Torque Converter Flow-Guiding Wall for Bridging Clutch Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrodynamic torque converters face issues with heat accumulation and increased wear in the bridging clutch due to inadequate cooling, leading to potential damage from excessive heat intake during slipping operations.
Innovation Solution
A hydrodynamic torque converter design featuring a flow-guiding wall that deflects radially outward hydraulic fluid flow inwardly into an intermediate space, where it can be efficiently removed through an outlet opening, thereby minimizing heat transfer to temperature-sensitive components and reducing wear on the bridging clutch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hydraulic fluid lines are arranged on the suction side and pressure side respectively, then cooling efficiency is improved, but design flexibility is reduced due to spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
A flow-guiding wall is introduced as an intermediary element to redirect the hydraulic fluid flow. This wall acts as a mediator between the torus and the bridging clutch, guiding the fluid flow away from the clutch area while maintaining the spatial arrangement required by the transmission design. The flow-guiding wall enables thermal management without requiring changes to the overall line arrangement.
2Temperature
If hydraulic fluid flow is allowed to reach the bridging clutch for cooling, then cooling coverage is improved, but heat intake by the clutch increases during slipping operation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-guiding wall creates localized flow differentiation. In the area of the bridging clutch, the fluid flow is redirected away to prevent heat intake during slipping operation. In other areas, the fluid continues to provide cooling. This local modification of fluid flow quality allows the system to avoid harmful thermal effects on the clutch while maintaining cooling elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid, which carries heat from the torus, is redirected by the flow-guiding wall to flow through intermediate spaces rather than directly over the bridging clutch. This converts the potentially harmful hot fluid into a beneficial cooling agent for other components while protecting the clutch from thermal damage.
3Reliability
If additional cooling structures are added to protect the bridging clutch, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-guiding wall serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the hydraulic fluid flow away from the bridging clutch, creates intermediate spaces for flow management, and acts as a structural element within the converter housing. This multi-functionality provides clutch protection without requiring separate dedicated cooling structures, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity.
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 effectively cools the bridging clutch, reduces wear on friction linings, and maintains low production costs by directing hot hydraulic fluid away from sensitive components, preventing thermal overheating and extending the clutch's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a flow-guiding wall is arranged in the housing which is specially designed to deflect a flow of the hydraulic fluid emerging radially outward from the torus during the operation of the torque converter, radially inward toward the intermediate space
Implementation Method 2
the hydraulic fluid which predominantly absorbs the heat losses generated thereby
Implementation Method 3
Heat energy is produced in particular in the hydrodynamic torus of the converter and by friction work in the bridging clutch
Implementation Method 4
a torsion damper... The torsion damper serves to damp torsion fluctuations between the input and output sides of the torsion damper
Implementation Method 5
The torsion damper serves to damp torsion fluctuations
Implementation Method 6
In the hydrodynamic operation of the torque converter a drive input power is transmitted by means of hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 7
The pump wheel and the turbine wheel form a torus for hydraulic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrodynamic torque converter (1) with a pump wheel (3) and with a turbine wheel (4), and with a torsion damper (8) and with an intermediate space (12) located between the turbine wheel (4) and the torsion damper (8), and with a torus formed by the pump wheel (3) and the turbine wheel (4) for hydraulic fluid. A flow-guiding wall (14) is provided, which deflects a radially outward flow of hydraulic fluid coming from the torus, back radially inward to the intermediate space (12).