Lock-up clutch mechanism of torque converter

Details Lock-up clutch mechanism of torque converter Lock-up clutch mechanism of torque converter

1999-10-22

2001-03-20

Bonck, Rodney H. (Department: 3681)

192 clutches and power-stop control

Vortex-flow drive and clutch

Including drive-lockup clutch

C192S212000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202810

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lock-up clutch mechanism, more particularly, to a lock-up clutch mechanism arranged within a torque converter for transmitting torque from a front cover of the torque converter to a transmission side of the torque converter.
B. Description of the Related Art
The torque converter is a device that has a torus, which includes three different runners, i.e., an impeller, a turbine and a stator, and transmits driving force via hydraulic fluid contained in the torus. The torque converter generally includes a lock-up clutch mechanism arranged in a space between the front cover and the torus.
The lock-up clutch mechanism is a device that allows for selective mechanical transmission of torque from the front cover to the transmission side of the torque converter and includes a clutch coupler and a damper mechanism. The clutch coupler includes a piston, which is freely moveable in an axial direction, and a friction member, which is provided on the piston. The clutch coupler engages with or disengages from the front cover in accordance with hydraulic pressure changes within the torque converter. The damper mechanism is composed of, for example, a plurality of torsion springs and is capable of absorbing or reducing torque fluctuation, which is transmitted from the clutch coupler, by the torsion springs.
The damper mechanism in the lock-up clutch mechanism is generally located at an outer peripheral region in order to reduce an axial size of the entire lock-up clutch mechanism.
However, there are also lock-up clutches that include a damper mechanism that is located radially inner peripheral regions thereof. In a case of a lock-up clutch mechanism in which the damper mechanism is arranged at the inner peripheral region of the turbine, the torsion springs constituting the damper mechanism are held between two disk-like plate elements acting as a torque input side member, and a torque output side member is arranged between these plate elements and engages with the torsion springs. A problem with such configurations is providing the two disk-like plates with appropriate portions that support the springs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention to increase strength of the lock-up clutch mechanism while reducing the weight of the lock-up clutch mechanism for improving fuel consumption of vehicles having the lock-up clutch mechanism.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a lock-up clutch mechanism of a torque converter mechanically couples a front cover of the torque converter and a turbine of the torque converter. The lock-up clutch mechanism includes a drive member having a pair of disk-like plate elements axially arranged side by side and fixedly coupled to each other. At least one of the plate elements formed with a drawn portion defining an annular recess. A driven member is axially arranged between the plate elements and extends into the annular recess. The driven member is formed with a window hole corresponding to portion of the annular recess. A torsion spring is disposed within the window hole and a portion of the annular recess and the torsion spring elastically couples the pair of plate elements and the driven member in a rotational direction. The pair plate elements are manufactured by a drawing process and the plate element formed with the drawn portion is formed with a thickness that is less than the thickness of the other of the plate elements.
Preferably, the lock-up clutch mechanism also includes a piston member that is disposed between the front cover and the turbine, the piston member being movable in an axial direction within the torque converter. The piston member is adapted to be selectively engageable with the front cover of the torque converter. Radial outer peripheral portions of the plate elements are adapted to engage the piston such that the piston may undergo axial movement with respect to the plate members and the turbine, and the piston and the plate members rotate together.
Preferably, the annular recess and the drawn portion are formed at a radially inward portion of the plate elements.
Preferably, the plate element formed with the drawn portion is positioned adjacent to the piston and the other of the plate elements is positioned adjacent to the turbine of the torque converter.
Preferably, the annular recess extends in an axial direction toward the front cover closer to the front cover than the radial outer peripheral portions of the plate elements.
The present invention provides the torque converter with a reduced axial thickness. The present invention also provides the torque converter with a reduced weight since one of the plate elements has a reduced thickness without reducing torque transmission strength.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout.


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Dubbel,Taschenbuch für den Maschinenbau, 15thEdition; p. 961; 1983.

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