JP2006037977A - End cap for damper spring of lockup damper - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cap which is easy to attach to the end of a damper spring and has no possibility of disengagement from the cap and brings no obstacles to expansion deformation of the damper spring with respect to the cap which is housed in a torque converter and elastically connects a turbine runner to a piston and further, in a lockup state where the piston is in engagement, is attached to the end of the damper spring of a lockup damper for absorbing a variation in engine torque. <P>SOLUTION: The cap 13 comprises an inserting leaf spring leg 17 with a plurality of sheets of leg pieces 19, 19... capable of engaging elastically with central holes of a head 16 formed with a flat surface and damper spring 10. The inserting leaf spring leg 17 is fitted into a caulking shaft 23 of the head 16 to be caulked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cap attached to the tip of a damper spring in a lockup damper of a torque converter that connects the damper springs in series.

  As is well known, a torque converter is a type of joint that can transmit engine power to a transmission using a working fluid as a medium. A pump impeller that is turned by the engine and a movement of the working fluid that is sent out by the rotation of the pump impeller. The turbine runner that rotates around the turbine runner, and the stator that changes the direction of the working fluid from the turbine runner and guides it to the pump impeller.

  Therefore, a plurality of blades are arranged at predetermined intervals at a predetermined angle on the pump impeller, turbine runner, and stator. The working fluid sealed in the torque converter is sent from the pump impeller through the blades in the outer circumferential direction, travels along the inner wall of the case of the torque converter, hits the blade of the turbine runner, and the turbine runner is the same as the pump impeller. It works to turn in the direction. Further, the working fluid sent out after hitting the turbine runner is changed in the flow direction so as to hit the blades of the stator and promote the rotation of the pump impeller, and flows into the pump impeller again from the inner periphery.

  FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a conventional torque converter. In the figure, (A) is a pump impeller, (B) is a turbine runner, (C) is a stator, and (D) is a piston, which are housed in a torque converter outer shell (M). Therefore, the front cover (e) rotates with the power from the engine, and the pump impeller (a) integrated with the front cover (e) rotates. ) Turns.

  A shaft (not shown) is fitted to the turbine hub (f) of the turbine runner (b), and the rotation of the turbine runner (b) can be transmitted to a transmission (not shown). Since the torque converter is a kind of fluid clutch, when the rotation speed of the pump impeller (a) is low, the rotation of the turbine runner (ro) can be stopped (the car can be stopped), but the pump As the rotational speed of the impeller (b) increases, the turbine runner (b) starts to rotate, and as the speed further increases, the speed of the turbine runner (b) approaches the rotational speed of the pump impeller (b). However, in the torque converter using the working fluid as a medium, the rotational speed of the turbine runner (b) cannot be the same as that of the pump impeller (b).

  Therefore, as shown in the figure, when the piston (d) is provided in the torque converter outer shell (mu), and the rotational speed of the turbine runner (b) exceeds a predetermined region, The piston (d) can be operated to move in the axial direction and engage with the front cover (e). Since a friction material (g) is attached to the outer periphery of the piston, the piston (d) can rotate at the same speed as the front cover (e) without slipping. This piston (d) is connected to the turbine runner (b), and the turbine runner (b) is rotated by the piston (d), and the power from the engine is lost to the transmission through the fluid. Can be transmitted with high efficiency of almost 100%.

  In this way, when the rotational speed of the turbine runner (b) increases and a certain condition is reached, the piston (d) engages with the front cover (e), and the turbine runner (roh ) Can be directly rotated. However, before the engagement, the rotational speed of the turbine runner (b) and the front cover (e) is not completely the same, and the piston (d) engages with the front cover (e), so that an impact based on the speed difference occurs. appear. Damper springs (H), (H) ... between the piston (D) and the turbine runner (B) in order to mitigate this impact at the time of engagement and, on the other hand, not transmit the torque fluctuation of the engine after the engagement. A lockup damper (N) equipped with is attached.

  Therefore, when the piston (d) rotating at the same speed as the turbine runner (b) is engaged with the slightly faster front cover (e), the speed of the piston (d) increases momentarily and the turbine runner ( (B) Torque to rotate faster is applied. The damper springs (H), (H), ... are configured to absorb and absorb this shocking torque. The piston (d) is coaxially attached to the turbine hub (f) of the turbine runner (b), but it is positioned with the turbine runner (b) by the compression deformation of the damper springs (h), (h). It has a structure capable of producing a phase difference.

  Conventionally, various structures of lock-up dampers are known. For example, a “damper mechanism” according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-169714 has a plurality of units connected in series via an intermediate member to ensure a wide torsion angle characteristic. This is a damper mechanism in which the elastic member (coil spring) is arranged on the outer periphery, and the movement of the connecting portion of the elastic member including the intermediate member is restricted to stabilize the damper characteristics.

  Therefore, the lockup damper mechanism includes a retaining plate, a driven member, a coil spring arranged in series in the outer peripheral portion, an intermediate member, and a pressing plate that restricts the axial movement of the intermediate member. Yes. The coil spring elastically connects the retaining plate and the driven member. In this case, the intermediate member is rotatable relative to the retaining plate and the driven member, and an intermediate support portion disposed between the coil springs and an annular coupling portion that restricts the movement of the intermediate support portion in the radial direction outside. And have.

  Multiple coil springs (damper springs) are connected in series via an intermediate member to increase the torsion angle and further reduce the impact when the piston (retaining plate) engages the front cover. The transmission torque fluctuation to the transmission is reduced.

  However, when the piston (retaining plate) engages with the front cover, the damper spring compresses and deforms, but the damper spring arranged along the outer periphery of the piston rubs against the outer periphery of the piston during the compressive deformation and loses power. Invite. An intermediate member having an intermediate support portion interposed between adjacent damper springs rotates relative to the expansion and contraction of the damper spring. The intermediate member is positioned by a spacer, but transmission power loss occurs due to sliding friction accompanying rotation. It affects not only the power loss due to the friction between the damper spring and the intermediate member but also the spring characteristics of the damper spring and affects the expansion and contraction.

  FIG. 7 shows a case where both damper springs (H) and (H) are connected with an intermediate support portion (L) projecting outward from the intermediate member (R). Claws (e) and (e) protrude from both side ends of the intermediate support part (le) and fit into the center holes of the damper springs (h) and (h), but the damper springs (h) are compressed. In this case, the end of the damper spring is pressed against the piston. The central portion of the damper spring (h) jumps out in the outward direction and the arrow direction.

  Therefore, when a cap is attached to the tip of the damper spring (H), and the cap can be attached in order to stably contact the disk and plate spring retainers that make up the intermediate support (Lu) and lockup damper (N). There is also. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section when a cap is attached to the tip of the damper spring. The cap is provided with a fitting leg and is fitted into the center hole of the damper spring (h).

Accordingly, the cap is stable without being detached from the damper spring (h), but when the cap is attached, the outer diameter A of the fitting leg that fits into the center hole has an effect, and the outer diameter of the fitting leg is larger than the inner diameter B of the center hole. If the diameter A is small, it can be easily fitted, but it will come off. On the other hand, when the fitting leg outer diameter A is large, it is necessary to push the inner diameter of the damper spring (chi) to be expanded, and the stress at the time of compressive deformation of the damper spring (chi) is combined with the outer damper spring (chi ) May be damaged.
"Damper mechanism" according to JP-A-10-169714

  As described above, the damper spring constituting the lockup damper of the conventional torque converter has the above-described problems. The problems to be solved by the present invention are these problems, and provide a cap that can be easily attached to the tip of a damper spring and does not come off. As a result, the lockup damper apparatus which can exhibit the stable damper function is provided, without the expansion-contraction deformation of a damper spring being inhibited.

  A cap is attached to the tip of the damper spring constituting the lockup damper of the torque converter according to the present invention, and the cap is connected to the end surface of the intermediate support and the end surface of the spring presser by connecting the damper spring in series. A state can be secured. The basic structure of the lock-up damper device is the same as before, and the torsion angle can be expanded so as to further alleviate the impact when the piston engages with the front cover. Includes an intermediate support portion, and the intermediate support portion is provided so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the intermediate member.

  The cap attached to the tip of the damper spring in series contacts the end surface of the intermediate support and the end of the spring presser, but the cap forms a flat contact surface, and the fitting leg that fits into the center hole of the damper spring is a leaf spring. It is composed. That is, an insertion plate spring leg formed in a predetermined shape on the cap head is fixed by caulking, the insertion plate spring leg can be bent and deformed, and is elastically fitted into the center hole of the damper spring.

  Since the damper springs for the lock-up damper of the torque converter targeted by the present invention are arranged in series, they can be greatly expanded and contracted when the piston is engaged with the front cover, which has the effect of suppressing impact. large. An intermediate support portion provided on the intermediate member is interposed between the damper springs arranged in series, and the intermediate member rotates as the damper spring expands and contracts. That is, all the damper springs arranged in series can be expanded and contracted simultaneously via the intermediate member.

  A cap is attached to the tip of the damper spring, and the flat surface of the cap head abuts against the intermediate support portion and the spring retainer to connect the damper springs in series. Since the fitting leg of the cap that fits into the center hole of the damper spring is composed of a leaf spring, it is easy to attach and the cap once attached is not removed.

  By attaching a cap to the tip of the damper spring, it is possible to suppress rubbing against the piston due to expansion and contraction, stabilize the spring characteristics of the damper spring, and reduce transmission power loss due to sliding friction. Therefore, the damper spring moves along the outer peripheral surface of the piston as it expands and contracts. At this time, the loss of transmission power is reduced and the influence on the elastic deformation of the spring is reduced by not contacting the outer peripheral surface of the piston. . That is, the hysteresis phenomenon of the damper spring can be suppressed, and the spring characteristics can be stabilized. Furthermore, since the fitting leg is constituted by a plate spring, the fitting leg does not affect the expansion and contraction of the damper spring, and the plate spring can freely deform following the damper spring.

  FIG. 1 shows a torque converter with a lock-up damper. The basic structure is the same as that of the conventional torque converter shown in FIG. 6, and the lockup damper 1 is attached to the outer periphery of the turbine hub 4 together with the flange 3 of the turbine runner 2. A piston 5 is combined with the lock-up damper 1 and can be rotated together with the piston 5. The lock-up damper 1 relieves shock torque generated when the piston 5 engages with the front cover 6. Absorbs engine torque fluctuations during operation.

  FIG. 2 is an embodiment showing a lock-up damper device, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). In this lock-up damper 1, a plate 21 is fixed by rivets 8, 8,... Via spacers 7, 7,..., And spring retainers 9, 9,. It abuts against the tip of the damper spring 10, 10,. Further, an accommodation space is formed between the spring retainers 9, 9,..., And damper springs 10, 10 are accommodated in this accommodation space. Therefore, the damper springs 10, 10... Are attached to the outer periphery of the piston 5 through the plate 21.

  In the lock-up damper 1 shown in the figure, spring retainers 9, 9,... Are provided at four locations on the outer periphery of the plate, and two dampers are provided in each accommodating space formed between the spring retainers 9, 9,. The springs 10 are accommodated. However, the two damper springs 10 and 10 are not accommodated as they are, but intermediate support portions 11, 11... Are interposed therebetween, and the damper springs 10 and 10 are connected in series. .

  A disk 14 is combined with the surface side (opposite side of the piston) of FIG. 2, and the flange 3 of the disk 14 is fixed to the turbine hub 4 together with the flange of the turbine runner 2. . Are also provided on the outer periphery of the disk 14, and the spring retainers 15, 15. Abut on the tip ends of the damper springs 10, 10 connected in series, and the spring retainers 9 of the plate 21. It is structured to be sandwiched between 9 ... Accordingly, when a change in rotational speed occurs between the plate 21 rotating together with the piston 5 and the disk 14 fixed to the turbine runner 2, the damper springs 10 and 10 expand and contract.

  FIG. 3 shows an intermediate member 12 provided with intermediate support portions 11, 11,. The intermediate member 12 forms a ring body having a predetermined size, and the intermediate support portions 11, 11... Are formed at four locations of the intermediate member 12. As shown in FIG. 2B, the intermediate member 12 is sandwiched between the piston 5 and the plate 21, and is positioned using the spacers 7, 7,. Since the spacers 7, 7,... Are slightly thicker than the thickness of the intermediate member 12, the intermediate member 12 can be rotated using the spacers 7, 7,.

  The intermediate support portions 11, 11,... Formed so as to protrude outward from the intermediate member 12 are located between the damper springs 10, 10 connected in series as shown in FIG. It abuts against the tips of the springs 10 and 10. However, in the present invention, caps 13 and 13 are interposed between the intermediate support portion 11 and the damper springs 10 and 10. Similarly, caps 13 and 13 are interposed between the spring presser and the damper springs 10 and 10.

  FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the cap 13 according to the present invention. The cap 13 is composed of a head 16 and a fitting plate spring leg 17, and the head 16 has a disk shape having a flat surface 18, and the fitting plate spring leg 17 has a plurality of leg pieces 19, 19,. Since the gaps 20, 20,... Are provided between the leg pieces 19, 19,..., The leg pieces 19, 19,.

  The leg piece 19 is substantially V-shaped and the apex 22 is positioned on the outer periphery, and the insertion leaf spring leg 17 comprising a plurality of leg pieces 19, 19... Is fitted into the center hole of the damper spring 10. The outer diameter of the insertion plate spring leg 17 with the vertices 22, 22... As the outer periphery is larger than the inner diameter of the center hole of the damper spring 10, and when the insertion plate spring leg 17 is fitted in the center hole, the leg pieces 19, 19. . Can be bent and deformed inward within the range of the gaps 20, 20,. The fitting plate spring leg 17 is fitted and fixed to a crimping shaft 23 provided at the center of the head 16.

  The insertion plate spring leg 17 fitted in the center hole is attached to the damper spring 10 by applying a spring force, and therefore does not fall out of the center hole. The damper spring 10 expands and contracts with the operation of the lock-up damper 1. However, since the insertion plate spring leg 17 is free to bend and deform, it does not hinder the expansion and contraction of the damper spring 10. If a fitting leg made of a rigid body as shown in FIG. 8 is fitted in the center hole, the expansion and contraction of the damper spring 10 is restrained by the fitting leg, and sufficient spring characteristics cannot be exhibited.

  FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the cap 13 according to the present invention. 4, the cap 13 is composed of a head 16 and an insertion plate spring leg 24, and the head 16 has a disk shape having a flat surface 18, and the insertion plate spring leg 24 has a plurality of leg pieces. 25, 25... Since the gaps 20, 20,... Are provided between the leg pieces 25, 25,..., The leg pieces 25, 25,.

  The leg piece 25 has a generally rectangular shape, the tip 26 is positioned on the outer periphery, and the fitting leaf spring leg 24 is fitted into the center hole of the damper spring 10 and attached. The outer diameter of the insertion plate spring leg 24 with the tips 26, 26,... As the outer periphery is larger than the inner diameter of the center hole of the damper spring 10, and when the insertion plate spring leg 24 is fitted into the center hole, the leg pieces 25, 25,. Can be bent and deformed within the range of the gaps 20, 20,. The fitting plate spring leg 24 is fitted and fixed to a caulking shaft 27 provided at the center of the head 16.

  The insertion plate spring leg 24 fitted in the center hole is attached to the damper spring 10 by applying a spring force, and therefore does not fall out of the center hole. And since the insertion leaf | plate spring leg 24 is bending deformation free, it does not interfere with the expansion-contraction deformation | transformation of the damper spring 10. FIG.

Torque converter with lock-up damper device. A specific example of a lockup damper device. An intermediate member incorporated in the lockup damper device. Cap attached to the tip of the damper spring. Cap attached to the tip of the damper spring. Conventional torque converter. Conventional positional relationship between intermediate support and damper spring. A cap attached to the tip of a conventional damper spring.

Explanation of symbols

1 Lock-up damper 2 Turbine runner 3 Flange 4 Turbine hub 5 Piston 6 Front cover 7 Spacer 8 Rivet 9 Spring retainer
10 Damper spring
11 Intermediate support
12 Intermediate member
13 cap
14 discs
15 Spring presser
16 heads
17 Insertion plate spring leg
18 Flat surface
19 Leg pieces
20 Clearance
21 plates
22 vertex
23 Caulking shaft
24 Insertion plate spring leg
25 leg pieces
26 Tip
27 Caulking shaft

Claims (2)

In a cap that is housed in a torque converter, elastically connects a turbine runner and a piston, and is attached to the tip of a damper spring of a lockup damper that absorbs torque fluctuations of the engine in a lockup state in which the piston is engaged, The cap is composed of a flat plate-shaped head and a fitting plate spring leg having a plurality of leg pieces that can be elastically engaged with the center hole of the damper spring, and the fitting plate spring leg is arranged on the caulking shaft of the head. A tip cap for a damper spring of a lockup damper characterized by being fitted and crimped. A lockup damper that is housed in a torque converter, elastically connects a turbine runner and a piston, and absorbs torque fluctuations of the engine in a lockup state in which the piston is engaged. A plate-shaped plate is attached to the piston with a suitable gap by interposing a spacer. A spring retainer is provided on the outer periphery of the plate, and a plurality of damper springs are connected in series in the space formed between the spring retainers. An intermediate member is sandwiched in a gap formed between the piston and the plate so that the spacer can be rotated as a guide, and the intermediate member protrudes outward to form an intermediate support portion. Is located between the damper springs connected in series and abuts against the tip of the damper spring. A cap interposed between the intermediate support portion and the spring retainer, and the cap has a flat head and a plurality of leg pieces that can be elastically engaged with the center hole of the damper spring. A tip cap for a damper spring of a lock-up damper, which is composed of a fitting spring spring leg and is crimped by fitting the fitting spring leg to the caulking shaft of the head.

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