192 clutches and power-stop control – Vortex-flow drive and clutch – Including drive-lockup clutch
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-03
2004-04-27
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Vortex-flow drive and clutch
Including drive-lockup clutch
C192S070180, C192S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06725988
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a hydrodynamic clutch device, particularly a hydrodynamic torque converter or fluid coupling, comprising a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the housing arrangement so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing arrangement about an axis of rotation, a lockup clutch arrangement by means of which a torque-transmitting connection can be selectively produced between the housing arrangement and the turbine wheel, wherein the lockup clutch arrangement comprises a clutch element which is connected by a connection arrangement to the housing arrangement so as to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation but axially displaceable relative to it, wherein the connection arrangement comprises at least one elastically deformable connection element which is fixedly connected with the housing arrangement on the one hand and with the clutch element on the other hand.
2. Description of the Related Art
DE 195 81 383 T1 discloses a hydrodynamic clutch device in which a clutch component of a lockup clutch arrangement, that is, for example, a clutch piston, is arranged on a housing hub element such that its radial inner area is movable axially, particularly in a tight manner. In the radial central area, a connection arrangement produces a driving connection between a housing cover of the housing arrangement and the clutch element so as to prevent relative rotation between the housing cover and clutch element. For this purpose, an elastic connection element which is constructed in all approximately ring-shaped manner is provided, wherein individual connection arm portions of this elastic connection element project radially inward and in circumferential direction. In the area of the connection arm portions, a connection is provided to the clutch element by riveting and a rivet connection to the housing cover is provided in the area of body portions located therebetween.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a hydrodynamic clutch device in which the process of assembly, particularly the connection of a clutch element to the housing arrangement, can be simplified.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is met by a hydrodynamic clutch device, particularly a hydrodynamic torque converter or fluid coupling, comprising a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the housing arrangement so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing arrangement about an axis of rotation, a lockup clutch arrangement by means of which a torque-transmitting connection can be selectively produced between the housing arrangement and the turbine wheel, wherein the lockup clutch arrangement comprises a clutch element which is connected by a connection arrangement to the housing arrangement so as to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation but axially displaceable relative to it, wherein the connection arrangement comprises at least one elastically deformable connection element which is fixedly connected with the housing arrangement on the one hand and with the clutch element on the other hand.
It is further provided according to the invention that the at least one connection element is connected with the housing arrangement in an area between surfaces of a housing element and of a housing hub element which is fixedly connected with the housing element, wherein these surfaces face one another.
Accordingly, since the housing-side connection of the connection element is carried out where a connection of the housing element to the housing hub element must be produced, the process of connecting the three components, for example, can be combined and it is possible to provide two of these components as a preassembled subassembly which is then combined with the other.
For example, it can be provided that the at least one connection element contacts the housing element by a first axial side and contacts the housing hub element by a second axial side and that the housing element is connected with the connection element and housing hub element by welding, preferably by at least one laser weld, or by riveting. A very stable connection which is, at the same time, very simple to produce is provided in this way.
Alternatively, a first circumferential driving arrangement is provided at the at least one connection element, that a second circumferential driving arrangement in a positive-locking driving connection with the first circumferential driving arrangement is provided at the housing hub element and/or at the housing element, and that the housing element is connected with the housing hub element by welding, preferably by at least one laser weld, or by riveting. In this regard, it is advantageous when the first circumferential driving arrangement in the at least one connection element comprises at least one cutout in which the second circumferential driving arrangement, which is preferably formed by deformation, engages, and when the housing element is connected with the housing hub element at least in the area of the second circumferential driving arrangement engaging in the at least one cutout.
According to another alternative constructional variant, the housing hub element can have a surface region located at a distance axially from the housing element and the at least one connection element is connected with the housing hub element in the area of the surface region. In this case, for example, the connection element can be connected with the housing hub element by riveting or welding, preferably by laser welding.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the object stated above is met by a hydrodynamic clutch device, particularly a hydrodynamic torque converter or fluid coupling, comprising a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the housing arrangement so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing arrangement about an axis of rotation, a lockup clutch arrangement by means of which a torque-transmitting connection can be selectively produced between the housing arrangement and the turbine wheel. The lockup clutch arrangement comprises a clutch element which is connected by a connection arrangement to the housing arrangement so as to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation but axially displaceable relative to it. The connection arrangement comprises at least one elastically deformable connection element which is fixedly connected with the housing arrangement on the one hand and with the clutch element on the other hand, the connection element being constructed in annular shape with a ring body area, wherein connection arm portions proceed from the latter and are fixed to the clutch element or a housing element, the ring body area having body area portions at the two radial sides of the connection arm portions.
In this way, a connection which is very simple to build, but which is very stable at the same time, is provided between the housing arrangement and the clutch element.
For example, the connection arm portions can extend tangential to a circumferential circular line proceeding from the ring body area. Alternatively, the connection arm portions can extend approximately in circumferential direction proceeding from the ring body area.
According to another alternative aspect of the present invention, the object stated above is met by a hydrodynamic clutch device, particularly a hydrodynamic torque converter or fluid coupling, comprising a housing arrangement, a turbine wheel which is arranged in the housing arrangement so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing arrangement about an axis of rotation, a lockup clutch arrangement by means of which a torque-transmitting connection can be selectively produced between the housing arrangement and the turbine wheel, wherein the lockup clutch arrangement comprises a clutch element which is connected by a connection arrangement to the housing arrangement so as to be substantially fixed with respect to rotation but axially displaceable relative
Bauer Thomas
Frey Peter
Hinkel Rüdiger
Koepke Sven
Rönnebeck Ralf
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Lorence Richard M.
Mannesmann Sachs AG
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