Outer wall structure of a torque converter and others

Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps – Working fluid passage or distributing means associated with... – Casing having multiple parts welded – cemented – or fused

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Details

60364, 219137R, F01D 2524

Patent

active

048676411

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an outer wall structure formed by an input housing (front cover) and a pump shell (impeller shell) fixed to the housing in torque converters and other fluid couplings.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 7, a torque converter generally comprises a bowl-like input housing 1 which is connected to a flywheel (not shown) of an engine. An outer peripheral end portion 2 of the housing 1 is welded to an outer peripheral end portion 5 of a shell 4 of a pump impeller 3. The input housing 1 and the shell 4 form an outer wall of the torque converter, in which a turbine runner 6, a stator 7 and a lock-up clutch 8 are disposed.
In the known structure, the shell 4 is provided at the end portion 5 with an outer peripheral surface 10 having a small diameter and an axial length L. This outer peripheral surface 10 is fitted into an inner peripheral surface 11 formed at the end portion 2 of the housing 1, and the free end of the end portion 2 and the base end of the surface 11 is welded together, as indicated at 12.
However, in the structure in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral surface 10 is of merely cylindrical shape, and a space 13 extending in the axial direction (right to left in FIG. 7) is formed between the outer surface 10 and the inner surface 11. In the welding process, spatter generated at the portion 12 may pass through the space 13 into the internal space in the torque converter. The spatter in the internal space causes wear or abrasion of a friction facing of the lock-up clutch 8, resulting in short durability thereof. Further, wear powder generated from the facing may enter into an automatic transmission disposed subsequent to the torque converter, which causes choke or clog of a filter in a hydraulic line of a hydraulic pump, which is a control power source of the torque converter.
Of course, the entry of the spatter can be prevented by eliminating the space between the outer and inner surfaces 10 and 11. However, in such a structure, thermal strain resulting from the welding causes deviation or error in the axial positions of internal parts and members. Therefore, it is essential to form the space 13 having an appropriate radial length, e.g., of 0.4 mm-0.5 mm, between the surface portions 10 and 11.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, an outer wall structure of a torque converter includes an input housing having an end portion, and a pump impeller shell having an end portion fixed to the end portion of the input housing, and is characterized in that one of the end portions is provided at the outer peripheral surface with a surface portion of a relatively small diameter, which continues to a free end of its end portion, and a surface portion of a relatively large diameter, which continues to the surface portion of the relatively smal diameter, the other of the end portions is provided at the inner surface with surface portions fitted to the surface portions of the relatively small and large diameter portions, a space for accumulating spatter therein is formed between the inner peripheral surface and said surface portion of said relative small diameter, and both of the end portions are fixed together by a weld portion form at and in the vicinity of the end of the other of the end portions.
In the preferred embodiment, a first annular stepped portion is formed between the outer peripheral surface portions of the relatively small and large diameters, the other end portion is provided at the inner peripheral surface with a surface portion of a relatively large diameter, which is fitted to the outer peripheral surface portion of the relatively large diameter with a second space therebetween, a surface portion of a relatively small diameter, which is fitted to the outer peripheral surface portion of the relatively small diameter with a first space therebetween, and an annular intermediate stepped portion formed between the inner peripheral surface portions of the relatively small and large diameters, and the space for accumulating

REFERENCES:
patent: 1485555 (1924-03-01), Daykin
patent: 2324928 (1943-07-01), Hill
patent: 3003601 (1961-10-01), Ott
patent: 3183066 (1965-05-01), Lessmann et al.
patent: 3852955 (1974-12-01), Wonn et al.
patent: 4009570 (1977-03-01), Ohkuoo et al.
patent: 4383799 (1983-05-01), Okano et al.

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