Launching device

Abstract

To suitably attach a rotor onto an outer peripheral surface of a fluid coupling.SOLUTION: A starting device 1 includes a fluid coupling 2, an electric motor 3, and a regulation mechanism 4. A rotor 31 is disposed on the radial outside of the fluid coupling 2. The regulation mechanism 4 regulates relative rotation between the fluid coupling 2 and the rotor 31. The regulation mechanism 4 has a first key groove 41, a second key groove 42, and a key body 43. The first key groove 41 axially extends on an inner peripheral surface of the rotor 31. The second key groove 42 axially extends on an outer peripheral surface of the fluid coupling 2. The second key groove 42 is shorter than the first key groove 41. The key body 43 has a first key portion and a second key portion. The first key portion is fitted in the first key groove 41, and the second key portion is fitted in the second key groove 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a starting device.

Background Art

[0002] A starting device having a torque converter and an electric motor has been proposed. For example, in the starting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotor of the electric motor is integrally connected to the impeller of the torque converter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the starting device configured as described above, the method of attaching the rotor of the electric motor to the outer peripheral surface of the torque converter is unknown. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a starting device capable of appropriately attaching a rotor to the outer peripheral surface of a fluid coupling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A starting device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a fluid coupling, an electric motor, and a regulating mechanism. The electric motor has a rotor and a stator. The rotor is disposed radially outside the fluid coupling. The stator is disposed radially outside the rotor. The regulating mechanism is configured to regulate relative rotation between the fluid coupling and the rotor. The regulating mechanism has a first key groove, a second key groove, and a key body. The first key groove extends axially on the inner peripheral surface of the rotor. The second key groove extends axially on the outer peripheral surface of the fluid coupling. The second key groove is shorter than the first key groove. The key body has a first key portion and a second key portion. The first key portion fits into the first key groove, and the second key portion fits into the second key groove.

[0006] In this configuration, the key body is fitted into a first key groove formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor, and also into a second key groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling. Therefore, the fluid coupling and the rotor can rotate as a single unit. In other words, with the above configuration, the rotor can be properly attached to the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling.

[0007] Preferably, the fluid coupling has a cover and an impeller. The cover and impeller constitute the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling. The second key groove is formed in either the cover or the impeller, but not both.

[0008] Preferably, the second keyway is formed on the cover or impeller that has the larger outer diameter.

[0009] Preferably, the cover has a first cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction. The impeller has a second cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction and fixed to the first cylindrical portion. The first and second cylindrical portions constitute the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling. The second keyway is formed in the portion of the first and second cylindrical portions that has a greater plate thickness.

[0010] Preferably, the first keyway extends from end to end of the rotor in the axial direction.

[0011] Preferably, the first key portion and the second key portion are made of separate components and are engaged so as not to rotate relative to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the first keyway has a width greater than the width of the second keyway. The first key portion has a slit portion extending axially from its base end. The second key portion fits into the slit portion.

[0013] Preferably, the key body has a tip that protrudes axially from the first keyway. The tip is configured to widen in a direction intersecting the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a rotor can be appropriately attached to the outer peripheral surface of a fluid joint.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] Cross-sectional view of the starting device. [Figure 2] Side view of the outer shell of the torque converter and the rotor. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Side view of the key body. [Figure 5] Plan view of the key body. [Figure 6] Side view of the key body according to a modification. [Figure 7] Plan view of the key body according to a modification. [Figure 8] View corresponding to FIG. 3 of the key groove according to a modification.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the starting device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the axial direction is the direction in which the rotation axis O of the starting device extends. The circumferential direction is the circumferential direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis, and the radial direction is the radial direction of a circle centered on the rotation axis. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the starting device, and the description of some members is omitted.

[0017] [Starting Device] As shown in FIG. 1, the starting device 1 includes a torque converter (an example of a fluid joint) 2, an electric motor 3, and a regulating mechanism 4. Although not shown, in FIG. 1, an engine is disposed on the left side of the starting device 1, and a transmission is disposed on the right side of the starting device 1.

[0018] [Torque Converter] The torque converter 2 has a cover 21, an impeller 22, and a turbine 23. The torque converter 2 also includes a stator for torque converter (not shown) and a lock-up device 24. Oil circulates within the torque converter 2. The torque converter 2 is arranged to be rotatable about the rotation axis O.

[0019] Torque from the engine is input to the cover 21. The cover 21 forms part of the outer shell of the torque converter 2. The cover 21 has a first disk portion 211 and a first cylindrical portion 212. The first cylindrical portion 212 extends axially from the outer peripheral end of the first disk portion 211 toward the impeller 22.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a view showing only the outer shell of the torque converter 2 and the rotor 31 extracted from FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion 212a of the first cylindrical portion 212 is thinner than other portions. Specifically, the inner diameter of the tip portion 212a of the first cylindrical portion 212 is larger than the inner diameter of other portions. Therefore, a butting surface 213 is formed at the boundary between the tip portion 212a and other portions. The butting surface 213 faces in the axial direction. The butting surface 213 abuts against the tip surface of the second cylindrical portion 225 of the impeller shell 221 described later.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the impeller 22 is fixed to the cover 21. The impeller 22 has an impeller shell 221, a plurality of impeller blades 222, and an impeller hub 223. The impeller shell 221 is fixed to the cover 21 by, for example, a welding portion 101. The outer peripheral surface of the welding portion 1, the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 212 are flush. For example, by machining the welding portion 101, the outer peripheral surface of the welding portion 101 and the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 212 can be made flush.

[0022] The impeller shell 221, together with the cover 21, forms the outer shell of the torque converter 2. The impeller shell 221 has a second disk portion 224 and a second cylindrical portion 225.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the second cylindrical portion 225 extends axially from the outer peripheral end of the second disc portion 224 toward the cover 21. The second cylindrical portion 225 is fixed to the first cylindrical portion 212 at its tip portion 225a by a welded portion 101. The tip portion 225a of the second cylindrical portion 225 is positioned radially inward relative to the tip portion 212a of the first cylindrical portion 212. In a radial view, the tip portion 212a of the first cylindrical portion 212 and the tip portion 225a of the second cylindrical portion 225 overlap. The tip surface of the tip portion 225a of the second cylindrical portion 225 is in contact with the butt surface 213.

[0024] The second cylindrical portion 225, together with the first cylindrical portion 212, forms the outer circumferential surface of the torque converter. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 225 is smaller than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 212. The inner diameter of the second cylindrical portion 225 is smaller than that of the first cylindrical portion 212 It is approximately the same as the inner diameter. The plate thickness of the second cylindrical portion 225 is thinner than the plate thickness of the first cylindrical portion 212.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the impeller blades 222 are fixed to the inner surface of the impeller shell 221. The impeller hub 223 is fixed to the inner circumferential end of the impeller shell 221 by welding or other means.

[0026] The turbine 23 is positioned opposite the impeller 22. The turbine 23 has a turbine shell 231 and a plurality of turbine blades 232. The turbine blades 232 are fixed to the inner surface of the turbine shell 231 by brazing or the like.

[0027] The torque converter stator is configured to rectify the hydraulic fluid returning from the turbine 23 to the impeller 22. The torque converter stator is rotatable around the rotation axis O. The torque converter stator is positioned axially between the impeller 22 and the turbine 23.

[0028] The lock-up device 24 is positioned axially between the cover 21 and the turbine 23. The lock-up device 24 includes a piston plate 241 and a damper device 242.

[0029] [Electric motor] The electric motor 3 has a rotor 31 and a stator 32.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the rotor 31 is cylindrical. The rotor 31 is composed of multiple electromagnetic steel sheets stacked in the axial direction. The rotor 31 is rotatably positioned around the rotation axis O. The rotor 31 is positioned radially outward relative to the torque converter 2. The inner circumferential surface of the rotor 31 faces the outer circumferential surface of the torque converter 2. Also, the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 31 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the torque converter 2. In detail, the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 31 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 212. On the other hand, the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 31 is spaced radially apart from the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical portion 225.

[0031] The rotor 31 has a longer axial dimension than the first cylindrical portion 212. In a radial view, the rotor 31 overlaps with the first cylindrical portion 212 and the second cylindrical portion 225.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the stator 32 has a stator core 321 and a coil 322. The stator core 321 is made up of multiple electromagnetic steel sheets stacked in the axial direction. The coil 322 is wound around the teeth of the stator core 321.

[0033] The stator 32 is positioned radially outward relative to the rotor 31. The stator 32 is spaced apart from the rotor 31 in the radial direction. The stator 32 is positioned so as to be non-rotatable. The stator 32 is fixed to a case (not shown) or the like.

[0034] [Regulatory body] The regulating mechanism 4 is configured to restrict the relative rotation between the torque converter 2 and the rotor 31. In other words, the regulating mechanism 4 is configured to rotate the torque converter 2 and the rotor 31 as a single unit.

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the regulating mechanism 4 has a first keyway 41, a second keyway 42, and a key body 43. The first keyway 41 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor 31. The first keyway 41 extends in the axial direction. The first keyway 41 extends from end to end of the rotor 31 in the axial direction. That is, both ends of the first keyway 41 are open in the axial direction.

[0036] The second keyway 42 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the torque converter 2. More specifically, the second keyway 42 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion 212. The width of the second keyway 42 is the same as the width of the first keyway 41. Note that the width of each keyway 41, 42 refers to the circumferential dimension.

[0037] The second keyway 42 extends in the axial direction. Furthermore, the second keyway 42 is formed only in the first cylindrical portion 212 and not in the second cylindrical portion 225. Also, the second keyway 42 is not formed at the tip portion 212a of the first cylindrical portion 212. The tip of the second keyway 42 is located on the first disc portion 211 side of the abutting surface 213. In the axial direction, the second keyway 42 is shorter than the first keyway 41.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the key body 43 has a first key portion 431 and a second key portion 432. The first key portion 431 and the second key portion 432 are formed from a single material. The key body 43 can be made of, for example, high-carbon steel or stainless steel. The key body 43 can also be formed by, for example, forging or machining.

[0039] The first key portion 431 is configured to fit into the first key groove 41. The second key portion 432 is configured to fit into the second key groove 42. Therefore, the key body 43 fits into both the first key groove 41 and the second key groove 42.

[0040] The first key portion 431 is longer in the axial direction than the second key portion 432. The first key portion 431 extends from end to end of the first key groove 41. The second key portion 432 extends from end to end of the second key groove 42.

[0041] The key body 43 has a stopper portion 433. 433 The first key portion 431 protrudes in a direction intersecting the axial direction. In this embodiment, the stopper portion 433 protrudes radially outward from the first key portion 431. The stopper portion 433 contacts the rotor 31 in the axial direction, thereby restricting the axial movement of the key body 43. Specifically, the stopper portion 433 can restrict the movement of the key body 43 to the right in Figure 1. The stopper portion 433 may protrude radially inward or circumferentially. Furthermore, the key body 43 may have multiple stopper portions 433, and each stopper portion 433 may protrude in a different direction from one another.

[0042] The key body 43 has a tip portion 434. As shown in Figure 1, the tip portion 434 protrudes axially from the first keyway 41. That is, the tip portion 434 protrudes to the right in Figure 1 from the first keyway 41.

[0043] Figure 5 is a plan view of the key body 43 as seen from the radially outward direction. As shown in Figure 5, the tip portion 434 is configured to spread in a direction intersecting the axial direction. In this embodiment, the tip portion 434 is configured to spread in the circumferential direction. In detail, the tip portion 434 is divided into two branches from the tip of the first key portion 431 and extends in the axial direction. That is, the tip portion 434 is divided into a first tip portion 434a and a second tip portion 434b. By bending the first tip portion 434a and the second tip portion 434b in directions away from each other, the tip portion 434 can be spread in the circumferential direction. In this way, by spreading the tip portion 434 in the circumferential direction, the axial movement of the key body 43 can be restricted. In detail, the tip portion 434 can restrict the movement of the key body 43 to the left side of Figure 1. Note that the tip portion 434 may also be configured to spread in the radial direction. In this case, for example, the first tip portion 434a may be bent radially outward, and the second tip portion 434b may be bent radially inward.

[0044] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various modifications can be applied simultaneously.

[0045] (a) In the above embodiment, the first key portion 431 and the second key portion 432 are integrally formed from a single component, but the configuration of the key body 43 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first key portion 431 and the second key portion 432 may be formed from separate components.

[0046] The first key portion 431 is flat. The first key portion 431 has a slit portion 431a that extends axially from the base end to the tip. The slit portion 431a extends axially. The slit portion 431a opens towards the base end.

[0047] The second key portion 432 is fitted into the slit portion 431a. Therefore, the first key portion 431 and the second key portion 432 rotate together as a single unit, without rotating relative to each other.

[0048] The second key portion 432 is shorter in the axial direction than the slit portion 431a. The second key portion 432 is thicker than the first key portion 431. The second key portion 432 protrudes radially inward from the slit portion 431a. At this portion protruding from the slit portion 431a, the second key portion 432 is engaged with the second key groove 42.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the first keyway 41 has a width greater than the width of the second keyway 42. Also, as shown in Figure 7, the first key portion 431 has a width greater than the second key portion 432.

[0050] Furthermore, the key body 43 does not have a stopper portion. Instead, the key body 43 has a base portion 435. The base portion 435 protrudes axially from the first keyway 41. More specifically, the base portion 435 protrudes axially on the side opposite to the tip portion 434.

[0051] The base end portion 435 is configured to spread in a direction intersecting the axial direction. For example, the base end portion 435 is configured to spread in the circumferential direction. In detail, the base end portion 435 extends axially from the base end of the first key portion 431. The base end portion 435 has a first base end portion 435a and a second base end portion 435b. By bending the first base end portion 435a and the second base end portion 435b toward each other, the base end portion 435 can be spread in the circumferential direction. By spreading the base end portion 435 in the circumferential direction in this way, the axial movement of the key body 43 can be restricted. The base end portion 435 may also be configured to spread radially. For example, the first base end portion 435a may be bent radially outward and the second base end portion 435b may be bent radially inward.

[0052] (b) In the above embodiment, the second keyway 42 is formed only in the cover 21, that is, only in the first cylindrical portion 212, but the configuration of the regulating mechanism 4 is not limited thereto. For example, the second keyway 42 may be formed only in the impeller 22, that is, only in the second cylindrical portion 225. In this case, the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 225 is larger than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 212, or the same as the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 212. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1: Launching device 2: Torque converter 21: Cover 22: Impeller 3: Electric motor 31: Rotor 32: Status 4: Regulatory mechanisms 41: First keyway 42: Second keyway 43: Key body 431: First Key Section 431a: Slit section 432: Second Key Section 434:Tip

Claims

1. Fluid couplings and, An electric motor having a rotor positioned radially outward from the fluid coupling, and a stator positioned radially outward from the rotor, A restricting mechanism configured to restrict the relative rotation between the fluid coupling and the rotor, Equipped with, The aforementioned iPhone mechanism, A first keyway extending axially on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor and A second keyway extending axially on the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling and shorter than the first keyway, A key body including a first key portion that fits into the first keyway and a second key portion that fits into the second keyway, It has, The fluid coupling has a cover and an impeller, The cover and the impeller constitute the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling. The second keyway is formed in only one of the cover or the impeller. The rotor overlaps with the cover and the impeller in a radial view. The first key portion is longer in the axial direction than the second key portion. Launching device.

2. The first key portion and the second key portion are made of separate members and engage with each other so as not to rotate relative to each other. The launching device according to claim 1.

3. Fluid couplings and, An electric motor having a rotor positioned radially outward from the fluid coupling, and a stator positioned radially outward from the rotor, A restricting mechanism configured to restrict the relative rotation between the fluid coupling and the rotor, Equipped with, The aforementioned iPhone mechanism, A first keyway extending axially on the inner circumferential surface of the rotor and A second keyway extending axially on the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling and shorter than the first keyway, A key body including a first key portion that fits into the first keyway and a second key portion that fits into the second keyway, It has, The first key portion and the second key portion are made of separate materials and are engaged so as not to rotate relative to each other. Launching device.

4. The fluid coupling has a cover and an impeller, The cover and the impeller constitute the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling. The second keyway is formed in only one of the cover or the impeller. The launching device according to claim 3.

5. The second keyway is formed on the cover and the impeller, which have the larger outer diameter. The launching device according to claim 1, 2, or 4.

6. The cover has a first cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction, The impeller has a second cylindrical portion that extends in the axial direction and is fixed to the first cylindrical portion. The first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion constitute the outer circumferential surface of the fluid coupling. The second keyway is formed in the part of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion that has a greater plate thickness. The launching device according to claim 1, 2, or 4.

7. The first keyway extends axially from end to end of the rotor. A launching device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The first keyway has a width greater than the width of the second keyway. The first key portion has a slit portion extending axially from the base end, The second key portion fits into the slit portion, The launching device according to claim 2 or 3.

9. The key body has a tip portion that protrudes axially from the first keyway, The aforementioned tip portion is configured to spread out in a direction intersecting the axial direction. A launching device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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