Torque Converter Space Occupying Member Reduces Startup Fluid Flow Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Torque converters with vibration damping devices have a large axial dimension and a significant air gap between the fluid-operated power transmitting portion and the vibration damping device, leading to a long time required to start a vehicle after it has been stationary for an extended period, as the working fluid takes time to flow into the power transmitting portion due to centrifugal forces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a space occupying member within the torque converter housing between the fluid-operated power transmitting portion and the vibration damping device, which reduces the volume of the space through which the working fluid flows, allowing it to efficiently flow towards the power transmitting portion, thereby reducing startup time. This is achieved by using a wall or annular member that occupies part of the space, often with a concave or curved design to accommodate the fluid-operated power transmitting portion, reducing the gap and enhancing fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration damping device is incorporated into the torque converter, then vibration damping performance is improved, but the axial dimension and volume of space increase, causing longer startup time
Solution Approach 1:
The space between the fluid-operated power transmitting portion and vibration damping device is segmented by introducing a space occupying member (partition wall or annular member). This divides the large axial space into smaller regions, creating a stepped configuration that reduces the fluid flow path length while maintaining the vibration damping function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reducing the axial dimension directly, the invention introduces a radial dimension element (annular member or partition wall extending radially) to occupy space and redirect fluid flow. This dimensional approach creates multiple flow paths and reduces the effective axial distance fluid must travel during startup.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large air gap is maintained between the fluid-operated power transmitting portion and the vibration damping device, then component stability is improved, but working fluid flow time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large air gap is segmented into multiple smaller gaps by introducing partition walls or annular members. These create a stepped space configuration where fluid flows through multiple shorter segments rather than one long path, reducing total fluid travel time while maintaining overall component stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular member is designed with curved surfaces that guide fluid flow smoothly through the space. The curved geometry optimizes fluid pathways, reducing turbulence and flow resistance while maintaining stable component positioning.
3Loss of time
If the space between components is reduced, then startup time is decreased, but component stability and vibration damping effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly reducing the entire axial space, the invention selectively reduces space in specific regions using partition walls or annular members. This creates localized space reduction where it benefits startup performance while preserving adequate spacing in other regions for vibration damping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The space occupying members are positioned strategically to create local space reduction near the fluid-operated power transmitting portion where fluid accumulation is most critical for startup, while maintaining adequate overall spacing for vibration damping functionality.
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
The solution significantly reduces the time required to start a vehicle by ensuring the working fluid is efficiently delivered to the fluid-operated power transmitting portion, while maintaining the stability of the torque converter's operation and reducing the number of components needed.
Implementation Method 1
a working fluid within the torque converter is moved into a radially outer portion of the torque converter due to a centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter includes a housing, and a fluid-operated power transmitting portion and a vibration damping device which are accommodated within the housing and which are disposed around an axis such that the vibration damping device is located adjacent to the fluid-operated power transmitting portion in a direction of the axis, the torque converter further includes a space occupying member which occupies a part of a space formed within the housing and between the fluid-operated power transmitting portion and the vibration damping device. The space occupying member comprises a wall surface facing the fluid-operated power transmitting portion in the direction of the axis. A distance in the direction of the axis between a part of the wall surface and the fluid-operated power transmitting portion is smaller than a distance in the direction of the axis between the part of the wall surface and the vibration damping device.