Lockup Clutch Backing Plate Assembly for Reduced Axial Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lockup clutch assemblies in torque converters for transmission systems face challenges in efficiently managing torque transfer and clutch engagement, leading to inefficiencies in power transmission and gear shifting.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a novel backing plate assembly with a radial lip and a single-piece construction, featuring a damper and a piston plate with a protrusion, which enhances torque distribution and clutch engagement by providing improved rigidity and damping, allowing for efficient mechanical coupling between the turbine and pump assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional lockup clutch assemblies are used in torque converters, then the basic torque transfer function is achieved, but torque transfer efficiency is insufficient and axial deflection occurs during clutch engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The backing plate assembly is segmented into multiple functional zones including a rigid support portion and a dampened engagement portion, allowing different regions to perform specialized functions for optimizing both torque transfer efficiency and engagement stability
Solution Approach 2:
The backing plate assembly incorporates composite construction with rigid support structures combined with dampening materials, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides structural integrity and reduces axial deflection during clutch engagement
2Ease of manufacture
If multi-piece backing plate construction is used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity and potential misalignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple backing plate components are merged into a single integrated backing plate assembly that maintains manufacturing flexibility through design features while eliminating assembly complexity and potential misalignment issues associated with multi-piece constructions
3Strength
If rigid backing plate structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but axial deflection during engagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backing plate assembly employs local quality variation with rigid structures in areas requiring strength and dampened regions in areas prone to axial deflection, allowing each zone to have optimized properties for its specific functional requirements
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
This configuration enhances torque transfer efficiency, reduces axial deflection, and improves clutch engagement, resulting in smoother power transmission and more precise gear shifting.
Implementation Method 1
featuring a damper and a piston plate with a protrusion, which enhances torque distribution and clutch engagement by providing improved rigidity and damping
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter assembly that has a turbine assembly, a pump assembly, and a clutch assembly that selectively rotationally couples the turbine assembly to the pump assembly. The clutch assembly also has at least one clutch disk and a backing plate assembly defining a backing plate surface and formed by a first plate and a second plate coupled to one another. The first plate and the second plate are coupled to each other at a first radius and a second radius, the second radius being substantially adjacent to the backing plate surface.