Lock-Up Clutch Piston Flow Control for Torque Converter Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrodynamic torque converters with lock-up clutches face challenges in easy manufacturing and sufficient cooling, particularly in managing friction losses and maintaining efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A hydrodynamic torque converter design featuring a piston that separates the clutch space from a piston chamber, allowing selective activation of the lock-up clutch through fluid pressure, with a tongue-shaped closing element for controlled hydraulic fluid flow to the clutch for cooling, ensuring efficient engagement and disengagement, and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a complex hydraulic fluid supply regulation system is used to control cooling flow to the lock-up clutch, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing pressure differential between the piston chamber and clutch space to automatically control the opening and closing of the closing element. When pressure in the piston chamber exceeds pressure in the clutch space, the closing element opens to allow cooling fluid flow. When pressures are equal or reversed, the closing element closes. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates complex external control systems while maintaining effective cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element acts as an intermediary component that automatically responds to pressure differential conditions. It mediates between the hydraulic system and the cooling requirement, opening or closing based on the pressure relationship between piston chamber and clutch space, thereby controlling cooling fluid flow without requiring complex external regulation.
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 allows for cost-effective manufacturing and effective cooling of the lock-up clutch, minimizing friction losses and maintaining efficient torque transfer, while avoiding complex hydraulic fluid supply regulations, thus enhancing the converter's operational reliability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The piston chamber has the purpose that the piston, when pressure is applied to the piston chamber, can be moved from a start position, at which the lock-up clutch is disengaged, towards the engagement direction of the lock-up clutch.
Implementation Method 2
Hydraulic fluid can be brought from the piston chamber into the clutch space for the cooling of the lock-up clutch.
Implementation Method 3
The opening hereby opens or closes depending on the position of the piston and/or of the pressure difference between piston chamber and clutch space.
Implementation Method 4
When required, it serves to bypass, through a mechanical clutch, the generally hydrodynamic clutch of the converter. Thus, loss of flow in the converter can be minimized.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrodynamic torque converter (1) with a lock-up clutch (6) in a clutch space, (9) and with a piston (7) for activating of the lock-up clutch (6). The piston (7) separates the clutch space (9) from a piston chamber (10). The piston (7), via the application of pressure, can be moved, from a starting position in which the lock-up clutch (6) is disengaged, in the engaging direction of the lock-up clutch (6). The piston (7) has at least a closable opening (11) through which hydraulic fluid can flow from the piston chamber (10) into the clutch space (9). The opening (11) is open if either the piston (7) is away from the starting position and/or if a fluid pressure in the piston chamber (10), compared to the clutch space (9), is elevated. The closing element (12, 13) is tongue-shaped element which serves closing and opening of the opening (11).