Curved Thrust Washer Grooves for Torque Converter Back Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thrust washers in torque converters experience significant back pressure buildup due to inadequate fluid flow between the outer and inner diameters, leading to decreased performance and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
A thrust washer design with a curved front surface and grooves that increase in width from the inner to the outer diameter, reducing fluid velocity and turbulence, and incorporating non-ruled impeller and turbine blades to enhance fluid flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If straight grooves are used in the thrust washer, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but fluid flow is inadequate and back pressure builds up significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from straight grooves to curved grooves that follow the radial thickness variation of the thrust washer. The curved grooves are positioned to maximize fluid flow paths from the outer diameter to the inner diameter, reducing turbulence and back pressure while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the groove geometry along its length - the grooves are wider at the outer diameter where fluid enters and taper toward the inner diameter. This local variation in groove dimensions optimizes fluid flow at different locations, reducing back pressure in high-flow areas while maintaining structural integrity elsewhere.
2Ease of manufacture
If the thrust washer has uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simpler, but fluid flow velocity cannot be effectively reduced to decrease turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved front surface on the thrust washer that creates non-uniform thickness, being greater at the inner diameter than at the outer diameter. This curvature allows the grooves to follow a longer, more gradual path that reduces fluid velocity and turbulence while remaining manufacturable through conventional machining processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the thrust washer by implementing variable thickness rather than uniform thickness. This parameter change enables the grooves to extend longer paths for fluid flow, effectively reducing fluid velocity and turbulence without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
3Productivity
If grooves are made wider at the outer diameter, then fluid entry area increases and flow rate improves, but the groove structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the grooves wider at the outer diameter where fluid enters and tapering them toward the inner diameter. This localized variation in groove width increases the fluid entry area and flow rate while maintaining a relatively simple overall groove structure that can be manufactured using standard machining operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly reduces back pressure buildup and enhances fluid flow rates within the torque converter, improving overall performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The front surface of the thrust washer is curved such that the thickness of the thrust washer at the inner diameter is greater than the thickness of the thrust washer at the outer diameter. This design increases the length of the at least one groove, allowing for a greater reduction in the velocity of the fluid traveling through the groove which, in turn, lessens fluid turbulence and increases the flow rate.
Implementation Method 2
the at least one groove has a width that is greater at the outer diameter of the thrust washer than at a point proximal to the inner diameter of the thrust washer. This creates a wider entry area to further increase the fluid flow rate within the torque converter.
Data Source
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AI summary
A thrust washer for a torque converter, the thrust washer having a curved front surface with a plurality of grooves for increasing fluid flow between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the thrust washer. This increased fluid flow reduces the buildup of back pressure within the torque converter enabling better operation thereof.