Hydrokinetic Torque Coupling with Integrated Turbine-Piston Lockup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrokinetic torque coupling devices with lock-up clutches have limitations in terms of spatial requirements and functional consolidation, which can impact their performance and cost-effectiveness in vehicular driveline applications.
Innovation Solution
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device design that integrates a turbine-piston lockup clutch, featuring a casing with an impeller shell, a turbine-piston shell, and an intermediate casing component, allowing axial movement of the turbine-piston flange to switch between lockup and non-lockup modes, and includes a damper assembly with elastic damping members and a centrifugal pendulum oscillator or spring-mass system for improved efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional lockup clutch design is used in hydrokinetic torque coupling devices, then the mechanical coupling function is achieved, but the spatial requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the turbine and piston into a single integrated turbine-piston component. The turbine-piston shell forms both the turbine housing and the piston body, eliminating the need for separate turbine and piston components. This merging reduces the number of parts, simplifies the overall structure, and decreases spatial requirements while maintaining the mechanical coupling function through the lockup clutch mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine-piston component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the turbine housing and the piston body for the lockup clutch. The intermediate casing component also serves dual purposes by providing both structural support and engagement surfaces for the lockup clutch mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity without compromising reliability
2Volume of moving object
If separate turbine and piston components are used, then the functional requirements are met, but the spatial requirements and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine and piston are merged into a single turbine-piston component where the turbine-piston shell integrates both functional elements. This consolidation significantly reduces the overall volume of moving parts while maintaining all necessary functional adaptability through the integrated design that allows axial movement for lockup engagement
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for lockup clutch, then the mechanical coupling is reliable, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate casing component is designed as an integrated piece that combines the casing wall portion with the piston engagement portion. This single component provides both structural support and the necessary engagement surfaces for the lockup clutch, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while ensuring reliable mechanical coupling through the integrated design
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 enhances the performance and reduces the spatial requirements of the hydrokinetic torque coupling device, enabling efficient mechanical coupling of driving and driven shafts while allowing for a more compact and lighter structure, thereby improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine-piston coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller
Implementation Method 2
a damper assembly with elastic damping members
Implementation Method 3
a centrifugal pendulum oscillator
Implementation Method 4
a centrifugal pendulum oscillator
Implementation Method 5
a spring-mass system for improved efficiency and compactness
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device features a casing (12) including an impeller shell (18), a casing shell (20), and an intermediate casing component (22) connecting the impeller and casing shells. The intermediate casing component (22) includes a casing wall portion and a piston engagement portion (26) extending inward from and being non-rotatable relative to the casing wall portion. The device further features an impeller (30) including the impeller shell (20). The turbine-piston (32) is coaxially aligned with and hydrodynamically drivable by the impeller (30), and includes a turbine-piston shell (35) having a turbine-piston flange (38) with an engagement surface that is movable axially toward and away from an engagement surface of the piston engagement portion to position the hydrokinetic torque coupling device respectively into and out of a lockup mode.