Torque converter with lock-up clutch bias spring

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9903456-B1
Application number	US-201615245667-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 24, 2016
Priority date	Aug 24, 2016
Publication date	Feb 27, 2018
Grant date	Feb 27, 2018

Abstract

The invention relates to a torque transmitting device ( 1 ) including a torque input element ( 5 ). coupled to a crankshaft of an engine, and a torque output element ( 8 ) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft. The torque transmitting device also includes a damper ( 13, 17 ) and a clutch ( 20, 18 ) mounted between the torque input element ( 5 ) and the torque output element ( 8 ). The clutch includes a piston ( 20 ) axially movable from an engaged position in which the torque input element ( 5 ) is rotationally coupled to the torque output element ( 8 ) through the damper ( 13, 17 ), and a disengaged position. The clutch further includes an assistance mechanism ( 24 ) able to exert an axial force tending to return the clutch piston ( 20 ) to the engaged position thereof.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) comprising a torque input element ( 5 ) intended to be coupled to a crankshaft of an engine, a torque output element ( 8 ) intended to be coupled to a transmission input shaft, damping means ( 13 , 17 ) mounted between the torque input element ( 5 ) and the torque output element ( 8 ), with the torque output element ( 8 ) being able to pivot relative to the torque input element ( 5 ) about an axis (X), against a resisting torque exerted by the damping means ( 13 , 17 ), clutch means ( 20 , 18 ) mounted between the torque input element ( 5 ) and the torque output element ( 8 ), with the clutch means comprising a piston ( 20 ) axially movable from an engaged position in which the torque input element ( 5 ) is rotationally coupled to the torque output element ( 8 ) through the damping means ( 13 , 17 ), and a disengaged position, comprising assistance means ( 24 ) able to exert an axial force tending to return the piston ( 20 ) to the engaged position thereof; wherein,
the damping means comprises an elastic leaf ( 17 ), rotationally connected with the torque output element ( 8 ) or, respectively, the torque input element ( 5 ), with the elastic leaf ( 17 ) being able to be elastically and radially held to rest on a supporting member ( 13 ) connected to the torque input element ( 5 ) or, respectively, the torque output element ( 8 ), with the elastic leaf ( 17 ) being able to bend upon rotation of the torque input element ( 5 ) relative to the torque output element ( 8 ); and,
said damping means further comprises a supporting flange ( 18 ) rotationally friction-coupled to the piston ( 20 ) when in the engaged position and rotationally uncoupled relative to the piston ( 20 ) when in the disengaged position, with the elastic leaf ( 17 ) being fixed to the supporting flange ( 18 ) and the supporting member ( 13 ) connected to the torque input element ( 5 ).

2. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the assistance means ( 24 ) are elastic means able to exert an elastic return force.

3. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the assistance means comprise at least one washer ( 24 ) elastically deformable in the axial (X) direction.

4. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the piston ( 20 ) is rotationally coupled to the torque output element ( 8 ).

5. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the piston ( 20 ) and/or the supporting flange ( 18 ) comprise friction lining able to cooperate with the flange ( 18 ), respectively the piston ( 20 ), so as to provide a rotational friction coupling.

6. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the supporting member comprises a rolling body ( 13 ) so mounted as to pivot about a fixed shaft ( 14 ) formed onto the torque input element ( 5 ).

7. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , comprising a turbine wheel ( 3 ) and an impeller wheel ( 2 ) rotationally coupled with the torque input element ( 5 ) and able to hydrokinetically drive the turbine wheel ( 3 ).

8. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 7 , comprising a reactor ( 4 ), with the impeller wheel ( 2 ) being able to hydrokinetically drive the turbine wheel ( 3 ) through the reactor ( 4 ).

9. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the torque output element comprises a central hub ( 8 ).

10. A torque transmitting device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the torque input element comprises a cover ( 5 ) at least partly accommodating the damping means ( 13 , 17 ) and the clutch means ( 20 , 18 ).

Assignees

• Valeo Embrayages

Inventors

• Durham Patrick
• Depraete Alexandre

Classifications

• F16F15/1215

  Leaf springs, e.g. radially extending · CPC title

• F16H2045/0252

  having a damper arranged on input side of the lock-up clutch · CPC title

• F16H2045/0221

  with damping means · CPC title

• F16H2045/0205

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

• F16H2045/0278

  comprising only two co-acting friction surfaces · CPC title