Torque Converter Turbine Shell Integration for Compact Torsional Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional torque converters require additional axial space and components due to the presence of a driven plate, leading to increased manufacturing costs and design constraints.

Innovation Solution

A torque converter design where the turbine shell serves as both a damper stopper and a driven plate, incorporating damper connection parts protruding axially to couple with the torsional damper and supported by elastic members, along with a support clip for enhanced durability and rigidity, and opening holes to reduce fluid pressure differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a driven plate is provided between the torsional damper and the turbine assembly, then the damper stopper function is achieved, but the axial direction space increases and the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamper stopper functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine shell is designed to integrate both the driven plate and damper stopper functions into a single component. The turbine shell includes a damper stopper protrusion that directly engages with the torsional damper, eliminating the need for a separate driven plate while maintaining both the power transmission and damper stopping functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The turbine shell is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the driven plate for power transmission and as the damper stopper for vibration absorption. This universal component approach reduces the total number of parts while achieving multiple technical requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a driven plate is provided between the torsional damper and the turbine assembly, then the damper stopper function is achieved, but the axial direction space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamper stopper functionVSAvoidaxial direction space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine shell integrates the damper stopper function directly into its structure through a protrusion that engages with the torsional damper. This merging eliminates the need for additional axial space that would be required for a separate driven plate while maintaining the damper stopper function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding axial space to accommodate a separate driven plate, the solution utilizes the radial dimension by designing the turbine shell with an integrated protrusion structure. This dimensional shift allows the damper stopper function to be achieved without increasing the axial length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Power

If a driven plate is provided, then the power transmission function is achieved, but manufacturing costs and manufacturing processes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission functionVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The turbine shell is designed as a single integrated component that combines the driven plate and damper stopper functions. This reduction in part count directly decreases manufacturing costs by eliminating separate manufacturing processes, assembly steps, and inventory requirements for multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 number of components, ensures axial space, allows for a more compact and lightweight design, and improves design flexibility while minimizing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a torsional damper coupled to the lock-up clutch and configured to absorb impact and vibration applied in a rotation direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

Two opposite sides of the damper connection part may be respectively supported on two adjacent elastic members among a plurality of elastic members among a plurality of elastic members provided in the torsional damper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

opening holes to reduce fluid pressure differences

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12104683B2Torque converter

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 VALEO KAPEC CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a torque converter. A torque converter according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a front cover, an impeller assembly coupled to the front cover and configured to rotate together with the front cover, a turbine assembly disposed at a position facing the impeller assembly, a lock-up clutch including a piston configured to directly connect the front cover and the turbine assembly, and a torsional damper coupled to the lock-up clutch and configured to absorb impact and vibration applied in a rotation direction, in which a turbine shell provided in the turbine assembly may further include at least one damper connection part protruding in an axial direction toward the torsional damper and bent to be coupled to the torsional damper.