Torque Converter Lock-Up Structure With Nested Dynamic Damper
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional torque converters with dynamic dampers have increased radial size and manufacturing costs due to complex configurations and insufficient inertial mass, leading to inadequate damping performance.
Innovation Solution
A lock-up device for torque converters with a dynamic damper installed radially inside the coil spring mechanism, utilizing the turbine as an inertial mass and omitting intermediate members to simplify the structure and reduce size, thereby enhancing damping performance and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dynamic damper is installed radially outside the coil spring, then the damping performance can be improved, but the radial size of the torque converter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic damper is nested within the space occupied by the coil spring assembly. The inertial mass body is positioned inside the radial envelope of the first elastic body (coil spring), allowing the dynamic damper to share the same radial space rather than extending outward. This nesting arrangement enables both dampers to coexist without increasing the overall radial dimension of the torque converter.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic damper components are arranged in the axial direction rather than radially. The inertial mass body extends axially within the available space, utilizing the third dimension (axial direction) to accommodate the dynamic damper without compromising radial compactness. This dimensional reorganization allows effective damping while maintaining a compact radial profile.
2Ease of manufacture
If an intermediate connection member is added to connect the dynamic damper, then the dynamic damper can be properly installed, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic damper components (inertial mass body and second elastic body) are directly integrated with the output member as a unified assembly. The inertial mass body is directly coupled to the output member without requiring separate intermediate connection members, merging multiple functions into a single integrated structure. This reduces the total number of parts and eliminates the need for additional connection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The unnecessary intermediate connection member is extracted and removed from the design. By directly mounting the inertial mass body to the output member, the patent eliminates the intermediate component that would add complexity and manufacturing cost, while still achieving proper installation and functionality of the dynamic damper.
3Length of moving object
If the occupied space of the dynamic damper is limited, then the radial size is reduced, but the inertial mass body size is insufficient leading to inadequate damping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial mass body is designed to extend primarily in the axial direction rather than radially. By orienting the mass distribution along the axial axis, the dynamic damper achieves sufficient inertial mass within the constrained radial space. The moment of inertia is optimized through axial elongation and strategic mass distribution, ensuring adequate damping performance without radial expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the inertial mass body are optimized to maximize the moment of inertia within the available space. By adjusting the axial length, radial thickness, and mass distribution of the inertial mass body, the design achieves sufficient inertial properties for effective damping while maintaining compact radial dimensions. The parameters are tuned to balance space constraints with performance 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
The solution results in a compact torque converter with improved damping performance and reduced manufacturing costs by simplifying the torsion damper mechanism and utilizing the turbine as an inertial mass, addressing the issues of size and cost associated with conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic body elastically connecting the input member and the output member with respect to the rotational direction
Implementation Method 2
The damper mechanism absorbs and attenuates the torsional vibration transmitted to the front cover
Implementation Method 3
a technology related to a dynamic damper configured by installing an inertial mass body on a torque transmission path has been developed and applied
Implementation Method 4
improving vibration damping performance by lowering a resonance frequency below a practical rotation speed
Implementation Method 5
a second elastic body elastically connecting the inertial mass body and the output member with respect to the rotational direction
Implementation Method 6
the piston engages with the front cover and rotates by receiving the torque from the front cover through a friction force
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lock-up device for a torque converter which has a simple structure compared to the prior art, which reduces manufacturing costs, and which may reduce a size of the entire torque converter and improve a damping ability of the dynamic damper by minimizing an installation space of a dynamic damper.