Torque Converter Lock-Up Device Axial Dimension Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lock-up devices for torque converters face challenges in reducing their axial space due to the arrangement of components, which affects their compactness and responsiveness in switching between lock-up states.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a clutch portion between the front cover and turbine with a damper mechanism, featuring a disc-shaped oil chamber plate and a piston that forms oil chambers for lock-up actuation and releasing, allowing for axial immobility and reduced axial dimension, along with an annular boss for oil supply and a clutch output member with radial and axial contact parts for efficient power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the clutch portion and power transmission plate are disposed between the front cover and turbine inner peripheral part, then the radial arrangement is optimized, but the axial space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the oil chamber plate to be axially immovable with respect to the front cover, changing the dimensional arrangement from axial stacking to radial positioning. This allows the clutch portion to be disposed between the front cover and turbine inner peripheral part in the radial direction, optimizing radial space utilization while reducing axial dimension through the concentrated arrangement of the piston and oil chambers.
2Device complexity
If conventional arrangement of piston and oil chamber is used, then component support is simplified, but axial dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil chamber plate with the front cover by making it axially immovable with respect to the front cover. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate axial positioning mechanisms for the oil chamber plate, simplifying component support while reducing the overall axial dimension of the lock-up device.
3Length of stationary object
If axial space is reduced through component rearrangement, then compactness is improved, but responsiveness in switching between lock-up states may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized oil chambers with concentrated arrangement - a first oil chamber between the piston and oil chamber plate for lock-up actuation and a second oil chamber between the piston and front cover for lock-up releasing. This local concentration of hydraulic actuation spaces ensures rapid pressure build-up and release, maintaining high responsiveness despite reduced overall axial dimension.
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 reduces the axial dimension of the lock-up device, enhances responsiveness in switching between lock-up states, and simplifies the power transmission path using fewer components, while maintaining stable lock-up torque capacity.
Implementation Method 1
When hydraulic pressure is supplied to the back of the piston, the piston is moved toward the clutch plates
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of torsion springs supported by the drive plate; and a driven plate elastically coupled to the piston and the drive plate by the plural torsion springs
Implementation Method 3
The damper mechanism is configured to transmit the torque from the clutch portion to the turbine, while being configured to absorb and attenuate a torsional vibration
Implementation Method 4
The clutch plates are thereby pressed against each other. Accordingly, a lock-up state (power transmitted state) is produced
Data Source
AI summary
A lock-up device includes a clutch portion and a damper mechanism. The clutch portion includes a clutch output member, a clutch plate, an oil chamber plate having a disc shape and a piston. The oil chamber plate is disposed between a front cover and an inner peripheral part of a turbine, while being axially immovable with respect to the front cover. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the oil chamber plate while being axially movable. The piston forms a first oil chamber for lock-up actuation together with the oil chamber plate, and forms a second oil chamber for lock-up releasing together with the front cover.