Torque Converter Turbine Preload Elastic Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Torque converters with turbine shells as piston plates face clutch disengagement issues in coast conditions due to turbine thrust, requiring height adjustment shims to control liftoff, which adds cost and complexity, and can result in harsh engagement or failure to engage if assembly tolerances are not met.
Innovation Solution
A torque converter design that uses an elastic element to preload the turbine against the impeller in an equal pressure condition, eliminating the need for shims by stacking components solidly without gaps, ensuring smooth engagement and maintaining contact during axial growth and high rotational speeds, using a cover thrust surface and preload fingers to manage tolerances and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If height adjustment shims are used to control turbine liftoff, then clutch disengagement issues are addressed, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the height adjustment shims from the assembly, eliminating the complex multi-layer stacking structure and replacing it with a direct solid-stop configuration between the impeller and front cover, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining engagement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is pre-compressed between the turbine and front cover to store energy that automatically maintains the turbine-impeller contact pressure, eliminating the need for complex shim adjustments and ensuring reliable engagement without additional control mechanisms
2Reliability
If height adjustment shims are used to control liftoff, then clutch disengagement is controlled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the engagement parameter from pressure-controlled (requiring precise shim thickness) to displacement-controlled (solid-stop configuration), where the impeller directly contacts the front cover, eliminating the need for high-precision tolerance stacking and shim thickness control
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element is pre-compressed to establish a predetermined contact force between the turbine and impeller, ensuring reliable engagement without requiring high-precision assembly tolerances or complex shim adjustments
3Device complexity
If solid-stop assembly is used between impeller and front cover, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a seal element as an intermediary component between the solid-stop assembly surfaces, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact and blocking contamination pathways, thereby maintaining the simplicity of the solid-stop configuration while eliminating contamination risks
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 achieves zero-lift-off clutch engagement, reduces contamination risks, and ensures consistent torque transfer by maintaining contact between the turbine friction material and impeller, even at low apply flow and pressure, enhancing coast engagement and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a damper coupled to the turbine, the damper including an elastic element forcing the turbine against the impeller in an equal pressure condition
Implementation Method 2
The turbine may include a turbine shell having a friction surface and the friction surface may contact the impeller in the equal pressure condition
Data Source
AI summary
A torque converter is provided. The torque converter includes an impeller; a turbine axially movable toward and away from the impeller; and a damper coupled to the turbine, the damper including an elastic element forcing the turbine against the impeller in an equal pressure condition. A method of forming a torque converter is also provided. The method includes forming a damper to include an elastic element; providing the damper inside a front cover so the damper contacts the front cover; and providing axially movable turbine between the damper and an impeller such that the elastic element forces the turbine to engage an impeller in an equal pressure condition.