Torque converter with hydrodynamic thrust bearing

A hydrodynamic thrust bearing with elastic tongues and anti-rotation pins securely attaches to the stator side plate or impeller, addressing the challenge of bearing retention and maintaining hydrodynamic pressure, thus improving torque converter stability and performance.

DE112015006406B4Active Publication Date: 2026-05-21SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE112015006406
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2015-03-31
Publication Date
2026-05-21
Estimated Expiration
2035-03-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing torque converters face challenges in securely holding hydrodynamic thrust bearings between stator side plates and impellers, particularly during idling when the stator shifts towards the turbine, and previous solutions like notching the bearing to the stator side plate are undesirable due to tooling requirements.

Method used

The implementation of a hydrodynamic thrust bearing with elastic tongues and anti-rotation pins that attach to the stator side plate or impeller, ensuring secure attachment and preventing relative movement, using materials like polyamide-imide (Torlon®) and incorporating snap-in features for easy integration.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a stable and reliable attachment mechanism for the hydrodynamic thrust bearing, preventing it from falling out and maintaining a hydrodynamic pressure film, enhancing the torque converter's performance and durability.

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Abstract

Torque converter (10) which includes: a rotation axis (A); a stator assembly (26, 226) comprising a side plate (36, 236) with a first radial surface and a thickness (t); a turbine (20) containing a plurality of blades (79); an impeller (18) comprising a plurality of blades (81) and an impeller housing (16) with a second radial surface facing the first radial surface of the side plate (36, 236); a hydrodynamic thrust bearing (50, 250) arranged between the stator side plate (36, 236) and the impeller housing (16) and comprising: a pressure surface (52, 252) facing the first radial surface or the second radial surface, with a fluid channel in between; a bearing surface (54, 254) which is opposite the pressure surface (52, 252) and faces the other radial surface, the first radial surface or the second radial surface; an inner circumferential surface (56, 256) that defines an opening concentric to the axis of rotation (A); an outer circumferential surface (58, 258); and an axial retaining means (60) for attachment to the stator side plate (26, 236) or the impeller (18), comprising at least two elastic tongues (60), each tongue comprising: a bendable section (262); a lockable section (264); and an axial section (266) with a first width (w2) connecting the bendable section (262) and the lockable section (264), wherein the bendable section (264) also serves as a lockable section (264), and wherein the axial section (266) with a width (w2) connects the bendable section (264) to the radial surface (254).
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