Torque Converter Centering Sleeve Plate for Chip Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stamped centering sleeves in torque converter assemblies are prone to trapping manufacturing chips, which can lead to premature failure as these chips become loose and cause contamination, affecting the assembly's reliability.
Innovation Solution
A centering sleeve assembly with a plate that is secured via snap or press fit, featuring grooves and a bent flange to form a pocket, preventing debris from entering and ensuring the plate is axially limited, thus acting as an anti-contamination feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a stamped centering sleeve is used, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but manufacturing chips become trapped in pockets causing contamination and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful pockets from the centering sleeve structure by adding a plate that partitions off these pockets. The plate is secured to the centering sleeve body, effectively removing the trapped chip regions from the functional space while preserving the stamped construction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the centering sleeve internal volume by introducing a plate that divides the hollow space into functional regions and isolated pocket regions. This segmentation prevents chips from the stamped flanges from contaminating the operational areas while maintaining the cost-effective stamped manufacturing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If pockets are formed in the centering sleeve during stamping, then ease of manufacture is improved, but these pockets trap chips that cause premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful effect of chip-trapping pockets by using a plate to partition off these regions. The pockets remain in the structure for manufacturing ease, but their harmful influence is removed by isolating them from the functional spaces where chips would cause contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful trapped chips into a contained, isolated condition. By partitioning off the pockets, the chips remain trapped but in a controlled, isolated environment that prevents them from becoming loose contaminants, effectively converting a harm into a benign condition.
3Ease of operation
If the plate is secured via snap fit or press fit, then ease of assembly is improved, but the plate must be precisely fitted to prevent contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The plate design incorporates self-centering features through its engagement with grooves in the centering sleeve body. The plate's geometry and the groove configuration work together to automatically align and position the plate during assembly, reducing the precision requirements for the fit while maintaining effective contamination prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter centering sleeve assembly is disclosed herein that includes an anti-contamination plate. The assembly includes a centering sleeve including a body. A plate, i.e. an anti-contamination plate, is arranged inside of the centering sleeve. The plate includes at least a first portion and a second portion in contact with an inner surface of the centering sleeve such that the plate partitions off a pocket defined by the centering sleeve. The plate can be secured to the centering sleeve via a snap fit or press fit.