing 41. In addition, a second limit bushing 68 is provided between the output hub 6 and the housing 2. The second limit bushing 68 is an annular shape around the rotation axis X and is used to axially support the output hub 6 when the turbine 4 is in the disengaged position, thereby defining the right end point of the stroke of the turbine housing 41.

[0051] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 6 , a plurality of radially extending fluid passages 69 can be provided in the second limit bushing 68 to allow fluid to flow into or out of the second chamber 12 between the turbine housing 41 and the housing 2. The inflow path of the fluid is schematically shown by arrows in Figure 8 . Conversely, the outflow path of the fluid can be conceived.

[0052] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4, a sealing ring 56 is also provided at the first surface 52a of the outer peripheral portion 52 of the internal friction disk 5. The sealing ring 56 is in an annular shape around the rotation axis X and is used to form a fluid seal between the pump impeller housing 31 and the internal friction disk 5 when the turbine 4 is in the locked position, thereby ensuring the pressure difference between the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 12. Therefore, the internal friction disk 5 and the turbine housing 41 form a tight and firm friction locking connection, thus ensuring the efficiency of torque transmission in the rigid transmission mode.

[0053] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 7 , the first limiting bushing 58 and the sealing ring 56 are radially continuous with each other. For example, the first limiting bushing 58 is disposed radially inside the sealing ring 56 and adjacent to the sealing ring 56. A plurality of centering bosses 50 may be provided in the internal friction disk 5. The plurality of centering bosses 50 engage the inner peripheral surface of the first limiting bushing 58 to center the first limiting bushing 58 relative to the rotation axis X, and further the sealing ring 56 is centered by being radially continuous with the first limiting bushing 58. Optionally, the first limiting bushing 58 is disposed radially outside the sealing ring 56 and adjacent to the sealing ring 56. The plurality of centering bosses 50 engage the inner peripheral surface of the sealing ring 56 to center the sealing ring 56 relative to the rotation axis X, and further the first limiting bushing 58 is centered by being radially continuous with the sealing ring 56.

[0054] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 , the internal friction disk 5 includes an inner peripheral portion 51 located radially inside thereof, and the inner peripheral portion 51 includes a plurality of elastic member holding windows 53. The plurality of elastic member holding windows 53 extend circumferentially. Two adjacent elastic member holding windows 53 are separated from each other in the circumferential direction by a radial partition 55. A plurality of elastic members 7 are axially held between the plurality of elastic member holding windows 53 and the pump impeller core ring 32. Referring to Figure 5 , the pump impeller core ring 32 includes a plurality of driving tabs 33 extending towards the internal friction disk 5, which also form a part of the shock absorber.

[0055] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 shown, the elastic members 7 are circumferentially connected in series between the internal friction disk 5 and the pump impeller core ring 32. Each elastic member 7 is circumferentially compressed between the driving tab 33 of the pump impeller core ring 32 and the radial partition 55 of the internal friction disk 5.

[0056] In the rigid transmission mode of the torque converter 1, as Figure 9 shown, the internal friction disk 5 engages with the turbine housing 41. In this case, the torque input through the housing 2 and the pump impeller 3 is transmitted via the driving tab 33 of the pump impeller core ring 32 and the elastic members 7 ( Figure 9is not shown) is transmitted to the inner peripheral portion 51 of the inner friction disk 5, and then the outer peripheral portion 52 of the inner friction disk 5 transmits torque to the turbine housing 41 and the output hub 6 via the locking connection between the friction plate 54 and the turbine housing 41. Therefore, the fluctuations of the engine torque in the rigid transmission mode can be effectively absorbed and reduced.

[0057] In the hydraulic transmission mode (not shown) of the torque converter 1, the inner friction disk 5 and the turbine housing 41 are disengaged. In this case, the torque input through the housing 2 is hydraulically transmitted to the turbine 4 through the pump impeller 3, and then transmitted to the output hub 6 through the turbine housing 41.

[0058] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the outer peripheral portion 52 and the inner peripheral portion 51 of the inner friction disk 5 are connected by a plurality of radial webs 57. A circumferentially extending fluid flow window 59 is formed between adjacent radial webs 57 to allow the fluid for hydraulic transmission circulating inside the first chamber 11 to pass through, while reducing the weight of the inner friction disk 5 and the entire torque converter 1.

[0059] Referring to Figure 3 , each radial web 57 is radially aligned with the corresponding radial partition 55 of the inner peripheral portion 51, thereby enhancing the mechanical strength of the inner friction disk 5 as a torque transmission component.

[0060] Furthermore, referring to Figure 1 , the components of the shock absorber (the pump impeller core ring 32, the elastic member 7, and the elastic member holding window 53) are located at the radially intermediate position of the first chamber 11 without occupying the fluid transmission path for hydraulic drive between the pump impeller 3 and the turbine 4. Thus, the torque converter 1 according to the present disclosure makes full use of the internal space at the radially intermediate position of the first chamber 11 to arrange the shock absorber, greatly compressing the radial dimension of the torque converter 1 and making the structure compact to adapt to various application environments.

[0061] Various modifications, changes, and variations can be implemented with the above embodiments.

[0062] The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration in accordance with the provisions of patent statutes. This is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the exact form disclosed. The embodiments disclosed above were chosen in order to best illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, so that those of ordinary skill in the art can utilize the present disclosure in the best manner in various embodiments, and various modifications are suitable for the particular uses contemplated, as long as the principles described herein are followed. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or modifications of the present disclosure using its general principles. In addition, this application is intended to cover departures from the present disclosure in the known or customary practice in the field to which the present disclosure pertains. Therefore, changes may be made to the foregoing disclosure without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is also intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hydraulic torque converter, characterized in that, It includes: A housing (2) which is arranged around a rotation axis (X) for receiving an input torque; An impeller (3) which is arranged around the rotation axis (X) and includes an impeller housing (31), an impeller core ring (32) and a plurality of impeller vanes (34); A turbine (4) which is arranged axially opposite to the impeller (3) around the rotation axis (X), and the turbine (4) includes a turbine housing (41) and a plurality of turbine vanes (43); An output hub (6) which is arranged around the rotation axis (X) and is fixedly connected to the turbine housing (41) for outputting torque; Wherein, the torque converter further includes: an internal friction disc (5) which is arranged around the rotation axis (X) and is axially between the impeller (3) and the turbine (4), and a plurality of elastic members (7) are arranged on the internal friction disc (5), and the plurality of elastic members (7) are held between the internal friction disc (5) and the impeller core ring (32) to transmit torque from the impeller (3) to the internal friction disc (5) via the plurality of elastic members (7); and wherein The turbine (4) can axially shift between a locked position and a disengaged position. In the locked position, the turbine housing (41) engages with the internal friction disc (5) to form a locked connection. In the disengaged position, the turbine housing (41) disengages from the internal friction disc (5); Wherein, the internal friction disc (5) is annular in shape, and the internal friction disc (5) includes an inner peripheral portion (51) located on its radial inner side. The inner peripheral portion (51) includes a plurality of elastic member holding windows (53) which extend circumferentially. Adjacent two elastic member holding windows (53) are separated from each other in the circumferential direction by a radial partition portion (55), and the plurality of elastic members are axially held between the plurality of elastic member holding windows (53) and the impeller core ring (32); And wherein, the impeller core ring (32) includes a plurality of driving tabs (33) extending towards the internal friction disc (5).

2. The torque converter according to claim 1, characterized in that The internal friction disc (5) includes an outer peripheral portion (52) located on its radial outer side. The outer peripheral portion (52) includes a first surface (52a) facing the impeller (3) and a second surface (52b) facing the turbine (4). A friction plate (54) is arranged at the second surface (52b) for forming a locked connection with the turbine housing (41).

3. The torque converter according to claim 2, wherein, A first limit bushing (58) is arranged at the first surface (52a) of the outer peripheral portion (52) of the internal friction disc (5). The first limit bushing (58) is annular around the rotation axis (X) for axially supporting the internal friction disc (5) when the turbine (4) is in the locked position.

4. The torque converter according to claim 3, wherein, A sealing ring (56) is arranged at the first surface (52a) of the outer peripheral portion (52) of the internal friction disc (5).

5. The torque converter according to claim 4, characterized in that, A plurality of centering bosses (50) are provided in the inner friction disk (5) for centering the sealing ring (56) and / or the first limiting bushing (58) relative to the rotational axis (X).

6. The torque converter according to claim 2, wherein, The outer peripheral portion (52) and the inner peripheral portion (51) of the inner friction disk (5) are connected by a plurality of radial webs (57), and circumferentially extending fluid flow windows (59) are formed between adjacent radial webs (57).

7. The torque converter according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each radial web (57) is radially aligned with a corresponding radial partition (55) of the inner peripheral portion (51).

8. The torque converter according to claim 3, characterized in that, A second limiting bushing (68) is provided between the output hub (6) and the housing (2). The second limiting bushing (68) is in an annular shape around the rotational axis (X) and is used to axially support the output hub (6) when the turbine (4) is in the disengaged position.

9. The torque converter according to claim 8, wherein, A plurality of radially extending fluid passages (69) are provided in the second limiting bushing (68) to allow fluid to flow into or out of the space between the turbine housing (41) and the housing (2).

10. A motor vehicle, characterized in that, It includes a torque converter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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