Automatic Transmission Pump Drive Gear Alignment via Sleeve and Bushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment between the torque converter hub and the pump drive gear in automatic transmissions leads to unwanted noise and wear, affecting the operational life and performance of the transmission system.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system design incorporating a gear support with a sleeve and bushing arrangement, along with a tabbed seal, to ensure proper alignment and reduce clearance between the drive shaft and drive gear, thereby minimizing noise and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the torque converter hub is directly engaged with the pump drive gear tang receivers, then the alignment is simple to achieve, but misalignment occurs leading to noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
A hub alignment tool is introduced as an intermediary component between the torque converter hub and the pump drive gear. This tool includes a hub mounting portion that attaches to the hub and a gear mounting portion that engages the drive gear, with alignment features that ensure precise rotational positioning. The intermediary tool transfers rotation from the hub to the drive gear while maintaining accurate alignment, preventing misalignment-induced noise and wear without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If clearances are increased between the drive shaft and drive gear, then assembly is easier, but misalignment and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features are pre-formed on both the hub alignment tool and the pump drive gear during manufacturing. These features include protrusions and corresponding recesses that automatically guide the drive gear into correct rotational alignment with the torque converter hub during assembly. This preliminary preparation of alignment features ensures that when components are assembled, they automatically achieve proper positioning without requiring complex adjustment procedures or tight clearances, thereby facilitating easy assembly while maintaining operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission system has a housing including a wall and a gear support extending from the wall. The gear support has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage. The outer surface includes a seal receiving portion and a seal support axially spaced from the seal receiving portion. A seal is positioned about the gear support at the seal receiving portion. A sleeve is arranged on the outer surface of the gear support between the wall and the seal and a pump drive gear is mounted on the gear support and is supported by the sleeve. The pump drive gear includes an outer toothed surface, an inner surface, and a bushing arranged on the inner surface, the bushing extending about the sleeve.