Torque Converter Damper Assembly Without Separate Spring Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional damper assemblies in torque converters require spring seats, increasing raw material costs due to the need for additional components.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly design that includes an outer spring, an inner spring coaxial with the outer spring, and a retaining plate with upper and lower spring guides and supports, which directly contact the axial ends of both springs, eliminating the need for spring seats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spring seats are used to support the springs, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the raw material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spring support function directly into the retaining plate by creating integrated support features (such as recesses or contact surfaces) that eliminate the need for separate spring seats. This merging of functions reduces the number of components and raw material usage while maintaining the structural integrity needed to support the springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spring seat component from the assembly by incorporating its support function directly into the retaining plate structure. This removal of the unnecessary component reduces raw material cost while the retaining plate's integrated features maintain the required structural support.
2Quantity of substance
If spring seats are eliminated to reduce material cost, then raw material cost decreases, but the ability to support springs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring support function is merged into the retaining plate through integrated features such as recesses, grooves, or contact surfaces that are formed as part of the retaining plate structure. This eliminates separate spring seats while maintaining adequate support capability for the springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining plate incorporates localized support features at specific positions where spring contact is needed. These local structural modifications provide the necessary support capability without requiring additional components throughout the entire assembly, thus reducing overall material usage while maintaining spring support functionality.
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 reduces material costs by supporting the springs without the need for spring seats, enhancing the damper's ability to absorb torque vibrations while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The damper may include an outer spring and an inner spring coaxial with the outer spring
Data Source
AI summary
A damper for a torque converter is disclosed. The damper includes an outer spring and an inner spring coaxial with the outer spring; and a retaining plate to retain the outer spring and the inner spring. The retaining plate includes an upper spring guide, a lower spring guide, an outer spring support, and an inner spring support, wherein the upper spring guide extends substantially around an outer periphery of the retaining plate, the lower spring guide extends around an inner periphery of the retaining plate, the outer spring support directly contacts axial ends of the outer spring and the inner spring, and the inner spring support directly contacts the axial ends of the outer spring and the inner spring.