Floating Hub Torque Converter With Static-Sealed Lock-Up Clutch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torque converters with fixed hubs are costly and complex, particularly due to the need for forging operations and dynamic seals in lock-up clutch assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A torque converter design featuring a floating hub that is axially movable and non-rotatably connected to the neck of the output element, eliminating the need for a fixed hub and using static seals to reduce complexity and costs, with the floating hub being sealed to the piston and transmission input shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed hub is used in the lock-up clutch assembly, then the structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase due to forging operations and dynamic seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed hub to a floating hub that can move axially. The floating hub is designed to float axially between the piston and the output element, eliminating the need for rigid fixing while maintaining operational stability. This dynamic approach reduces manufacturing complexity by removing forging operations and dynamic seals, while still ensuring reliable torque transmission through controlled axial movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex forging operations and dynamic seal requirements from the hub design. By removing the fixed hub structure and its associated manufacturing processes, the invention simplifies the lock-up clutch assembly while maintaining functional integrity through the floating hub mechanism that relies on simpler sealing arrangements.
2Reliability
If a fixed hub with dynamic seals is used, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces dynamic seals with static seals in the floating hub design. The static seal is positioned between the floating hub and the piston, eliminating the need for dynamic sealing arrangements. This substitution maintains sealing reliability while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, as static seals are simpler to manufacture and install compared to dynamic seals that require precision forging and assembly.
3Device complexity
If a floating hub design is used, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the axial position stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The floating hub design embraces axial movement as a dynamic characteristic rather than attempting to rigidly constrain the hub. The hub is allowed to float axially between the piston and output element, with its position naturally determined by the balance of forces during operation. This dynamic approach maintains axial position stability without requiring complex fixed mounting structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating hub acts as an intermediary element between the piston and the output element, mediating the torque transmission while accommodating axial movements. This intermediate position allows the hub to absorb axial variations and maintain stable operation without rigidly constraining any single component, thus preserving stability while simplifying the overall assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter is provided that includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque, an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover, and a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell. An output element is disposed axially between the front cover and the turbine shell and arranged to connect to a transmission input shaft. The output element includes a flange and a neck extending axially from the flange towards the front cover. A lock-up clutch includes a piston. A floating hub is disposed axially between the front cover and the flange and is sealed to the piston and the transmission input shaft. The floating hub is non-rotatably connected to the neck of the output element.