Pressure plate with radially extending connecting elements

Abstract

Pressure disc (86), which includes: an annular lower part (92) comprising a radially extending pressure surface (92b), a further radially extending surface (92c) on a side of the annular lower part (92) opposite the radially extending pressure surface (92b), an outer circumferential surface (92a) extending axially from the radially extending pressure surface (92b) to the further radially extending surface (92c), and an inner circumferential surface (92d) extending axially from the radially extending pressure surface (92b) to the further radially extending surface (92c); and radially extending connecting elements (90) that extend radially outwards from the annular lower part (92), wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) comprises a radially extending arm (100) extending from the annular lower part (92) and a circumferentially extending clamp (102) extending circumferentially from an outer end of the radially extending arm (100), wherein each of the circumferentially extending clamps (102) comprises a circumferentially extending section (104) extending circumferentially from the outer end of the radially extending arm (100) and a radially extending section (106) extending radially inward from the circumferentially extending section (104), wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) includes an inclined surface (106b) and a clamp (102) defined by a groove (96) formed in the inclined surface (106b).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a pressure plate and in particular to pressure plates for the drive train of a motor vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Fig. Figure 1 discloses a conventional pressure plate 300, which includes an annular lower part 302 with a low-friction surface 304 for contacting a first component 306 and a further, opposing surface 308 for contacting a first surface 310 of a second component 312, to which the pressure plate 300 is attached. The pressure plate 300 includes connecting elements 314 that extend axially from the annular lower part 302. The connecting elements 314 have the form of axially extending pillars 316 that extend axially through the second component 312. The axially extending pillars 316 have radially extending clamps 318 that come into contact with a second surface 320 of the second component 312.

[0003] Printing discs are already known from the publications DE 10 2017 103 575 A1, US 5 007 746 A and DE 10 2014 225 617 A1. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A pressure plate is provided. The pressure plate comprises an annular base with a radially extending pressure surface, another radially extending surface on the opposite side of the base, an outer circumferential surface extending axially from the radially extending pressure surface to the other radially extending surface, and an inner circumferential surface extending axially from the radially extending pressure surface to the other radially extending surface. The pressure plate also includes radially extending connecting elements that extend radially outward from the annular base.

[0005] A powertrain assembly for a motor vehicle is also provided, comprising a component with a plurality of tongues spaced apart from each other around the circumference; wherein the pressure plate is connected to the component by each of the radially extending connecting elements, each of which is connected to one of the tongues.

[0006] A method for connecting a pressure plate to a component is also provided. The method involves providing a component with a plurality of circumferentially spaced tongues; and connecting the pressure plate to the component by rotating the pressure plate such that a clamp of each of the radially extending connecting elements secures a corresponding axially extending section of one of the tongues. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following invention is described below with reference to the following drawings, wherein: Fig. Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a conventional pressure plate; Fig. 2 shows a lateral cross-sectional view of a torque converter according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 an enlarged lateral cross-sectional view of a section of the in Fig. 2 shows a torque converter which includes a pressure plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 a top view of the in Fig. The pressure plate shown in section 3 indicates; Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged perspective side view of a first side of a pressure plate and a section of a cover plate according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 6 a perspective view of a second side of the in Fig. The pressure plate shown in section 5 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The disclosure provides a pressure plate for constructions where axial clearance is limited, which includes radially engaging tongues as fastening means. The tongues extend radially outward from the pressure plate and include circumferentially extending clamps that are arranged in cut-out features on the adjacent plate.

[0009] Fig. Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of a torque converter 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The torque converter 10 is rotatable about a central axis 11 and comprises a front cover 12, which is connected to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, and a rear cover 14, which forms a housing 16 of an impeller or a pump 18. The terms “axial”, “radial”, and “circumferential” used herein refer to the central axis 11. The front cover 12 is essentially shell-shaped and comprises a radially extending section 12a, which intersects the central axis 11 and extends radially away from it, and an annular, radially extending section 12b, which projects axially from an outer circumference of the section 12.

[0010] The torque converter 10 also includes a turbine 20, which defines a piston that is axially displaceable towards and away from the impeller 18 to engage and disengage a clutch section of the impeller 18, thus forming a lock-up clutch. The turbine 20 includes a turbine housing 22 and a central ring 24 that holds a plurality of turbine blades 26 between them. The turbine housing 22 includes a rounded blade support section 28, shaped like an annular shell, against which the engine-facing sides of the turbine blades 26 bear. Radially within the blade support section 28, the turbine housing 22 includes an annular inner radial extension 31.

[0011] Radially outside the blade holder section 28 and the turbine blades 26, a radially outer extension 30, forming the piston, projects radially outward from an outer circumference of the blade holder section 28 to define an annular projection with a flat, annular, radially extending surface 30a facing the impeller and with an outermost circumference that defines an outermost circumferential surface 30b of the turbine 20. Accordingly, the piston and the turbine casing 22 are formed from a single piece.

[0012] The impeller 18 contains impeller blades 40, which are attached by tongues to the impeller housing 16 on one side facing the gearbox and to a central ring 42 of the impeller on the other side facing the motor. The impeller housing 16 includes, on the radially extending section 14a of the rear cover 14, a rounded blade support section 44, which is shaped like an annular plate and rests against the edges of the impeller blades 42 facing the gearbox. Radially outside the blade support section 32 and the impeller blades 42, the radially extending section 14a includes a radially extending wall 46, which forms an impeller coupling and projects radially outwards from an outer circumference of the rounded blade support section 44 to define an annular wall with a flat, annular, radially extending surface 46a facing the turbine.Accordingly, the impeller coupling and the impeller housing 16 are formed from a single piece. Radially within the blade support section 44, the impeller housing 16 includes an annular, radially inner extension 48 that extends radially inward from the blade support section 44. A radially inner end of the extension 48 is connected to an impeller hub 50.

[0013] A friction material 52 is bonded to the radially extending surface 30a of the radially outer extension 30, which faces the impeller and engages with the radially extending wall 46. According to other embodiments, the friction material 52 can be bonded not only to the radially outer extension 30, but also to the radially extending surface 46a of the radially extending wall 46, which faces the turbine. Regardless of whether the friction material 52 is bonded to the radially outer extension 30 or to the radially extending wall 46, it is positioned axially between the surfaces 30a and 46a. The torque converter 10 also includes a stator 54 located axially between the turbine 20 and the impeller 18 to redirect the fluid coming from the turbine blades 26 before it reaches the impeller 18, thereby increasing the efficiency of the torque converter 10.

[0014] A damper assembly 62 is arranged between the front cover 12 and the turbine 20 and is designed to transmit torque from the turbine 20 to the drive shaft of a gearbox, which is toothed with the damper hub 82. According to this embodiment, the damper assembly 62 is connected to the turbine piston 20 by drive tongues 64, which engage around the circumference in a radially outer set of springs 66 of the damper assembly 62, so that it rotates together with the piston. The drive tongues 64 are formed as part of a drive ring 68, which is attached to a surface of the turbine housing 22 facing the front cover at the blade support section 28. An annular lower part 70 of the drive ring 68 is attached directly to the surface of the turbine housing 22 facing the front cover by welding, brazing, or riveting.The drive tongues 64 are spaced apart around the circumference and extend into the spaces formed around the circumference between the springs 66, bearing against the circumferential edges of the springs 66. The springs 66 are held by a spring retainer 72, which encloses a profile with the outer diameter of the springs 66 and is formed at a radially outer end of a first cover plate 74 of the damper assembly 62, which faces the turbine. The damper assembly 62 also includes second cover plates 76, which face the front cover.

[0015] The cover plates 74, 76 hold a set of radially inner springs 78 spaced apart around their circumference, arranged radially inside the springs 66 and axially between them. The damper assembly 62 also includes a drive flange 80 arranged axially between the cover plates 74, 76, which has a hub 82 at a radially inner end and is rotationally fixed to the drive shaft of a transmission. Radially outside the springs 78, the cover plates 74, 76 are connected to each other by a plurality of rivets 84 spaced apart around their circumference. The drive flange 80 has circumferentially extending slots for receiving springs 66 formed therein and a centrifugal pendulum damper 81 at a radially outer end.The damper assembly 66 also includes a pressure spring 83 facing the turbine, which, according to this embodiment, is a diaphragm spring and is arranged axially between the flange 80 and the radially inner extension 31 of the turbine 20. The pressure spring 83 comprises a plurality of radially and axially extending tongues 85 that engage in ramps of the flange 80 such that a force is exerted on the turbine piston 20 by a relative circumferential rotation between the drive flange 80 and the pressure spring 83. When the damper assembly 62 rotates in the idle direction, the tongues 85 of the pressure spring 83 press against the ramps of the flange 80 and generate an axial force that is transmitted to the turbine piston 20 by the pressure spring 83.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pressure plate 86 is provided on a side of the second cover plate 76 facing the front cover, bearing against an inner surface 88 of the radially extending section 12a of the front cover 12 to prevent the cover plate 76 from coming into contact with the front cover 12 during rotation about the axis 11 and thus preventing wear due to friction. It is further described below that the pressure plate 86 includes radially extending connecting elements 90 that project from an outer circumferential surface 92a of an annular lower part 92 thereof and connect the pressure plate 86 to the cover plate 76 by extending circumferentially around the tongues 94 of the cover plate 76.

[0017] Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged lateral cross-sectional view of the pressure plate 86 and parts of the cover plate 76 and the radially extending section 12a of the front cover 12. Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of the pressure plate 86. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the cover plate 76 is equipped with cut-out tongues 94, which are formed by cutting out a lower part 76a of the cover plate 76. The tongues 94 project axially from the lower part 76a towards the radially extending section 12a of the front cover 12. Each of the tongues 94 comprises an axially extending section 94a, which extends from the lower part 76a towards the section 12a of the front cover, and a radially extending section 94b, which extends radially outwards from the axially extending section 94a to form a free end 94c of the tongue 94.

[0018] On a first side facing the front section 12a, the annular lower part 92 of the pressure plate 86 includes a radially extending pressure surface 92b with low friction, which bears against the inner surface 88, while on a rear side facing the cover plate 76, the annular lower part 92 includes a further radially extending surface 92c, which bears against the cover plate. According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure plate 86 is made of a polymer such as Torlon, so that the pressure surface 92 has low friction. The outer circumferential surface 92a and an inner circumferential surface 92d of the annular lower part 92 extend axially between the radially extending surfaces 92b and 92c.The pressure surface 92b contains a plurality of radially extending grooves 96 spaced apart around its circumference, extending from the inner circumferential surface 92d to the outer circumferential surface 92a, through which a liquid can flow radially through the annular lower part 92. Circumferentially, between each of the grooves 96, the annular lower part is provided with through-bores 98 extending axially from the front surface 92b to the rear surface 92c.

[0019] The connecting elements 90 extend radially outwards from the outer circumferential surface 92a. More precisely, each connecting element 90 includes an arm 100 that extends radially from the outer circumferential surface 92a into a circumferentially extending clamp 102 that encloses the corresponding tongue 94. The clamp 102 includes a circumferentially extending section 104 that extends circumferentially from the arm 100, and a radially extending section 106 that extends radially back towards the outer circumferential surface 92a. In other words, the arm 100 is directly connected to the annular lower part 92 at the outer circumferential surface 92a and to the circumferentially extending section 104, which extends circumferentially from a radially outer end of the arm 100 to the radially extending section 106.At the end of the circumferentially extending section 104, which is opposite the end connected to the arm 100, the radially extending section 106 extends radially inwards from the circumferentially extending section 104 to the annular lower part 92.

[0020] The arm 100 also extends axially from the annular lower part 92 to the lower part 76a of the cover plate 76 and axially beyond a rear surface 108 of the radially extending section 94b of the tongue 94, wherein a front surface 104a of the circumferentially extending section 104 is directly facing and / or abutting the rear surface 108 and an inner circumferentially extending surface 104b of the circumferentially extending section 104 abuts a circumferentially extending outer surface 110a of the axially extending section 94a.

[0021] The axially extending section 94a of the tongue 94 is enclosed around its circumference between the radially extending edge 100a of the arm 100 and a radially extending edge 106a of the radially extending section 106 of the clamp 102, wherein a radially extending first edge 110b of the axially extending section 94a abuts the radially extending edge 100a and a radially extending second edge 110c of the axially extending section 94a abuts the radially extending edge 106a. To place the connecting elements 90 onto the tongues 94, the radially extending sections 106 of the clamps 102 are each aligned near the corresponding radially extending tongue edge 110b such that an inclined surface 106b of each radially extending clamp section 106 rests against a radially outer end of the edge 110b where the surface 110a and the edge 110b meet.and the pressure disc 86 is rotated in a direction of rotation R1 such that the relevant clamp 102 is pressed radially outwards by the contact between the inclined surface 106b and the radially outer end of the edge 110b until an innermost edge 106c of the radially extending section 106 slides along the surface 110a during the rotation of the pressure disc 86 until each innermost edge 106c reaches the edge 110c and the relevant clamp 102 snaps radially inwards, so that the edge 106a rests against the edge 110c and the clamp 102 encloses the relevant tongue 94, which connects the pressure disc 86 to the cover plate 76.

[0022] Fig. Figure 5 shows an enlarged perspective side view of a pressure plate 286 and a section of a cover plate 276 according to another embodiment of the present invention from a first side, in the present case a side facing the motor. Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the pressure plate 286 from a second side, in this case a side facing the transmission. The cover plate 276 is equipped with tongues 294, which can be formed by cutting out the lower part 276a of the cover plate 276. Each of the tongues 294 comprises an axially extending section 294a, which extends from the lower part 276a, and a radially extending section 294b, which extends radially inward from the axially extending section 294a to form a free end 294c of the tongue 294.

[0023] On a first side of the same, an annular lower part 292 of the pressure disc 286 contains a radially extending pressure surface 292b with low friction, which rests against the inner surface 88 of the front cover 12 ( Fig. 2), while the annular lower part 292 has a further radially extending surface 292c on a rear side facing the cover plate 276, which bears against the cover plate 276. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pressure plate 286 is formed from a polymer such as Torlon, so that the pressure surface 292b has only low friction. An outer circumferential surface 292a and an inner circumferential surface 292d of the annular lower part 292 extend axially between the radially extending surfaces 292b, 292c. According to one embodiment, the pressure surface 292b can have a plurality of radially extending grooves spaced apart from one another around the circumference, similar to the grooves 96 ( Fig. 4) included. The annular lower part 292 is equipped with through bores 298 which extend axially from the front surface 292b to the rear surface 292c.

[0024] The connecting elements 290 extend radially outwards from the outer circumferential surface 292a. More precisely, each connecting element 290 comprises a radially extending surface 200 extending radially from the outer circumferential surface 292a, and an inclined surface 202 that is arcuate and extends circumferentially and radially outwards from the outer circumferential surface 292a to the outer edge of the radially extending surface 200. The surface 202 forms an outer circumferential surface of the connecting element 290 and is equipped with a clamp 204 that encloses a radially inner section of the axially extending section 294a of the respective tongue 294. The clamp 204 is formed by two radially extending surfaces 204a, 204b of a groove 206 formed in the outer circumferential surface 202.The first radially extending surface 204a is adjacent to a radially extending surface 294c of the axially extending section 294a, and the second radially extending surface 204b is adjacent to a radially extending surface 294d of the axially extending section 294a.

[0025] When the pressure plate 286 is connected to the cover plate 276, the axially extending section 294a of the tongue is enclosed in the circumferential direction between the radially extending surfaces 204a, 204b.To place the connecting elements 290 onto the tongues 294, each of the circumferentially and radially extending surfaces 202, which form ramps, is aligned near the respective radially inner surface 294e of the axially extending section 294a of the tongue 294, and the pressure plate 286 is rotated in a direction R2 such that the axially extending section 294a of the tongue 294 is pressed radially outwards by the contact between the inclined surface 202 and the radially inner surface 294a of the axially extending section 294a until each axially extending section 294a engages radially inwards in the respective groove 206 and the surfaces 204a, 204b bear against the respective surface 294c, 294d, so that the pressure plate 286 is connected to the cover plate 276.

Claims

[1] Pressure disc (86) comprising: an annular lower part (92) comprising a radially extending pressure surface (92b), a further radially extending surface (92c) on a side of the annular lower part (92) opposite the radially extending pressure surface (92b), an outer circumferential surface (92a) extending axially from the radially extending pressure surface (92b) to the further radially extending surface (92c), and an inner circumferential surface (92d) extending axially from the radially extending pressure surface (92b) to the further radially extending surface (92c); and radially extending connecting elements (90) that extend radially outwards from the annular lower part (92), wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) comprises a radially extending arm (100) extending from the annular lower part (92) and a circumferentially extending clamp (102) extending circumferentially from an outer end of the radially extending arm (100), wherein each of the circumferentially extending clamps (102) comprises a circumferentially extending section (104) extending circumferentially from the outer end of the radially extending arm (100) and a radially extending section (106) extending radially inward from the circumferentially extending section (104), wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) includes an inclined surface (106b) and a clamp (102) defined by a groove (96) formed in the inclined surface (106b). [2] Powertrain assembly of a motor vehicle comprising: a component containing a plurality of tongues spaced apart from one another around the circumference (94); and the pressure plate (86) according to claim 1, which is connected to the component by each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) which is connected to one of the tongues (94), wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) comprises a radially extending arm (100) extending from the annular lower part (92) and a circumferentially extending clamp (102) extending circumferentially from an outer end of the radially extending section (106), wherein each circumferentially extending clamp (102) comprises a circumferentially extending section (104) extending circumferentially from the outer end of the radially extending arm (100) and a radially extending section (106) extending radially inward from the circumferentially extending section (104), wherein each of the tongues (94) comprises an axially extending section (94a),which is enclosed between the radially extending arm (100) and the radially extending section (106) of the radially extending connecting element (90) in question, wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) includes an inclined surface (106b) and a clamp (102) defined by a groove (96) formed in the inclined surface (106b), and each of the tongues (94) includes an axially extending section (94a) secured by the clamp (102) and held in the groove (96). [3] Method for connecting a pressure plate (86) to a component, the method comprising: Providing a component containing a plurality of tongues spaced apart from one another around the circumference (94); and Connecting the pressure disc (86) according to claim 1 to the component by rotating the pressure disc (86) such that a clamp (102) secures each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) a corresponding axially extending section (94a) of one of the tongues (94). [4] The method of claim 3, wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) comprises a radially extending arm (100) extending radially from the annular lower part (92), and the clamp (102) extending circumferentially from an outer end of the radially extending section, wherein each circumferentially extending clamp (102) comprises a circumferentially extending section (104) extending circumferentially from the outer end of the radially extending arm (100), and a radially extending section (106) extending radially inward from the circumferentially extending section (104), wherein the axially extending section (94a) of each of the tongues (94) is enclosed between the radially extending arm (100) and the radially extending section (106) of the respective radially extending connecting element (90),when the clamp (102) rests against the radially extending edge of the relevant axially extending section (94a). [5] Method according to claim 3, wherein each of the radially extending connecting elements (90) comprises an inclined surface (106b) and a clamp (102) defined by a groove (96) formed in the inclined surface (106b), wherein each of the axially extending sections (94a) is displaced along the inclined surface (106b) until each of the axially extending sections (94a) enters the corresponding groove (96) and is secured by the clamp (102).

Images