Torque Converter Inertia Ring Damping for Wide-Speed Fluctuation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque fluctuation inhibiting devices struggle to effectively reduce torque fluctuations across a wide rotational speed range, and often produce hitting sounds due to centrifugal element collisions, which can be difficult to manage when engine specifications change.
Innovation Solution
A torque fluctuation inhibiting device comprising a mass body, centrifugal elements, cam mechanisms, and restriction mechanisms that convert centrifugal force into circumferential force to reduce relative displacement between the rotor and mass body, while restricting radial movement of centrifugal elements to prevent collisions and hitting sounds, allowing for adjustable torque fluctuation inhibition characteristics across various rotational speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dynamic damper devices with inertia rings and coil springs are used to reduce torque fluctuations, then torque fluctuations can be reduced in a specific rotational speed range, but the device cannot effectively reduce torque fluctuations across a wide rotational speed range when engine specifications change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cam mechanisms with specifically designed cam surface shapes to change the mechanical parameters of the torque fluctuation inhibition system. The cam surface shape is optimized to convert centrifugal force into circumferential force across a wide rotational speed range, eliminating the need to change inertia amounts or spring constants when engine specifications change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs centrifugal elements that dynamically respond to rotational speed changes. As the rotor rotates, centrifugal force acts on the centrifugal elements, and through the cam mechanism, this dynamic force is converted into a circumferential force that actively counteracts torque fluctuations across varying speeds.
2Reliability
If centrifugal elements are allowed to move freely under centrifugal force to inhibit torque fluctuations, then torque fluctuations are reduced, but radial movement causes collisions and hitting sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the movement freedom of centrifugal elements by providing individual restriction mechanisms for each element. This allows each centrifugal element to move independently in the circumferential direction for torque fluctuation inhibition while its radial movement is separately restricted to prevent collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The restriction mechanism acts as an intermediary between the centrifugal element and the radial direction. It mediates the centrifugal force by allowing the element to respond to torque fluctuations through cam mechanism actuation while blocking harmful radial movement that would cause collisions.
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 device effectively reduces torque fluctuations across a wide rotational speed range and minimizes hitting sounds by utilizing centrifugal force and cam mechanisms to synchronize rotor and mass body rotation, while restricting radial movement to prevent collisions, thus enhancing operational stability and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of centrifugal elements is disposed to receive a centrifugal force generated in rotation of the rotor and the mass body
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of cam mechanisms converts the centrifugal force into a circumferential force directed to reduce the relative displacement
Implementation Method 3
Each of the plurality of restriction mechanisms allows actuation of the each of the plurality of centrifugal elements by the each of the plurality of cam mechanisms, and restricts radial movement of the each of the plurality of centrifugal elements
Data Source
AI summary
The present device includes an inertia ring, a plurality of centrifugal elements, a plurality of cam mechanisms and a plurality of restriction mechanisms. The inertia ring is disposed to be rotatable with a hub flange and be rotatable relatively to the hub flange. Each centrifugal element is disposed to receive a centrifugal force generated by rotation of the hub flange and the inertia ring. When a relative displacement is produced between the hub flange and the inertia ring in a rotational direction while the centrifugal force is acting on each centrifugal element, each cam mechanism converts the centrifugal force into a circumferential force directed to reduce the relative displacement. Each restriction mechanism allows actuation of each centrifugal element by each cam mechanism, and restricts radial movement of each centrifugal element.