Torque Converter Damper With Segmented Elastic Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque converters with turbine mass absorbers face challenges in maintaining a consistent torque transmission slope during transitions between drive and coast modes, leading to inefficiencies and potential performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly with drive and coast side elastic elements, along with a lash element, is designed to maintain a constant torque curve slope by engaging the turbine with a connection plate, ensuring efficient torque transmission in both directions, and a bushing with a low-friction coating and radial taper for improved assembly and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single elastic element is used to transmit torque to the turbine, then the structure is simple, but the torque curve slope becomes inconsistent during transitions between drive and coast modes
Solution Approach 1:
The single elastic element is divided into two separate elastic elements: a drive-side elastic element and a coast-side elastic element. Each element is specialized for its respective direction of torque transmission, allowing independent optimization of their mechanical properties. This segmentation enables consistent torque curve slopes in both drive and coast modes without compromising structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-side and coast-side elastic elements are designed with different local properties optimized for their specific functions. The drive-side element has characteristics optimized for driving engagement, while the coast-side element has characteristics optimized for coasting engagement. This local quality differentiation ensures consistent torque transmission characteristics in both operational modes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If elastic elements are preloaded in a compressed state, then the dampers are biased toward the driven position, but the transition between drive and coast modes may experience inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The drive-side and coast-side elastic elements are preloaded with equal and opposite forces, creating a balanced system where the net force on the turbine assembly is zero in the neutral position. This counterbalancing approach ensures that the dampers are equally biased toward the driven position in both drive and coast modes, enabling smooth and consistent transitions between modes without position inconsistency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the turbine is freely rotatable relative to the connection plate, then the torque transmission is flexible, but torque capacity is reduced when exceeding spring set capacity
Solution Approach 1:
Lash elements are pre-positioned between the turbine and connection plate to engage when the spring sets reach their capacity. These lash elements are arranged to automatically engage and transmit torque when needed, providing a preliminary mechanical linkage that activates only when the elastic elements are fully compressed or extended. This ensures torque capacity is maintained during high-load conditions while preserving flexibility during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lash elements act as intermediary mechanical linkages between the turbine and connection plate. They remain disengaged during normal torque transmission, allowing the elastic elements to provide flexible torque transmission. When the spring sets reach their capacity, the lash elements engage as intermediaries to maintain torque transmission capability, thus preserving both flexibility and torque capacity across the full operating range.
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 ensures a consistent torque transmission slope across drive and coast modes, enhancing the performance and durability of the torque converter by maintaining efficient torque transfer and reducing friction and heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
a drive side elastic element arranged for transmitting torque to a turbine for the torque converter in a first direction and a coast side elastic element, separate from the drive side elastic element, arranged for transmitting torque to the turbine in a second direction opposite the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a bushing with a low-friction coating and radial taper for improved assembly and sealing
Data Source
AI summary
A piston plate assembly for a torque converter comprising: an aperture including a chamfer portion; and, a bushing installed in the aperture and including a radius portion proximate the chamfer portion, wherein the bushing is arranged to seal the piston directly to a transmission input shaft and the radius portion is arranged to ease assembly of the bushing onto the input shaft.