Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Torque transmitted via flexible element – Element is plate with external edge completely surrounding...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-25
2001-08-21
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Torque transmitted via flexible element
Element is plate with external edge completely surrounding...
C192S200000, C192S003280
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277027
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to hydrodynamic torque converters and more particularly to a hydrodynamic torque converter utilizing outward pressings on the primary flange for connecting elements to the primary flange.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1, of DE 44 32 624 C1, shows a hydrodynamic torque converter with a converter housing that has, on its side facing a drive, e.g., the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, a substantially radially-running primary flange, on which a central pin is provided for mounting in the crank shaft. Further, a housing hub is embodied on the primary flange radially outside the central pin and in a single piece with the central pin. Radially outside the housing hub there are holding means that serve, via a plate, to connect the converter housing to the drive. The connection, as shown in DE 32 22 119, is usually established via an axially elastic connecting plate, which is screwed radially inside to the crank shaft and radially outside to the holding means. This elastic connecting plate at least reduces the transmission of vibrations from the crank shaft with a component in the axial direction to the converter housing.
With respect to the torque converter described in DE 44 32 624 C1, it should be noted that the one-piece embodiment of the bearing journal and the housing hub results in a relatively complicated and massive component, which must then be attached to the relatively thinwalled primary flange by means of a welded seam. The plate with the holding means is also attached to the primary flange by welded seams. The welded seams, however, create the problem of a thermally uneven load of the primary flange, so that the danger of deformation exists. Moreover, imbalances are introduced into the converter housing, which must be eliminated by subsequent balancing measures. Overall, the embodiment of a torque converter described in the aforementioned patent document represents a relatively complicated and expensive design, in terms of production technology, and raises problems in accommodating connecting elements, such as the holding means, the housing hub or the central pin, on the primary flange of the converter housing.
The housing hub holds, via a bearing, a turbine hub of the turbine wheel. In turn, the turbine hub holds, via a tooth system, a gear input shaft in a rotation-proof fashion. The gear input shaft serves as the output of the hydrodynamic torque converter.
Utility Patent DE 87 10 517 describes and depicts a primary flange of a hydrodynamic torque converter, on which an outward pressing is created by means of material displacement starting from the side of a drive. The outward pressing penetrates an opening in an adjacent part, here, an element of a torsional vibration damper. A rear-gripping means, which grips behind the rear side of the element of the torsional vibration damper, is then created on the outward pressing by means of material compression in the opposite direction. The rear-gripping means acts as an axial securing means to axially secure the element of the torsional vibration damper relative to the primary flange. The torsional vibration damper is thus attached to the primary flange via a rivet-like connection, without suffering the disadvantages of a rivet, i.e., lack of tightness on the primary flange in the rivet extension area. However, the Utility Patent does not point to an advantageous attachment of connecting elements to the primary flange.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to embody a hydrodynamic torque converter such that connecting elements, such as the holding means, the housing hub and the central journal, can be connected to a primary flange in a simple manner.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least one connecting element is attached to the primary flange by the creation of at least one outward pressing on the primary flange. As a result, since material is displaced into an opening in the connecting element on the side of the primary flange that faces away from the connection, a type of riveting is created, while the pressure tightness of the converter housing is maintained. To axially secure the connection achieved in this manner, the outward pressing is subjected to material compression in the opposite direction, so that a rear-gripping means is formed, which grips behind the rear side of the connecting element penetrated by the outward pressing. This rear-gripping means prevents any shifting motion of the connecting element. A secure connection is thus established. The aforementioned material displacement is preferably carried out by means of a deep drawing process.
The connecting elements can, for example, be holding means, into which it is possible to introduce attachment elements of an axially elastic connecting plate connected to the crank shaft. The connecting element can also be a central pin, which is held in a corresponding recess in the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine. Both of these connecting elements act between the drive and the converter housing, whereas a housing hub, for example, serves to accommodate the gear input shaft and, therefore, the output. Thus, the housing hub is also a connecting element of the converter housing, specifically, an output-side connecting element.
According to the invention, the connection of the connecting elements to the converter housing via outward pressings with rear-gripping means is a cost-saving feature for manufacturing assembly. Furthermore, it is advantageous that welded seams, which are otherwise commonly used for pressure-tight connections, can be eliminated. As a result, thermal deformation phenomena and welding-related imbalances do not occur on the primary flange. Thus, no subsequent adjustment of the converter housing is necessary to permit good centering of the individual components relative to each other.
The holding means that serve as connecting elements are preferably accommodated on an axially flexible plate. Such a plate is almost ideally suited for placement on and attachment to outward pressings. In addition, the plate supplements, with its own axial elasticity, the axial elasticity of the axially elastic connecting plate usually connected to the crank shaft. As a result, there is even lower spring rigidity at the connection of the converter housing to the drive. This is especially advantageous when the crank shaft of the drive is subject to relatively strong vibrations with a component in the axial direction. Moreover, it is possible to extend the flexible plate that carries the holding means further radially inward, so that the flexible plate can accommodate a central pin in the extension area of the rotational axis of the converter housing. A journal shoulder projecting toward the flexible plate and penetrating an opening thereof can be provided on the central pin and, after embodiment of a radial expansion, will axially secure the central pin to the flexible plate. In such an embodiment of the flexible plate with holding means and a central pin, these two connecting. elements can be accommodated in modular fashion on the converter housing, preferably on an axial projection of the primary flange running in the direction of the drive.
It is also conceivable, of course, to attach the central pin to the primary flange by creating an outward pressing on the primary flange by means of material displacement toward the drive. The outward pressing projecting toward the drive thereby penetrates an opening in the central pin and, after the embodiment on the outward pressing of rear-gripping means that act on the rear side of the central pin, holds the central pin securely on the outward pressing. A conventional embodiment of the central pin is conceivable, according to the invention, in the form of a pot-shaped drawn part open toward the drive, which embodiment is by nature relatively light and easy to manufacture.
Equally advantageous is a central pin with a journal flange that extends radially outward r
Schneider Ruthard
Schoder Bernd
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Lorence Richard M.
Mannesmann Sachs AG
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