Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch Assembly With Anti-Rotation Spring Pack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock-up devices in torque converters face challenges with assembly difficulty and mutual rotation between the lock-up piston and input side clutch support, which affect response speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A spring pack is designed as an independent unit, comprising first and second retainer plates, spring supporters, and coil springs, with an outer and inner gear mechanism to prevent mutual rotation, allowing external assembly and adjustment, and featuring extrusion rivets for simplified assembly and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a coil spring is installed on the piston member to accelerate clutch disengagement response, then the response speed is improved, but the assembly adjustment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is segmented into a separate spring pack unit that can be assembled independently and then installed as a complete module. This segmentation allows the spring to be pre-assembled and adjusted externally, avoiding the difficulty of adjusting springs inside the confined piston space during final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring pack serving as an intermediary unit is introduced between the piston member and the engaging portion. This spring pack includes a retainer plate and spring supporters that organize the coil springs in a structured manner, facilitating easier assembly and adjustment while maintaining the rapid disengagement function.
2Speed
If the lock-up piston is designed for rapid acceleration to improve response, then the response speed is improved, but mutual rotation between the piston and clutch supporter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational stability function is extracted from the piston-clutch supporter interface and transferred to the spring pack mechanism. The spring pack's structured arrangement of spring supporters and retainer plate provides a stable reference frame that prevents mutual rotation during rapid piston acceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring pack is pre-configured with spring supporters and a retainer plate that establish proper alignment and prevent mutual rotation before the piston begins its rapid acceleration. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures rotational stability is in place before dynamic forces act on the system.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spring pack is designed as an independent unit for easier assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (coil springs, spring supporters, retainer plate) are merged into a single integrated spring pack unit. This merging consolidates what would otherwise be multiple separate assembly operations into one unified component that can be installed as a complete module, reducing overall assembly complexity despite the internal structure of the spring pack.
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 solution enhances assemblability, reduces mutual rotation, increases response speed, and compacts the torque converter design while maintaining stable operation and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring pack with a built-in spring between the clutch support and the lock-up piston may be used... a plurality of coil springs supported by the first spring supporter and the second spring supporter
Implementation Method 2
featuring extrusion rivets for simplified assembly... the first retainer plate installed on the side of the lock-up piston and fixed with the lock-up piston
Implementation Method 3
the mutual rotation prevention mechanism has: an outer gear installed on the exterior circumference of the first retainer plate of the spring pack; and an inner gear installed in the inner circumference of the input side clutch supporter close to the exterior circumference of the first retainer plate and engaged with the outer gear
Data Source
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AI summary
A lock-up device of a torque converter consisting of a lock-up clutch, a lock-up piston, an input side clutch supporter, etc., and a lock-up device with excellent assimilability while simultaneously reducing mutual rotation between a lock-up piston and an input side clutch supporter, which increases a response of the lock-up piston, is provided. The lock-up device of a torque converter includes an input side clutch supporter fixed to a front cover for transmitting a power from a drive side; a plurality of clutch plates supported by the input side clutch supporter; a lock-up piston to pressurize the clutch plate to make the clutch connected; a piston guide supporting the end portion of the lock-up piston; a spring pack fixed to the lock-up piston, installed between the lock-up piston and the input side clutch supporter and including an elastic body that presses the lock-up piston in the direction of releasing the clutch; and an mutual rotation prevention mechanism that prevents a mutual rotation between the lock-up piston and the input side clutch supporter.