Starting Apparatus Axial Length Reduction via Nested Damper Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional starting apparatuses with multi-plate clutches and dampers have an increased axial length due to the placement of components, which affects their efficiency and torque transmission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The starting apparatus is designed with a clutch and damper configuration where the piston, oil-chamber defining member, and damper are arranged closer in the axial direction by positioning the piston's pressing portion between the outer and inner peripheral springs, and the oil-chamber defining member is placed radially inward, allowing for effective torque vibration absorption and reduced axial length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the oil-chamber defining member is placed between the piston and the damper, then the engagement-side oil chamber can be formed, but the axial length of the starting apparatus is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion of the piston is positioned radially outward beyond the outer peripheral portion of the oil-chamber defining member, utilizing the radial dimension to accommodate the pressing function without increasing axial length. This dimensional repositioning allows the piston to perform both oil chamber sealing and friction plate pressing functions within the same axial space.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston integrates multiple functions: it seals the engagement-side oil chamber, presses the friction plates through its radially extended pressing portion, and positions itself within the damper's spring region. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall axial length while maintaining reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the piston and damper are arranged with sufficient spacing, then torque vibrations can be absorbed, but the axial length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is nested within the radial extent of the damper structure, with its pressing portion positioned within the region between the outer peripheral-side spring and the inner peripheral-side spring. This nesting arrangement allows the piston to occupy space within the damper's existing radial envelope, enabling torque vibration absorption without requiring additional axial length.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston's pressing portion extends in the radial direction beyond the oil-chamber defining member, utilizing the radial dimension to achieve pressing function while maintaining compact axial dimensions. This allows the piston to interact with the damper springs radially while maintaining close axial proximity to the friction plates.
3Reliability
If the pressing portion of the piston is positioned radially inward, then the oil chamber sealing is improved, but the torque capacity and vibration absorption are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the piston have different radial positions optimized for their specific functions: the main body of the piston remains radially inward to seal the oil chamber effectively, while the pressing portion extends radially outward to engage the friction plates and interact with the damper springs. This local differentiation of radial positioning allows simultaneous optimization of sealing and torque transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is functionally segmented into a sealing portion (radially inward) and a pressing portion (radially outward). This segmentation allows each portion to be optimally positioned for its specific function, with the sealing portion maintaining close radial proximity to the oil chamber and the pressing portion extending outward to engage friction plates and dampers.
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 capacity, reduces axial length, and improves the absorption of torque variations, enabling more efficient power transmission while minimizing the apparatus's overall size.
Implementation Method 1
a damper having an outer peripheral-side spring and an inner peripheral-side spring
Implementation Method 2
torque vibrations can be effectively absorbed
Implementation Method 3
an engagement-side oil chamber to which hydraulic oil is supplied
Implementation Method 4
hydraulic oil is supplied
Implementation Method 5
a clutch capable of transmitting power input to an input member to an input shaft
Data Source
AI summary
In a hydraulic transmission apparatus, a lockup piston of a lockup clutch mechanism is placed on the opposite side of first and second friction plates from a sidewall portion of a front cover. A damper device is placed on the opposite side of the lockup piston from the first and second friction plates. An outer peripheral portion of the lockup piston is located closer to the outer periphery than an outer peripheral portion of a flange member. A part of the lockup piston is placed in a region located between first and second springs and a third spring of the damper device in a radial direction and in the range of an axial width of the third spring located closer to the lockup piston.