Torque converter with flexible clutch plate

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021246975-A1
Application number	US-202117166069-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 3, 2021
Priority date	Feb 6, 2020
Publication date	Aug 12, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A torque converter comprising a front cover, an impeller having an impeller shell connected to the front cover, a turbine having a turbine shell and at least one blade attached thereto, and a lock-up clutch configured to selectively couple the turbine shell to the impeller shell for torque transmission therebetween is provided. In embodiments, the lock-up clutch comprises a clutch plate connected to the turbine shell and extending radially outward therefrom. The clutch plate may include a first end, a second end, and a slot defined between the first and the second ends. The lock-up clutch further may include a piston connected to the front cover, and a piston actuation plate connected to the piston, wherein the piston is configured to actuate the piston actuation plate to close the lock-up clutch to connect the turbine shell to the impeller shell.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A torque converter comprising:
a front cover; an impeller having an impeller shell connected to the front cover and at least one blade attached to the impeller shell; a turbine having a turbine shell and at least one blade attached thereto; and a lock-up clutch configured to selectively couple the turbine shell to the impeller shell for torque transmission therebetween, the lock-up clutch comprising:
a clutch plate connected to the turbine shell and extending radially outward therefrom, the clutch plate including a first end, a second end, and a slot defined between the first and the second ends;
a piston connected to the front cover; and
a piston actuation plate connected to the piston, wherein the piston is configured to actuate the piston actuation plate to close the lock-up clutch to connect the turbine shell to the impeller shell.

2 . The torque converter of claim 1 , further comprising a seal dam plate adjacent and connected to the front cover, wherein the piston is connected to the seal dam plate at an inner diameter and connected to the front cover at an outer diameter.

3 . The torque converter of claim 2 , wherein:
the seal dam plate is arranged for connection with a transmission input shaft via a seal at an inner diameter thereof; and a retention clip is disposed between the front cover and the seal dam plate and configured to retain the seal.

4 . The torque converter of claim 3 , wherein:
the seal dam plate includes a first groove and a second groove radially outward of the first groove; the seal is disposed in the first groove; and the retention clip is disposed in the second groove.

5 . The torque converter of claim 4 , wherein the retention clip includes a first radial segment in contact with the front cover, a second radial segment in contact with the seal, and an axial segment connecting the first and the second radial segments.

6 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the piston actuation plate is connected to the piston via a tabbed connection.

7 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the clutch plate is connected to the turbine shell via a tab-rolled connection.

8 . The torque converter of claim 2 , wherein an apply chamber is formed, at least in part, by the front cover, the piston, and the seal dam plate.

9 . The torque converter of claim 8 , wherein the piston is configured to displace in an axial direction toward the turbine such that the piston actuation plate actuates to press the clutch plate against the impeller shell for clutch engagement in response to pressurized fluid being supplied to the apply chamber.

10 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the clutch plate is connected to the turbine shell and the second end is disposed axially between the piston actuation plate and the impeller shell.

11 . The torque converter of claim 10 , wherein:
a first friction facing is affixed to one of the piston actuation plate and the second end of the clutch plate; and a second friction facing is affixed to one of the second end of the clutch plate and the impeller shell.

12 . A torque converter comprising:
a front cover; an impeller having an impeller shell connected to the front cover and at least one blade attached to the impeller shell; a turbine having a turbine shell and at least one blade attached thereto; a lock-up clutch configured to selectively couple the turbine shell to the impeller shell for torque transmission therebetween, the lock-up clutch comprising:
a clutch plate connected to the turbine shell and extending radially outward therefrom;
a piston connected to the front cover; and
a piston actuation plate connected to the piston, wherein the piston is configured to actuate the piston actuation plate to close the lock-up clutch to connect the turbine shell to the impeller shell;
a seal dam plate adjacent and connected to the front cover, wherein the seal dam plate is arranged for connection with a transmission input shaft via a seal; and a retention clip disposed between the front cover and the seal dam plate and configured to retain the seal.

13 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the seal dam plate includes a first groove and a second groove radially outward of the first groove, the seal is disposed in the first groove, and the retention clip is disposed in the second groove.

14 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the retention clip includes a first radial segment in contact with the front cover, a second radial segment in contact with the seal, and an axial segment connecting the first and the second radial segments.

15 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the clutch plate includes a first end, a second end, and a slot defined between the first and the second ends.

16 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the piston is connected to the seal dam plate via a first seal at an inner diameter and connected to the front cover at an outer diameter via a second seal.

17 . The torque converter of claim 16 , wherein an apply chamber is formed, at least in part, by the seal dam plate, the first seal, the piston, the second seal, and the front cover.

18 . The torque converter of claim 12 , further comprising a damper disposed axially between the piston and the turbine, wherein the piston actuation plate is connected to the piston radially outside of the damper.

Assignees

• Schaeffler Technologies Ag

Inventors

• Nelson Kyle
• Norwich Victor

Classifications

• F16H2045/0263

  the damper comprising a pendulum · CPC title

• F16H2045/0294

  Single disk type lock-up clutch, i.e. using a single disc engaged between friction members · 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

• F16H2045/021

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

• F16H2045/0221

  with damping means · CPC title