Torque converter with a turbine assembly with pressure plate

Abstract

Torque converter (10) which includes: a turbine assembly (12) comprising: a turbine (26) containing a plurality of holes; and a pressure disk (28) connected to the turbine (26), wherein the pressure disk (28) includes a bearing ring (64), at least one retaining pin (70) which projects axially through at least one of the holes of a bearing ring (64), and at least one support pillar (72) projecting axially through at least one of the holes (100) from the bearing ring (64), wherein the retaining pin(s) (70) include a radially outwardly projecting clamp (78) which secures the pressure plate (28) to the turbine (26); and wherein a cover assembly (48) includes a first radial projection (52) and a second radial projection (56), the second radial projection (56) including a seal (58) for slidably retaining an intermediate surface of a piston (42); and wherein the pressure disk (28) is arranged directly between the second radial projection (56) of the cover assembly (48) and a radially inner disk part (32) of the turbine (26).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to torque converters and in particular to pressure disks attached to turbines in torque converters.

[0002] Currently available solutions for holding pressure discs consist of outside diameter clamps, twistlock features, snap rings, or other more complex clamp geometries.

[0003] From publication DE 100 35 264 A1, a torque converter with a turbine assembly is known, comprising a turbine containing a plurality of holes and a pressure plate connected to the turbine. The pressure plate includes a support ring, at least one retaining pin projecting axially through at least one of the holes from the bearing ring, and at least one support pillar projecting axially through at least one of the holes from the bearing ring, wherein the retaining pin(s) include a radially outwardly projecting clamp that fastens the pressure plate to the turbine.

[0004] US 5 277 500 A shows a thrust bearing in an electric machine.

[0005] The object of the invention is to provide an improved torque converter with regard to the pressure plate or the bearing ring.

[0006] A turbine assembly for a torque converter is provided. The turbine assembly includes a turbine with a plurality of holes and a thrust washer connected to the turbine. The thrust washer includes a bearing ring, at least one retaining pin projecting axially from the bearing ring through at least one of the holes, and at least one support pillar projecting axially from the bearing ring through at least one of the holes. The retaining pin(s) include a radially outward-projecting clamp by which the thrust washer is fastened to the turbine.

[0007] A method for forming a thrust disk assembly for a torque converter may involve clamping a thrust disk to a turbine. The thrust disk comprises a bearing ring, at least one retaining pin projecting axially from the bearing ring, and at least one support pillar projecting axially from the bearing ring. The retaining pin(s) include a clamp projecting radially outward. Clamping involves moving the at least one support pillar through holes in the turbine to an assembly surface such that the at least one support pillar comes into contact with the assembly surface while the at least one retaining pin remains axially displaceable with respect to the assembly surface, and then pressing the clamp(s) radially inward so that the thrust disk is clamped to the turbine by the clamp(s).

[0008] The present invention is described with reference to the following drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a torque converter according to an embodiment of the present invention; the Fig. 2a to 2c show different views of a pressure plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3a a top view of a support pillar in the Fig. The pressure plate shown in 2a to 2c is shown; Fig. 3b a side cross-sectional view of the support pillar along the in Fig. Section line BB shown in 3a; Fig. 4a a top view of a retaining pin that is in the Fig. The pressure plate shown in 2a to 2c is shown; Fig. 4b a side cross-sectional view of the retaining pin along the in Fig. Section line CC shown in 4a; Fig. 5a shows a top view of a turbine assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5b a side cross-sectional view of the in Fig. The turbine assembly shown in 5a is shown; Fig. 6a schematically illustrates a method for attaching a pressure plate to a turbine according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. Figure 6b schematically illustrates a method for attaching a pressure plate to a turbine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] The present disclosure provides a thrust washer with radially outwardly expanding clamps for retaining the thrust washer in holes of the turbine casing. To mitigate assembly problems caused by clamp bending when the bearing is mounted to the casing, the thrust washer includes a pair of support pillars that act as pins during assembly. In one embodiment, the support pillars extend below the radial tongues to make contact first with a mounting surface; in another embodiment, the mounting surface includes projections in the form of matching pins that extend to the support pillars. The thrust washer can be advantageous because it fits within the very small volume required for the pillar and clamp features, while the pillars remain thick enough to prevent breakage.The largest pier dimension may be limited at the outer diameter by the punching capabilities of the die size and the curvature of the turbine casing. The largest pier dimension may be limited at the inner diameter by the outer diameter of a bearing on the side of the turbine casing opposite the thrust washer.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 shows a torque converter 10 comprising a turbine assembly 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The torque converter 10 includes a front cover 14 for connection to a crankshaft of a motor vehicle engine and a rear cover 16, which forms a housing 18 for an impeller 20. Both the front cover 14 and the rear cover 16 are substantially bell-shaped and connected to each other by a radial projection 22 of the rear cover 16 being radially within an axial projection 24 of the front cover 14. The turbine assembly 12 comprises a turbine 26 opposite the impeller 20, a front thrust washer 28 between the turbine 26 and the front cover 14, and a rear bearing 30 between the turbine 26 and the rear cover 16.A radially inner disk section 32 of the turbine 26 is rotationally fixed to a turbine hub 34, which can be connected to a subsequent drive component in the drive train, for example, a continuously variable transmission, via a toothed inner surface. According to this embodiment, the radially inner disk section 32 is connected to the turbine hub 34 by a plurality of rivets 35. The torque converter 10 also includes a stator 36, which is arranged axially between the impeller 20 and the turbine 26. A bypass clutch 38 is arranged between the front cover 14 and the turbine 26. This clutch is intended to engage with the front cover 14 to connect the turbine 26 and the front cover 14 when the impeller 20 and the turbine 26 are rotating at the same speed. The bypass clutch 38 includes a clutch disc 40 with friction surfaces on both of its axial sides and a piston 42.The piston 42 is axially displaceable to and from the front cover 14 by pressure differentials within the torque converter 10, in order to engage and disengage the clutch disc 40 from the front cover 14. A damper is provided between the turbine 26 and the lock-up clutch 38 to connect the turbine 26 to the lock-up clutch 38 and to isolate engine vibrations from the turbine 26 when the lock-up clutch is engaged. The damper 44 contains damping elements in the form of a plurality of circumferentially spaced springs 46, which are connected by a spring retainer 47 to a rounded part 45 of the turbine 26 that holds turbine blades 49.

[0011] The pressure plate 28 is arranged between the radially inner disk portion 32 and a cover assembly 48 of the front cover 14, which slidably holds a radial inner surface of the piston 42. The pressure plate 28 absorbs stresses between the turbine 26 and the cover assembly 48. The cover assembly 48 comprises an axial front face 50 welded to the front cover 14, a first radial projection 52 containing a seal 54 for slidably holding the radial inner surface of the piston 42, and a second radial projection 56 containing a seal 58 for slidably holding an intermediate surface of the piston 42. The pressure plate 28 is arranged directly between the second radial projection 56 of the cover assembly 48 and the radially inner disk portion 32 of the turbine 26.The pressure washer 28 helps to prevent abrasion between an axial surface 60 of the cover assembly 48 and an axial surface 62 of the turbine 26 during operation when the cover assembly 48 and the turbine 26 have different rotational speeds.

[0012] The Fig. Figures 2a to 2c show different views of the pressure plate 28 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2a shows a perspective view of the printing disc 28. Fig. Figure 2b shows a top view of the pressure disk 28, and Fig. 2c shows a side cross-sectional view of the pressure disk 28 along the in Fig. Section AA shown in Figure 2b. The pressure plate 28 includes a bearing ring 64, which has a first axial surface 66 for making contact with the cover assembly 48 and a second axial surface 68 for making contact with the turbine 26. The pressure plate 28 also includes two retaining pins 70a, 70b, which project axially from the bearing ring 64, and two support pillars 72a, 72b, which project axially from the bearing ring 64. The retaining pins 70a, 70b hold the pressure plate 28 firmly on the turbine 26 ( Fig. 1) (such holding may be required, for example, when the turbine assembly 12 is snapped into place during assembly), and the support pillars 72a, 72b provide anti-rotation protection (an anti-rotation device may be required, for example, for torque resulting from the speed difference between the turbine assembly 12 and the cover assembly 48 under an axial load). According to a preferred embodiment, the support pillars 72a, 72b have a larger circumference than the retaining pins 70a, 70b.

[0013] In a circumferential direction D, after the first retaining pin 70a, a first support pillar 72a follows successively, after the first support pillar 72a a second retaining pin 70b and after the second retaining pin 70b a second support pillar 72b. In the circumferential direction D, the first support pillar 72a is spaced 90 degrees from the first retaining pin, the second retaining pin 70b is spaced 90 degrees from the first support pillar 72a and the second support pillar 72b is spaced 90 degrees from the second retaining pin 70b.

[0014] The retaining pins 70a, 70b each comprise a lower part 73 extending radially over an outer circumference 74 of the bearing ring 64, and the support pillars 72a, 72b each similarly comprise a lower part 75 extending radially over the outer circumference 74 of the bearing ring 64. The lower parts 73, 75 each comprise an axial surface 69 that coincides with an axial surface 66 of the bearing ring in a radially extending plane. The retaining pins 70a, 70b each comprise an axially projecting part 76 extending axially from the corresponding lower part 73, and the support pillars 72a, 72b each similarly comprise an axially projecting part 77 extending axially from the corresponding lower part 75.The retaining pins 70a, 70b each contain a radially outwardly projecting clamp 78, which extends radially outward from a radial outer surface of the corresponding axially projecting part 76 to fasten the pressure disc 28 to the turbine 26.

[0015] Fig. 3a shows a top view of one of the [items] in the Fig. Support pillars 72a, 72b, and shown in 2a to 2c Fig. Figure 3b shows a side cross-sectional view of pillar 72a or 72b along the in Fig. Section BB shown in Figure 3a. The support pillars 72a and 72b each contain a lower part 75 extending radially from the outer diameter 74 of the bearing ring 64. The lower part 75 has a first axial surface 69 that coincides in a radial plane with an axial surface 66 of the ring 64 to make contact with the cover assembly 50, and a second axial surface 80 that coincides in a radial plane with a surface 68 of the ring 64 to make contact with the turbine 26. The axially projecting part 77 extends perpendicularly from the lower part 75 to the surface 69 and includes a radially inner surface 83, a radially outer surface 84, and a contact surface 86 at a tip of the axially projecting part 77 to make contact with a surface of the assembly during the assembly of the pressure washer 28 with the turbine 26.It can be clearly seen that the radially outer surface 84 has a continuously rounded counterpart and no radially outer projections, so that the support pillars 72a, 72b can be inserted precisely along the radially outer edges of the holes 98 (. Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b, Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b).

[0016] Fig. 4a shows a top view of one of the [items] in the Fig. The retaining pins shown in 2a to 2c, and Fig. Figure 4b shows a side cross-sectional view of pin 70a or 70b along the in Fig. Section line CC shown in Figure 4a. The retaining pins 70a, 70b each contain a lower part 73 that extends radially beyond the outer diameter 74 of the bearing ring 64. The lower part 73 has a first axial surface 69 that coincides in a radial plane with the axial surface 66 of the ring 64 to make contact with the cover assembly 50, and a second axial surface 88 that coincides in a radial plane with the axial surface 68 of the ring 64 to make contact with the turbine 26. An axially projecting part 76 extends from the lower part 73 perpendicular to the surface 69 and includes a radially inner surface 90 and a radially outer surface 92. A clamp 78 extends radially outwards from the axially projecting part 76 and includes an axial contact surface 94 which comes into contact with an axial surface of the turbine 26 in order to fasten the pressure plate 28 to the turbine 26.The terminal 78 also includes an inclined contact surface 95 to press the terminal 78 radially inwards, while the retaining pins 70a, 70b engage in holes 96 (see the . Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b, Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b) are pressed in the turbine 26. The inclined contact surface 95 and the axial contact surface 94 meet at a radially outer tip 97 of the clamp 78.

[0017] Fig. Figure 5a shows a top view of the turbine assembly 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 5b shows a side cross-sectional view of the turbine assembly 12. The pressure disk 28 is connected to the disk part 32 of the turbine 26 by retaining pins 70a, 70b, which project axially through corresponding holes 96 in the disk part 32. Likewise, support pillars 72a, 72b also project axially through corresponding holes 98 in the disk part 32, which are radially aligned with the holes 96. The bearing ring 64 can contain a plurality of holes 100 spaced apart along its circumference and a plurality of radially extending fluid channels 102, which run between the outer circumference 74 and an inner circumference 104 thereof.

[0018] Radially within the pressure plate 28, the turbine 26 contains a multitude of holes for receiving rivets.

[0019] Fig. Figure 5b shows that the clamps 78 for connecting the pressure plate 28 to the turbine 26 project beyond an axial surface 106 of the plate part 32, which is located on one side of the turbine 26 opposite the axial surface 62 and is in contact with the axial surface 68 of the bearing ring 64, such that the axial contact surface 94 is in contact with the axial surface 106. Each hole 96 is partially defined by a radially outer edge 108, which is in contact with the radially outer surface 92 of the corresponding retaining pin 70a, 70b. Once the pressure plate has been attached to the turbine 26, the radially inner surface 90 is adjacent to a radially outer surface of the bearing 30 and can be in slight contact with it.

[0020] Fig. Figure 6a schematically illustrates a method for connecting a pressure plate 28 to a turbine 26 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the support pillars 72a, 72b can have a greater axial length than the retaining pins 70a, 70b, so that the pressure plate 28 can be attached to the turbine 26 using a flat mounting surface 110. The mounting surface 110 can be the surface of an installation tool or an installation device. To attach the pressure plate 28 to the turbine 26, the support pillars 72a, 72b are pressed into holes 98 until the contact surfaces 86 of the support pillars 72a, 72b are in contact with the mounting surface 110. Then the retaining pins 70a, 70b of the pressure plate 28 are pivoted about the contact surfaces 86 so that the retaining pins 70a, 70b are inserted into the holes 96.First, the pressure plate 28 can be inclined or bent in a direction 112 such that the clamp 78 is pressed radially inwards and the inclined surface 95 of the clamp 78 on the retaining pin 70a comes into contact with the radially outer edge 108 of the hole 96, while the pin 70a is pressed against the mounting surface 110. As soon as the tip 97 of the clamp 78 of the retaining pin 70a is in contact with the radially outer edge 108, the tip 97 slides along the radially outer edge 108 until the clamp 78 has passed through the hole 96 over its entire length and the clamp 78 engages radially outwards, so that the axial contact surface 94 of the retaining pin 70a is in contact with the axial surface 106 of the disc part 32 of the turbine housing 26. Fig. Figure 6a shows the retaining pin 70a in an installed position on the turbine 26, with the clamp 78 of the retaining pin 70a attached to the turbine 26. The pressure plate 28 can then be slightly inclined or bent in the opposite direction 114 so that the inclined surface 95 of the clamp 78 on the retaining pin 70b comes into contact with the radially outer edge 108 of the hole when the retaining pin 70b is pressed against the mounting surface 110. As soon as the tip 97 of the clamp 78 of the retaining pin comes into contact with the radially outer edge 108, the tip 97 slides along the radially outer edge 108 until the clamp has passed through the hole over its entire length and the clamp 78 snaps radially outwards, so that the axial contact surface 94 of the retaining pin 70b is in contact with the axial surface 106 of the disk part 32 of the turbine housing 26. Fig. Figure 6a shows the retaining pin 70b during its attachment to the turbine, with the clamp 78 of the retaining pin 70b being pressed into the hole 96 and the tip 97 beginning to slide along the radial edge 108.

[0021] Fig. Figure 6b schematically illustrates a method for connecting a pressure plate to a turbine 26 according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the support pillars 72a, 72b have an axial length equal to or less than the axial length of the retaining pins 70a, 70b, so that the pressure plate 28 can be attached to the turbine 26 using a mounting surface 120 with a projection 122, which may be a mounting pin. The mounting surface 120 may be the surface of a mounting tool or a mounting device. To attach the pressure plate 28 to the turbine 26, the support pillars 72a, 72b are pressed into the holes 98 until the contact surfaces 86 of the support pillars 72a, 72b are in contact with the mounting surface 120, in particular with the projection 122.Then the retaining pins 70a, 70b of the pressure plate 28 are pivoted around the contact surfaces 86 so that the retaining pins 70a, 70b enter the holes 96. The pressure plate 28 can simultaneously be bent in directions 112, 114 so that inclined surfaces 95 of the clamps 78 on the retaining pins 70a, 70b simultaneously come into contact with corresponding radially outer edges 108 of corresponding holes 96, while the retaining pins 70a, 70b are pressed against the mounting surface 120. As soon as the tips 97 of the clamps 78 of the retaining pins 70a, 70b are in contact with corresponding radially outer edges 108, the tips 97 slide along the radially outer edges 108 until the clamps have passed through the holes 96 over their entire length and the clamps 78 snap radially outwards, so that the axial contact surfaces 94 of the retaining pins 70a, 70b are in contact with corresponding axial surfaces 106 of the disk part 32 of the turbine housing 26. Fig. Figure 6b shows retaining pins 70a, 70b during their attachment to the turbine 26, wherein the corresponding clamps 78 of the retaining pins 70a, 70b are pressed into the holes 96 and the tips 97 begin to slide along corresponding radial edges 108. It is noted that the reference to Fig. 6a using a mounting surface 110, the installation is carried out by simultaneously bending the pressure plate 28 in directions 112, 114 as described above. Fig. 6b can be described and that the with reference to Fig. 6b installation using a mounting surface 120 by successively bending the pressure plate in directions 112, 114 as described above Fig. 6a can be described.

[0022] In the preceding description, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and their examples. However, it is clear that various modifications and changes can be made to these without deviating from the general essence and scope of protection of the invention, which are set out in the following claims. Accordingly, the description and the drawings are to be regarded only as illustrations and not as limitations.

[0023] Furthermore, it has been revealed: 11. Method for forming a turbine assembly, the method comprising: Clamping a pressure disk to a turbine, wherein the pressure disk comprises a bearing ring, at least one retaining pin projecting axially from the bearing ring, and at least one support pillar projecting axially from the bearing ring, wherein the retaining pin or pillars comprise a clamp projecting radially outward, wherein the clamping comprises moving the at least one support pillar through corresponding holes in the turbine toward an assembly surface, such that the at least one support pillar comes into axial contact with the mounting surface while the at least one retaining pin remains axially displaceable with respect to the mounting surface, and subsequently pressing the clamp or pillars radially inward, such that the clamp or pillars clamp the pressure disk to the turbine. 12. Method according to 11, wherein the at least one support pillar extends axially further from the bearing ring than the at least one retaining pin. 13. Method according to 11, wherein the at least one support pillar extends axially the same or less far from the bearing ring than the at least one retaining pin, wherein the mounting surface includes projections to make contact with the at least retaining pin. 14. Method according to 11, wherein the at least one retaining pin comprises a first retaining pin and a second retaining pin, wherein the at least one support pillar comprises a first support pillar and a second support pillar, the clamping involves moving both the first support pillar and the second support pillar through the corresponding holes in the turbine so that the first support pillar and the second support pillar come into contact with the mounting surface while the first retaining pin and the second retaining pin are axially displaceable with respect to the mounting surface, and subsequently pivoting the at least one retaining pin about the first support pillar and the second support pillar while the first support pillar and the second support pillar are in contact with the mounting surface so that the clamps are pressed radially inwards until the clamps have passed through the corresponding holes and expand radially outwards,to clamp the pressure plate to the turbine. 15. Method according to 11, wherein both the at least one support pillar and the at least one retaining pin contain a lower part that projects radially beyond an outer circumference of the bearing ring, and the clamp or each clamp extends radially beyond the corresponding lower part. 16. Method according to 15, wherein the clamp or each clamp is pressed radially inwards during clamping. 17. Method according to 16, wherein the holes are each partially defined by a radially outer edge, the clamp or clamp is pressed inwards during clamping to slide along until the clamp or clamp expands radially outwards to come into contact with an axial surface of the turbine and clamp the pressure disk to the turbine.

Claims

Torque converter (10) comprising: a turbine assembly (12) comprising: a turbine (26) having a plurality of holes; and a pressure disk (28) connected to the turbine (26), the pressure disk (28) comprising a bearing ring (64), at least one retaining pin (70) projecting axially through at least one of the holes from a bearing ring (64), and at least one support pillar (72) projecting axially through at least one of the holes (100) from the bearing ring (64), the retaining pin(s) (70) comprising a radially outwardly projecting clamp (78) securing the pressure disk (28) to the turbine (26); and a cover assembly (48) comprising a first radial projection (52) and a second radial projection (56), the second radial projection (56) comprising a seal (58) for slidably retaining an intermediate surface of a piston (42);and wherein the pressure disc (28) is arranged directly between the second radial projection (56) of the cover assembly (48) and a radially inner disc part (32) of the turbine (26). Torque converter (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one support pillar (72) extends axially further from the bearing ring (64) than the at least one retaining pin (70). Torque converter (10) according to claim 1, wherein each at least one support pillar (72) and at least one retaining pin (70) includes a lower part (75, 73) which extends radially beyond an outer circumference (74) of the bearing ring (64). Torque converter (10) according to claim 3, wherein the lower parts (75, 73) each contain an axial surface (69) which coincides in a radially extending plane with an axial surface (66) of the bearing ring (64). Torque converter (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one retaining pin (70) comprises a first retaining pin (70a) and a second retaining pin (70b) and wherein the at least one support pillar (72) comprises a first support pillar (72a) and a second support pillar (72b). Torque converter (10) according to claim 5, wherein in a circumferential direction the first support pillar (72a) follows successively after the first retaining pin (70a), the second retaining pin (70b) follows after the first support pillar (72a) and the second support pillar (72b) follows after the second retaining pin (70b). Torque converter (10) according to claim 6, wherein in the circumferential direction the first support pillar (72a) is spaced 90 degrees from the first retaining pin (70a), the second retaining pin (70b) is spaced 90 degrees from the first support pillar (72a) and the second support pillar (72b) is spaced 90 degrees from the second retaining pin (70b). Torque converter (10) according to claim 5, wherein the holes in the turbine (26) comprise a first hole (96), a second hole (98), a third hole (96) and a fourth hole (98), wherein the first retaining pin (70a) extends through the first hole (96), the first support pillar (72a) extends through the second hole (98), the second retaining pin (72b) extends through the third hole (96) and the second support pillar (7b) extends through the fourth hole (98). Torque converter (10) according to claim 8, wherein the first hole (96) is partially defined by a radially outer edge (108) and the third hole (96) is partially defined by a third radially outer edge (108), the first retaining pin (70a) is in contact with the first radially outer edge (108), the second retaining pin (70b) is in contact with the third radial edge (108), the bearing ring (64) is in contact with a first axial surface (62) of the turbine (26) and the clamps (78) of the first and second retaining pins (70a, 70b) are in contact with a second axial surface (106) of the turbine (26).

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