Torque Converter Damper Assembly With Interlocking Coast Travel Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
The capacity of existing damper assemblies in torque converters is limited in the coast mode due to component geometries and limited spacing, making it challenging to fit all necessary components while meeting durability and performance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly design that includes interlocking travel stops on an intermediate flange and a hub flange, allowing selective compression of springs for drive and coast modes, with a tab configuration that prevents relative rotation between components during coast torque transmission, thereby increasing capacity and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If component geometries are optimized for drive mode capacity, then drive mode performance is improved, but spacing within torque converter envelope is insufficient for coast mode requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic interlocking mechanism allows the system to achieve two different functional configurations within the same physical space. The travel stops and tabs are positioned to engage only under specific loading conditions (coast mode), allowing the components to occupy the same envelope without requiring additional space for separate coast mode components. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the space constraint by making the coast mode capacity enhancement space-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate flange and hub flange assembly serves multiple functions: it transmits drive torque through spring coupling during drive mode, and it provides enhanced coast torque transmission through interlocking travel stops during coast mode. The same physical components perform both functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated coast mode components and thereby resolving the spacing constraint within the torque converter envelope.
2Power
If travel stops are made interlocking to prevent relative rotation during coast torque transmission, then coast mode capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coast mode enhancement feature directly into the existing intermediate flange and hub flange components. The travel stops and tabs are integrated as part of these flanges rather than being separate auxiliary components. This merging approach allows the system to gain improved coast mode capacity while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity, as the additional features are combined with existing structural elements rather than adding entirely new components.
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 enhances the capacity for coast torque transmission by limiting compression of springs and reduces the complexity and cost of the damper assembly while maintaining durability and performance, effectively addressing the space constraints within the torque converter.
Implementation Method 1
The first spring and the second spring are each disposed in the spring window
Data Source
AI summary
A damper assembly for a torque convert includes: a first cover plate; a second cover plate; a first spring; and second spring; an intermediate flange; and a hub flange. The first cover plate is arranged to receive a torque. The second cover plate is non-rotatably connected to the first cover plate. The first cover plate and the second cover plate define a spring window. The first spring and the second spring are each disposed in the spring window and circumferentially spaced from each other. The hub flange is disposed axially between the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The hub flange is directly engaged with the first and second springs and includes a first travel stop. The intermediate flange is disposed axially between the hub flange and the first cover plate. The intermediate flange is directly engaged with the first and second springs and includes a second travel stop having a tab extending axially towards the first cover plate. The tab is engageable with the first travel stop.