Torque converter clutch assembly for hybrid module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11303192-B2
Application number	US-202017088020-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 3, 2020
Priority date	Nov 8, 2019
Publication date	Apr 12, 2022
Grant date	Apr 12, 2022

Abstract

A torque converter comprises a front cover, an impeller having an impeller shell fixed to the front cover, and a turbine fluidly coupled with the impeller and having a turbine shell. A damper assembly is provided that includes an output flange connected to the turbine shell. A clutch assembly is disposed between the front cover and the turbine. The clutch assembly comprises a piston sealed to the front cover at an outer diameter thereof and a clutch flow deflector plate disposed axially between the piston and the output flange, wherein the clutch flow deflector plate is configured to direct a cooling fluid to the clutch assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A torque converter, comprising:
a front cover;
an impeller having an impeller shell fixed to the front cover;
a turbine fluidly coupled with the impeller and having a turbine shell;
a damper assembly including an output flange connected to the turbine shell;
a clutch assembly disposed between the front cover and the turbine, the clutch assembly comprising:
a piston sealed to the front cover at an outer diameter thereof; and
a clutch flow deflector plate disposed axially between the piston and the output flange, wherein the clutch flow deflector plate is configured to direct a cooling fluid to the clutch assembly; and

a thrust washer connected to the output flange, wherein the clutch flow deflector plate includes an outer portion contacting the piston on a first axial side and an inner portion contacting the thrust washer on a second, opposite axial side.

2. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the piston is arranged to seal to a transmission input shaft at an inner diameter and an apply chamber is formed between the front cover and the piston for supplying pressurized fluid to engage the clutch assembly.

3. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein a first fluid chamber is formed, at least in part, by the piston, the clutch flow deflector plate, and the output flange and a second fluid chamber is formed, at least in part, by the output flange and a stator.

4. The torque converter of claim 3 , wherein the output flange includes an opening extending axially therethrough and a cooling fluid is supplied to the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber via the opening.

5. The torque converter of claim 4 , wherein the cooling fluid is directed from the first fluid chamber to the clutch assembly via a groove defined in the piston.

6. The torque converter of claim 4 , wherein the opening in the output flange is located radially inward of the thrust washer.

7. The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein:
the damper assembly includes a first cover plate and a second cover plate supporting a spring therebetween; and
the clutch assembly includes an inner clutch plate connected to the first cover plate or the second cover plate.

8. The torque converter of claim 7 , wherein the first cover plate or the second cover plate includes an axially extending tab and the inner clutch plate is connected to the axially extending tab.

9. A hybrid module comprising:
a torque converter comprising:
a front cover;
an impeller having an impeller shell fixed to the front cover;
a turbine fluidly coupled with the impeller and having a turbine shell;
a damper assembly including an output flange connected to the turbine shell; and
a clutch assembly disposed between the front cover and the turbine, the clutch assembly including:
a piston sealed to the front cover at an outer diameter thereof; and
a clutch flow deflector plate disposed axially between the piston and the output flange, wherein the clutch flow deflector plate is configured to direct a cooling fluid to the clutch assembly,

an e-motor assembly including a rotor mounted on an outer surface of the front cover; and
a resolver attached to an impeller hub, wherein the impeller hub is attached to the impeller shell and extends axially therefrom.

10. A torque converter, comprising:
a front cover;
an impeller having an impeller shell fixed to the front cover;
a turbine fluidly coupled with the impeller and having a turbine shell;
a damper assembly including an output flange connected to the turbine shell and arranged for sealing with a transmission input shaft; and
a clutch assembly comprising:
a piston configured to be axially displaced for engagement of the clutch assembly;
a reaction plate fixed to the front cover; and
a clutch flow deflector plate connected to the reaction plate and disposed axially between the piston and the output flange, wherein a chamber is formed, at least in part, by the piston, the clutch flow deflector plate, and the output flange for supplying a cooling fluid to the clutch assembly, wherein the cooling fluid is supplied from the chamber into the clutch assembly via an axially extending groove defined in the piston and through a tooth interface provided between the clutch flow deflector plate and the reaction plate.

11. The torque converter of claim 10 , wherein the clutch flow deflector plate is attached to the output flange at an inner end and contacts the piston at an outer end.

12. The torque converter of claim 11 , wherein the clutch flow deflector plate is attached to the output flange by a thrust washer.

13. The torque converter of claim 11 , wherein an apply chamber is formed between the front cover and the piston and is arranged to receive a pressurized fluid for engagement of the clutch assembly.

14. The torque converter of claim 10 , wherein the piston is sealed to the front cover at an outer diameter thereof and arranged for sealing with the transmission input shaft at an inner diameter.

Assignees

• Schaeffler Technologies Ag

Inventors

• Adams Jonathan
• Nelson Kyle
• Norwich Victor

Classifications

• F16H2045/002

  comprising a clutch between prime mover and fluid gearing · CPC title

• H02K11/21

  Devices for sensing speed or position, or actuated thereby (specially adapted for machines having non-mechanical commutating devices H02K29/06, H02K29/14) · CPC title

• H02K11/225 Primary

  Detecting coils · CPC title

• F16H45/02

  with mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type (control of torque converter lock-up clutches F16H61/14) · CPC title

• F16H2045/021

  three chamber system, i.e. comprising a separated, closed chamber specially adapted for actuating a lock-up clutch · CPC title