Lock-up Device Retaining Plate Simplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lock-up devices for fluid torque transmission apparatuses have complex shapes due to the need to restrict movement in both axial and radial directions, leading to increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A simplified lock-up device design that includes a piston, elastic members, a support member, and a retaining plate, where the support member's protrusion restricts movement in the radial direction, reducing the need for complex shaping of the retaining plate and allowing for cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining plate extends to restrict axial direction movement of the support member, then the support member's movement is restricted, but the retaining plate becomes complex in shape and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the radial direction support function from the retaining plate to the support member itself. The support member now has both axial direction support (via the retaining plate's original function) and radial direction support (via its own structure), separating the functions and simplifying the retaining plate's shape while maintaining movement restriction reliability.
2Reliability
If the retaining plate has a complex shape to restrict support member movement, then movement control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the support functions by direction: the retaining plate handles axial direction support while the support member handles radial direction support. This functional segmentation simplifies the retaining plate's geometry and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective movement control in both directions.
3Reliability
If the support member is supported in radial direction by the retaining plate, then movement restriction is achieved, but the retaining plate requires complex shaping
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves itself by providing radial direction support through its own structure rather than relying on the retaining plate for this function. This self-service approach allows the support member to be supported in the radial direction without requiring the retaining plate to have complex radial extensions, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
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 simplifies the retaining plate's shape, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective torque transmission and torsional vibration damping, and provides better balance during rotation by distributing centrifugal forces more evenly.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic members elastically link the piston and the output rotary member in the rotational direction
Implementation Method 2
absorbs and damps torsional vibration
Implementation Method 3
acts on the support member and the elastic members, pressing them radially outward
Data Source
AI summary
The lock-up device includes a piston, an output rotary member, a plurality of elastic members, a support member, and a retaining plate. The piston is supported rotatably with respect to the input rotary member and movably in the axial direction. The elastic members elastically link the piston and the output rotary member in the rotational direction. The support member has an outer peripheral support component to support the outer peripheral side of the elastic members. The retaining plate has a fixed component that is fixed to the piston, and a radial support component that supports the outer peripheral support component in the radial direction.