Hydrokinetic Torque Coupling Bracing Member Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydrodynamic torque converter faces challenges in accurately controlling the position of the turbine wheel due to dimension tolerance issues and generates significant frictional torque, which can lead to damage and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A bracing member is introduced to limit the axial motion of the turbine wheel, allowing it to rest on a single part, reducing friction and improving position control, and is made of polymer material to minimize contact stress with metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the turbine wheel rests on a large area of the cover through multiple parts, then the position of the turbine wheel is limited, but the frictional torque increases significantly and position control accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracing member is divided into multiple lugs (at least two, preferably three or four) distributed around the circumference. Each lug contacts the turbine wheel at a specific point, segmenting the contact area from a large continuous surface to discrete point contacts. This segmentation reduces the total frictional torque while maintaining position control through the distributed lugs.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact between the bracing member and turbine wheel is localized to specific points at the lugs rather than a large area. The lugs are positioned at optimized locations around the circumference to provide effective position control. This local contact quality reduces friction while maintaining the necessary mechanical constraint.
2Reliability
If the turbine wheel rests on a large area of the cover, then the motion is limited, but the dimension tolerance accumulation reduces position control accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The bracing member with multiple lugs segments the position control function across several discrete contact points rather than relying on a single large contact area. This segmentation reduces the accumulation of dimension tolerances because each lug can be independently positioned and the overall position control is distributed across multiple points.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it limits axial motion of the turbine wheel, provides position control through distributed lugs, and reduces friction through point contacts. The multi-functional design improves position control accuracy while avoiding the tolerance accumulation issues of single-contact designs.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a bracing member with multiple lugs is used, then the frictional torque is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracing member integrates multiple lugs into a single monolithic component that is directly attached to the cover. This merging of multiple contact elements into one piece reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the low-friction benefits of multiple point contacts. The lugs are formed as an integral part of the bracing member structure.
4Device complexity
If the turbine wheel is directly coupled to the cover, then the structure is simple, but the frictional torque is high and service life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracing member with multiple lugs acts as an intermediary element between the turbine wheel and the cover. Instead of direct contact between these components, the lugs mediate the interaction by providing point contacts that reduce frictional torque. This intermediary structure extends service life while maintaining structural integrity.
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 bracing member effectively limits turbine wheel motion, reduces friction, and increases the service life of the hydrokinetic coupling device by accurately controlling the turbine wheel's position and distributing stress, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
the large area whereon the mentioned above guiding washer rests on the cover generates a significant frictional torque in operation
Implementation Method 2
a bracing member axially extending between the turbine wheel and a part of the cover, with the bracing member being adapted to limit the axial motion of the turbine wheel
Implementation Method 3
is made of polymer material to minimize contact stress with metal components
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrokinetic torque coupling device for a motor vehicle comprises an impeller wheel intended to be coupled to a crankshaft and adapted to hydrokinetically rotate a turbine wheel. The impeller wheel rotationally coupled to a cover at least partially accommodating the impeller wheel, the turbine wheel and the reactor. The turbine wheel is axially moves between an engaged position in which the turbine wheel and the impeller wheel are axially moved closer to each other and rotationally coupled together, and a disengaged position in which the turbine wheel and the impeller wheel are axially moved away from each other and rotationally uncoupled. The device comprises a bracing member axially extending between the turbine wheel and a part of the cover, with the bracing member being adapted to limit the axial motion of the turbine wheel toward the above-mentioned part of the cover, opposite the turbine wheel.