Machine element or mechanism – Rotary member or shaft indexing – e.g. – tool or work turret – Preselected indexed position
Patent
1980-05-12
1984-01-17
Staab, Lawrence J.
Machine element or mechanism
Rotary member or shaft indexing, e.g., tool or work turret
Preselected indexed position
74390, 74803, 74801, 74411, F16H 128
Patent
active
044258259
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to gearing, and more particularly to a compact mechanism for effecting a speed change of the input drive to a torque converter.
2. Background Art
In many vehicle power trains the output end of the engine is closely coupled to the input end of a transmission. Since a hydrodynamic torque converter is located at the front end of many power shaft transmissions, this places the engine flywheel or other engine output member in closely disposed proximity to the input member of the torque converter.
Furthermore, it can be appreciated that it is sometimes difficult to correctly match the output speed and performance of a particular engine with the operating characteristics of one torque converter or a relatively limited number of different sized torque converters. Rather than increasing the size of the torque converter in order to better match a given engine. which can be a relatively costly solution, it has been found desirable to increase the speed of the input member that drives that torque converter. Such a change in the input speed can be accomplished by utilizing a conventional transfer gear system between the driving engine and the driven torque converter, but this can be an excessively costly solution.
Still another problem arises in many power trains wherein the amount of available space is limited for providing either a transfer gear system of conventional construction or an increased size torque converter. This is especially true for vehicle drive power trains where space is at a premium.
Therefore, what is needed is a compact and economical mechanism for speeding up or slowing down the input drive to a torque converter from a driving power source of preselected physical characteristics. For example, speeding up the input member of a torque converter by only about 10 to 15% can obviate the need for a torque converter of greater capacity of can result in a much improved vehicle operating efficiency.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a drive apparatus of the type having a driving ring gear rotatable about a first axis and a driven torque converter, includes a speed change mechanism having a driven ring gear connected to the torque converter, and support means for rotatably supporting the driven ring gear on a second axis offset from the first axis, and with the ring gears being in meshed engagement and having a preselected tooth differential for effecting a speed change therebetween.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention an improved drive apparatus is provided including a speed change mechanism for increasing the input speed to a torque converter without utilizing a complex transfer gear arrangement at the input thereof. The speed change mechanism is desirably arranged to occupy a minimum volume. While a speed-up geared input mechanism is disclosed, the present invention is also applicable to reducing the input speed to a torque converter member.
More specifically, the invention comprehends providing a drive apparatus having a driving member rotatable about a first axis, a torque converter having a rotatable input member, and a speed change mechanism. The speed change mechanism includes a support member having first and second portions, a driving ring gear rotatable coaxially with the driving member, and wherein the first portion of the support member is journalled in the driving member on the first axis. Retaining means are provided for preventing rotation of the support member, and a bearing assembly on the second portion of the support member defines a second axis spaced parallel to the first axis. A driven ring gear is rotatably carried by the bearing assembly and is meshed with the driving ring gear, and the driven gear is drivingly connected to the converter input member.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining means permits a small amount of play of the support member relative to the housing. The retaining means includes a fixed support and a link pivotally conne
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Chambers Robert O.
Ogden Marion E.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Lanchantin, Jr. Charles E.
Rolnicki Joseph M.
Staab Lawrence J.
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