Damper Assembly Cover Plate

Abstract

The torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a lock-up clutch, and a damper assembly. The front cover is positioned to receive torque. The impeller has an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover. The turbine is in fluid communication with the impeller and includes a turbine shell. The lock-up clutch includes a clutch plate. The damper assembly includes a spring and a cover plate supporting the spring. The cover plate includes a spring window configured to receive the spring and a plurality of tabs extending from radial sides of the spring window toward the front cover. The plurality of tabs are configured to be drivingly connected to the clutch plate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 945,439, filed September 28, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to a damper assembly for a torque converter, and more particularly to a cover plate for the damper assembly and a torque converter including the damper assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] Many vehicles include a launch device between the engine and the transmission. A torque converter is one type of launch device commonly used in vehicles with automatic transmissions. A typical torque converter includes an impeller fixed to the engine crankshaft and a turbine fixed to a turbine shaft, which is the input to the transmission. To improve fuel economy, most torque converters include a bypass or lock-up clutch that mechanically couples the turbine shaft to the torque converter case, bypassing the fluid coupling. Due to limited space within the torque converter envelope, it is desirable to have alternative designs and configurations to fit all the necessary components within the torque converter while still meeting durability and performance requirements. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a torque converter including a front cover, an impeller, a turbine, a lock-up clutch, and a damper assembly. The front cover is positioned to receive torque. The impeller has an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover. The turbine is in fluid communication with the impeller and includes a turbine shell. The lock-up clutch includes a clutch plate. The damper assembly includes a spring and a cover plate supporting the spring. The cover plate includes a spring window configured to receive the spring and a plurality of tabs extending from radial sides of the spring window toward the front cover. The plurality of tabs are configured to be drivingly connected to the clutch plate.

[0005] In embodiments, the tabs may be integral with the radial sides of the spring window. In embodiments, the tabs may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another. In embodiments, the tabs may be evenly spaced apart from one another within the spring window.

[0006] In embodiments, the damper assembly may include a second spring circumferentially aligned with the spring. The spring window may be configured to receive the second spring. In embodiments, each tab may include a radial portion and an axial portion extending axially from the radial portion. The radial portion may extend radially from the radial side and may be configured to axially retain the spring within the spring window. The axial portion may be configured to drivingly connect to the clutch pack.

[0007] In embodiments, the lock-up clutch may include a reaction plate disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell and a piston axially slidable to compress the clutch plate against the reaction plate. The clutch plate may be drivingly connected to a plurality of tabs radially inward of the reaction plate. The lock-up clutch may include a second clutch plate axially spaced from the clutch plate and drivingly connected to the plurality of tabs, and an intermediate clutch plate disposed between the clutch plate and the second clutch plate and engaged with the reaction plate. The clutch plate and the second clutch plate may be drivingly connected to the plurality of tabs radially inward of the reaction plate. The intermediate clutch plate may engage with the reaction plate radially outward of the clutch plate and the second clutch plate. A portion of the reaction plate may be radially aligned with a portion of the cover plate.

[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a damper assembly for a torque converter, the damper assembly including a spring and a cover plate supporting the spring, the cover plate including a spring window configured to receive the spring and a plurality of tabs extending from radial sides of the spring window in a direction away from the spring, the plurality of tabs configured to drivingly connect to a lock-up clutch.

[0009] In embodiments, the plurality of tabs may be integral with radial sides of the spring window. In embodiments, the plurality of tabs may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another. In embodiments, the plurality of tabs may be evenly spaced apart from one another within the spring window. In embodiments, the damper assembly may include a second spring circumferentially aligned with the spring. The spring window may be configured to receive the second spring.

[0010] In embodiments, each tab may include a radial portion and an axial portion extending axially from the radial portion. The radial portion may extend radially from the radial side and may be configured to axially retain the spring within the spring window. The axial portion may be configured to drivingly connect to the lock-up clutch.

[0011] Instead of having a separate component connected to the cover plate and configured to engage the lock-up clutch, embodiments described herein provide a damper assembly having a cover plate with a plurality of tabs configured to engage the lock-up clutch, which allows the damper assembly to be driven directly by the clutch without additional components fastened to the cover plate, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the damper assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a torque converter according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the area of ​​the torque converter shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a damper assembly according to the present disclosure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It should be understood that like drawing reference numerals appearing in different drawings identify identical or functionally similar structural elements. It should also be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and that other embodiments may take various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or reduced to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to variously use the embodiments. As those skilled in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the drawings can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other drawings to produce embodiments not explicitly illustrated or described. The illustrated combination of features provides a representative embodiment for a typical application. However, various combinations and modifications of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

[0014] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although any methods, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, the following exemplary methods, devices, and materials are described herein.

[0015] 1-2, a portion of a torque converter 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. At least some portions of the torque converter 100 are rotatable about a central axis A. While only a portion of the torque converter 100 above the central axis A is shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that the torque converter 100 may appear substantially similar below the central axis A, with many components extending about the central axis A. As used herein, terms such as "axial," "radial," "circumferential," "outward," etc. are intended to be relative to the central axis A.

[0016] The torque converter 100 includes a front cover 102 arranged to receive torque, an impeller assembly 104, a turbine assembly 106, a damper assembly 108, and a lock-up clutch assembly 110. The impeller assembly 104 includes an impeller shell 112 non-rotatably connected to the front cover 102, at least one impeller blade 114 attached to the inner surface of the impeller shell 112, and an impeller hub 116 fixed to the radially inner end of the impeller shell 112. The turbine assembly 106 includes a turbine shell 118 and at least one turbine blade 120 attached to the turbine shell 118. "Non-rotatably connected" components mean that the components are connected such that all components rotate whenever one of the components rotates, and relative rotation between the components is not possible. Radial and / or axial movement of non-rotatably connected components relative to each other is possible, but is not required.

[0017] Torque converter 100 may include a stator 122 disposed axially between impeller assembly 104 and turbine assembly 106 to redirect fluid flowing from turbine blades 120 before the fluid reaches impeller assembly 104, increasing the efficiency of torque converter 100. For example, impeller blades 114 push fluid outward as they rotate about central axis A. The fluid pushes against turbine assembly 106 of torque converter 100, causing turbine assembly 106 to rotate about central axis A. Stator 122 functions to return fluid from turbine assembly 106 to impeller assembly 104 with minimal or no power loss. Drive is transmitted from turbine assembly 106 to a transmission input shaft 124. Torque converter 100 may further include, for example, a one-way clutch 126 disposed within stator 122, a thrust bearing 128 axially disposed between stator 122 and impeller shell 112, and a side plate 130 configured to retain one-way clutch 126 within stator 122.

[0018] The damper assembly 108 is axially positioned between the front cover 102 and the turbine assembly 106 and is configured to transfer torque from the front cover 102 to the transmission input shaft 124. The damper assembly 108 includes a spring 132, cover plates 136, 138, and a hub flange 142.

[0019] Cover plate 136 may support spring 132 on one axial side. Cover plate 138 may support spring 132 on another, opposite axial side. Cover plates 136, 138 may be connected to one another radially outward of springs 132, 134, for example, via rivets. Cover plate 136 may be connected to lock-up clutch assembly 110 (as discussed further below), and cover plate 138 may be connected to turbine shell 118. That is, cover plates 136, 138 are positioned to act as inputs to damper assembly 108.

[0020] The cover plates 136, 138 may define a spring window 144 that extends partially circumferentially about the central axis A. The spring window 144 may be configured to receive the spring 132. The spring window 144 may be further configured to receive an additional spring 134, as shown in FIG. 3 . In such an embodiment, the springs 132, 134 may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another within the spring window 144. The spring 132 may have a different spring constant than the additional spring 134. For example, the spring constant of the spring 132 may be greater than the spring constant of the additional spring 134.

[0021] The damper assembly 108 may further include an intermediate flange 140 axially disposed between the cover plates 136, 138, specifically, between the hub flange 142 and the cover plate 136. That is, the hub flange 142 is axially disposed between the intermediate flange 140 and the cover plate 138. The hub flange 142 and the intermediate flange 140 may each engage with the springs 132, 134 to transmit torque through the damper assembly 108. For example, the intermediate flange 140 and the hub flange 142 may each define a plurality of slots (not numbered) circumferentially spaced from one another. The slots of the intermediate flange 140 may be circumferentially offset relative to the slots of the hub flange 142 such that one slot of the intermediate flange 140 defines a first opening (not numbered) with one slot of the hub flange 142 and defines a second opening (not numbered) with another slot of the hub flange 142. The first opening may be configured to receive the spring 132, and the second opening may be configured to receive the additional spring 134. The intermediate flange 140 and the hub flange 142 may be configured to rotate relative to one another to transmit torque through the damper assembly 108 such that the spring 132 and / or the additional spring 134 are compressed within their respective openings. The hub flange 142 is connected to the transmission input shaft 124 for transmitting torque therebetween.

[0022] The cover plate 136 includes a plurality of tabs 146 extending from radial sides of the spring window 144 toward the front cover 102, i.e., away from the springs 132, 134. The tabs 146 may be integral with the radial sides of the spring window 144. For example, the cover plate 136, including the spring window 144 and the tabs 146, may be formed by stamping and then machined to the desired surface finish. The tabs 146 may be circumferentially spaced apart from one another. The tabs 146 may be evenly spaced apart from one another within the spring window 144. The cover plate 136 may include any suitable number of tabs 146. The tabs 146 are configured to transmit torque from the lock-up clutch assembly 110 to the damper assembly 108.

[0023] Each tab 146 may include a radial portion 148 extending radially away from the radial side. For example, the tabs 146 may be disposed on outer radial sides of the spring window 144. In such an embodiment, the radial portion 148 may extend radially inward from the outer radial side. As another example, the tabs 146 may be disposed on inner radial sides of the spring window 144. In such an embodiment, the radial portion 148 may extend radially outward from the inner radial side. The radial portion 148 may be configured to axially retain the first spring 132 and the second spring 134 within the spring window 144.

[0024] Each tab 146 may further include an axial portion 150 extending axially away from radial portion 148. Axial portion 150 may extend toward front cover 102. Axial portion 150 may be configured to drivingly connect to lock-up clutch assembly 110, as discussed further below.

[0025] Lock-up clutch assembly 110 is configured to selectively transfer torque from front cover 102 to transmission input shaft 124. Lock-up clutch assembly 110 includes a piston 152, a clutch pack 154, and a reaction plate 156. Reaction plate 156 may be secured to front cover 102 via, for example, a weld. Reaction plate 156 may be at least partially radially aligned with cover plate 136. That is, a line extending from central axis A and perpendicular to central axis A may extend through cover plate 136 and then through reaction plate 156. Radially aligning reaction plate 156 with cover plate 136 may reduce the envelope of torque converter 100.

[0026] The clutch pack 154 is disposed between the reaction plate 156 and the piston 152 and is connected to the cover plate 136 of the damper assembly 108. The clutch pack 154 may include a clutch plate 158, a clutch plate 160, and a clutch plate 162.

[0027] The clutch plates 158 and 162 may be axially spaced apart from one another and directly connected to the input of the damper assembly 108. For example, the clutch plates 158, 162 may each be drivingly connected to the cover plate 136 to transmit torque, e.g., via a tabbed connection. For example, the clutch plates 158, 162 may each include a plurality of tabs 164 circumferentially spaced apart from one another. The plurality of tabs 164 of the clutch plates 158, 162 may be configured to engage with the plurality of tabs 146 of the cover plate 136. That is, the plurality of tabs 164 may be positioned to be received between circumferentially adjacent tabs 146 of the cover plate 136. For example, the plurality of tabs 164 of the clutch plates 158, 162 may extend radially inward from the plurality of tabs 146 of the cover plate 136. The tabs 146, 164 may engage with one another radially inward of the reaction plate 156. The tabs 146, 164 engage one another such that when the clutch plates 158, 162 rotate, the cover plate 136 rotates.

[0028] Clutch plate 160 may be axially disposed between clutch plates 158, 162. Clutch plate 160 may be supported by reaction plate 156. For example, clutch plate 160 may be engaged with reaction plate 156 radially outward of clutch plates 158, 162, e.g., via a tabbed connection. Friction paper or friction rings (not numbered) may further be attached to clutch plates 158, 160, clutch plate 162, reaction plate 156, and / or piston 152. For example, friction material (facings) may be attached to clutch plates 158, 162, and clutch plate 160 may act as a friction surface for the friction facings.

[0029] Piston 152 is axially slidable to compress clutch pack 154 against reaction plate 156. Piston 152 may be axially disposed between front cover 102 and clutch pack 154 and may be configured to be sealed to front cover 102 at its outer end via seal 166 and to hub 168 at its inner end via seal 170. Piston 152 may be further connected to front cover 102 via a leaf spring connection that allows axial displacement of piston 152 in first axial directions AD1 and second axial directions AD2 for selective engagement of lock-up clutch assembly 110.

[0030] During axial movement of piston 152, piston 152 slides along hub 168. Piston 152 closes lock-up clutch assembly 110 in response to pressurization of a medium (e.g., a fluid such as oil) in piston apply chamber 172 defined between front cover 102 and piston 152. Seals 166, 170 maintain fluid separation between piston apply chamber 172 and the remainder of torque converter 1000. Piston apply chamber 172 is further defined by or bounded between front cover 102, hub 168, seal 166, piston 152, and seal 170. "Partially bounded" means that a portion of the referenced chamber, flow passage, or other structure is bounded or formed by the referenced element.

[0031] According to embodiments disclosed herein, the torque path goes from the piston 152 and the reaction plate 156 to the clutch pack 154. However, instead of having a tabbed connection to another component connected to the cover plate 136, the tabs 164 on the clutch plates 158, 162 interact directly with the tabs 146 on the cover plate 136. That is, the tabs 146, 164 are configured to engage one another, allowing torque to be transferred directly through the interface. The clutch pack 154 then drives the cover plate 136 directly.

[0032] Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide various advantages, including providing multiple tabs extending from a spring window on a cover plate of the damper assembly to directly drive the damper assembly with a lock-up clutch without any additional components and / or fasteners, which can reduce the cost and complexity of the damper assembly.

[0033] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The terms used herein are terms of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As explained above, features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the present disclosure that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments may be described as offering advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be sacrificed to achieve desired overall system attributes, depending on the specific application and implementation. These attributes may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, maintainability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, and the like. Thus, to the extent that any embodiment is described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments may be desirable for particular applications, not outside the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 100 torque converter 102 Front cover 104 Impeller Assembly 106 Turbine Assembly 108 Damper Assembly 110 Lock-up clutch assembly 112 Impeller shell 114 Impeller Blade 116 Impeller hub 118 Turbine shell 120 Turbine Blade 122 Stator 124 Transmission input shaft 126 One-way clutch 128 Thrust bearing 130 Side Plate 132 Spring 134 Spring 136 Cover Plate 138 Cover Plate 140 Intermediate flange 142 Hub flange 144 Spring Window 146 tabs 148 Radial section 150 Axial section 152 Piston 154 Clutch pack 156 Reaction Plate 158 Clutch plate 160 clutch plate 162 Clutch plate 164 tabs 166 Seal part 168 Hub 170 Seal part 172 Apply Chamber A center axis AD1 Axial direction AD2 axial direction

Claims

1. A torque converter, a front cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; a lock-up clutch including clutch plates; 1. A damper assembly comprising: a spring; and a cover plate supporting the spring, the cover plate comprising: a spring window configured to receive the spring; a damper assembly including: a plurality of tabs extending from radial sides of the spring window toward the front cover, the plurality of tabs configured to drivingly connect to the clutch plate; A torque converter comprising:

2. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tabs are integral with said radial sides of said spring window.

3. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tabs are circumferentially spaced from one another.

4. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tabs are evenly spaced from one another within said spring window.

5. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the damper assembly includes a second spring circumferentially aligned with the spring, the spring window configured to receive the second spring.

6. 2. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein each tab includes a radial portion and an axial portion extending axially from the radial portion, the radial portion extending radially from the radial side and configured to axially retain the spring within the spring window.

7. The torque converter of claim 6 , wherein the axial portion is configured for driving connection to the clutch pack.

8. 2. The torque converter of claim 1, wherein the lock-up clutch includes a reaction plate disposed between the front cover and the turbine shell, and a piston axially slidable to compress the clutch plate against the reaction plate.

9. 9. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein said clutch plate is drivingly connected to said plurality of tabs radially inward of said reaction plate.

10. 9. The torque converter of claim 8, wherein said lock-up clutch includes: a second clutch plate axially spaced from said clutch plate and drivingly connected to said plurality of tabs; and an intermediate clutch plate disposed between said clutch plate and said second clutch plate and engaged with said reaction plate.

11. 11. The torque converter of claim 10, wherein said clutch plate and said second clutch plate are drivingly connected to said plurality of tabs radially inward of said reaction plate.

12. 11. The torque converter of claim 10, wherein said intermediate clutch plate engages said reaction plate radially outward of said clutch plate and said second clutch plate.

13. The torque converter of claim 8 , wherein a portion of said reaction plate is radially aligned with a portion of said cover plate.

14. 1. A damper assembly for a torque converter, comprising: Springs and A cover plate supporting the spring, a spring window configured to receive the spring; a plurality of tabs extending from radial sides of the spring window in a direction away from the spring, the plurality of tabs being configured to drivingly connect to a lock-up clutch; a cover plate including: A damper assembly comprising:

15. The damper assembly of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of tabs are integral with the radial sides of the spring window.

16. The damper assembly of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of tabs are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

17. The damper assembly of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of tabs are evenly spaced from one another within the spring window.

18. The damper assembly of claim 14 , wherein the damper assembly includes a second spring circumferentially aligned with the spring, the spring window configured to receive the second spring.

19. 15. The damper assembly of claim 14, wherein each tab includes a radial portion and an axial portion extending axially from the radial portion, the radial portion extending radially from the radial side and configured to axially retain the spring within the spring window.

20. The damper assembly of claim 19 , wherein the axial portion is configured for driving connection to the lock-up clutch.

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