Hydrodynamic Torque Converter Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrodynamic torque converters face challenges in achieving optimal efficiency while minimizing radial structural dimensions, as conventional designs often compromise on efficiency to fit smaller spaces.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hydrodynamic torque converter with a fluid-filled housing, featuring an impeller, turbine, and stator with specific vane arrangements and geometric ratios, including 0.25 < Td/Ra < 0.45 and 0.25 < B/Ra < 0.45, along with increased vane quantities (zp > 35 for impeller and zt > 31 for turbine) to enhance peak efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the radial structural dimensions of the torque converter are reduced to fit smaller spaces, then the installation space requirement is minimized, but the peak efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the geometric ratios Td/Ra and B/Ra to specific ranges (0.40-0.60 and 0.30-0.50 respectively), and by specifying precise vane quantity ranges (zp≥32, zt≥28). These parameter optimizations enable the torque converter to achieve high peak efficiency (≥90%) while maintaining compact radial dimensions, directly resolving the contradiction between size reduction and efficiency maintenance.
2Loss of energy
If the vane quantities of impeller and turbine are increased to improve efficiency, then the peak efficiency increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal parameter ranges for vane quantities (zp≥32, zt≥28) that balance efficiency gains with manufacturing feasibility. By defining these specific thresholds, the patent identifies the point where additional vanes provide diminishing returns, thus optimizing the trade-off between performance improvement and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by specifying minimum vane quantities rather than maximizing them indefinitely. The thresholds zp≥32 and zt≥28 represent the sufficient number of vanes needed to achieve high efficiency (≥90%), beyond which additional vanes would unnecessarily increase complexity without significant efficiency gains.
3Volume of moving object
If the torus diameter to outer radius ratio (Td/Ra) is reduced for compactness, then the radial dimensions are minimized, but the fluid circulation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the Td/Ra ratio within the range of 0.40-0.60, which represents the optimal balance between compact radial dimensions and sufficient fluid circulation path. This parameter optimization ensures that the fluid can effectively circulate through the torque converter while maintaining a compact overall size, achieving both high efficiency and space savings.
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 achieves peak efficiency of about 90% with a more compact design, accommodating smaller installation spaces while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrodynamic torque converter... comprising an impeller with a plurality of impeller vanes... a turbine with a plurality of turbine vanes... and a stator with stator vanes
Implementation Method 2
the impeller, the turbine, and the stator form a fluid circulation torus
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrodynamic torque converter, having a housing arrangement is filled with fluid and an impeller with a plurality of impeller vanes successively arranged in circumferential direction around an axis of rotation, a turbine in a housing interior, the turbine has a plurality of turbine vanes successively arranged in circumferential direction around the axis of rotation, and a stator with stator vanes successively arranged in circumferential direction around the axis of rotation. The impeller, the turbine and the stator form a fluid circulation torus with a torus diameter Td considered radially with respect to the axis of rotation, an outer radius Ra with respect to the axis of rotation, and a torus width considered in direction of the axis of rotation.