Torque Converter Dynamic Damper for Compact Lockup Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing torque converters with two dampers in a torque transmission path face challenges in ensuring sufficient inertial mass, adequate damping performance, and cost-effectiveness, often resulting in complex shapes and increased production costs, while also struggling to minimize axial dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A torque converter design featuring a dynamic damper with an inertial rotating body and elastic member, where the inertial rotating body is formed by mounting a weight member on a ring-shaped inertia plate sandwiched between retaining plates, and the elastic member is positioned between the inertia plate and the retaining plates, with a claw part engaging the first damper spring to reduce axial length and simplify the shape, allowing for the use of identical materials for inertia and driven plates and employing a general pressing method to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the inertia ring is formed by extending the outer periphery of a retaining plate, then the inertial mass can be increased, but the shape becomes complicated and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial rotating body is divided into two separate components: a ring-shaped inertia plate and a weight member. The inertia plate is a simple ring structure that does not extend the retaining plate, while the weight member is mounted on the outer periphery to provide the necessary inertial mass. This segmentation allows each component to have a simple, manufacturable shape while achieving the required functional performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If a cylindrical fitted part is added to position the inertia ring, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the axial dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is extracted from a cylindrical fitted part that would extend axially, and instead implemented through a claw part that engages with the inertia plate through its thickness. The claw part protrudes radially from the retaining plate and interacts with the inertia plate's inner peripheral surface, providing accurate positioning without requiring additional axial length.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the claw part engages deeply with the inertia plate to prevent excessive rotation, then rotational control is improved, but the axial dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement between the claw part and inertia plate is moved from an axial interaction to a radial interaction. The claw part protrudes radially from the retaining plate and engages with the inner peripheral surface of the inertia plate, allowing effective rotational control through radial geometry rather than axial stacking. This dimensional change enables rotational restraint without increasing 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 design ensures a sufficient inertial mass at a lower production cost, reduces the axial dimension of the torque converter, improves damping performance, and extends the lifespan of the elastic members by preventing excessive loads, while maintaining the simplicity of the inertial rotating body and reducing the radial dimension.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic member being provided between the inertia plate and the pair of retaining plates
Implementation Method 2
the inertial rotating body being formed by mounting a weight member on an outer peripheral part of an inertia plate
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter includes first and second dampers disposed in a torque transmission path during lockup, and a dynamic damper attached to the torque transmission path between the first and second dampers. The dynamic damper includes an inertial rotating body having a weight member mounted on an outer peripheral part of an inertia plate sandwiched between a pair of retaining plates, and an elastic member provided between the inertia plate and the retaining plates. A claw part is provided on one of the retaining plates disposed on a side opposite to the clutch constituent member with respect to the inertia plate. The first damper spring is sandwiched between the claw part and the clutch constituent member, and an elongated hole is formed in the inertia plate, the elongated hole extending lengthwise in a peripheral direction of the inertia plate while the claw part is inserted through the elongated hole.