Lock-Up Device For Torque Converter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016102744-A1
Application number	US-201414889387-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 20, 2014
Priority date	May 16, 2013
Publication date	Apr 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A lock-up device for a torque converter for transmitting a torque and for absorbing and attenuating a torsional vibration includes an input rotary member, an output rotary member disposed on both axial sides of the input rotary member and rotatable relatively to the input rotary member, and a plurality of first coil springs disposed in radially inner positions. The first coil springs are compressed in series by rotation of the input rotary member relative to the output rotary member whereby the torque is inputted therein from the input rotary member. The lock-up device also includes at least one second coil spring compressed when the input rotary member and the output rotary member are rotated relatively to each other at a predetermined relative angle or greater. The lock-up device additionally includes a float member disposed radially inward of the first coil springs and coupling the plural first coil springs in series.

First claim

1 . A lock-up device for a torque converter for transmitting a torque and for absorbing and attenuating a torsional vibration, comprising:
an input rotary member; an output rotary member disposed on both axial sides of the input rotary member and rotatable relatively to the input rotary member; a plurality of first coil springs disposed in radially inner positions, the first coil springs configured to be compressed in series by rotation of the input rotary member relative to the output rotary member whereby the torque is configured to be inputted therein from the input rotary member; at least one second coil spring configured to be compressed when the input rotary member and the output rotary member are rotated relatively to each other at a predetermined relative angle or greater; and a float member disposed radially inward of the first coil springs and coupling the plural first coil springs in series.

2 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 1 , wherein
a torsional stiffness in torsional characteristics is configured to be changed by compressing at least any one of the plural first coil springs such that coiled parts thereof are closely contacted to each other, the at least one second coil spring is configured to be compressed when the input rotary member and the output rotary member are rotated relatively to each other at the predetermined relative angle or greater whereby the torsional stiffness is configured to be further changed.

3 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one third coil spring, each disposed in an inner peripheral part of one of the first coil springs.

4 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 3 , wherein
the plural third coil springs respectively have a free length shorter than a free length of the first coil springs, a torsional stiffness in torsional characteristics is configured to be changed when at least any one of the plural first coil springs and the third coil spring disposed in the inner peripheral part of the at least any one of the plural first coil springs are simultaneously compressed, the at least one second coil spring is configured to be compressed when the input rotary member and the output rotary member are rotated relatively to each other at the predetermined relative angle or greater whereby the torsional stiffness is configured to be further changed.

5 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 3 , wherein
a torsional stiffness in the torsional characteristics is configured to be changed when the first coil springs and the third coil springs are simultaneously compressed, the torsional stiffness is configured to be further changed when at least any one of the plural third coil springs is compressed such that coiled parts thereof are closely contacted to each other, and the at least one second coil spring is configured to be compressed when the input rotary member and the output rotary member are rotated relatively to each other at the predetermined relative angle or greater whereby the torsional stiffness is configured to be further changed.

6 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one second coil spring is disposed radially outward of the first coil springs.

7 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 6 , further comprising:
at least one fourth coil spring disposed circumferentially away from the first coil springs at intervals, wherein the at least one fourth coil spring is configured to be compressed after the plural first coil springs and the plural second coil springs are compressed whereby the torsional stiffness is configured to be further changed.

8 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one fifth coil spring, each disposed in an inner peripheral part of each of the at least one second coil spring.

9 . The lock-up device for a torque converter recited in claim 1 , wherein the float member has a body, coupling parts and holding parts, the body disposed radially inward of the first coil springs, the coupling parts having a shape outwardly protruding from the body and each disposed between adjacent two of the first coil springs, the holding parts disposed radially outward of the coupling parts and each holding outer peripheral parts of adjacent two of the first coil springs.

Assignees

• Exedy Corp

Inventors

• Kawahara Yuki

Classifications

• F16H2045/0226

  comprising two or more vibration dampers · CPC title

• F16F15/12373

  the sets of springs being arranged at substantially the same radius · CPC title

• F16H45/02 Primary

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

• F16H2045/0205

  two chamber system, i.e. without a separated, closed chamber specially adapted for actuating a lock-up clutch · CPC title

• F16D3/64

  comprising elastic elements arranged between substantially-radial walls of both coupling parts · CPC title