Torque Converter Damper Assembly With Turbine-Linked Vibration Absorber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrodynamic torque converters in vehicle drive trains face challenges in reducing torsional vibrations while minimizing assembly space, which is particularly restrictive in transverse drive units with internal combustion engines and transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A hydrodynamic torque converter design featuring a turbine-driven torsional vibration damper with multiple damper stages and a lock-up clutch, where a torsional vibration absorber is integrated between the damper stages, allowing for a compact configuration by sharing components and optimizing the placement of energy accumulators and absorber masses to reduce axial space, while also functioning as both a series and turbine damper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple damper stages and a torsional vibration absorber are integrated into a single compact damper, then the assembly space requirement is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the integration of multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple damper stages (first and second damper stages) and a torsional vibration absorber into a single integrated torsional vibration damper. The absorber masses are mounted on a mounting part that is non-rotatably connected to the turbine, while the damper stages are disposed between the lock-up clutch and output hub. This merging of multiple vibration damping functions into one component reduces the overall assembly space while managing the inherent complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated torsional vibration damper serves multiple functions: it acts as a series damper through the damper stages, as a turbine damper through the connection to the turbine, and as a torsional vibration absorber through the mounted absorber masses. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate components, thereby reducing assembly space requirements in the torque converter.
2Device complexity
If the torsional vibration damper is designed to serve both as a series damper and a turbine damper, then the number of components is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The torsional vibration damper is designed with dual functionality: it operates as a series damper when the lock-up clutch is engaged and as a turbine damper when the lock-up clutch is disengaged. The damper stages are disposed between the lock-up clutch and output hub, while the absorber masses are mounted on a part connected to the turbine. This design reduces the number of separate components needed while the manufacturing complexity is managed through the unified structural design that accommodates both damping modes.
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 design achieves effective torsional vibration damping in a smaller assembly space, resulting in a lighter and narrower torque converter with enhanced damping capacity and reduced axial dimensions, allowing for closer integration with other components like the lock-up clutch and flex plate.
Implementation Method 1
through compression of energy accumulators, the energy is temporarily stored at torque peaks and released to the output part at torque troughs
Implementation Method 2
absorber masses are disposed tiltably on raceways extending in circumferential- and radially direction and hence the inertial moment of the mounting part is varied depending on vibration influences
Implementation Method 3
a torsional vibration absorber, for instance a centrifugal force pendulum
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter having an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel and an oscillation damper which is accommodated in the converter housing, and a converter lockup clutch. Two damper stages are arranged here as a serial damper between the output hub of the torque converter and the converter lockup clutch, and a damper stage is arranged between the turbine wheel and the output hub. In order to improve the damping properties, a rotary oscillation absorber is additionally provided which is arranged between the dampers and is also connected to the turbine wheel in a rotationally fixed fashion.