192 clutches and power-stop control – Vortex-flow drive and clutch – Including drive-lockup clutch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-21
2003-05-20
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
192 clutches and power-stop control
Vortex-flow drive and clutch
Including drive-lockup clutch
C060S330000, C029S469000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06564914
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydrodynamic coupling device for forming a torque transmission connection between a drive unit and a transmission, the coupling device having a first coupling area in which the hydrodynamic coupling device is couplable or coupled to the drive unit in a torque-transmitting manner and a second coupling area in which the hydrodynamic coupling device is couplable or is coupled to the transmission in a torque-transmitting manner. The present invention also relates to a method of making a hydrodynamic coupling device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydrodynamic coupling devices used in drivetrains in motor vehicles for hydrodynamic torque converters are principally constructed to be relatively extensively integrated in the transmission with respect to function and mechanical subassemblies. Usually, when constructing drivetrains, a hydrodynamic coupling device of this type is usually first combined with the transmission to form a subassembly. Then, the subassembly is added to and combined with a drive unit already installed on the chassis. Joining the subassembly of the coupling device and transmission to the drive unit is a relatively difficult undertaking because the installation space available between the hydrodynamic coupling device and the drive unit is very limited. In addition, assembly must be performed in a highly precise manner in order to minimize axial offsets or inclinations between a drive shaft of the drive unit and a driven shaft of the coupling device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a hydrodynamic coupling device which simplifies the process of assembling the entire drive system.
This object is achieved by the present invention by a hydrodynamic coupling device for producing a torque transmission connection between a drive unit and a transmission, having a first coupling area in which the hydrodynamic coupling device is couplable or coupled to the drive unit in a torque-transmitting manner and a second coupling area in which the hydrodynamic coupling device is couplable or coupled to the transmission in a torque-transmitting manner. The hydrodynamic coupling device is coupled to the transmission in the second coupling area only for transmitting a driving/braking torque between the drive unit and transmission.
This arrangement for a hydrodynamic coupling device ensures that a torque-type coupling or interaction between the hydrodynamic coupling device and the transmission ultimately takes place only for the purpose actually provided for by the coupling device. Namely, for transmission of a driving torque or for transmission of a braking torque. There are no other torque-type couplings or interaction areas directly between the coupling device and the transmission. It is no longer necessary to first form a subassembly of the coupling device and transmission. Rather, the coupling device can be added to the drive unit as a separate subassembly before the transmission. Then, the transmission can be added by itself to the coupling device which is already installed. The transmission can be coupled to the coupling device so that a driving torque or braking torque can be transmitted between the coupling device and the transmission.
It is possible for the hydrodynamic coupling device to include an impeller wheel and a turbine wheel as well as a work fluid in a work fluid space, which provides a fluid torque coupling between the impeller wheel and the turbine wheel. It is also possible, in the second coupling area, to form only a torque-transmitting coupling between the turbine wheel and an input area of the transmission.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hydrodynamic coupling device can be constructed to include a work fluid pump arrangement for supplying work fluid to the work fluid space and for discharging work fluid from the work fluid space. In this case, the work fluid pump arrangement is couplable or is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner with a subassembly which moves during operation, preferably, the impeller wheel or a subassembly in torque transmitting connection with the impeller wheel. The work fluid pump arrangement is also couplable to or is coupled to the drive unit or a subassembly associated with the drive unit.
As a result of this construction, the work fluid pump arrangement is still driven by a component or subassembly of the coupling device itself. However, support of the work fluid pump arrangement against this driving torque is no longer effected relative to the transmission, but is formed for the drive unit or a subassembly associated with the drive unit. A “subassembly associated with the drive unit” is any subassembly which can ultimately form a fixed torque supporting unit with the drive unit without the need for the transmission to be provided or installed beforehand. Accordingly, in principle, a vehicle chassis or other component of the vehicle can be considered “a subassembly which is associated with the drive unit” in a torque-supporting manner. For example, after the drive unit is fitted to the chassis it can, in principle, permit such support without the need for the transmission to be mounted beforehand. In other words, the torque support takes place without the need for a torque flow to be carried out via the transmission or other component of the transmission. It is possible, for example, for the work fluid pump arrangement to be integrated in the drive unit and put into operation through a drive shaft of the drive unit.
In a further embodiment, the hydrodynamic coupling device of the present invention is constructed so that it comprises a stator wheel which is rotatable on a supporting arrangement in a first rotating direction and is supported so as to be blocked against rotation in a second rotating direction opposed to the first rotating direction. The supporting arrangement can be couplable or coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to the drive unit or a subassembly associated with the drive unit. As previously discussed “a subassembly associated with the drive unit” may be included in the device.
It is also advantageous for the work fluid pump arrangement to be couplable or coupled via the supporting arrangement in a torque-transmitting manner to the drive unit or to the subassembly associated with the drive unit.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a hydrodynamic coupling device, especially a hydrodynamic torque converter, for transmitting/converting a driving/braking torque between a drive unit and a transmission, includes an impeller wheel, a turbine wheel, a stator wheel and/or a supporting arrangement and a work fluid pump arrangement. The impeller wheel is torque transmission connectable or is in torque transmission connection with the drive unit. The turbine wheel is torque transmission connectable or is in torque transmission connection with the transmission. The stator wheel is rotatable on a supporting arrangement in a first rotating direction and is supported so as to be blocked against rotation in a second rotating direction opposed to the first rotating direction. Optionally, a work fluid pump arrangement by which a work fluid can be supplied to a work fluid space and discharged from a work fluid space is provided. The work fluid pump arrangement is couplable or is coupled in a first pump area in a torque-transmitting manner to the impeller wheel or a component rotating therewith, and is couplable or is coupled in a second pump area in a torque-transmitting manner to a subassembly which essentially does not move with the impeller wheel during operation.
In a further embodiment of the present invention the supporting arrangement and/or the second pump area is coupled in a torque-transmitting manner to the drive unit or to a subassembly associated with the drive unit.
In this way, an at least partial decoupling of the hydrodynamic coupling device from the transmission by way of subassembly can be achieved, to facilitate the assembly of a whole sy
Glock Wilfried
Hinkel Rüdiger
Sasse Christoph
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Lorence Richard M.
Mannesmann Sachs AG
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