Torque Converter Damper Radial Positioning via Turbine Shell

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing torque converter designs with lock-up devices require additional components for radial positioning of the damper mechanism, leading to increased manufacturing costs and rotor imbalance.

Innovation Solution

A torque converter design that utilizes the outer peripheral surface of the turbine shell for radial positioning of the damper portion, eliminating the need for additional positioning components and reducing the number of components, while also enabling axial positioning through a tubular part with radial and axial positioning surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an input plate support member is used to radially position the damper mechanism, then the damper mechanism can be properly positioned, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial positioning of damper mechanismVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine shell is designed to integrate both the function of supporting the damper mechanism and providing radial positioning. The outer peripheral surface of the turbine shell directly supports the holder plate, eliminating the need for a separate input plate support member. This merging of functions reduces component count while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The turbine shell is given multiple functions: it contains the turbine blades, supports the damper mechanism, and provides radial positioning through its outer peripheral surface. By making the turbine shell a multi-functional component, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated positioning components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If additional positioning components are added to the lock-up device, then radial positioning is achieved, but rotor imbalance amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial positioningVSAvoidrotor imbalance amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is merged into the turbine shell structure itself. The outer peripheral surface of the turbine shell serves as the positioning surface for the holder plate, eliminating separate positioning components that would add weight and create imbalance. This integration maintains positioning precision while minimizing rotor imbalance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If a separate positioning component is used for the damper mechanism, then radial positioning is ensured, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial positioning of damper portionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine shell is designed to perform both structural support and radial positioning functions. By integrating the positioning function into the existing turbine shell rather than adding a separate component, the patent reduces part count and assembly complexity, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while ensuring proper radial positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design simplifies the construction, reduces component count, and minimizes rotor imbalance, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and improving the torque converter's operational stability.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of elastic members elastically couple the clutch portion and the output-side member in a rotational direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The damper mechanism is configured to transmit the torque from the clutch portion to the turbine and absorb and attenuate torsional vibration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional vibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10082197B2Torque converter

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 EXEDY CORP

AI summary

A torque converter includes a torque converter body and a lock-up device. The torque converter body includes an impeller, a turbine having a turbine shell, and a stator. The lock-up device directly transmits a torque from a front cover to the turbine, and includes a damper portion and a clutch portion to which the torque from the front cover is inputted. The damper portion includes an output-side member, a plurality of elastic members and a holder plate. The output-side member is coupled to the turbine shell. The plurality of elastic members elastically couple the clutch portion and the output-side member in a rotational direction. The holder plate is rotatable relatively to the output-side member, and holds the plurality of elastic members. The holder plate is supported at an inner peripheral end thereof by an outer peripheral surface of the turbine shell and positions the damper portion in a radial direction.