Torque Converter Pendulum Absorber Axial Space Optimization
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing torque converters with centrifugal pendulum absorbers face challenges in optimizing axial space usage and vibration reduction in front wheel drive vehicles, where limited axial space restricts the effective placement and performance of damper components.
Innovation Solution
The torque converter design includes a pendulum plate axially disposed between the piston plate and a first damper, with a drive plate fixed to the piston plate and extending through slots in the pendulum plate, and a second damper positioned radially outside the first damper, allowing for improved pendulum mass oscillation and reduced spring rate, while minimizing axial space through strategic component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pendulum plate is axially disposed between the piston plate and the first damper, then the effective inertia of pendulums is increased and vibration reduction is improved, but the axial space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive plate axial tab extends through slots in the pendulum plate, with the pendulum mass and first elastic member axially aligned in a nested configuration. This nesting arrangement allows the pendulum mechanism to occupy the same axial space as the damper components, effectively increasing pendulum inertia without proportionally increasing overall axial length.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from purely radial arrangement to utilizing axial dimension strategically. By disposing the pendulum plate axially between the piston plate and first damper, and aligning the pendulum mass axially with the elastic member, the design exploits axial space more efficiently to achieve greater pendulum inertia while controlling overall axial footprint.
2Length of moving object
If the second damper is positioned radially outside the first damper, then axial space is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design resolves axial space constraints by transitioning to radial arrangement. The second damper is positioned radially outside the first damper, utilizing the radial dimension to accommodate additional damping components without increasing axial length. This multi-dimensional spatial utilization minimizes axial footprint while managing complexity through systematic radial stacking.
3Power
If the drive plate axial tab extends through the pendulum plate slots, then the spring rate of the damper is lowered and torque transmission efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive plate is segmented into a first portion fixed to the piston plate and an axial tab extending through the pendulum plate. This segmentation allows the axial tab to pass through slots in the pendulum plate, creating a flexible connection that lowers the effective spring rate of the damper assembly. The tab-s slot interface provides mechanical compliance that improves torque transmission by reducing stiffness while distributing manufacturing tolerances across multiple features.
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 enhances performance by increasing the effective inertia of pendulums, lowering the spring rate of the damper, and reducing axial space requirements, effectively reducing vibrations and improving torque transmission efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
torque converter with a centrifugal pendulum absorber
Implementation Method 2
pendulum mass oscillate relative to the pendulum plate
Implementation Method 3
The first damper includes a first elastic member and a first flange drivingly engaged with the first elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter includes a cover, a piston plate, a first damper, a pendulum plate, and a drive plate. The cover forms at least a portion of a housing for the torque converter. The piston plate includes a friction surface for clutching engagement with the cover. The first damper includes a first elastic member and a first flange drivingly engaged with the first elastic member. The pendulum plate is axially disposed between the piston plate and the first flange and includes first slots arranged for supporting a pendulum mass. The drive plate includes a first portion fixed to the piston plate and an axial tab extending through the pendulum plate to engage the first flange.