A new type of torque converter assembly with a locking function

Abstract

The present invention discloses a novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function, which is used to address technical issues such as the complex structure and difficulty in maintenance of existing locking hydraulic torque converter assemblies during use. The hydraulic torque converter assembly includes a hydraulic torque converter, a guide wheel seat, a turbine shaft, a turbine shaft gear, an oil pan cover, and a housing. It also includes an output shaft assembly and a power take-off shaft assembly. The oil pan cover divides the housing into an oil-free chamber and an oil-containing chamber. The hydraulic torque converter is located in the oil-free chamber, and the output shaft assembly is located in the oil-containing chamber. The output shaft assembly has a locking function. The present invention disposes the locking structure outside the hydraulic torque converter, further simplifying the structure of the hydraulic torque converter itself and improving the reliability of the hydraulic torque converter assembly. When locked, the hydraulic torque converter assembly of the present invention no longer supplies oil to the hydraulic torque converter, thereby reducing or even eliminating oil churning losses within the hydraulic torque converter, thereby reducing the fuel consumption of the entire vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hydraulic transmission, and in particular to a novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function, which is suitable for transmission systems of various industrial vehicles requiring locking working conditions. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a locking torque converter assembly with a locking function generally adopts a locking torque converter, that is, the torque converter itself has a locking function, and the locking clutch is placed inside the torque converter. The locking torque converter has a complex structure, a cumbersome manufacturing process and is too expensive. It is not easy to maintain during use, and oil stirring loss inside the torque converter cannot be avoided when locked. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problems of the existing locking type hydraulic torque converter assembly, such as the complex structure and difficulty in maintenance during use, and to propose a new hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is:

[0005] A novel torque converter assembly with a locking function includes a torque converter, a turbine shaft, a turbine shaft gear, an oil pan cover, and a housing. The torque converter includes an input plate, a cover wheel, a turbine, a guide wheel, and an impeller coaxially arranged in sequence. The input plate and the cover wheel are fixedly connected by bolts, and the cover wheel and the impeller are fixed by welding. The special feature of the torque converter is that:

[0006] It also includes an output shaft assembly, and the output shaft assembly has a locking function; the output shaft assembly is located on one side of the turbine shaft and is connected to the turbine shaft through the turbine shaft gear;

[0007] The oil pan cover is fixedly connected to the housing and divides the housing into an oil-free chamber and an oil-containing chamber;

[0008] The input plate and the cover wheel are located in the oil-free cavity; the pump wheel is located in the middle of the oil pan cover and an oil seal is installed between the pump wheel and the oil pan cover; the turbine shaft gear and the output shaft assembly are located in the oil cavity;

[0009] One end of the turbine shaft is connected to the turbine of the torque converter, and the other end is connected to the turbine shaft gear.

[0010] Furthermore, the output shaft assembly includes an output shaft, and a clutch gear, a locking friction unit, an output gear and an output flange sequentially arranged along the output shaft;

[0011] The clutch gear is sleeved on one end of the output shaft close to the torque converter, and the clutch gear is mounted on the output shaft through a needle bearing; the pump wheel is provided with external teeth, and the outer side of the clutch gear meshes with the external teeth of the pump wheel;

[0012] The output gear is sleeved on the other end of the output shaft away from the torque converter, the inner side of the output gear is connected to the output shaft through a spline, and the outer side is meshed with the turbine shaft gear;

[0013] The locking friction unit is located between the clutch gear and the output shaft; the locking friction unit includes a friction assembly, a spring assembly and a piston;

[0014] The clutch gear is provided with a clutch gear external spline at the end away from the torque converter, the friction assembly is located between the outer side of the clutch gear external spline and the output shaft, and the spring assembly is located between the inner hole of the clutch gear external spline and the output shaft; one axial end of the piston is adjacent to the friction assembly, adjacent to and in contact with the spring assembly, and a sealed cavity is formed between the other end and the output shaft, and the sealed cavity is connected to the hydraulic oil channel arranged in the output shaft.

[0015] Furthermore, a baffle is provided on the side of the friction assembly close to the clutch gear, the baffle is connected to the output shaft through a spline, a retaining ring is provided on the outside of the baffle, and the retaining ring is fixed on the output shaft to prevent the friction assembly from sliding out in the axial direction;

[0016] The friction assembly is composed of a plurality of active friction plates and passive friction plates arranged at intervals along the axial direction. The active friction plates and passive friction plates are both annular in structure, and gaps are left between adjacent active friction plates and passive friction plates.

[0017] The inner circle of the active friction plate is provided with an internal spline, which is connected to the outer spline of the clutch gear through a spline; a gap is left between the outer circle of the active friction plate and the output shaft;

[0018] The outer circle of the passive friction plate is provided with an external spline, and the corresponding position of the output shaft is provided with an internal spline. The outer circle of the passive friction plate is connected to the output shaft through the spline, and a gap is left between the inner circle and the external spline of the clutch gear.

[0019] Furthermore, the spring assembly includes a spring seat and a return spring; the spring seat is arranged on the output shaft, one end of the spring contacts the inner end of the spring seat, and the other end contacts the piston.

[0020] Furthermore, the torque converter assembly of the present invention further includes a power take-off shaft assembly, wherein the power take-off shaft assembly is disposed in the oil chamber and is located on the other side of the turbine shaft away from the output shaft assembly;

[0021] The power take-off shaft assembly includes a power take-off shaft, a power take-off shaft gear sleeved on one end of the power take-off shaft and a power take-off shaft spline sleeve at the other end; the outer side of the power take-off shaft gear is engaged with the outer teeth of the pump wheel, and the inner side is connected to the power take-off shaft spline; the power take-off shaft spline sleeve is a power take-off port for connecting auxiliary parts.

[0022] Furthermore, the torque converter is a single-pole single-phase torque converter.

[0023] Furthermore, the meshing speed ratio between the clutch gear and the external gear of the pump wheel is 0.7-0.85.

[0024] Furthermore, the turbine shaft and the turbine are connected via a spline.

[0025] Furthermore, the distance between the output shaft and the central axis of the turbine shaft is 112-122 mm.

[0026] Furthermore, the distance between the power take-off shaft and the central axis of the turbine shaft is 120-130 mm.

[0027] Compared with the existing technology, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0028] 1. The torque converter assembly of the present invention includes a torque converter, a turbine shaft, a turbine shaft gear, an oil pan cover, a housing, and an output shaft assembly. The oil pan cover divides the housing into an oil-free chamber and an oil-containing chamber. The torque converter is located in the oil-free chamber, and the output shaft assembly is located in the oil-containing chamber. The output shaft assembly has a built-in locking function. The present invention achieves the function of a locked torque converter by arranging a locking structure on the outside of the torque converter. The torque converter assembly with this structure has high reliability, low cost, and is easy to maintain.

[0029] 2. The present invention adopts a universal single-stage single-phase hydraulic torque converter, which simplifies the overall structure and has good economic efficiency, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0030] 3. The present invention reduces the locking impact by reasonably setting the meshing speed ratio between the clutch gear and the pump wheel external teeth of the torque converter.

[0031] 4. The torque converter assembly of the present invention can no longer supply oil to the torque converter when locked, thereby reducing or even eliminating the oil churning loss inside the torque converter, thereby reducing the fuel consumption of the entire vehicle.

[0032] 5. The torque converter assembly with a locking function of the present invention can use a torque converter without a one-way clutch to reduce the manufacturing cost of the torque converter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic structural diagram of an output shaft assembly in an embodiment of a novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function according to the present invention.

[0035] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0036] 1- torque converter, 11- input plate, 12- cover wheel, 13- turbine, guide wheel 14, 15- pump wheel, 3- turbine shaft, 31- turbine shaft gear, 4- output shaft assembly, 41- clutch gear, 411- clutch gear external spline, 412- baffle, 413- retaining ring, 42- locking friction unit, 43- friction assembly, 431- active friction plate, 432- passive friction plate, 44- spring assembly, 45- piston, 46- output shaft, 47- output gear, 48- output flange, 5- power take-off shaft assembly, 51- power take-off shaft gear, 52- power take-off shaft, 53- power take-off shaft spline sleeve, 6- oil pan cover, 7- housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention discloses a novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function, including a hydraulic torque converter 1, a turbine shaft 3, a turbine shaft gear 31, an oil pan cover 6 and a housing 7, and also includes an output shaft assembly 4 and a power take-off shaft assembly 5.

[0039] The oil pan cover 6 is bolted to the housing 7, which is in turn bolted to the engine housing. The oil pan cover 6 divides the housing 7 into an oil-free chamber on the left and an oil-filled chamber on the right. One end of the turbine shaft 3 is connected to the turbine 13 of the torque converter 1, and the other end is connected to the turbine shaft gear 31.

[0040] The torque converter 1 comprises an input plate 11, a cover wheel 12, a turbine 13, a stator 14, and a pump impeller 15, all coaxially arranged. The torque converter 1 is connected to the engine flywheel via the input plate 11 as its power input source. The input plate 11 and cover wheel 12 are bolted together. The cover wheel 12 and pump impeller 15 are welded together. The pump impeller 15 has external teeth on its exterior. The turbine 13 is splined to the turbine shaft 3. Under hydraulic operation, the torque converter 1 operates normally with oil filling, with the pump impeller 15 driving the turbine 13 with hydraulic transmission oil. The input plate 11 and cover wheel 12 are located in an oil-free chamber. An oil seal is installed between the pump impeller 15 and the oil pan cover 6 to prevent oil from the right oil-filled chamber from flowing into the left oil-free chamber. The turbine shaft gear 31, output shaft assembly 4, and power take-off shaft assembly 5 are located in the oil-filled chamber. Some oil splashes through the gears on this side to lubricate them.

[0041] In this embodiment, the torque converter 1 is a single-pole, single-phase torque converter, which is economical and low-cost. Its circulation circle diameter is generally 300-340 mm. The torque converter 1 has no internal locking structure, and the stator 14 does not have a one-way clutch, thereby reducing the cost of the torque converter.

[0042] The output shaft assembly 4 includes an output shaft 46 , and a clutch gear 41 , a locking friction unit 42 , an output gear 47 and an output flange 48 arranged in sequence along the output shaft 46 .

[0043] The output shaft 46 is an offset parallel shaft output, connected to the turbine shaft 3 through the turbine shaft gear 31. The vertical distance between the output shaft 46 and the central axis of the turbine shaft 3 is 117 mm. The output shaft 46 provides power to external devices through the output flange 48.

[0044] The clutch gear 41 is mounted on the end of the output shaft 46 closest to the torque converter 1. The clutch gear 41 is mounted on the output shaft 46 via a needle bearing and meshes with the external teeth of the pump impeller 15. The meshing speed ratio between the clutch gear 41 and the external teeth of the pump impeller 15 is 0.7-0.85. The output gear 47 is mounted on the other end of the output shaft 46, away from the torque converter 1. The inner side of the output gear 47 is splined to the output shaft 46 and meshes with the turbine shaft gear 31. The meshing speed ratio between the two is 1.

[0045] The locking friction unit 42 is disposed between the clutch gear 41 and the output shaft 46. The locking friction unit 42 includes a friction assembly 43, a spring assembly 44, and a piston 45. The clutch gear 41 is provided with a clutch gear external spline 411 at the end away from the torque converter 1. The friction assembly 43 is located between the outer side of the clutch gear external spline 411 and the output shaft 46. The spring assembly 44 is located between the inner hole of the clutch gear external spline 411 and the output shaft 46. One axial end of the piston 45 is adjacent to the friction assembly 43 and the spring assembly 44, respectively, and contacts the spring assembly 44. The other end forms a sealed cavity with the output shaft 46, which is connected to the hydraulic oil channel provided in the output shaft 46.

[0046] A baffle 412 is provided on the side of the friction assembly 43 near the clutch gear 41. Baffle 412 is splined to the output shaft 46. A retaining ring 413 is located outside baffle 412 and secured to the output shaft 46 to prevent the friction assembly 43 from sliding out axially. The friction assembly 43 consists of a plurality of active friction plates 431 and passive friction plates 432 spaced apart in the axial direction. Each of these plates is annular in shape, with gaps between adjacent plates.

[0047] The active friction plate 431 has internal splines that are spline-connected to the clutch gear external splines 411, leaving a gap between the outer circumference of the active friction plate 431 and the output shaft 46. The passive friction plate 432 has external splines on its outer circumference, and internal splines are located at corresponding positions on the output shaft 46. The outer circumference of the passive friction plate 432 is spline-connected to the output shaft 46, leaving a gap between the inner hole of the passive friction plate 432 and the clutch gear external splines 411.

[0048] The spring assembly 44 includes a spring seat and a return spring. The spring seat is provided on the output shaft 46 . One end of the return spring contacts the spring seat, and the other end contacts the piston 45 .

[0049] The PTO shaft assembly 5 is located within the oil chamber. It comprises a PTO shaft 52, a PTO shaft gear 51 sleeved on one end of the shaft, and a PTO shaft splined sleeve 53 at the other end. The PTO shaft 52 is an offset parallel output shaft, with a vertical distance of 125 mm from the center axis of the turbine shaft 3. The PTO shaft gear 51 meshes with the external teeth of the pump impeller 15, and the PTO shaft gear 51 and PTO shaft 52 are splined. The PTO shaft splined sleeve 53 serves as the PTO port for connecting auxiliary components.

[0050] The working principle of a novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function of the present invention is as follows:

[0051] Under the hydraulic working condition, after the torque converter 1 receives the power input from the engine flywheel, the input plate 11 rotates along with the engine flywheel, the input plate 11 drives the cover wheel 12 to rotate, and the cover wheel 12 drives the pump impeller 15 to rotate. Under this working condition, the torque converter 1 is normally filled with oil and the turbine 13 is driven to rotate by the pump impeller 15 through the hydraulic transmission oil. The turbine 13 is connected to the turbine shaft 3 through a spline, and the turbine 13 drives the turbine shaft 3 to rotate synchronously. The turbine shaft 3 drives the turbine shaft gear 31 to rotate, and the turbine shaft gear 31 drives the output gear 47. The output gear 47 drives the output shaft 46. The output shaft 46 provides power output to the external device through the output flange 48. Under this working condition, since there is no oil in the sealed cavity between the piston 45 and the output shaft 46, the piston 45 is pushed to the far right by the return spring, and the active friction plate 431 and the passive friction plate 432 are not compressed, leaving a gap between them. At this time, the clutch gear 41 connected to the active friction plate 431 through the spline, and the output shaft 46 connected to the passive friction plate 432 through the spline will rotate without interfering with each other, that is, the clutch gear 41 is driven by the external teeth on the pump impeller 15 to idle, and the power of the clutch gear 41 is not output to the output shaft 46, the output gear 47 and the output flange 48.

[0052] In the locked condition, after the torque converter 1 receives the power input from the engine flywheel, the input plate 11 rotates along with the engine flywheel, the input plate 11 drives the cover wheel 12 to rotate, the cover wheel 12 drives the pump wheel 15 to rotate, and the outer teeth of the pump wheel 15 drive the clutch gear 41 to rotate. In this condition, the torque converter 1 no longer works with oil filling, that is, the turbine 13 is not driven by the pump wheel 15 through the hydraulic transmission oil, thereby reducing or even eliminating the oil stirring loss inside the torque converter 1, thereby reducing the fuel consumption of the entire vehicle. At this point, the sealed cavity between piston 45 and output shaft 46 is filled with oil, causing piston 45 to overcome the resistance of the return spring and move leftward. Eventually, piston 45 simultaneously compresses active friction plate 431 and passive friction plate 432, securing them in a fixed state. At this point, clutch gear 41, splined to active friction plate 431, and output shaft 46, splined to passive friction plate 432, rotate together. Specifically, output shaft 46 is driven by the external teeth on pump impeller 15 via clutch gear 41. Power from clutch gear 41 is output to output shaft 46 and output flange 48, while turbine shaft gear 31 is driven by output gear 47 to idle. The torque converter 1 locks up when the speed ratio between turbine 13 and pump impeller 15 is 0.7-0.85. Since the meshing speed ratio between clutch gear 41 and the external teeth of pump impeller 15 is also 0.7-0.85, the speeds of clutch gear 41 and output gear 47 are nearly identical during lockup, minimizing the lockup shock.

[0053] The hydraulic torque converter assembly of the present invention can realize a locking function. When locked, it is no longer necessary to supply oil to the hydraulic torque converter, thereby reducing or even eliminating the oil stirring loss inside the hydraulic torque converter.

[0054] The above disclosure is only a specific embodiment of the present invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with a locking function, comprising a hydraulic torque converter (1), a turbine shaft (3), a turbine shaft gear (31), an oil pan cover (6), and a housing (7); the hydraulic torque converter (1) comprises an input plate (11), a cover wheel (12), a turbine (13), a guide wheel (14), and a pump wheel (15) coaxially arranged in sequence, the input plate (11) and the cover wheel (12) being fixedly connected by bolts, and the cover wheel (12) and the pump wheel (15) being fixedly welded; and characterized in that: It also includes an output shaft assembly (4) having a locking function; the output shaft assembly (4) is located on one side of the turbine shaft (3) and is connected to the turbine shaft (3) via a turbine shaft gear (31); The oil pan cover (6) is fixedly connected to the housing (7) and divides the housing (7) into an oil-free chamber and an oil-containing chamber; The input plate (11) and the cover wheel (12) are located in the oil-free cavity; the pump wheel (15) is located in the middle of the oil pan cover (6) and an oil seal is installed between the pump wheel and the oil pan cover (6); the turbine shaft gear (31) and the output shaft assembly (4) are located in the oil-containing cavity; one end of the turbine shaft (3) is connected to the turbine (13) of the torque converter (1), and the other end is connected to the turbine shaft gear (31); The output shaft assembly (4) includes an output shaft (46), and a clutch gear (41), a locking friction unit (42), an output gear (47) and an output flange (48) arranged in sequence along the output shaft (46); The clutch gear (41) is sleeved on one end of the output shaft (46) close to the torque converter (1); the inner side of the clutch gear (41) is connected to the output shaft (46) via a bearing; the pump wheel (15) is provided with external teeth, and the outer side of the clutch gear (41) meshes with the external teeth of the pump wheel (15); The output gear (47) is sleeved on the other end of the output shaft (46) away from the torque converter (1); the inner side of the output gear (47) is connected to the output shaft (46) through a spline, and the outer side is meshed with the turbine shaft gear (31); The locking friction unit (42) is located between the clutch gear (41) and the output shaft (46); the locking friction unit (42) includes a friction assembly (43), a spring assembly (44) and a piston (45); The clutch gear (41) is provided with a clutch gear external spline (411) at one end away from the torque converter (1); the friction assembly (43) is located between the outer side of the clutch gear external spline (411) and the output shaft (46); and the spring assembly (44) is located between the inner hole of the clutch gear external spline (411) and the output shaft (46); one axial end of the piston (45) is adjacent to the friction assembly (43) and is adjacent to and in contact with the spring assembly (44); and a closed cavity is formed between the other end and the output shaft (46), and the closed cavity is communicated with a hydraulic oil channel provided in the output shaft (46).

2. The novel torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A baffle (412) is provided on one side of the friction assembly (43) close to the clutch gear (41), the baffle (412) is connected to the output shaft (46) via a spline, a retaining ring (413) is provided on the outside of the baffle (412), and the retaining ring (413) is fixed on the output shaft (46), thereby preventing the friction assembly (43) from sliding out in the axial direction; The friction assembly (43) is composed of a plurality of active friction plates (431) and passive friction plates (432) arranged at intervals along the axial direction, wherein the active friction plates (431) and passive friction plates (432) are both annular structures, and gaps are left between adjacent active friction plates (431) and passive friction plates (432); The inner circumference of the active friction plate (431) is provided with an internal spline, which is connected to the outer spline (411) of the clutch gear via a spline; a gap is left between the outer circumference of the active friction plate (431) and the output shaft (46); The outer circle of the passive friction plate (432) is provided with an external spline, and the corresponding position of the output shaft (46) is provided with an internal spline. The outer circle of the passive friction plate (432) and the output shaft (46) are connected through the spline, and a gap is left between the inner circle and the clutch gear external spline (411).

3. The novel torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The spring assembly (44) includes a spring seat and a return spring; the spring seat is arranged on the output shaft (46), one end of the spring contacts the inner end of the spring seat, and the other end contacts the piston (45).

4. A novel torque converter assembly with a locking function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: It also includes a power take-off shaft assembly (5), which is arranged in the oil chamber and located on the other side of the turbine shaft (3) away from the output shaft assembly (4); The power take-off shaft assembly (5) comprises a power take-off shaft (52), a power take-off shaft gear (51) sleeved on one end of the power take-off shaft (52), and a power take-off shaft spline sleeve (53) at the other end; the outer side of the power take-off shaft gear (51) is meshed with the outer teeth of the pump wheel (15), and the inner side is connected to the power take-off shaft (52) via a spline; the power take-off shaft spline sleeve (53) is a power take-off port for connecting auxiliary components.

5. The novel torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The hydraulic torque converter (1) is a single-pole single-phase hydraulic torque converter.

6. The novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The meshing speed ratio between the clutch gear (41) and the external gear of the pump wheel (15) is 0.7-0.

85.

7. The novel hydraulic torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The turbine shaft (3) and the turbine (13) are connected via a spline.

8. The novel torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The distance between the output shaft (46) and the central axis of the turbine shaft (3) is 112 to 122 mm.

9. The novel torque converter assembly with locking function according to claim 8 is characterized in that: The distance between the power take-off shaft (52) and the central axis of the turbine shaft (3) is 120-130 mm.

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