Hydraulic torque converter

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of torque converters, and discloses a hydraulic torque converter which comprises a pump wheel, a turbine and a guide wheel, the guide wheel is located between the pump wheel and the turbine, the pump wheel is connected with an engine crankshaft through a torque converter shell, and the turbine is connected with an input shaft of a gearbox. A centrifugal switching mechanism used for automatically achieving hydraulic and mechanical transmission switching between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft according to the rotating speed of the engine crankshaft is arranged between the torque converter shell and the gearbox input shaft. The centrifugal switching mechanism automatically achieves switching of hydraulic transmission and mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft according to the rotating speed of the engine crankshaft, and meanwhile the problem of dragging of a pump wheel and oil in the mechanical transmission process is effectively solved. The power transmission efficiency between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft is further improved, fuel consumption is reduced, the structure is simple, the occupied space is small, the failure rate is low, and reliability is good.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of torque converters, and in particular to a hydraulic torque converter. Background Art

[0002] The torque converter is a type of hydraulic transmission and an indispensable component of the hydraulic automatic transmission. It is installed on the flywheel of the engine. Its function is to transmit the power of the engine to the gear mechanism in the hydraulic automatic transmission and has a certain automatic speed change function. The transmission efficiency of the hydraulic automatic transmission mainly depends on the structure and performance of the torque converter.

[0003] The earliest torque converter consists of a pump wheel, a turbine, a reaction element (guide wheel or stator) and the oil necessary for transmitting torque. When the engine is running, the crankshaft drives the pump wheel to rotate, and the hydraulic oil in the pump wheel blades rotates with the pump wheel under the drive of the pump wheel. Under the action of centrifugal force, the hydraulic oil is thrown from the inner edge of the pump wheel blade to the outer edge, and rushes from the outer edge to the turbine blade, causing the turbine to rotate under the impact of the hydraulic oil. The hydraulic oil rushing to the turbine blade flows along the turbine blade to the inner edge, and changes the direction of the hydraulic oil flowing from the turbine to the pump wheel through the guide wheel, causing the hydraulic oil to impact the back of the pump wheel, causing the pump wheel to rotate, thereby increasing the output torque.

[0004] The torque converter uses hydraulic force to transmit the power of the car, but the friction of the oil will lose energy, so the transmission efficiency is low. In order to improve the transmission efficiency of the car and reduce fuel consumption, many modern cars' automatic transmissions use a comprehensive torque converter with a lock-up clutch, which can operate according to the engine working conditions. When the vehicle speed is low, the lock-up clutch is in a disengaged state. At this time, the power input to the torque converter is completely transmitted to the turbine through the hydraulic oil. When the vehicle is driving at high speed on a good road, the lock-up clutch is in a locked state. At this time, the engine power is directly transmitted to the turbine through the mechanical connection of the lock-up clutch. However, the pump wheel is always combined with the engine, and the engine must overcome the drag of the pump wheel and the oil. Therefore, in order to further improve the transmission efficiency and reduce fuel consumption, some torque converters are equipped with a pump wheel clutch, which can realize the combination and separation of the pump wheel and the engine as needed.

[0005] However, due to the space limitation of the torque converter, the known locking clutch and impeller clutch are controlled by a common oil supply and a common control valve, which is not only complex in structure and occupies a large space, but also difficult to achieve the engagement and separation control of the impeller and the engine once the oil circuit leaks or the control valve fails. The reliability is poor and needs to be improved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic torque converter, which can automatically realize the switching of hydraulic and mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft according to the engine crankshaft speed, and effectively solve the problem of dragging of the pump wheel and the oil in the mechanical transmission process, further improve the power transmission efficiency between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft, reduce fuel consumption, simple structure, small space occupation, low failure rate and good reliability.

[0007] The above technical objectives of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A hydraulic torque converter comprises a pump wheel, a turbine and a guide wheel, wherein the guide wheel is located between the pump wheel and the turbine, the pump wheel is connected to the engine crankshaft through the torque converter housing, the turbine is connected to the gearbox input shaft, and a centrifugal switching mechanism is provided between the torque converter housing and the gearbox input shaft for automatically switching between hydraulic and mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft according to the speed of the engine crankshaft.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, when the engine crankshaft speed is low, the centrifugal force on the centrifugal switching mechanism is small. At this time, the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft are separated, and the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft only rely on hydraulic transmission. Therefore, when the engine crankshaft is running, it will drive the pump wheel to rotate with the torque converter housing. Under the action of centrifugal force, the hydraulic oil in the pump wheel rushes from the outer edge of the pump wheel blade to the turbine, flows along the turbine blade to the guide wheel, and then flows back to the inner edge of the pump wheel blade through the guide wheel blade, forming a circulating liquid flow. After being impacted, the turbine starts to rotate and drives the gearbox input shaft to rotate synchronously, thereby realizing the engine crankshaft and the torque converter housing. The centrifugal switching mechanism is subjected to a large centrifugal force between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft; when the engine crankshaft rotates at a high speed, the centrifugal force on the centrifugal switching mechanism is large. At this time, the engine crankshaft is only mechanically connected to the gearbox input shaft, and the power of the engine crankshaft is directly transmitted to the gearbox input shaft in a mechanical way. At this time, there is no mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the torque converter housing and the pump wheel, so that no circulating fluid flow is generated between the pump wheel and the turbine, which effectively solves the problem of dragging of the pump wheel and the oil, further improves the transmission efficiency of the power between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft, reduces fuel consumption, has a simple structure, occupies a small space, has a low failure rate and good reliability.

[0010] The present invention is further configured as follows: the centrifugal switching mechanism includes a fixed shaft configured to connect or disconnect the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft, the fixed shaft is coaxially arranged with the engine crankshaft, and the fixed shaft passes through the rotation center of the torque converter housing and is fixedly connected to the engine crankshaft.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, when the engine crankshaft rotates, it will drive the fixed shaft to rotate synchronously. The connection or separation between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft is realized by the connection or separation between the fixed shaft and the gearbox input shaft, thereby realizing the switching of mechanical or hydraulic transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft.

[0012] The present invention is further configured as follows: the centrifugal switching mechanism also includes a plurality of slide grooves arranged in a circular array on the inner wall of the torque converter housing, the fixed shaft is located at the array center of each slide groove, each slide groove is provided with a slider that slides therewith, and each of the sliders is connected to the gearbox input shaft through a connecting rod mechanism.

[0013] By adopting the above technical scheme, when the engine crankshaft speed is relatively low, the centrifugal force exerted on each slider is relatively small, and each slider is respectively located on one side of each slide groove close to the center of the fixed shaft. At this time, under the action of the connecting rod mechanism, the fixed shaft is separated from the gearbox input shaft, thereby realizing the separation between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft, and the engine crankshaft only drives the torque converter housing to rotate, thereby driving the pump wheel to rotate, that is, realizing the hydraulic transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft; when the engine crankshaft speed is relatively high, the centrifugal force exerted on each slider is relatively large, and each slider slides to one side of each slide groove away from the center of the fixed shaft. At this time, under the action of the connecting rod mechanism, the fixed shaft and the gearbox input shaft are mechanically connected, and when the engine crankshaft drives the fixed shaft to rotate, the power is directly transmitted to the gearbox input shaft through the fixed shaft, that is, realizing the mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft.

[0014] The present invention is further configured as follows: the connecting rod mechanism includes a plurality of connecting rods and a sleeve shaft coaxially slidably matched with the input shaft of the gearbox, the sleeve shaft is respectively connected to each slider through a plurality of connecting rods, and the two ends of the connecting rod are respectively hinged to the sleeve shaft and the slider.

[0015] By adopting the above technical scheme, when the centrifugal force on each slider is small and each slider is located on the side of each slide groove close to the center of the fixed shaft, the end of each connecting rod hinged to the slider is close to the center of the fixed shaft, so that the end of each connecting rod hinged to the sleeve shaft slides with the sleeve shaft to the end of the gearbox input shaft away from the fixed shaft. At this time, the sleeve shaft is only connected to the gearbox input shaft, and the fixed shaft and the gearbox input shaft remain separated, so the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft are in a separated state; when the centrifugal force on each slider gradually increases and slides to the side of each slide groove away from the center of the fixed shaft, the end of each connecting rod connected to each slider slides with each slider to the side of each slide groove away from the center of the fixed shaft. At this time, the end of each connecting rod connected to the sleeve shaft will drive the sleeve shaft to slide along the gearbox input shaft axially until it gradually approaches the fixed shaft. When each slider slides to the side of each slide groove away from the center of the fixed shaft, the sleeve shaft just slides to connect the gearbox input shaft and the fixed shaft at the same time, so the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft are in a mechanical connection state.

[0016] The present invention is further configured as follows: the connecting rod mechanism also includes a sliding rod that matches the number of the sliders and is parallel to each sliding groove, one end of the sliding rod is fixedly connected to the slider, the other end of the sliding rod passes through the sliding groove where the slider connected to it is located and extends toward the center of the fixed shaft, and the positions on the fixed shaft opposite to each sliding rod are respectively provided with matching grooves that are slidably matched with each sliding rod, and one end of each sliding groove away from the center of the fixed shaft is connected to the annular groove, and the annular groove is concentric with the fixed shaft.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, when the slider slides along the slide groove, it will drive the slide rod to slide synchronously. Therefore, when the slider is located on the side of the slide groove close to the center of the fixed shaft, the other end of the slide rod is inserted into the matching groove and slidably matched with the matching groove. When the slider slides to the side away from the center of the fixed shaft, the slide rod slides along the matching groove to the side away from the center of the fixed shaft until it is separated from the matching groove. When the slide rod is inserted into the matching groove, when the engine crankshaft drives the fixed shaft to rotate, the fixed shaft will drive the torque converter housing to rotate synchronously, thereby ensuring the hydraulic transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft. When the slide rod is separated from the matching groove, the slider just slides into the annular groove. At this time, due to The sleeve shaft just slides to connect the transmission input shaft and the fixed shaft at the same time, thus ensuring the mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the transmission input shaft. When the transmission input shaft is driven to rotate by the engine crankshaft, it drives the connecting rod and the slider to rotate synchronously with the sleeve shaft. Since the slider is located in the annular groove and the slide rod is separated from the matching groove, the torque converter housing will not rotate with the engine crankshaft, thereby ensuring that no circulating fluid flow is generated between the pump wheel and the turbine, thereby effectively overcoming the drag of the pump wheel and oil during the mechanical transmission process between the engine crankshaft and the transmission input shaft, and further improving the power transmission efficiency between the engine crankshaft and the transmission input shaft.

[0018] The present invention is further configured as follows: a cylindrical cavity is provided at one end of the fixed shaft close to the gearbox input shaft, a boss matching the cylindrical cavity is provided at one end of the sleeve shaft close to the cylindrical cavity, and a return spring is provided between the bottom wall of the sleeve shaft and the gearbox input shaft.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, when the sleeve shaft slides axially along the transmission input shaft toward the side close to the fixed shaft, the boss arranged at one end of the sleeve shaft will gradually move toward the direction close to the cylindrical cavity until the boss enters the cylindrical cavity and realizes the mechanical connection between the sleeve shaft and the fixed shaft. At this time, the sleeve shaft is not separated from the transmission input shaft, thereby realizing the mechanical connection between the fixed shaft and the transmission input shaft. Since the fixed shaft is fixedly connected to the engine crankshaft, the engine crankshaft and the transmission input shaft are in a mechanical connection state to realize mechanical transmission. During this process, the return spring accumulates elastic force. When the elastic force is greater than the driving force of the connecting rod on the sleeve shaft, the sleeve shaft will slide axially along the transmission input shaft toward the side away from the fixed shaft, so that the boss is separated from the cylindrical cavity, thereby switching the engine crankshaft and the transmission input shaft to a separation state to realize hydraulic transmission.

[0020] The present invention is further configured as follows: a radially extending receiving groove 1 is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity, a clamping block 1 is slidably provided in the receiving groove 1, the clamping block 1 is slidably matched with the receiving groove 1, the clamping block 1 is connected to the top wall of the receiving groove 1 through a connecting spring 1, and the clamping block 1 can extend out of the receiving groove 1 under the elastic force of the connecting spring 1;

[0021] The outer wall of the boss is provided with a card slot 1 for card connection with a card block 1, and the card slot 1 is opposite to the card block 1;

[0022] A radially extending receiving groove 2 is provided on the outer wall of the transmission input shaft, a clamping block 2 is slidably provided in the receiving groove 2, the clamping block 2 is slidably matched with the receiving groove 2, the clamping block 2 is connected to the bottom wall of the receiving groove 2 through the connecting spring 2, and the clamping block 1 can extend out of the receiving groove 2 under the elastic force of the connecting spring 2;

[0023] A second clamping groove for clamping with the second clamping block is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve shaft, and the distance between the second clamping groove and the second clamping block is always equal to the distance between the first clamping groove and the first clamping block.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, when the sleeve shaft slides along the input shaft of the gearbox toward the side close to the fixed shaft, the boss gradually enters the cylindrical cavity and gradually squeezes the clamping block 1, so that the clamping block 1 squeezes the connecting spring 1 and shrinks into the receiving groove 1. During this process, the connecting spring 1 accumulates elastic force. When the clamping groove 1 on the boss is opposite to the receiving groove 1, the clamping block 1 pops out and extends into the clamping groove 1 under the elastic force of the spring 1, thereby realizing the clamping operation between the sleeve shaft and the fixed shaft.

[0025] At the same time, the second clamping groove on the inner wall of the sleeve shaft gradually slides toward the direction close to the second clamping block. When the second clamping groove slides to be opposite to the second receiving groove, the second clamping block extends out of the second receiving groove under the elastic force of the second connecting spring and extends into the second clamping groove, so that the sleeve shaft is clamped with the input shaft of the gearbox, thereby realizing the synchronous clamping operation between the sleeve shaft and the fixed shaft and the input shaft of the gearbox.

[0026] By synchronously engaging the sleeve shaft with the fixed shaft and the gearbox input shaft, a mechanical connection between the fixed shaft and the gearbox input shaft can be achieved, thereby achieving mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft.

[0027] When the sleeve shaft slides along the input shaft of the gearbox toward the side away from the fixed shaft, the boss gradually leaves the cylindrical cavity, and the receiving groove 1 on the other side of the cylindrical cavity gradually aligns with the pressing block 1, so that the clamping block 1 squeezes the connecting spring 1 and shrinks into the receiving groove 1. During this process, the connecting spring 1 accumulates elastic force, and at this time, the sleeve shaft and the fixed shaft are rotationally connected until the boss completely leaves the cylindrical cavity, so that the sleeve shaft and the fixed shaft are completely separated;

[0028] At the same time, the second clamping groove on the inner wall of the sleeve shaft gradually slides away from the second clamping block. When the second clamping groove slides to separate from the second receiving groove, the second clamping block is squeezed and retracted into the second receiving groove again. At this time, the sleeve shaft is rotationally connected with the input shaft of the gearbox.

[0029] By separating the sleeve shaft from the fixed shaft, the fixed shaft and the gearbox input shaft can be separated, which facilitates the hydraulic transmission of the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft. The sleeve shaft is rotatably connected to the gearbox input shaft, so that the sleeve shaft rotates with the torque converter housing during hydraulic transmission without affecting the hydraulic transmission operation between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0031] The present invention realizes the switching of hydraulic and mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft automatically according to the engine crankshaft speed through the centrifugal switching mechanism, and also effectively solves the problem of dragging of the pump wheel and oil in the mechanical transmission process, further improves the power transmission efficiency between the engine crankshaft and the gearbox input shaft, reduces fuel consumption, has a simple structure, occupies a small space, has a low failure rate and has good reliability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0033] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a hydraulic torque converter of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A is a partial enlarged schematic diagram of the middle part.

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of B in the figure.

[0036] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the inner side wall of a torque converter housing in a hydraulic torque converter of the present invention.

[0037] In the figure, 1, pump wheel; 2, turbine; 3, guide wheel; 4, torque converter housing; 5, engine crankshaft; 6, gearbox input shaft; 61, accommodating groove 2; 62, clamping block 2; 63, connecting spring 2; 7, centrifugal switching mechanism; 71, fixed shaft; 72, slide groove; 73, slider; 74, cylindrical cavity; 75, accommodating groove 1; 76, clamping block 1; 77, connecting spring 1; 78, slide rod; 79, matching groove; 70, annular groove; 8, connecting rod mechanism; 81, sleeve shaft; 82, connecting rod; 83, boss; 84, return spring; 85, clamping groove 1; 86, clamping groove 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, a hydraulic torque converter includes a pump wheel 1, a turbine 2 and a guide wheel 3, wherein the guide wheel 3 is located between the pump wheel 1 and the turbine 2, the pump wheel 1 is connected to the engine crankshaft 5 through the torque converter housing 4, the turbine 2 is connected to the gearbox input shaft 6, and a centrifugal switching mechanism 7 is provided between the torque converter housing 4 and the gearbox input shaft 6 for automatically switching the hydraulic and mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft 5 and the gearbox input shaft 6 according to the rotation speed of the engine crankshaft 5.

[0040] Further, such as Figure 2 As shown, the centrifugal switching mechanism 7 includes a fixed shaft 71 which is used to connect or separate the engine crankshaft 5 and the transmission input shaft 6. The fixed shaft 71 is coaxially arranged with the engine crankshaft 5. The fixed shaft 71 passes through the rotation center of the torque converter housing 4 and is fixedly connected to the engine crankshaft 5.

[0041] Further, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the centrifugal switching mechanism 7 also includes a plurality of slide grooves 72 arranged in a circular array on the inner wall of the torque converter housing 4, the fixed shaft 71 is located at the array center of each slide groove 72, and each slide groove 72 is provided with a slider 73 that slides therewith, and each slider 73 is connected to the gearbox input shaft 6 through a connecting rod mechanism 8.

[0042] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, the connecting rod mechanism 8 includes multiple connecting rods 82 and a sleeve shaft 81 that is coaxially slidably matched with the transmission input shaft 6. The sleeve shaft 81 is respectively connected to each slider 73 through multiple connecting rods 82, and the two ends of the connecting rod 82 are respectively hinged to the sleeve shaft 81 and the slider 73.

[0043] Further, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the connecting rod mechanism 8 also includes sliding rods 78 that match the number of sliding blocks 73 and are respectively parallel to each sliding groove 72. One end of the sliding rod 78 is fixedly connected to the sliding block 73, and the other end of the sliding rod 78 passes through the sliding groove 72 where the sliding block 73 connected to it is located and extends toward the center of the fixed shaft 71. The fixed shaft 71 is provided with matching grooves 79 that are slidably matched with each sliding rod 78 at positions opposite to each sliding rod 78. The end of each sliding groove 72 away from the center of the fixed shaft 71 is connected to the annular groove 70, and the annular groove 70 is concentric with the fixed shaft 71.

[0044] Further, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a cylindrical cavity 74 is provided at one end of the fixed shaft 71 close to the transmission input shaft 6, a boss 83 matching the cylindrical cavity 74 is provided at one end of the sleeve shaft 81 close to the cylindrical cavity 74, and a return spring 84 is provided between the bottom wall of the sleeve shaft 81 and the transmission input shaft 6.

[0045] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, a radially extending receiving groove 75 is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity 74, and a clamping block 76 is slidably provided in the receiving groove 75. The clamping block 76 is slidably matched with the receiving groove 75. The clamping block 76 is connected to the top wall of the receiving groove 75 through a connecting spring 77. The clamping block 76 can extend out of the receiving groove 75 under the elastic force of the connecting spring 77.

[0046] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, a clamping groove 85 for clamping with a clamping block 76 is provided on the outer wall of the boss 83, and the clamping groove 85 is opposite to the clamping block 76.

[0047] Further, such as Figure 3As shown, a radially extending receiving groove 61 is provided on the outer wall of the transmission input shaft 6, a clamping block 62 is slidably provided in the receiving groove 61, the clamping block 62 is slidably matched with the receiving groove 61, the clamping block 62 is connected to the bottom wall of the receiving groove 61 through the connecting spring 63, and the clamping block 76 can extend out of the receiving groove 61 under the elastic force of the connecting spring 63.

[0048] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, a second clamping groove 86 for clamping with the second clamping block 62 is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve shaft 81 , and the distance between the second clamping groove 86 and the second clamping block 62 is always equal to the distance between the first clamping groove 85 and the first clamping block 76 .

[0049] Working principle of the present invention:

[0050] When the engine crankshaft 5 rotates at a low speed, the centrifugal force on each slider 73 in the centrifugal switching mechanism 7 is small, and each slider 73 is located on one side of each slide groove 72 close to the center of the fixed shaft 71. The end of each connecting rod 82 hinged to the slider 73 is close to the center of the fixed shaft 71, so that the end of each connecting rod 82 hinged to the sleeve shaft 81 slides with the sleeve shaft 81 to the end of the gearbox input shaft 6 away from the fixed shaft 71. At this time, the sleeve shaft 81 is only connected to the gearbox input shaft 6, and the fixed shaft 71 and the gearbox input shaft 6 remain separated. Therefore, the engine crankshaft 5 and the gearbox input shaft 6 are in a separated state. At the same time, the other end of the slide rod 78 connected to the slider 73 Inserted into the matching groove 79 of the fixed shaft 71 and slidingly matched with the matching groove 79, when the engine crankshaft 5 drives the fixed shaft 71 to rotate, the fixed shaft 71 only drives the torque converter housing 4 to rotate synchronously, and the rotation of the torque converter housing 4 drives the pump wheel 1 to rotate synchronously. When the pump wheel 1 rotates synchronously, the hydraulic oil in the pump wheel 1 rushes from the outer edge of the pump wheel 1 blade to the turbine 2 under the action of centrifugal force, and flows along the turbine 2 blade to the guide wheel 3, and then flows back to the inner edge of the pump wheel 1 blade through the guide wheel 3 blade, forming a circulating liquid flow. After being impacted, the turbine 2 starts to rotate and drives the gearbox input shaft 6 to rotate synchronously, thereby realizing the hydraulic transmission between the engine crankshaft 5 and the gearbox input shaft 6;

[0051] When the engine crankshaft 5 rotates at a high speed, the centrifugal force exerted on each slider 73 in the centrifugal switching mechanism 7 is relatively large, and each slider 73 slides to the side of each slide groove 72 away from the center of the fixed shaft 71, and the end of each connecting rod 82 connected to each slider 73 slides along with each slider 73 to the side of each slide groove 72 away from the center of the fixed shaft 71. At this time, the end of each connecting rod 82 connected to the sleeve shaft 81 will drive the sleeve shaft 81 to slide axially along the gearbox input shaft 6 until it gradually approaches the fixed shaft 71. When each slider 73 slides to the side of each slide groove 72 away from the center of the fixed shaft 71, the sleeve shaft 81 just slides to connect the gearbox input shaft 6 and the fixed shaft 71 at the same time, so that the fixed shaft 71 and the gearbox input shaft 6 are in a mechanical connection state, thereby realizing mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft 5 and the gearbox input shaft 6.

[0052] At the same time, the slide bar 78 connected to the slide bar 73 slides along the matching groove 79 to the side away from the center of the fixed shaft 71 until it is separated from the matching groove 79. At this time, the slide bar 73 just slides into the annular groove 70. When the transmission input shaft 6 is driven to rotate by the engine crankshaft 5, the connecting rod 82 and the slide bar 73 are driven to rotate synchronously with the sleeve shaft 81. Since the slide bar 73 is located in the annular groove 70 and the slide bar 78 is separated from the matching groove 79, the torque converter housing 4 will not rotate with the engine crankshaft 5, thereby ensuring that no circulating fluid flow is generated between the pump wheel 1 and the turbine 2, thereby effectively overcoming the drag of the pump wheel 1 and the oil during the mechanical transmission process between the engine crankshaft 5 and the transmission input shaft 6, further improving the transmission efficiency of the power between the engine crankshaft 5 and the transmission input shaft 6, reducing fuel consumption, and having a simple structure, small space occupation, low failure rate, and good reliability.

Claims

1. A hydraulic torque converter, comprising a pump wheel (1), a turbine wheel (2) and a guide wheel (3), wherein the guide wheel (3) is located between the pump wheel (1) and the turbine wheel (2), the pump wheel (1) is connected to an engine crankshaft (5) through a torque converter housing (4), and the turbine wheel (2) is connected to a gearbox input shaft (6), characterized in that: A centrifugal switching mechanism (7) is provided between the torque converter housing (4) and the gearbox input shaft (6) for automatically switching between hydraulic and mechanical transmission between the engine crankshaft (5) and the gearbox input shaft (6) according to the rotation speed of the engine crankshaft (5).

2. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The centrifugal switching mechanism (7) comprises a fixed shaft (71) for realizing connection or separation between the engine crankshaft (5) and the gearbox input shaft (6); the fixed shaft (71) is coaxially arranged with the engine crankshaft (5); the fixed shaft (71) penetrates the rotation center of the torque converter housing (4) and is fixedly connected to the engine crankshaft (5).

3. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The centrifugal switching mechanism (7) further comprises a plurality of slide grooves (72) arranged in a circumferential array on the inner wall of the torque converter housing (4); the fixed shaft (71) is located at the array center of each slide groove (72); each slide groove (72) is provided with a sliding block (73) that slidably cooperates therewith; each sliding block (73) is connected to the gearbox input shaft (6) via a connecting rod mechanism (8).

4. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting rod mechanism (8) comprises a plurality of connecting rods (82) and a sleeve shaft (81) coaxially slidably matched with the gearbox input shaft (6); the sleeve shaft (81) is respectively connected to each slider (73) through the plurality of connecting rods (82); and the two ends of the connecting rod (82) are respectively hinged to the sleeve shaft (81) and the slider (73).

5. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting rod mechanism (8) also includes sliding rods (78) whose number matches the number of sliders (73) and are respectively parallel to each sliding groove (72); one end of the sliding rod (78) is fixedly connected to the slider (73); the other end of the sliding rod (78) passes through the sliding groove (72) where the slider (73) connected to it is located and extends toward the center of the fixed shaft (71); positions on the fixed shaft (71) opposite to each sliding rod (78) are respectively provided with matching grooves (79) that are slidably matched with each sliding rod (78); one end of each sliding groove (72) away from the center of the fixed shaft (71) is connected to the annular groove (70), and the annular groove (70) is concentric with the fixed shaft (71).

6. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 5, characterized in that: A cylindrical cavity (74) is provided at one end of the fixed shaft (71) close to the gearbox input shaft (6), a boss (83) matching the cylindrical cavity (74) is provided at one end of the sleeve shaft (81) close to the cylindrical cavity (74), and a return spring (84) is provided between the bottom wall of the sleeve shaft (81) and the gearbox input shaft (6).

7. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 6, characterized in that: A radially extending receiving groove (75) is provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical cavity (74), a clamping block (76) is slidably provided in the receiving groove (75), the clamping block (76) is slidably matched with the receiving groove (75), the clamping block (76) is connected to the top wall of the receiving groove (75) through a connecting spring (77), and the clamping block (76) can extend out of the receiving groove (75) under the elastic force of the connecting spring (77).

8. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 7, characterized in that: A clamping groove (85) for clamping with a clamping block (76) is provided on the outer wall of the boss (83), and the clamping groove (85) is opposite to the clamping block (76).

9. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 8, characterized in that: A radially extending receiving groove (61) is provided on the outer wall of the transmission input shaft (6), a second clamping block (62) is slidably provided in the second receiving groove (61), the second clamping block (62) is slidably matched with the second receiving groove (61), the second clamping block (62) is connected to the bottom wall of the second receiving groove (61) through the second connecting spring (63), and the first clamping block (76) can extend out of the second receiving groove (61) under the elastic force of the second connecting spring (63).

10. A hydraulic torque converter according to claim 9, characterized in that: A second clamping groove (86) for clamping with the second clamping block (62) is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve shaft (81), and the distance between the second clamping groove (86) and the second clamping block (62) is always equal to the distance between the first clamping groove (85) and the first clamping block (76).

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