A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of hydraulic torque converters, and discloses a hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve, which comprises a pump wheel, the inner portion of the pump wheel is fixedly connected with a driving hub, the outer wall of the pump wheel is fixedly connected with a shell, the inner portion of the shell is connected with a pressure control valve body through a pipeline, the side, away from the driving hub, of the pump wheel is provided with a guide wheel, the inner portion of the guide wheel is installed with a one-way bearing, the outer wall of the one-way bearing is installed with a supporting seat, the outer wall of the supporting seat is provided with a turbine, the side, away from the supporting seat, of the turbine is provided with a piston, and the outer wall of the piston is provided with an equal-pressure mechanism. Through the equal-pressure mechanism, the equal-pressure mechanism drives an equal-pressure disc to produce trace axial compensation by centrifugal force, the stress state of the back surface of the piston is adjusted, the pressure in a locking cavity can more uniformly act on the piston and a clutch assembly, and thus the phenomena of first contact of a friction lining, local overload or eccentric wear caused by excessive local pressure can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydraulic torque converter technology, specifically to a hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial transmission component of automatic transmissions, the torque converter combines hydraulic transmission, torque amplification, and lock-up functions. The lock-up clutch, in particular, engages and disengages via hydraulic control, eliminating hydraulic slip during vehicle cruising and improving transmission efficiency and fuel economy.

[0003] Existing hydraulic torque converters with pressure control valves typically have an external pressure control valve connected to the central oil passage of the hydraulic torque converter via an oil supply line. This valve delivers pressurized oil to the lock-up working chamber formed between the housing and the lock-up clutch piston. By adjusting the oil pressure in the lock-up chamber, the piston is moved, causing the lock-up clutch to engage or disengage.

[0004] The inventors of this application discovered in their research that the core defect of the prior art is that when the torque converter is running at high speed and the clutch is performing a locking action, the hydraulic oil is mostly directly introduced into the piston back locking chamber through the central oil passage. Due to the limitation of the oil inlet position, the piston back is prone to a situation where the pressure in the central area is high and the pressure in the edge area is low, which causes the local area of ​​the piston to be pressurized first, resulting in the friction lining contacting the housing locally first, and causing local load concentration, overload and other situations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve, which solves the problem of high pressure in the central area and low pressure in the edge area on the back of the piston, and achieves the effect of more uniform pressure in the lock chamber acting on the piston and clutch assembly.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve, comprising a pump impeller, a drive hub fixedly connected inside the pump impeller, a housing fixedly connected to the outer wall of the pump impeller, a pressure control valve body connected inside the housing via a pipe, a guide wheel disposed on the side of the pump impeller away from the drive hub, a one-way bearing installed inside the guide wheel, a support seat mounted on the outer wall of the one-way bearing, a turbine disposed on the outer wall of the support seat, a piston disposed on the side of the turbine away from the support seat, the interior of the piston disposed on the outer wall of the support seat, a clutch assembly disposed on the side of the piston near the housing, a friction lining disposed on the outer side of the clutch assembly, the outer wall of the friction lining disposed on the outer wall of the piston, and a pressure equalization mechanism disposed on the outer wall of the piston.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the drive hub drives the pump wheel to rotate, and the hydraulic transmission is completed by the pump wheel, guide wheel, and turbine. The one-way bearing cooperates with the guide wheel to achieve low-speed torque increase. The pressure control valve regulates the oil pressure, drives the piston to move axially, controls the engagement or disengagement of the friction lining and the housing, switches between hydraulic transmission and rigid locking transmission, and takes into account both starting torque increase and high-speed and efficient operation. Through the setting of the pressure equalization mechanism, the hydraulic pressure acting on the piston can be evenly distributed to avoid pressure imbalance, making the clutch engagement and disengagement actions smoother and reducing impact and vibration.

[0008] Preferably, the pressure equalization mechanism includes a shaped block, the outer wall of which is slidably connected to the outer wall of a piston, a slider is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the shaped block, one end of a tension spring is installed on the outer wall of the shaped block, the other end of the tension spring is installed on the outer wall of the piston, a ball is installed inside the shaped block, and a pressure equalization plate is provided on the outer wall of the ball.

[0009] Preferably, the inner side of the equalizing plate is conical, and a groove is formed inside the equalizing plate. A limit rod is slidably connected to the inner wall of the groove, and the outer wall of the limit rod is installed on the outer wall of the piston.

[0010] Preferably, a limiting groove is formed inside the piston, and the inner wall of the limiting groove is slidably connected to the outer wall of the slider.

[0011] Preferably, the outer wall of the pressure equalizing plate is equipped with a plurality of oil guide vanes, which are arranged at an angle.

[0012] Preferably, a guide plate is provided on the side of the oil guide blade facing the housing, and the outer wall of the guide plate is installed inside the housing.

[0013] Preferably, the interior of the housing is provided with a reflux groove.

[0014] Preferably, a collection ring is provided on the outer side of the guide plate, and the outer wall of the collection ring is installed inside the housing.

[0015] Preferably, the inside of the collecting ring is provided with a feeding groove, and L-shaped blocks and trapezoidal blocks are respectively installed inside the collecting ring, with the L-shaped blocks and trapezoidal blocks arranged opposite to each other.

[0016] Preferably, a permanent magnet ring is installed inside the collecting ring.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotation of the pressure equalizing plate drives the synchronous rotation of the oil guide vanes, which can promote the flow of oil in the locking area without the need for an additional drive mechanism, thus avoiding local oil stagnation. The oil guide vanes continuously transport the hot oil in the locking area to the outer area, and realize the circulation of hot oil through the guide plate and return groove, thereby reducing the temperature rise in the locking clutch area and reducing the decrease in friction performance caused by high temperature. The wear debris generated by the friction lining is carried by the oil flow through the feed groove into the collection ring, realizing the unified collection of wear debris and preventing wear debris from being scattered in the friction pair area.

[0018] This invention provides a hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve. It has the following advantages: 1. This invention, by setting up a pressure equalization mechanism, uses centrifugal force to drive the pressure equalization plate to generate a small axial compensation when the hydraulic torque converter rotates at high speed. This adjusts the force state on the back of the piston, so that the pressure in the locking chamber can be applied more evenly to the piston and clutch assembly. This avoids the phenomenon of friction linings contacting first, local overload, or uneven wear due to excessive local pressure. It also solves the problem that oil entering the central oil passage of the housing easily causes high pressure at the center of the piston and low pressure at the edge. At the same time, because the locking clutch is subjected to more balanced force during engagement, it can reduce the impact and vibration generated at the moment of engagement, and improve the smoothness and stability of the locking process.

[0019] 2. By setting up oil guide vanes, guide plates, and return grooves, this invention avoids the long-term stagnation of high-temperature oil near the lock-up clutch, and promotes the continuous replenishment of lower-temperature oil from the periphery to the lock-up area, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the lock-up area, reducing local temperature rise, and mitigating the thermal attenuation and abnormal wear of the friction lining caused by high temperature. At the same time, the oil flows back from the edge to the center, which can reduce the oil accumulation phenomenon caused by centrifugal force inside the housing and avoid insufficient oil supply in some areas.

[0020] 3. This invention collects the wear debris generated by the friction between the friction lining and the inner wall of the housing by setting up a collection ring, a feed trough, an L-shaped block, a trapezoidal block and a permanent magnet ring. The permanent magnet ring adsorbs the ferromagnetic wear debris, and the combination of the L-shaped block and the trapezoidal block forms a tortuous flow channel, reducing the path of wear debris outward and preventing metal wear debris from entering the pump wheel, turbine, guide wheel and their moving parts area with the oil circulation, thereby reducing abrasive wear and scratches. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the housing of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the guide wheel of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the support base of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the irregularly shaped block of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a partial structural diagram of the limiting rod of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a partial structural diagram of the guide plate of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the internal structure of the collection ring of the present invention.

[0022] The components are as follows: 1. Pump wheel; 2. Drive hub; 3. Housing; 4. Pressure control valve body; 5. Guide wheel; 6. One-way bearing; 7. Support seat; 8. Turbine; 9. Piston; 10. Clutch assembly; 11. Friction lining; 12. Pressure equalization mechanism; 13. Limiting groove; 14. Oil guide vane; 15. Guide plate; 16. Return groove; 17. Collection ring; 18. Feed chute; 19. L-shaped block; 20. Trapezoidal block; 21. Permanent magnet ring. 121. Irregularly shaped block; 122. Slider; 123. Tension spring; 124. Ball bearing; 125. Pressure equalizing plate; 126. Slide groove; 127. Limiting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] Please see the appendix Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 4 This invention provides a hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve, including a pump wheel 1, a drive hub 2 fixedly connected inside the pump wheel 1, a housing 3 fixedly connected to the outer wall of the pump wheel 1, a pressure control valve body 4 connected inside the housing 3 via a pipe, a guide wheel 5 disposed on the side of the pump wheel 1 away from the drive hub 2, a one-way bearing 6 installed inside the guide wheel 5, a support seat 7 disposed on the outer wall of the one-way bearing 6, a turbine 8 disposed on the outer wall of the support seat 7, a piston 9 disposed on the side of the turbine 8 away from the support seat 7, the interior of the piston 9 disposed on the outer wall of the support seat 7, a clutch assembly 10 disposed on the side of the piston 9 near the housing 3, a friction lining 11 disposed on the outer side of the clutch assembly 10, the outer wall of the friction lining 11 disposed on the outer wall of the piston 9, and a pressure equalization mechanism 12 disposed on the outer wall of the piston 9.

[0025] Specifically, the pump wheel 1, drive hub 2, and their outer housing form a whole. As the engine outputs torque, the pump wheel 1 rotates. The pump wheel 1 and housing 3 form a single unit, and the oil flowing through them is driven by the pump wheel 1 to power the turbine 8. A guide wheel 5 connects the pump wheel 1 and the turbine 8, and the guide wheel 5 is limited by a one-way bearing 6. As the guide wheel 5 rotates, the torque of the turbine 8 is increased by the pump wheel 1. The turbine 8 then transmits power to the transmission input shaft, achieving power output. Splines are provided inside the one-way bearing 6, inside the clutch assembly 10, and on the outer wall of the support seat 7 to facilitate connection with the transmission input shaft. These splines also allow for slight axial movement of the clutch assembly 10, piston 9, and turbine 8. The clutch assembly 10 acts as... The locking mechanism body, pushed by the piston 9, contacts the housing 3 to achieve a rigid connection between the engine and the transmission, improving transmission efficiency. Driven by the oil pressure controlled by the pressure control valve body 4, the piston 9 moves axially to push the friction lining 11 to press or separate from the housing 3. The pressure control valve body 4 is located outside the hydraulic torque converter and is connected to the central oil passage through a pipeline to control the oil pressure in the locking chamber between the housing 3 and the piston 9. The pressure equalization mechanism 12 is located on the side of the piston 9 facing the turbine 8 and uses centrifugal force to adjust the position of the pressure equalization component so that the pressure in the locking chamber can be applied more evenly to the piston 9 and the clutch assembly 10, avoiding excessive local pressure on the locking clutch, and preventing oil from entering the central oil passage of the housing 3, which can easily cause high pressure at the center and low pressure at the edge of the piston 9.

[0026] Please see the appendix Figure 4 -Appendix Figure 6 The pressure equalization mechanism 12 includes a shaped block 121. The outer wall of the shaped block 121 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the piston 9. A slider 122 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the shaped block 121. One end of a tension spring 123 is installed on the outer wall of the shaped block 121, and the other end of the tension spring 123 is installed on the outer wall of the piston 9. A ball bearing 124 is installed inside the shaped block 121. A pressure equalization plate 125 is provided on the outer wall of the ball bearing 124. The inner side of the pressure equalization plate 125 is conical. A groove 126 is opened inside the pressure equalization plate 125. A limit rod 127 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the groove 126. The outer wall of the limit rod 127 is installed on the outer wall of the piston 9.

[0027] Specifically, as the piston 9 rotates following the turbine 8, the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the piston 9 causes the shaped block 121 to overcome the tension of the tension spring 123 and move towards the edge of the piston 9. A ball bearing 124 is provided on the side of the shaped block 121 near the pressure equalizing plate 125 to reduce the frictional resistance of the shaped block 121 to the pressure equalizing plate 125 during transmission. The movement of the shaped block 121 causes the pressure equalizing plate 125 to undergo slight axial displacement, redistributing the local pressure evenly to the back of the entire piston 9 and improving the smoothness of the connection. The axial movement of the pressure equalizing plate 125 is supported and limited by the cooperation of the limiting rod 127 and the slide groove 126. The inner diameter of the pressure equalizing plate 125 can be smaller to match the connection between the piston 9 and the support seat 7, allowing axial movement on the smooth part of the support seat 7.

[0028] Please see the appendix Figure 5 The piston 9 has a limiting groove 13 inside, and the inner wall of the limiting groove 13 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the slider 122.

[0029] Specifically, the limiting groove 13 allows the slider 122 and the irregular block 121 to slide, and restricts their sliding offset and range.

[0030] Please see the appendix Figure 6 and attached Figure 7 Multiple oil guide vanes 14 are installed on the outer wall of the equalizing plate 125, and the oil guide vanes 14 are inclined. A guide plate 15 is provided on the side of the oil guide vane 14 facing the housing 3, and the outer wall of the guide plate 15 is installed inside the housing 3. A return groove 16 is opened inside the housing 3.

[0031] Specifically, the oil guide vanes 14 rotate with the pressure equalizing plate 125, causing the oil to flow and throwing the hot oil in the locked area outward, thus improving heat dissipation. The guide plate 15 is fixed inside the housing 3 and guides the oil thrown out by the oil guide vanes 14, reducing turbulence and allowing the oil to flow in a predetermined direction. One side of the return channel 16 corresponds to the position of the guide plate 15, and the other side is close to the center of the housing 3, which is used to collect the hot oil at the edge and guide it back to the center of the housing 3. At the same time, the return channel 16 can also guide the oil in the center of the housing 3 to the edge of the housing 3, forming a reverse circulation.

[0032] Please see the appendix Figure 7 and attached Figure 8 A collection ring 17 is provided on the outer side of the guide plate 15, and the outer wall of the collection ring 17 is installed inside the housing 3. A feed groove 18 is provided inside the collection ring 17. An L-shaped block 19 and a trapezoidal block 20 are respectively installed inside the collection ring 17, and the L-shaped block 19 and the trapezoidal block 20 are arranged opposite to each other. A permanent magnet ring 21 is installed inside the collection ring 17.

[0033] Specifically, the collecting ring 17 is located at the edge inside the housing 3. Through the opening of the feed groove 18, when the friction lining 11 rubs against the inner wall of the housing 3, the resulting wear debris is distributed on the surface of the friction lining 11 or the inner wall of the housing 3. The interior of the housing 3 is filled with oil, and the centrifugal force generated when the housing 3 rotates throws the wear debris toward the collecting ring 17, thereby collecting the wear debris and reducing the wear debris from flowing around in the oil. The cooperation of the L-shaped block 19 and the trapezoidal block 20 reduces the path of wear debris flowing out of the collecting ring 17. The permanent magnet ring 21 magnetically attracts the wear debris inside the collecting ring 17, thereby preventing the wear debris inside the collecting ring 17 from flowing out. Multiple sets of L-shaped blocks 19 and trapezoidal blocks 20 can be set up to form a maze channel inside the collecting ring 17, which not only allows wear debris to enter the collecting ring 17, but also reduces the wear debris from flowing out of the collecting ring 17.

[0034] Working process: After the engine outputs power, it drives the pump wheel 1 and the housing 3 to rotate synchronously. The pump wheel 1 pushes the internal working oil to form a circulating flow. The oil impacts the turbine 8 blades, enabling the turbine 8 to obtain torque and output power to the input end of the transmission. The guide wheel 5 changes the direction of the return oil under the action of the one-way bearing 6, so that the oil under low-speed conditions can generate a reaction on the pump wheel 1, thereby realizing torque amplification and improving starting ability.

[0035] Pressure oil is supplied to the locking chamber formed between the housing 3 and the piston 9 through the pipeline via the external pressure control valve body 4. Under the action of oil pressure, the piston 9 moves axially and pushes the clutch assembly 10 and friction lining 11 closer to the housing 3, so that the clutch assembly 10 and the housing 3 come into contact and engage, thereby establishing a mechanical direct connection between the engine and the transmission and improving transmission efficiency.

[0036] As the speed of the hydraulic torque converter increases, the pressure equalization mechanism 12 on the outer wall of the piston 9 starts to work. Under the action of centrifugal force, the irregular block 121 moves outward along the limiting groove 13 on the piston 9. The tension spring 123 provides the return force at low speed. The irregular block 121 pushes the internal ball 124 to roll along the inner conical surface of the pressure equalization plate 125, converting the radial displacement into axial displacement. This causes the pressure equalization plate 125 to move slightly axially along the guide direction of the limiting rod 127 and the slide groove 126. Through the through hole inside the pressure equalization plate 125, the force area of ​​the piston 9 is compensated, making the locking pressure distribution more uniform, reducing the local pressure and uneven wear of the friction lining 11, and improving the stability of the locking engagement.

[0037] As the equalizing plate 125 rotates synchronously with the piston 9, multiple oil guide vanes 14 installed on its outer wall rotate synchronously and generate a slinging effect on the surrounding oil, which transports the heated oil in the locking area to the outside. The slinged oil, under the action of the guide plate 15, flows along the return groove 16, guiding the oil at the edge of the shell 3 to its center, optimizing the oil circulation and reducing flow resistance.

[0038] When the friction lining 11 rubs against the inner wall of the housing 3, the resulting wear debris is subjected to centrifugal force and enters the interior of the collection ring 17 through the feed trough 18. The flow direction is changed in the guide area formed by the L-shaped block 19 and the trapezoidal block 20. The permanent magnet ring 21 inside the collection ring 17 adsorbs the ferromagnetic wear debris, preventing metal particles from re-entering the circulating oil circuit.

[0039] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve, comprising a pump impeller (1), characterized in that, The pump wheel (1) is fixedly connected to a drive hub (2), and the outer wall of the pump wheel (1) is fixedly connected to a housing (3). The housing (3) is connected to a pressure control valve body (4) through a pipe. A guide wheel (5) is provided on the side of the pump wheel (1) away from the drive hub (2). A one-way bearing (6) is installed inside the guide wheel (5). A support seat (7) is installed on the outer wall of the one-way bearing (6). A turbine (8) is provided on the outer wall of the support seat (7). A piston (9) is provided on the side of the turbine (8) away from the support seat (7). The interior of the piston (9) is located on the outer wall of the support seat (7). A clutch assembly (10) is provided on the side of the piston (9) close to the housing (3). A friction lining (11) is provided on the outer side of the clutch assembly (10). The outer wall of the friction lining (11) is located on the outer wall of the piston (9). A pressure equalization mechanism (12) is provided on the outer wall of the piston (9).

2. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure equalization mechanism (12) includes a shaped block (121), the outer wall of the shaped block (121) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the piston (9), the outer wall of the shaped block (121) is fixedly connected to a slider (122), one end of a tension spring (123) is installed on the outer wall of the shaped block (121), the other end of the tension spring (123) is installed on the outer wall of the piston (9), a ball bearing (124) is installed inside the shaped block (121), and a pressure equalization plate (125) is provided on the outer wall of the ball bearing (124).

3. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner side of the equalizing plate (125) is conical, and a groove (126) is provided inside the equalizing plate (125). A limit rod (127) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the groove (126), and the outer wall of the limit rod (127) is installed on the outer wall of the piston (9).

4. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston (9) has a limiting groove (13) inside, and the inner wall of the limiting groove (13) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the slider (122).

5. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer wall of the equalizing plate (125) is equipped with a plurality of oil guide blades (14), which are inclined.

6. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The oil guide vane (14) is provided with a guide plate (15) on the side facing the housing (3), and the outer wall of the guide plate (15) is installed inside the housing (3).

7. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (3) has a reflux groove (16) inside.

8. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 6, characterized in that, A collection ring (17) is provided on the outer side of the guide plate (15), and the outer wall of the collection ring (17) is installed inside the housing (3).

9. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inside of the collecting ring (17) is provided with a feeding groove (18), and an L-shaped block (19) and a trapezoidal block (20) are respectively installed inside the collecting ring (17), and the L-shaped block (19) and the trapezoidal block (20) are arranged opposite to each other.

10. A hydraulic torque converter with a pressure control valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, A permanent magnet ring (21) is installed inside the collecting ring (17).

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