JP2003049924A - Blade mounting structure of torque converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mounting structure in which blades are mounted at substantially equal interval via a snap ring between a core and a shell constituting a pump impeller and a turbine runner of a torque converter, the mounting is simple, and the blades are more strongly mounted using a centrifugal force responsive to high speed rotation. SOLUTION: This structure has the snap ring 7 as a connecting means of the blade 1 and the core 4, a key type tab disposed on the inner periphery of the blade is engaged with a slit hole of the core, the snap ring is engaged with groove formed in the tab, and blade fixing force of the snap ring is enhanced by the centrifugal force occurring in response to the rotation of the torque converter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a turbine runner and a pump impeller of a torque converter, and more specifically, blades fixed to the turbine shell and the pump shell are stably fixed in position and easily attached. It is about structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a torque converter is a kind of joint that can transmit the power of an engine to a transmission by using a working fluid as a medium. It is a pump impeller rotated by the engine, and is sent by the rotation of the pump impeller. The turbine runner rotates by receiving the movement of the working fluid, and further, the stator changes the direction of the working fluid discharged from the turbine runner and guides it to the pump impeller.

Therefore, a plurality of blades are arranged in the pump impeller, the turbine runner, and the stator at regular intervals with a predetermined angle. The working fluid enclosed in the torque converter is sent out from the pump impeller via each blade through the blades toward the outer peripheral direction, is transmitted to the outer wall of the case of the torque converter, and hits the blades of the turbine runner to reach the turbine runner. It works in the same direction as the pump impeller. Further, the working fluid sent out after hitting the turbine runner is changed in its flow direction to hit the blades of the stator to promote the rotation of the pump impeller, and then flows into the pump impeller again from the inner circumference.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a general torque converter. In the figure, (f) shows a pump impeller, (g) shows a turbine runner, and (h) shows a stator. Further, FIG. 6 shows a part of the turbine runner, where (a) is a rear view, (b) is a sectional view, and (c) is a front view. The turbine runner (g) has a shell (b) with a large arc cross section on the outside and a core (c) with a small arc cross section inside, and multiple blades ( good)…
Are arranged.

A working fluid is enclosed in the converter outer shell (i), and the turbine impeller (f) starts to rotate through the working fluid as the engine rotates the pump impeller (f) together with the front cover. While the rotational speed difference between the pump impeller (f) and the turbine runner (g) is large, the torque amplification effect of the stator (h) causes the turbine runner (g) to rotate at a large torque ratio, resulting in a difference in rotational speed. When becomes smaller, the torque amplification effect disappears, and power is transmitted from the pump impeller (f) to the turbine runner (g) as a fluid coupling.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a conventional turbine runner. The blade (a) is attached over the shell (b) and the core (c), but the shell (b) and the core (c) are attached. ) Through slit holes (d), tabs formed on both ends of (d)
(E) and (e) are inserted, and these tabs (e) and (e) are (b)
It is fixed by bending and crimping like.

However, the above-mentioned slit hole (d) is a blade
In order to secure the assembling workability of (a), the width of the tab (e) has a width that is somewhat larger than the plate thickness and has a margin. Therefore, the tabs (e) bent by crimping are not always fixed to the shell surface and the core surface, and even if they are crimped in appearance, the tabs (e) in the simply bent state are blades ( It is not easy to fix b) so that it does not move.

Therefore, when the pressure of the working fluid acts on the blade (a), the blade (a) is rattled within the clearance of the slit hole (d) and the durability of the turbine runner (g) is reduced. It decreases or rarely makes an abnormal sound. Of course, after crimping, tab (e), (e) on shell (b) and core
If brazing is applied to (c), rattling will be prevented even if there is a clearance between the slit and (d), but productivity will be poor and the cost will be significantly high. These problems are not limited to the turbine runner (g) and are the same in the case of the blade (a) of the pump impeller (f).

By the way, there is a method using a snap ring as a means for fixing the blades (a), (a) ... To the shell (b) without brazing. Actual exploitation 61-7555
The "Impeller blade mounting structure" according to No. 1 is a specific example, but "Because a small and simple snap ring is used, the manufacturing cost of the impeller can be reduced and the resistance added to the working fluid from the ring can be reduced. It is possible to improve the torque transmission efficiency of the torque converter. ”

That is, an annular impeller hub is provided on the inner circumference of the impeller shell, an annular groove is provided on the outer circumference of the impeller hub, and the inner circumference of a snap ring composed of an annular spring is fitted into the groove, and the outer circumference of the snap ring is fitted. The blades are attached so as to push the edge portions of the blades arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the impeller shell in the radial direction of the impeller shell.

However, the torque converter receives the power from the engine and its rotational speed reaches 7,000 rpm. In this case, the snap ring fitted in the groove provided in the impeller hub is subjected to an outward force that is disengaged from the groove by the centrifugal force accompanying the high speed rotation. As a result, the edge of the blade pressed by the snap ring is loosened, and the blade becomes loose.

[0012]

As described above, the conventional blade mounting structure has the above-mentioned problems. The problems to be solved by the present invention are these problems, and a blade attachment structure for connecting and fixing the shell and the core and the blade by the snap ring without brazing and without being affected by the centrifugal force accompanying the high speed rotation. I will provide a.

[0013]

The blade mounting structure of the torque converter according to the present invention is a structure in which the blades are connected and fixed using a snap ring, and the snap ring is locked and fixed to the blade. . However, in the present invention, the snap ring has a structure that is not adversely affected by the centrifugal force generated by the high speed rotation of the torque converter, rather, the blade can be firmly fixed by utilizing the centrifugal force.

Therefore, the snap ring is mounted so as to be concentric with the shaft of the torque converter, but the snap ring is configured so that its outer peripheral portion is locked. When the outer peripheral portion of the snap ring is locked, the generated centrifugal force acts to push the outer peripheral portion outward, and as a result, the force for tightening the blade is increased. Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an embodiment showing a blade mounting structure according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a blade, 2 is a shell, and a partial cross section of a pump impeller of a torque converter is shown. In the pump impeller 3, a plurality of blades 1, 1 ... Are attached at equal intervals along the inner peripheral surface of the curved shell 2, and a core 4 is attached to the inner peripheral side of the blade. The blade 1 has a substantially fan shape, and the tabs 5, 5 formed on the outer circumference are ...
Is crimped by fitting into a groove provided on the inner peripheral surface of the shell, and the tab 6 formed on the inner periphery is fitted into a slit hole provided in the core 4.

As shown in the figure, the tab 6 has a key shape, and a snap ring 7 is formed on the tab 6 penetrating the slit hole.
Is fitted. The snap ring 7 is a spring-like ring body with a part cut away, and is fitted into the hook-shaped tab 6 with the outer diameter slightly reduced by a jig, and then released from the jig. The outer diameter of the core 4 expands so that the core 4 does not come off the tab 5.

By the way, when the torque converter rotates at high speed around the axis O--O, the snap ring 7 acts so that its outer diameter is expanded by centrifugal force. As a result, the snap ring 7 does not come off the key of the tab 6, and the tab 6 does not loosen and rattle. Rather, it acts as a tightening force so that the tab 1 does not rattle.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment according to the present invention. In the blade 1, the tab 5 fits into the slit groove provided on the inner peripheral surface of the shell of the pump impeller 3, and the snap ring 8 is provided so as not to come off from the shell 2. I am fitted. That is, the snap ring 8 fits into the fitting groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the shell 2, a part of the inner peripheral portion projects from the shell inner peripheral surface 9, and the edge of the blade 1 is locked to the projecting snap ring 8. It is fixed by doing.

On the other hand, the core 4 is provided with slit holes as shown in FIG. 7, and the tabs 10, 10 provided on the inner circumference of the blade are fitted and crimped in the slit holes. Therefore, the core 4 does not separate from the blade 1. Of course, it is free to fix the core 4 and the blade 1 using a fixing means other than caulking. In this case as well, when the torque converter rotates at high speed around the axis O-O, the centrifugal force generated acts to expand the outer diameter of the snap ring 8 and the blade 1 is attached in the same manner as in the above embodiment. It does not loosen, but rather acts as a tightening.

FIG. 3 also shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which a blade 1 is attached to a shell 2 of a pump impeller 3. As in the case of the blade 1 shown in FIG. 1, the tab 5 formed on the outer circumference is fitted into the slit groove of the inner peripheral surface of the shell and is caulked, and the core 4 is formed on the inner circumference of the blade 1.
Is installed. A slit hole is formed in the core 4, a tab 11 is fitted in the slit hole, and a projecting piece 12 provided on the inner peripheral edge of the blade 1 projects from the slit groove of the core 4.

However, in this state, the core 4 comes off, so that the snap ring 13 is fitted. That is, the snap ring 13 is fitted to the projection 12 so that the torque converter rotates at a high speed and a centrifugal force acts on the snap ring 13, but the outer diameter of the snap ring 13 expands. The centrifugal force acts on the blade 1 to prevent the blade 1 from rattling.

FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment of the present invention, in which the tab 5 is fitted in the groove formed in the shell 2. However, the arm 14 is extended from the edge of the blade 1 so as not to come off from the groove, and the snap ring 15 is fitted in the groove formed at the tip of the arm 14. The tabs 10, 10 provided on the inner peripheral side are fitted into the slit holes formed in the core 4 and are crimped.

By the way, when the torque converter rotates at a high speed about O--O, the outer diameter of the snap ring 15 expands to press the arm 14 against the shell inner peripheral surface 9 and fix the blade 1 without rattling. Work like. Here, the arm 14 is welded to the edge of the blade 1. Alternatively, the arm 14 may be integrally punched and punched.

Although the embodiment describes the blade attachment of the pump impeller, the blade of the turbine runner can be similarly attached using the snap ring. As described above, the blade attachment structure of the torque converter according to the present invention is one in which the shell and core and the blade are connected and fixed using the snap ring, and the following effects can be obtained.

[0025]

The blade attachment structure of the present invention is a structure in which a shell and a blade, or a core and a blade are connected and fixed using a snap ring, and when crimping a tab or welding a tab as in the conventional case. The process is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced as compared with. Further, in the present invention, the snap ring fitted to fix the blade works to expand the outer diameter of the torque converter due to the centrifugal force accompanying the high speed rotation of the torque converter.

Therefore, the snap ring expands by the centrifugal force, so that the blade is tightened and the blade does not rattle. The snap ring is a kind of ring-shaped spring body, and even if the blade is fixed, it can be elastically fixed so that a slight movement is allowed by the pressure fluctuation of the working fluid. The concentration of stress in the portion is relaxed, and as a result, the durability of the torque converter is improved. In addition, because the centrifugal force promotes the tightening force of the blade, it is not necessary to use a strong snap ring that is not easy to install, and a snap ring that is relatively easy to fit is sufficient, which also improves workability. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a specific example of the present invention showing a blade attachment structure.

FIG. 2 is a specific example of the present invention showing a blade attachment structure.

FIG. 3 is a specific example of the present invention showing a blade attachment structure.

FIG. 4 is a specific example of the present invention showing a blade attachment structure.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the torque converter.

FIG. 6 is a portion of a turbine runner.

FIG. 7 is a process of attaching a blade of a conventional turbine runner.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 blade 2 shell 3 pump impeller 4 core 5 tabs 6 tabs 7 snap ring 8 snap ring 9 Inner surface 10 tabs 11 tabs 12 protrusion 13 snap ring 14 arms 15 snap ring

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Hori             10 Akane, Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture             N AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuji Kanyama             38 Ikenoue Town, Takefu City, Fukui Prefecture             In W Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Taku Suzuki             38 Ikenoue Town, Takefu City, Fukui Prefecture             In W Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Kobayashi             38 Ikenoue Town, Takefu City, Fukui Prefecture             In W Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a blade attachment structure which is attached between a shell and a core constituting a pump impeller and a turbine runner of a torque converter at substantially equal intervals, a snap ring is used as a connecting means between the blade and the shell or between the blade and the core. A blade mounting structure for a torque converter, wherein the snap ring is fitted and fixed, and the snap ring is mounted so that the fixing force is promoted by a centrifugal force generated as the torque converter rotates. 2. The blade mounting structure for a torque converter according to claim 1, wherein a hook-shaped tab provided on the inner circumference of the blade is fitted into a slit hole of the core, and a snap ring is fitted to the tab to connect and fix the blade and the core. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a snap ring is fitted in a groove provided on the inner peripheral surface of the shell, and the outer peripheral edge of the blade is locked to the inner peripheral portion of the snap ring protruding from the groove to be connected and fixed to the shell. Item 2. A blade attachment structure for a torque converter according to Item 2. 4. The blade according to claim 1 or 3, wherein a protrusion provided on the inner peripheral edge of the blade is protruded from the core, and a snap ring is fitted so as to be locked to the protrusion to connect and fix the blade and the core. Torque converter blade attachment structure. 5. An arm extending from the outer peripheral edge of the blade,
The blade attachment structure for a torque converter according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein a snap ring is fitted in a groove formed at the tip of the arm to connect and fix the blade and the shell. 6. In a blade attachment structure, which is attached between a shell and a core forming a pump impeller and a turbine runner of a torque converter at substantially equal intervals, a snap ring is used as a connecting means between the blade and the shell or between the blade and the core. A blade attachment structure for a torque converter, wherein the snap ring is fitted in a groove that opens radially inward.