Torque Converter Lock-Up Clspring Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque converters face challenges in reducing the duration of the clutch engaging phase and increasing the torque transmission capacity, while maintaining a normally closed configuration and minimizing piston deformation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of assistance means, such as elastic washers or Belleville washers, to exert axial stress on the piston, facilitating quicker engagement and increased torque transmission, along with elastic damping means and a pivotable torque output element to manage vibrations and filtration quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If assistance means are added to exert axial stress on the piston, then clutch engaging time is reduced and torque transmission capacity is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An assistance spring is introduced as an intermediary element between the piston and the torque input element. This spring exerts an axial stress on the piston to actively assist its movement toward the engaged position, thereby reducing clutch engaging time without requiring complex control systems or additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The assistance spring modifies the axial stress parameter acting on the piston during engagement. By changing the force parameter through the spring's elastic properties, the piston's movement speed and engagement characteristics are improved, achieving faster clutch engagement and increased torque transmission capacity.
2Power
If assistance means are added to exert axial stress on the piston, then torque transmission capacity is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assistance spring serves as a passive intermediary that stores and releases elastic energy to augment the torque transmission capability. By pre-compressing the spring during disengagement and allowing it to expand during engagement, the system achieves higher torque transmission capacity without requiring active control mechanisms or additional power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The assistance spring is pre-compressed during the disengaged state, storing elastic potential energy in advance. When engagement is required, this pre-stored energy is rapidly released to assist the piston movement, enabling the clutch to handle higher torque loads during engagement without requiring a larger or more complex clutch structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If piston thickness is reduced to minimize deformation, then pressure balance is improved, but piston strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The assistance spring provides a counteracting force that balances the pressure differential acting on the piston. By exerting an axial stress in the opposite direction to the pressure difference, the spring compensates for the reduced structural stiffness of a thinner piston, maintaining pressure balance without requiring excessive piston thickness that would compromise responsiveness.
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 reduces clutch engaging time by up to 40% and increases torque transmission by 35% compared to prior art, while maintaining a normally closed configuration and minimizing piston deformation through balanced pressures and reduced thickness and mass.
Implementation Method 1
The assistance means may be elastic means able to exert an elastic return stress. In this case, the assistance means may consist of at least one washer elastically deformable in the axial direction.
Implementation Method 2
The damping means comprise an elastic leaf, rotationally connected with the torque output element or respectively the torque input element, with the elastic leaf being able to be elastically and radially held to rest on a supporting member
Implementation Method 3
the elastic leaf being able to bend upon rotation of the torque input element relative to the torque output element
Implementation Method 4
the torque generated by the crankshaft is transmitted to the cover, and then to the piston friction-coupled to said cover
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a torque transmitting device (1) including a torque input element (5). coupled to a crankshaft of an engine, and a torque output element (8) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft. The torque transmitting device also includes a damper (13, 17) and a clutch (20, 18) mounted between the torque input element (5) and the torque output element (8). The clutch includes a piston (20) axially movable from an engaged position in which the torque input element (5) is rotationally coupled to the torque output element (8) through the damper (13, 17), and a disengaged position. The clutch further includes an assistance mechanism (24) able to exert an axial force tending to return the clutch piston (20) to the engaged position thereof.