Torque converter core ring

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a core ring for a torque converter, the core ring including a plurality of through openings and a plurality of recesses each connected to a respective one of the plurality of through openings, the recesses each sized to receive a portion of a blade, specifically a blade tip formed on an adjacent torque converter component.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Non-provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 734,649, filed May 2, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present disclosure relates to torque converters. [Background technology]

[0003] Torque converter assemblies are known in which a core ring is provided that is generally configured to be attached to other portions of the torque converter, such as the turbine, impeller, pump, etc.

[0004] The core ring may include an opening that is typically configured to receive a portion of another or adjacent component of the torque converter so that the core ring and the other component are coupled or held together. Known methods for securing the core ring to other components of the torque converter include bending a portion of a blade or blade tip to be held with the core ring. However, improper positioning of the blade tip may complicate the connection between the core ring and other torque converting components. Furthermore, bending the blade tip over the core ring necessarily results in a configuration that has a large axial footprint or envelope as the blade tip is stacked on the surface of the core ring.

[0005] It would be desirable to provide a reliable arrangement that is simple to assemble and has a reduced axial footprint or envelope between the core ring and adjacent torque converter components. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Disclosed herein is a core ring for a torque converter assembly, the core ring including a plurality of through openings and a plurality of recesses each connected to a respective one of the plurality of through openings, the plurality of recesses each dimensioned to receive a portion of a blade, the plurality of recesses each configured to extend in a common circumferential direction from a respective one of the plurality of through openings.

[0007] Each of the plurality of recesses includes a first side and a second side connected through an intermediate portion. The first side and the second side can each have a straight profile. The intermediate portion can have a curved profile.

[0008] In one aspect, the portions of the blades received within the recesses can be blade tips. Each of the recesses can have a first profile and the blade tips can have a second profile complementary to the first profile.

[0009] The depth of the recess may be 10% to 35% of the thickness of the blade tip. The various dimensions of the recess and the blade tip may vary depending on the particular application.

[0010] A turbine may also be provided that includes a blade defining a blade tip configured to extend through each of the through openings, the blade tip being bent and configured to be received within each of the recesses.

[0011] The blade tips may each be configured to engage an axial surface of the plurality of recesses.

[0012] Also disclosed herein is a method of assembling a torque converter assembly. The method may include positioning a core ring adjacent to a turbine and inserting blade tips formed on the turbine into respective through openings on the core ring. The method may include bending the blade tips such that the blade tips are at least partially received within respective recesses formed on the core ring. The method may be applied or adapted to other portions of a torque converter assembly other than the turbine.

[0013] Further embodiments are disclosed herein.

[0014] The foregoing summary and the following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the core ring. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the core ring including a recess. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially assembled front view of the core ring and turbine. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a partially assembled turbine blade tip engaged with a core ring; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged top view of a turbine blade tip engaged with a core ring. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the blade tip and core ring in a fully assembled state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a top perspective cross-sectional view of the blade tip and core ring fully assembled. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the blade tip and core ring fully assembled. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view of the core ring and turbine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In the following description, certain terminology is used merely for convenience and is not limiting: "Axially" refers to directions along the axis (X) of the assembly; "Radially" refers to directions inward and outward from the axis (X) of the assembly.

[0017] Reference to a list of items cited as "at least one of a, b, or c" (where a, b, and c represent the items in the list) means any one of items a, b, or c, or any combination thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1-9, a core ring 10 for a torque converter is disclosed. The core ring 10 includes a base ring having a circular profile. The core ring 10 includes through openings 14 that are spaced apart from one another according to a predetermined pattern or profile. The through openings 14 are defined as windows or openings that extend through the core ring 10 to define passageways.

[0019] Also defined on the core ring 10 are recesses 16. The recesses 16 may be defined as pockets or cavities rather than passages or through openings. The recesses 16 are each connected to a respective through opening 14. The recesses 16 are each configured to extend in a common circumferential direction from each of the through openings 14. The recesses 16 extend from only one circumferential side of each of the through openings 14. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the recesses 16 may be located in any area adjacent to the through openings 14.

[0020] The recesses 16 each have a predetermined profile configured to accommodate a portion of the blade 30. In one embodiment, the portion of the blade 30 includes a blade tip 35. Each of the recesses 16 can include a first side 16a and a second side 16c connected via a middle portion 16b. The first side 16a and the second side 16c can have a straight profile. The middle portion 16b can have a curved profile. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the recesses 16 can have a variety of profiles depending on the shape of the blade tip 35. The recesses 16 can generally have a first profile, and the blade tip 35 can generally have a second profile that is complementary to the first profile. The recesses 16 are slightly larger than the blade tip 35 so that the blade tip 35 can fit inside the recesses 16.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 6, the thickness (T1) of the blade tip 35 is shown relative to the depth (D) of the recess 16. The depth (D) of the recess 16 may be 10% to 35% of the thickness (T1) of the blade tip 35. In one embodiment, the depth (D) of the recess 16 is 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm. In one embodiment, the thickness (T1) of the blade tip 35 is 1.20 mm to 1.40 mm. The depth (D) of the recess 16 may be about 10% to 30% of the total thickness (T2) of the core ring 10. In another embodiment, the depth (D) of the recess 16 may be about 15% to 25% of the total thickness (T2) of the core ring 10. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these values ​​may vary depending on the specific requirements of the application.

[0022] In the engaged or installed condition, the blade tip 35 is configured to extend axially between 0.60 mm and 1.25 mm above the axial surface 12 of the core ring 10. In one particular embodiment, the blade tip 35 is configured to extend less than 1.25 mm above the axial surface 12 of the core ring 10. The axial surface 12 is defined relative to the base portion of the core ring 10 and is defined as the axial surface located away from the recess 16.

[0023] Disclosed herein is a torque converter assembly including the core ring 10 described above, as well as a secondary component such as a turbine, impeller, pump, etc. In one particular embodiment, the secondary component is a turbine 20. However, the configurations disclosed herein may be adapted to any component configured to be attached to or connected to the core ring 10.

[0024] The turbine 20 includes blades 30 spaced apart from one another in a circumferential direction. The spacing of the blades 30 corresponds to the spacing of the through openings 14 on the core ring 10. The blades 30 include blade tips 35 each configured to extend through each of the through openings 14. The blade tips 35 are of sufficient length or size such that the blade tips 35 are configured to be received within each of the recesses 16 and then bent. The blade tips 35 are each configured to engage against the axial surfaces 16d of the plurality of recesses 16 in a fully bent or installed state. With reference to FIG. 4, the blade tips 35 are shown in a partially bent configuration, and in FIGS. 6-9, the blade tips 35 are shown in a fully bent configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, there is a slight gap between the blade tips 35 and the axial surfaces 16d of the recesses 16, whereas in FIGS. 6-9, the blade tips 35 are in full contact or abutment with the axial surfaces 16d of the recesses 16.

[0025] A method of assembling a torque converter assembly is also disclosed herein. The method includes positioning a core ring 10 adjacent to a turbine 20. The core ring 10 includes through openings 14 and includes recesses 16 each connected to a respective through opening 14. The turbine 20 includes blades 30 each having a blade tip 35. The method includes inserting the blade tip 35 into each of the through openings 14 and bending the blade tip 35 such that the blade tip 35 is at least partially received within each of the recesses 16. The method may further include fully bending the blade tip 35 such that the blade tip 35 is fully engaged against the axial surface 16d of the plurality of recesses 16.

[0026] Having thus described the present disclosure in detail, it should be understood that only a few of the many physical modifications are illustrated in the detailed description of the invention, and that many physical modifications can be made without altering the concepts and principles of the invention embodied in the embodiments, and that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0027] It should also be understood that numerous embodiments are possible that incorporate only portions of the preferred embodiment, and that, with respect to those portions, do not change the concepts and principles of the present invention as embodied in the embodiment.

[0028] The present embodiments and optional configurations are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and / or explanatory and not restrictive, the scope of the embodiments being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all alternative embodiments and modifications thereto that come within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereto are therefore intended to be embraced therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 10. Core Ring 12 Axial surface of the core ring 14 Through opening 16 Recess 16a: First side surface of the recess 16b Middle part of the recess 16c Second side of the recess 16d Axial surface of recess 20 Turbine 30 Blades 35 Blade tip

Claims

1. 1. A core ring for a torque converter, the core ring comprising: A plurality of through openings; a plurality of recesses each connected to a respective one of the plurality of through openings, the plurality of recesses each dimensioned to receive a portion of a blade; Including,coring.

2. The core ring of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of recesses are each configured to extend in a common circumferential direction from a respective one of the plurality of through openings.

3. The core ring of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of recesses includes a first side and a second side connected therebetween through an intermediate portion.

4. The coring of claim 3 , wherein the first side and the second side each have a linear profile.

5. The coring of claim 3 , wherein said intermediate portion has a curved profile.

6. The coring of claim 1 , wherein said portion of said blade comprises a blade tip.

7. The coring of claim 6 , wherein each of said plurality of recesses has a first profile and said blade tip has a second profile complementary to said first profile.

8. The coring of claim 6, wherein the depth of the recesses is between 10% and 35% of the thickness of the blade tip.

9. The coring of claim 6 , wherein in an installed state, the blade tips are configured to extend axially less than 1.25 mm above the axial surface of the coring.

10. The core ring of claim 1, wherein the depth (D) of each of the plurality of recesses is 10% to 30% of the total thickness (T2) of the core ring.

11. A torque converter assembly comprising the core ring of claim 1, 11. The torque converter assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a turbine including a plurality of blades defining a plurality of blade tips configured to extend through each of the plurality of through openings, the plurality of blade tips being bent and configured to be received within each of the plurality of recesses.

12. The torque converter assembly of claim 11 , wherein said blade tips are respectively configured to engage axial surfaces of said recesses.

13. The torque converter assembly of claim 11 , wherein said plurality of recesses each have a profile complementary to said plurality of blade tips.

14. 1. A method of assembling a torque converter assembly, the method comprising: disposing a core ring adjacent to a turbine, the core ring including a plurality of through openings and a plurality of recesses each connected to a respective through opening of the plurality of through openings, the turbine including a plurality of blades and a plurality of blade tips; inserting the blade tips into respective ones of the through openings; bending the blade tips such that the blade tips are at least partially received within each of the recesses; A method comprising:

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the blade tips are each bent to flatly engage axial surfaces of the recesses.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of recesses includes a first side and a second side connected therebetween through an intermediate portion.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the first side and the second side have a straight profile and the middle portion has a curved profile.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein a depth of the plurality of recesses is between 10% and 35% of a thickness of the plurality of blade tips.

19. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein in an installed state, the blade tips are configured to extend axially less than 1.25 mm above an axial surface of the core ring.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the depth (D) of each of the plurality of recesses is between 10% and 30% of the total thickness (T2) of the core ring.

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