Torque Converter Lock-up Device Axial Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-plate type lock-up devices for torque converters face challenges in reducing their axial space due to the arrangement of the piston and oil chamber, which limits their compactness.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a clutch part between the front cover and turbine with a damper mechanism, featuring a lock-up oil chamber plate and piston that moves axially to press clutch plates together, reducing axial dimension by forming the lock-up oil chamber between the front cover and turbine, and includes an annular boss for oil supply, enhancing responsiveness in switching between lock-up states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the piston and oil chamber are arranged in the conventional multi-plate type lock-up device, then the clutch capacity is increased, but the axial space cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the arrangement dimension of the piston and oil chamber from the radial direction to the axial direction. The lock-up oil chamber is formed between the front cover and the turbine in the axial direction, and the piston is disposed within this chamber, allowing axial space reduction while maintaining clutch capacity through optimized multi-plate arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is nested within the lock-up oil chamber that is formed between the front cover and the turbine. The clutch plates are arranged between the piston and the turbine, creating a compact nested structure where multiple components occupy overlapping spatial regions, thereby reducing the overall axial dimension while maintaining functional integrity.
2Reliability
If the piston is moved toward the turbine to press clutch plates, then the lock-up state is achieved, but the axial dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the piston toward the turbine to achieve lock-up, the invention inverts the arrangement by forming the lock-up oil chamber between the front cover and the turbine, with the piston disposed within this chamber. The piston moves axially within the confined space of the oil chamber, pressing clutch plates without increasing overall axial dimension.
3Power
If multiple clutch plates are used to increase clutch capacity, then the torque transmission capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple clutch plates, piston, oil chamber, and supporting structures into a compact integrated assembly. The multi-plate clutch structure is combined with the piston-driven oil chamber system in such a way that multiple components work together in a unified compact configuration, achieving high clutch capacity without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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 effectively reduces the axial dimension of the lock-up device while maintaining stable torque transmission and responsiveness, suppressing drag torque during state switching and ensuring 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 plural clutch plates
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of torsion springs configured to elastically couple the power transmission plate and the turbine
Implementation Method 3
The damper mechanism is configured to transmit the torque from the clutch part to the turbine and 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 part and a damper mechanism. The clutch part includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, a drive plate, a driven plate, a second flange and a piston. The second flange is mounted between a front cover and an inner peripheral part of a turbine to be axially immovable with respect to the front cover, and forms a lock-up oil chamber. The piston is mounted between the front cover and the second flange, forms a lock-up oil chamber together with the second flange therebetween, and is configured to be moved toward the front cover by an operating oil to be supplied to the lock-up oil chamber.