Torque converter cooling structure

Abstract

To provide a torque converter cooling structure capable of suppressing insufficient cooling of a torque converter when a vehicle is traveling on a predetermined uphill road.SOLUTION: In a cooling structure 90 for a torque converter 50 mounted on a vehicle 10: (a) the torque converter 50 is housed within a case 18; (b) a partition section 80, which accommodates at least a portion of the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50, is provided inside the case 18; (c) cooling oil (OIL) is sprayed onto the torque converter 50 from outside within the case 18; and (d) when a vehicle 10 is traveling on a predetermined uphill road, the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 housed in the partition section 80 becomes immersed in the cooling oil (OIL) retained in the partition section 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] It relates to a cooling structure of a torque converter mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] A cooling structure of a torque converter mounted on a vehicle is known. For example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is such a structure. In the cooling structure of the torque converter described in Patent Document 1, there is a circulating cooling oil passage in which the working oil (= cooling oil) discharged by a radial piston pump provided between the front cover of the torque converter and the turbine runner returns to the torque converter via an oil cooler. Thus, in the cooling structure of the torque converter described in Patent Document 1, the torque converter is cooled by replacing the working oil inside the torque converter with the cooled one by the circulating cooling oil passage.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when the torque converter is installed in a case with a sealed structure, it is conceivable to adopt a structure in which the cooling oil cooled by the oil cooler is sprayed onto the torque converter from the outside. However, for example, when driving on an uphill road, the lock-up clutch of the torque converter may be released (= disengaged) in order to increase the driving torque. In this case, inside the torque converter, the working oil tends to become high temperature due to agitation, and there is a risk that the torque converter may be insufficiently cooled.

[0005] The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cooling structure for a torque converter that can suppress insufficient cooling of the torque converter when traveling on a predetermined uphill road.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gist of the present invention is a cooling structure for a torque converter mounted on a vehicle, wherein (a) the torque converter is provided in a case, (b) a partition portion for accommodating at least a part of the lower rear portion of the torque converter is provided in the case, (c) cooling oil is sprayed onto the torque converter from the outside in the case, and (d) when the traveling road of the vehicle is a predetermined uphill road, the lower rear portion of the torque converter accommodated in the partition portion is immersed in the cooling oil stored in the partition portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the cooling structure of the torque converter of the present invention, (a) the torque converter is provided in a case, (b) a partition portion for accommodating at least a part of the lower rear portion of the torque converter is provided in the case, (c) cooling oil is sprayed onto the torque converter from the outside in the case, and (d) when the traveling road of the vehicle is a predetermined uphill road, the lower rear portion of the torque converter accommodated in the partition portion is immersed in the cooling oil stored in the partition portion. When traveling on a predetermined uphill road, cooling oil is stored in the partition portion, and the lower rear portion of the torque converter is immersed in the cooling oil stored in the partition portion. As a result, heat is dissipated from the torque converter to the cooling oil stored in the partition portion, thereby promoting the cooling of the torque converter and suppressing insufficient cooling of the torque converter when traveling on a predetermined uphill road.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, the drawings are appropriately simplified or deformed, and the dimensional ratios and shapes of each part are not necessarily drawn accurately.

Embodiment

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle 10 equipped with a cooling structure 90 (see FIG. 2) of a torque converter 50 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0011] The vehicle 10 is a hybrid vehicle including, for example, an engine 12 and a second motor MG2 as a power source for traveling. The vehicle 10 is, for example, a vehicle of the FR (Front Engine Rear Drive) type. The vehicle 10 includes a power transmission device 16 in a power transmission path between the engine 12 and a pair of drive wheels 14. The power transmission device 16 includes, in a case 18 which is a non-rotating member, an engine connecting shaft 20, a power split mechanism 22, a transmission shaft 24, a torque converter 50, and an output shaft 28 in order from the engine 12 side, and these are each a well-known configuration. The case 18 is a case having an oil-tight sealed structure, and houses at least the torque converter 50 of the power transmission device 16 therein. Further, the power transmission device 16 includes, in order from the output shaft 28 side, a differential 30 and a pair of axles 32, and these are each a well-known configuration. The engine 12 is a well-known internal combustion engine. The power split mechanism 22 mechanically splits the power output from the engine 12 to the first motor MG1 and the transmission shaft 24. The first motor MG1 and the second motor MG2 are so-called motor generators, for example, three-phase synchronous motor generators.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a cooling structure 90 of the torque converter 50 shown in FIG. 1. (a) shows a state when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, and (b) shows a state when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road described later. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the power transmission device 16 with a vertical plane including the axis CL of the torque converter 50 as a cutting plane. In FIG. 2, the forward direction and the reverse direction in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, and the upward and downward directions in the direction of the vertical line are each indicated by an arrow. Also, in the direction toward the front side and the back side of the paper surface, the front side is the left side of the vehicle 10, and the back side is the right side of the vehicle 10. Hereinafter, the forward direction side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 will be referred to as "front", and the reverse direction side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 will be referred to as "rear". Also, the portion on the reverse direction side with respect to each member of the vehicle 10 will be referred to as "rear part".

[0013] The torque converter 50 is rotationally driven about the axis CL. On a flat road, the axis CL extends in the horizontal direction. The torque converter 50 includes a front cover 54 to which the output torque of the engine 12 and / or the second motor MG2 is input, a pump impeller 56 connected to the front cover 54, a turbine runner 58 disposed to face the pump impeller 56 in the direction of the axis CL, and a lock-up clutch 60. The lock-up clutch 60 is an engagement device that disconnects and connects the front cover 54 and the turbine runner 58.

[0014] The front cover 54 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The opening end portion on the opening side of the front cover 54 is connected by welding to the outer peripheral end portion with respect to the axis CL of the pump impeller 56. The pump impeller 56 includes a pump shell 56a formed in an annular shape with an arcuate cross section, and a plurality of pump blades 56b attached to the pump shell 56a. The front cover 54 and the pump shell 56a constitute a torque converter case 52, and hydraulic oil is enclosed in the space surrounded by the torque converter case 52. In the torque converter 50, the front cover 54 is disposed forward, and the pump impeller 56 is disposed rearward.

[0015] The turbine runner 58 is disposed at a position facing the pump impeller 56 in the direction of the axis CL. The turbine runner 58 includes a turbine shell 58a formed in an annular shape with an arcuate cross section, and a plurality of turbine blades 58b attached to the turbine shell 58a.

[0016] When the pump impeller 56 is rotationally driven via the front cover 54 by the engine 12 and / or the second motor MG2, a fluid flow of the hydraulic oil in the torque converter 50 is generated, and the turbine runner 58 is rotated by the fluid flow to transmit torque.

[0017] The partition portion 80 is in a container shape that at least houses the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 within the case 18. That is, the partition portion 80 covers the lower and rear portions of the torque converter 50. For example, the partition portion 80 includes a plate-shaped bottom portion 80b that extends horizontally directly below the torque converter 50, a plate-shaped rear wall portion 80r that extends rearward and upward from the rear end portion of the bottom portion 80b, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 80s that connect the pair of left and right side edge end portions of the bottom portion 80b and the pair of left and right side edge end portions of the rear wall portion 80r, respectively. For example, the partition portion 80 is fixed to the inner wall of the case 18 within the case 18. In this way, the partition portion 80 has a container shape due to the bottom portion 80b, the rear wall portion 80r, and the pair of left and right side wall portions 80s. The front edge end portion 80fe is the front edge end portion at the opening of the partition portion 80 having a container shape. The gap 80o between the front edge end portion 80fe and the second electric motor MG2 enables the cooling oil OIL to be discharged from within the partition portion 80 to the oil pan 40 provided at the bottom of the case 18. The gap 80o is provided on the front side of the partition portion 80. That is, the gap 80o is provided on the front side of the central portion of the partition portion 80. The gap 80o corresponds to the "discharge flow path" in the present invention.

[0018] The vehicle 10 includes a circulation oil path for circulating the cooling oil OIL (= lubricating oil, hydraulic oil). The cooling oil OIL is, for example, ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). The circulation oil path sucks up the cooling oil OIL stored in the oil pan 40 by an oil pump (not shown) and supplies it to each part within the case 18 via an oil cooler. In the circulation oil path, within the case 18, the cooling oil OIL cooled by the oil cooler is sprayed onto the torque converter 50 from the outside.

[0019] For example, the circulating oil passage has an oil supply pipe 70 disposed directly above the shaft of the torque converter 50. Inside the oil supply pipe 70, cooling oil OIL cooled by an oil cooler is flowing. The oil supply pipe 70 is provided with discharge holes, and the cooling oil OIL cooled by the oil cooler is dropped from the discharge holes to a dropping position Pd near the shaft of the torque converter 50. The cooling oil OIL dropped at the dropping position Pd is bounced outward from the shaft by centrifugal force. As a result, the cooling oil OIL dropped at the dropping position Pd is sprayed onto the surface of the torque converter case 52 of the torque converter 50. Since the cooling oil OIL moves on the surface of the torque converter case 52 of the torque converter 50 by centrifugal force, the torque converter 50 is efficiently cooled.

[0020] When the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, as shown in Fig. 2(a), the cooling oil OIL that has cooled the torque converter 50 flows down into the partition portion 80, and then the cooling oil OIL flows down in the direction of arrow F1 at a gap 80o provided in front of the partition portion 80, and finally returns to the oil pan 40.

[0021] Here, the predetermined uphill road means an uphill road having a predetermined gradient angle θrd [deg] such that, as shown in Fig. 2(b), when the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 is the forward direction, the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 is immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80. The gradient angle θrd is the angle between the road surface and the horizontal plane in the forward direction. For example, when the traveling direction of the vehicle 10 is the forward direction, the gradient angle θrd is zero on a flat road, a positive value on an uphill road, and a negative value on a downhill road.

[0022] When the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the cooling oil OIL that has cooled the torque converter 50 flows down into the partition portion 80 and is then stored in the partition portion 80. The surface 80f is shown with reference to the surface position of the cooling oil OIL when the amount of the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80 is at its maximum when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road. In the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2(b), the region delimited by the surface 80f, the bottom portion 80b and the rear wall portion 80r of the partition portion 80 is configured to overlap with the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50. The lower rear portion of the torque converter 50, that is, the lower rear portion of the torque converter case 52, accommodated in the partition portion 80 is in a state of being immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80. Compared with a flat road, on a predetermined uphill road, the lock-up clutch 60 of the torque converter 50 is likely to be in a released state in order to increase the driving torque Tr [Nm], and the torque converter 50 is likely to become hot. However, on a predetermined uphill road, since the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 is cooled by the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80, the cooling capacity is improved compared with a flat road.

[0023] Thus, compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be stored in the partition portion 80. In other words, compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is less likely to be stored in the partition portion 80.

[0024] According to this embodiment, (a) the torque converter 50 is provided in the case 18, (b) a partition portion 80 for accommodating at least a part of the rear lower end of the torque converter 50 is provided in the case 18, (c) cooling oil OIL is sprayed externally onto the torque converter 50 in the case 18, and (d) when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, the rear lower end of the torque converter 50 accommodated in the partition portion 80 is immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80. When traveling on a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is stored in the partition portion 80, and the rear lower end of the torque converter 50 is immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80. Thereby, heat is radiated from the torque converter 50 to the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80, promoting the cooling of the torque converter 50 and suppressing insufficient cooling of the torque converter 50 when traveling on a predetermined uphill road.

[0025] According to this embodiment, compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, it is difficult for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 80. When the rear lower end of the torque converter 50 accommodated in the partition portion 80 is immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 80, the cooling capacity of the torque converter 50 is improved compared to the case where it is not. On the other hand, the frictional resistance against the stored cooling oil OIL of the torque converter 50 increases, deteriorating the fuel consumption and power consumption. Thereby, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 where a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is not required is a flat road, it becomes difficult for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 80, suppressing the deterioration of fuel consumption and power consumption. When the traveling road of the vehicle 10 where a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is required is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be stored in the partition portion 80, improving the cooling capacity of the torque converter 50.

[0026] According to this embodiment, a gap 80o for discharging the cooling oil OIL to the oil pan 40 is provided in the partition portion 80. Thus, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 that does not require a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is discharged to the oil pan 40 through the gap 80o, so that the cooling oil OIL is hardly stored in the partition portion 80.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the gap 80o is provided on the front edge end portion 80fe side, that is, the front side, of the partition portion 80. Thus, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road as compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, the gap 80o is more likely to be located on the upper side than when the gap 80o is provided on the rear side of the partition portion 80. Therefore, when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be stored in the partition portion 80, while when the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be discharged from the partition portion 80 to the oil pan 40. When the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is hardly stored in the partition portion 80, suppressing deterioration of fuel consumption and power consumption. When the traveling road of the vehicle 10 is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be stored in the partition portion 80, improving the cooling capacity of the torque converter 50.

Embodiment

[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle 110 equipped with a cooling structure 190 (see FIG. 4) of a torque converter 50 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The vehicle 110 is substantially the same as the configuration of the vehicle 10 in the above-described Embodiment 1, except that the power transmission device 16 and the case 18 are replaced with a power transmission device 116 and a case 118, respectively, and a reduction gear 126 is provided between the torque converter 50 and the differential 30 in the case 118. Therefore, the description will focus on the parts different from Embodiment 1, and the same reference numerals will be given to the parts that are substantially common in function with Embodiment 1, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0029] The reduction gear 126 is a device that reduces the rotation output from the torque converter 50 and outputs it to the differential 30.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the cooling structure 190 of the torque converter 50 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows a state when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the power transmission device 116 with a vertical plane including the axis CL of the torque converter 50 as a cutting plane. In FIG. 4, the torque converter 50 and the reduction gear 126 are shown with their contour lines being indicated by a two-dot chain line. In FIG. 4, the forward direction and the reverse direction in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 110, and the upward and downward directions in the vertical line direction are each indicated by an arrow. Also, in the direction toward the front side and the back side of the paper surface, the front side is the left side of the vehicle 110 and the back side is the right side of the vehicle 110. Hereinafter, the forward direction side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 110 will be referred to as "front", and the reverse direction side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 110 will be referred to as "rear". Also, the portion on the reverse direction side with respect to each member of the vehicle 110 will be referred to as "rear part".

[0031] The partition portion 180 is in the form of a container that at least houses the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 within the case 118. For example, the partition portion 180 includes a plate-shaped bottom portion 180b that extends horizontally directly below the torque converter 50, a plate-shaped rear wall portion 180r that extends upward from the rear end portion of the bottom portion 180b, and a pair of left and right side wall portions 180s that connect the pair of left and right side edge end portions of the bottom portion 180b and the pair of left and right side edge end portions of the rear wall portion 180r, respectively. For example, the partition portion 180 is fixed to the inner wall of the case 118 within the case 118. In this way, the partition portion 180 forms a container shape by the bottom portion 180b, the rear wall portion 180r, and the pair of left and right side wall portions 180s. A through hole 180h is provided in the bottom portion 180b of the partition portion 180. The through hole 180h enables the cooling oil OIL to be discharged from within the partition portion 180 to the oil pan 40. The through hole 180h is provided on the front side of the partition portion 180. That is, the through hole 180h is provided on the front side of the central portion of the partition portion 180. The through hole 180h corresponds to the "discharge flow path" in the present invention.

[0032] The case 118 is substantially the same as the configuration of the case 18 in the aforementioned Embodiment 1, except that a partition wall 118p is provided between the second electric motor MG2 and the torque converter 50. Within the case 118, the partition wall 118p is a wall-shaped member that partitions the front side of the space where the torque converter 50 is provided. The partition wall 118p partitions the space where the torque converter 50 is provided and the space where the second electric motor MG2 provided in front of the torque converter 50 is housed. The partition wall 118p corresponds to the "wall portion" in the present invention.

[0033] The reduction gear 126 is constituted by, for example, an epicyclic gear device. For example, the reduction gear 126 includes a first reduction gear portion 126a that reduces the rotation output from the torque converter 50, and a second reduction gear portion 126b that further reduces the rotation output from the first reduction gear portion 126a. In the reduction gear 126, the first reduction gear portion 126a is arranged forward, and the second reduction gear portion 126b is arranged rearward. Inside the case 118, the first reduction gear portion 126a is a wall-like member that partitions the rear side of the space where the torque converter 50 is provided. The first reduction gear portion 126a partitions the space where the torque converter 50 is provided and the space where a member (for example, the second reduction gear portion 126b) provided behind the torque converter 50 is accommodated. The first reduction gear portion 126a corresponds to the "wall portion" in the present invention.

[0034] The "wall portion" in the present invention is a wall-like member that partitions the space where the torque converter 50 is provided, and is a member that makes it easier for the cooling oil OIL sprayed on the surface of the torque converter case 52 to flow down into the partition portion 180 as compared with the case where it is not provided. The "wall portion" is not required to make the space where the torque converter 50 is provided and the other space in the case 118 strictly oil-tight.

[0035] When the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road, as shown in FIG. 4, after the cooling oil OIL that has cooled the torque converter 50 flows down into the partition portion 180, the cooling oil OIL flows down in the direction of arrow F2 at the through-hole 180h, and finally returns to the oil pan 40.

[0036] Although detailed description will be omitted, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, similar to the partition portion 80 in the aforementioned first embodiment, the cooling oil OIL is stored on the rear side of the through hole 180h in the partition portion 180, and the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 is immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 180. The surface 180f is shown with reference to the surface position of the cooling oil OIL when the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 180 reaches the maximum amount when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road. The region delimited by the surface 180f, the bottom portion 180b and the rear wall portion 180r in the partition portion 180 is configured to overlap with the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50.

[0037] Thus, compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is more likely to be stored in the partition portion 180. In other words, compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is less likely to be stored in the partition portion 180.

[0038] According to the present embodiment, (a) the torque converter 50 is provided in the case 118, (b) a partition portion 180 for accommodating at least a part of the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 is provided in the case 118, (c) the cooling oil OIL is sprayed onto the torque converter 50 from the outside in the case 118, and (d) when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, the lower rear portion of the torque converter 50 accommodated in the partition portion 180 is immersed in the cooling oil OIL stored in the partition portion 180. Thereby, similar to the first embodiment, insufficient cooling of the torque converter 50 when traveling on a predetermined uphill road is suppressed.

[0039] According to this embodiment, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road as compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, it is difficult for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 180. Thus, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 for which a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is not required is a flat road, it is made difficult for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 180, suppressing deterioration of fuel consumption and power consumption. When the traveling road of the vehicle 110 for which a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is required is a predetermined uphill road, it becomes easy for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 180, improving the cooling capacity of the torque converter 50.

[0040] According to this embodiment, within the case 118, a partition wall 118p that partitions the front side of the space where the torque converter 50 is provided and a first reduction gear portion 126a that partitions the rear side of the space where the torque converter 50 is provided are respectively provided. When the partition wall 118p and the first reduction gear portion 126a are provided, it becomes easier for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 180 as compared with the case where they are not provided. Thereby, it becomes easier to further suppress insufficient cooling of the torque converter 50 when the vehicle 110 travels on a predetermined uphill road.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the partition portion 180 is provided with a through hole 180h for discharging the cooling oil OIL to the oil pan 40. Thus, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 for which a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is not required is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is discharged to the oil pan 40 through the through hole 180h, so that it is configured to be difficult for the cooling oil OIL to be stored in the partition portion 180.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the through hole 180h is provided on the front side of the partition portion 180. As a result, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road as compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road, the through hole 180h is more likely to be located on the upper side than when the through hole 180h is provided on the rear side of the partition portion 180. Therefore, when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be stored in the partition portion 180, while when the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be discharged from the partition portion 180 to the oil pan 40. When the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a flat road, the storage of the cooling oil OIL in the partition portion 180 is made difficult, suppressing the deterioration of fuel consumption and power consumption. When the traveling road of the vehicle 110 is a predetermined uphill road, the cooling oil OIL is likely to be stored in the partition portion 180, improving the cooling capacity of the torque converter 50.

[0043] Note that the above are the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof.

[0044] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the vehicles 10 and 110 are in the form of FR vehicles. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is also applicable to vehicles of the FF (Front Engine Front Drive) type or four-wheel drive type. Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the vehicles 10 and 110 are in the form of hybrid vehicles. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a vehicle having an engine 12 as a power source for traveling but not having an electric motor, or a vehicle not having an engine 12 but having an electric motor (for example, an electric vehicle). As long as the torque converter 50 is provided in the cases 18 and 118, any vehicle configuration may be used.

[0045] In the above-described Examples 1 and 2, the lock-up clutch 60 of the torque converter 50 was in a released state on a predetermined uphill road. As described above, when the lock-up clutch 60 is in a released state, the working oil is likely to become hot due to agitation inside the torque converter 50 as compared with the case where the lock-up clutch 60 is in an engaged state (= connected state). By applying the present invention, it becomes possible to extend the period during which the lock-up clutch 60 is released as compared with the case where the present invention is not applied, and since it is possible to suppress a shortage of the driving torque Tr on a predetermined uphill road, it becomes easier to realize a high driving torque Tr. By applying the present invention, for example, when the vehicles 10 and 110 are started on a predetermined uphill road, the cooling capacity of the torque converter 50 is improved while a high driving torque Tr is realized. Further, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the lock-up clutch 60 of the torque converter 50 is in an engaged state on a predetermined uphill road. This is because, regardless of the engaged or disengaged state of the lock-up clutch 60, a high driving torque Tr is likely to be required on a predetermined uphill road as compared with a flat road, and a high cooling capacity for the torque converter 50 is required.

[0046] In the above-described Examples 1 and 2, the partition portions 80 and 180 were constituted by members separate from the cases 18 and 118, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, all or part of the bottom portions 80b and 180b, the rear wall portions 80r and 180r, and the pair of left and right side wall portions 80s and 180s of the partition portions 80 and 180 may be constituted by a part of the cases 18 and 118.

[0047] In the above-described Examples 1 and 2, the cooling oil OIL cooled by the oil cooler was dripped at the dripping position Pd near the shaft of the torque converter 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cooling oil OIL cooled by the oil cooler may be sprayed from an oil passage provided in the shaft of the torque converter 50 onto the inner peripheral side of the torque converter case 52.

[0048] In the foregoing Example 2, in the case 118, the partition wall 118p that partitions the front side of the space where the torque converter 50 is provided and the first reduction gear portion 126a that partitions the rear side of the space where the torque converter 50 is provided were provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mode in which only one of the partition wall 118p that partitions the front side and the first reduction gear portion 126a that partitions the rear side is provided may be employed.

[0049] In the foregoing Example 2, the "discharge passage" in the present invention was the through-hole 180h. However, for example, the "discharge passage" in the present invention may be a gap between the partition portion 180 and another component other than the partition portion 180 (for example, the partition wall 118p).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 10, 110: Vehicle, 18, 118: Case, 40: Oil pan, 50: Torque converter, 80: Partition portion, 80o: Gap (discharge passage), 90, 190: Cooling structure, 118p: Partition wall (wall portion), 126a: First reduction gear portion (wall portion), 180: Partition portion, 180h: Through-hole (discharge passage), OIL: Cooling oil

Claims

1. A cooling structure for a torque converter mounted on a vehicle, wherein the torque converter is provided within a case, and a partition portion is provided within the case to accommodate at least a part of the rear lower end of the torque converter, cooling oil is sprayed onto the torque converter from the outside within the case, and when the traveling road of the vehicle is a predetermined uphill road, the rear lower end of the torque converter accommodated within the partition portion is immersed in the cooling oil stored within the partition portion. A cooling structure for a torque converter, characterized by the above.

2. Compared with the case where the traveling road of the vehicle is the predetermined uphill road, when the traveling road of the vehicle is a flat road, it is difficult for the cooling oil to be stored within the partition portion. A cooling structure for a torque converter according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. Within the case, at least one of a wall portion that partitions the front side of the vehicle of the space where the torque converter is provided and a wall portion that partitions the rear side of the vehicle of the space where the torque converter is provided is provided. A cooling structure for a torque converter according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The partition portion is provided with a discharge flow path for discharging the cooling oil to an oil pan provided at the bottom of the case. A cooling structure for a torque converter according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the discharge flow path is provided on the front side within the partition portion. A cooling structure for a torque converter according to Claim 4, characterized by the above.

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