Torque converter thrust washer and seal plate assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023060704-A1
Application number	US-202217870929-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 22, 2022
Priority date	Sep 2, 2021
Publication date	Mar 2, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A torque converter includes a front cover arranged to receive a torque and a damper assembly including an output flange arranged to non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft. The torque converter further includes a seal plate disposed between the front cover and the output flange. The seal plate is non-rotatably connected to the cover. The torque converter further includes a thrust washer including a body axially disposed between the seal plate and the output flange. The thrust washer is fixed to the seal plate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A torque converter comprising:
a front cover configured to receive a torque; a damper assembly including an output flange arranged to non-rotatably connect to a transmission input shaft; a seal plate disposed between the front cover and the output flange, the seal plate being non-rotatably connected to the front cover; and a thrust washer including a body axially disposed between the seal plate and the output flange, the thrust washer being fixed to the seal plate.

2 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the output flange is configured to rotate relative to the thrust washer.

3 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the thrust washer includes a post extending axially from the body, and the seal plate includes an opening extending axially therethrough, the post being received in the opening.

4 . The torque converter of claim 3 , wherein the front cover includes a groove axially aligned with the opening, the post extending through the opening into the groove.

5 . The torque converter of claim 3 , wherein the seal plate is fixed to the front cover via a weld having two portions radially spaced from each other, the opening being disposed radially between the two portions of the weld.

6 . The torque converter of claim 5 , wherein the weld extends entirely about the opening.

7 . The torque converter of claim 5 , wherein the thrust washer is disposed radially between the two portions of the weld.

8 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the seal plate is fixed to the front cover via a weld having two portions radially spaced from each other, the thrust washer being disposed radially between the two portions of the weld.

9 . The torque converter of claim 8 , wherein the weld extends circumferentially about the thrust washer.

10 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the body of the thrust washer abuts the seal plate.

11 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the damper assembly includes a cover plate disposed axially between the output flange and the seal plate, the thrust washer being disposed radially inside of the cover plate.

12 . The torque converter of claim 1 , wherein the output flange includes a hole extending axially therethrough, the thrust washer being disposed radially inside of the hole.

13 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the damper assembly includes a spring supported by the output flange, the hole being disposed radially inside of the spring.

14 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the damper assembly includes a cover plate disposed axially between the output flange and the seal plate, the cover plate extending radially across a portion of the hole.

15 . The torque converter of claim 14 , wherein the thrust washer is disposed radially inside of the hole and the cover plate.

16 . The torque converter of claim 12 , further comprising:
an impeller having an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the front cover; and a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; wherein the damper assembly includes a cover plate connected to the output flange and the turbine shell via a connector; wherein the connector is radially aligned with the hole.

17 . The torque converter of claim 16 , wherein the output flange is disposed axially between the connector and the thrust washer.

18 . The torque converter of claim 16 , wherein the output flange is disposed axially between the seal plate and the turbine.

19 . The torque converter of claim 12 , wherein the seal plate is fixed to the front cover via a weld having two portions radially spaced from each other, one of the portions extending radially across a portion of the hole.

Assignees

• Schaeffler Technologies Ag

Inventors

• Norwich Victor

Classifications

• F16H41/24

  Details · CPC title

• F16H2045/021

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

• F16H2045/0294

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

• F16H2045/0263

  the damper comprising a pendulum · CPC title