JP4645509B2 - Fluid torque transmission device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid type torque transmission device provided in an automatic transmission for a vehicle, for example.

  In general, an automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided with a torque converter that transmits engine torque to the transmission mechanism side as a fluid torque transmission device. The torque converter includes a converter housing connected to the output shaft of the engine, a pump impeller connected to the converter housing, a turbine runner connected to the input shaft of the transmission mechanism so as to face the pump impeller, and the like. ing. The pump impeller rotates with the converter housing as the engine output shaft rotates, and the rotation of the pump impeller causes the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) to have a predetermined speed energy between the pump impeller and the turbine runner. It comes to circulate. The turbine runner absorbs and rotates the speed energy of the ATF, so that the input shaft of the transmission mechanism rotates and the torque of the engine is transmitted to the transmission mechanism side.

  Further, the torque converter is provided with a lockup mechanism for mechanically connecting the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the speed change mechanism as required so as to be positioned between the converter housing and the turbine runner. (For example, patent document 1). This lock-up mechanism is adapted to change the ATF hydraulic pressure between the converter housing and the turbine runner, and the plurality of first friction engagement plates that rotate with the converter housing, the plurality of second friction engagement plates that rotate with the turbine runner, and the converter runner. A substantially disk-shaped piston that moves along the axial direction of the input shaft of the speed change mechanism is provided. Each first friction engagement plate and each second friction engagement plate are arranged so as to be alternately positioned one by one along the moving direction of the piston, and when a pressing force is received from the piston during the movement of the piston Is movable to a predetermined position so that the frictional engagement plates adjacent to each other are pressed against each other.

In the case of the torque converter disclosed in Patent Document 1, the ATF hydraulic pressure on the converter housing side is larger than the piston on the turbine runner side than the piston between the converter housing and the turbine runner. In this case, the piston moves to the converter housing side due to the hydraulic pressure difference. As the piston moves, the pistons apply a pressing force to the first friction engagement plates and the second friction engagement plates, so that the friction engagement plates are engaged with each other (that is, locked up). Since the converter housing and the turbine runner are directly connected, the engine torque is directly transmitted to the transmission mechanism side.
JP 2004-124984 A (FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the torque converter described in Patent Document 1, the lockup mechanism has a lockup state, a lockup release state, and a state between the lockup state and the lockup release state (hereinafter referred to as “intermediate state”). ) Can be executed. This intermediate state means that the pressing force applied to each friction engagement plate by the piston is weaker than in the lock-up state, and the first friction engagement plate and the second friction engagement plate adjacent to each other are so-called slip engagement states. Thus, the turbine runner is rotated with a rotational difference between the turbine runner and the converter housing.

  Therefore, in the intermediate state, the first friction engagement plate and the second friction engagement plate which are adjacent to each other are in sliding contact with each other, so that frictional heat is generated between each first friction engagement plate and each second friction engagement plate. Will occur. Therefore, in the torque converter described in Patent Document 1, when the first friction engagement plate and the second friction engagement plate are separated from each other by shifting from the lock-up state to the lock-up release state through the intermediate state, A large amount of ATF is circulated between the adjacent first friction engagement plates and the second friction engagement plates, thereby improving the efficiency of the cooling action of each friction engagement plate. That is, in the torque converter described in Patent Document 1, when the lockup is released (lockup release state), the friction engagement plates are arranged between the converter housing and the turbine runner as viewed from the piston. A large amount of ATF is caused to flow in a region on the other side (hereinafter referred to as “clutch region”).

  However, when a large amount of ATF is caused to flow in the clutch region when the lockup is released as described above, when the next attempt is made to shift to the lockup state, a large amount of ATF remaining in the clutch region is It takes time to flow out of the clutch area. As a result, the ATF staying in the clutch region hinders the rapid movement of the piston in the lockup direction, and there is a possibility that a response delay from the lockup release state to the lockup state may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently cool each friction engagement plate when the lockup mechanism is released from the lockup, while changing from the lockup released state to the lockup state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid torque transmission device that can quickly perform the transition.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to a converter housing connected to an output shaft extending from a drive source, a pump impeller connected to the converter housing, and the output from a transmission mechanism. A turbine runner coupled to an input shaft extending on the same axis as the shaft so as to face the pump impeller, and the clutch runner positioned between the turbine runner and the converter housing to operate the output In the fluid torque transmission device including a lockup mechanism capable of directly connecting a shaft and the input shaft, the lockup mechanism is rotated with the converter housing, and a second friction engagement plate that rotates with the converter housing. Fluctuation of hydraulic oil flowing between the friction engagement plate, the converter housing and the turbine runner A piston that moves along the axial direction and engages and releases the first friction engagement plate and the second friction engagement plate, and is disposed between the converter housing and the piston, When the piston is in a state of applying a pressing force to the friction engagement plates, the hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow out of the clutch region from the clutch region on the side where the friction engagement plates are disposed as viewed from the piston. On the other hand, when the piston does not apply a pressing force to each friction engagement plate, a through hole is provided in the clutch area to allow hydraulic oil to flow from outside the clutch area. On the other hand, by cutting and bending a cut piece along the axial direction in a direction away from the turbine runner, the side on which the drive source is disposed with respect to the piston Are formed through toward the side of the speed change mechanism is disposed, the second friction engaging plate is summarized in that, which is supported against the bended piece.

The invention according to claim 2 is the fluid torque transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the through holes are respectively formed at a plurality of locations along a circumferential direction centering on the axis. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the fluid torque transmission device according to the first or second aspect , the through hole is disposed outside the friction engagement plates in a radial direction centering on the axis. It is a summary.

  According to the present invention, each friction engagement plate can be efficiently cooled when the lockup mechanism is released from the lockup, while the transition from the lockup release state to the lockup state can be performed quickly.

  An embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a torque converter of an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description of the present specification, the terms “front-rear direction” and “vertical direction” refer to the front-rear direction and the vertical direction indicated by arrows in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic transmission 11 according to this embodiment includes a torque converter 14 as a fluid torque transmission device connected to an engine output shaft 13 as an output shaft extended from an engine 12 as a drive source. And a speed change mechanism 15 disposed on the opposite side of the engine 12 when viewed from the torque converter 14. An oil pump 16 that is driven based on the rotational drive of the engine output shaft 13 is disposed between the torque converter 14 and the speed change mechanism 15.

  The inside of the torque converter 14 is filled with ATF (automatic transmission fluid) as hydraulic oil, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front end side is closed and the rear end side is open. A substantially cylindrical converter housing 17 is provided. Further, an engine output shaft 13 is coupled to a substantially central portion in the radial direction of the bottom wall of the converter housing 17. The converter housing 17 rotates based on the rotational drive of the engine output shaft 13.

  The torque converter 14 is provided with a pump impeller 18. The pump impeller 18 includes a substantially annular pump shell 19 connected to the converter housing 17 so as to close the opening on the rear end side of the converter housing 17. A plurality of blades 20 are arranged and fixed on the front side of the pump shell 19 (on the side opposite to the converter housing 17) at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and at the inner edges of the blades 20. The annular core 21 is fixed. A sleeve 22 connected to the oil pump 16 is fixed to the inner peripheral edge of the pump shell 19. That is, the rotational drive of the engine output shaft 13 is transmitted to the oil pump 16 through the converter housing 17, the pump shell 19 and the sleeve 22.

  A turbine runner 23 is disposed in the internal space between the converter housing 17 and the pump shell 19 so as to face the blades 20 of the pump impeller 18. The turbine runner 23 is fixed to a turbine hub 25 that functions as a fixing member on an input shaft 24 that extends from the transmission mechanism 15 on the same axis as the engine output shaft 13 by a rivet 25a. The turbine hub 25 is splined to the input shaft 24 of the automatic transmission. Further, between the pump impeller 18 and the turbine runner 23, an annular stator 26 for adjusting the flow direction of the ATF in the torque converter 14 is prevented from rotating in one direction by the one-way clutch 26a on its inner diameter. It is provided so that. The input shaft 24 of the speed change mechanism 15 extends through the sleeve 22 to the torque converter 14.

  A lock-up mechanism 27 is provided between the converter housing 17 and the turbine runner 23 so that the engine output shaft 13 and the input shaft 24 of the transmission mechanism 15 can be directly connected by operating a clutch. The lockup mechanism 27 includes a piston 28 formed by processing a metal plate. The piston 28 is formed in an annular shape, and the piston 28 is spline-fitted to the turbine hub 25 and is prevented from rotating in the rotational direction, and is disposed between the piston 28 and the turbine hub 25. It is made fluid-tight by the sealed member 25b. Further, the piston 28 is separated from the turbine runner 23 via a damper 48 a formed by a transmission claw 48 a fixed to the turbine runner 23, a damper spring 48 b and a plate 48 c arranged to rotate integrally with the piston 28. Torque is transmitted. The piston 28 transmits the torque from the turbine hub 25 by rotating around the rotational axis S of the input shaft 24 together with the input shaft 24. In addition, the piston 28 is within the torque converter 14 with respect to the input shaft 24 due to a hydraulic pressure difference between the hydraulic pressure on the front side (converter housing 17 side) of the piston 28 and the hydraulic pressure on the rear side (pump shell 19 side) of the piston 28. And can be moved back and forth.

  Specifically, when the ATF flowing through the first hydraulic fluid passage 30a formed in the input shaft 24 flows into the area on the front side when viewed from the piston 28, the amount of the inflow of the ATF that has flowed in. Thus, the ATF in the rear region as viewed from the piston 28 flows out of the torque converter 14 via the second hydraulic fluid passage 30 b between the input shaft 24 and the sleeve 22. Therefore, the hydraulic pressure is higher in the region on the front side as viewed from the piston 28 than in the region on the rear side as viewed from the piston 28, and the piston 28 moves rearward with respect to the input shaft 24.

  On the other hand, when the ATF flowing through the second hydraulic fluid passage 30b flows into the region on the rear side as viewed from the piston 28, the front side as viewed from the piston 28 by the inflow amount of the inflowed ATF. The ATF in the region flows out of the torque converter 14 via the first hydraulic oil passage 30a. Therefore, the hydraulic pressure is higher in the rear region as viewed from the piston 28 than in the front region as viewed from the piston 28, and the piston 28 moves forward relative to the input shaft 24.

  A drum 31 is disposed on the rear surface side of the bottom wall of the converter housing 17 at a substantially central position in the radial direction of the bottom wall, and a plurality of drums 31 (two in this embodiment) are provided on the drum 31. The driven plate (first friction engagement plate) 32 is attached so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Each of these driven plates 32 is supported by the drum 31 in the radial direction centering on the rotation axis S, and is arranged along the front-rear direction at a predetermined interval.

  The piston 28 is cut and bent at a portion located slightly outside in the radial direction with respect to the radially outer portion centering on the rotation axis S of each driven plate 32, and the cut and bent processing is performed. Further, a through hole (hydraulic fluid distribution means) 33 is formed through the portion where the side where the engine 12 is disposed and the side where the speed change mechanism 15 is disposed communicates with the piston 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the piston 28 has through holes 33 formed at equal intervals at a plurality of locations (six locations in the present embodiment) along the circumferential direction on the arc centered on the rotation axis S of the input shaft 24. ing.

  In addition, the piston 28 is cut and bent with respect to the piston 28, so that a plurality of cut pieces 34 (six in this embodiment) are formed corresponding to the respective through holes 33. Yes. Each of the cut pieces 34 is bent along the rotation axis S of the input shaft 24 toward the front side (that is, the direction away from the turbine runner 23) when viewed from the piston 28. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) drive plates (second friction engagement plates) 35 are attached to the cut piece 34 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Each of these drive plates 35 is supported by the cut piece 34 at the outer side in the radial direction centered on the rotation axis S, and is alternately positioned with the driven plate 32 along the rotation axis S one by one. Each is arranged. In the following description, the region on the front side when viewed from the piston 28 is referred to as “clutch region” because each driven plate 32 and each drive plate 35 is disposed, and the region on the rear side when viewed from the piston. This is referred to as a “non-clutch region” corresponding to the clutch region.

  As described above, when the hydraulic pressure in the clutch region becomes higher than the hydraulic pressure in the non-clutch region, the piston 28 moves rearward with respect to the input shaft 24 as shown in FIG. The application of the pressing force to the adjacent plates 32 and 35 is eliminated. When the application of the pressing force from the piston 28 to the plates 32 and 35 is canceled in this way, the plates 32 and 35 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction are separated (that is, the engaged state is released). It has become.

  On the other hand, when the hydraulic pressure in the clutch region becomes lower than the hydraulic pressure in the non-clutch region, the piston 28 moves forward with respect to the input shaft 24 as shown in FIG. A pressing force is applied to 35. Therefore, the plates 32 and 35 adjacent in the front-rear direction are engaged (contacted) with each other. The state where the plates 32 and 35 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction are separated from each other is referred to as “lock-up release state”, and the state where the plates 32 and 35 adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction are engaged with each other. It is called “lock-up state”.

  Next, regarding the ATF flow in the torque converter 14 of the present embodiment, the ATF flow particularly when shifting from the lock-up release state to the lock-up state, and the ATF when shifting from the lock-up state to the lock-up release state The flow of is described below.

  When the lockup mechanism 27 changes from the lockup release state to the lockup state, ATF flows into the non-clutch region via the second hydraulic oil passage 30b. Then, the oil pressure in the non-clutch region, which was lower than the oil pressure in the clutch region, gradually increases, and thereafter, the oil pressure in the non-clutch region becomes higher than the oil pressure in the clutch region. Therefore, the piston 28 starts to move forward with respect to the input shaft 24.

  Thus, when the movement of the piston 28 toward the front side is started, it is necessary to cause the ATF staying in the clutch region to flow out of the clutch region. Specifically, a part of the ATF in the clutch region flows toward the rotation axis S side of the input shaft 24 and flows out of the torque converter 14 through the first hydraulic oil passage 30a. In addition, ATF that stays outside in the radial direction among the ATFs in the clutch region flows out to the non-clutch region side through a gap between the outer edge of the piston 28 and the inner peripheral surface of the converter housing 17. .

  Further, the remaining part of the ATF in the clutch region flows out to the non-clutch region side through the through holes 33 formed in the piston 28. That is, in the present embodiment, the ATF in the clutch region flows out of the clutch region through three outflow paths. Therefore, as compared with the conventional case in which the through hole 33 is not formed in the piston 28, the ATF in the clutch region can be quickly discharged. As a result, the lockup mechanism 27 can quickly move from the lockup release state to the lockup state. (See FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, when the lockup mechanism 27 changes from the lockup state to the lockup release state, ATF flows into the clutch region via the first hydraulic fluid passage 30a. In addition, from the non-clutch region, ATF flows into the clutch region via the clearance between the outer edge of the piston 28 and the inner peripheral surface of the converter housing 17 and the through holes 33 of the piston 28. Then, the hydraulic pressure in the clutch region, which was lower than the hydraulic pressure in the non-clutch region, gradually increases, and thereafter, the hydraulic pressure in the clutch region becomes higher than the hydraulic pressure in the non-clutch region. Therefore, the piston 28 starts to move rearward with respect to the input shaft 24. Then, the plates 32 and 35 adjacent in the front-rear direction are separated from each other, and a flow path through which ATF can flow is formed between the plates 32 and 35.

  In the unlocked state, most of the ATF that has flowed into the clutch region via the first hydraulic fluid passage 30a flows through the passages between the plates 32 and 35, and then passes through the through holes of the piston 28. It flows out to the non-clutch area side through 33. That is, in this embodiment, the through hole 33 is formed in the piston 28 so that the ATF can flow smoothly in the vicinity where the plates 32 and 35 are arranged. Thus, the frictional heat generated in each plate 32, 35, etc. is efficiently radiated to the ATF flowing in the clutch region. Therefore, each plate 32, 35 can be quickly cooled.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the lock-up mechanism 27 is shifted from the lock-up state to the lock-up release state, not only the first hydraulic oil passage 30a but also the through-holes (actuation of the piston 28) formed in the piston ATF (hydraulic oil) flows in via the oil distribution means) 33. When the lockup release state is established, most of the ATF that has flowed into the clutch region via the first hydraulic fluid passage 30a is driven by the driven plate (first friction engagement plate) 32 adjacent in the front-rear direction. It flows between the plate (second friction engagement plate) 35 and flows out from the clutch region to the non-clutch region side through the through hole (hydraulic oil circulation means) 33. That is, the ATF flowing between the plates 32 and 35 absorbs frictional heat caused by the engagement and sliding contact of the plates 32 and 35 in the lock-up state, and immediately flows out to the non-clutch region side. Therefore, since the ATF in which the frictional heat is not radiated can be circulated between the plates 32 and 35 in the lockup release state, the plates 32 and 35 can be efficiently cooled.

  On the other hand, when the lock-up mechanism 27 is shifted from the lock-up release state to the lock-up state, the ATF in the clutch region is the first hydraulic oil passage 30a, the outer edge of the piston 28, and the inner peripheral surface of the converter housing 17. It flows out of the clutch region not only through the gap between the two, but also through each through hole 33 formed in the piston 28. That is, the ATF in the clutch region can flow out of the clutch region more quickly than in the conventional case where the through hole 33 is not formed in the piston 28. Therefore, even if a large amount of ATF is retained in the clutch region in order to efficiently cool the plates 32 and 35 when the lockup is released, the large amount of ATF can be quickly discharged out of the clutch region. It is possible to quickly shift to the lockup state. Therefore, the plates 32 and 35 can be efficiently cooled when the lockup mechanism 27 releases the lockup, while the transition from the lockup release state to the lockup state can be performed quickly.

  (2) When the lockup is canceled, ATF (hydraulic oil) flows between the converter housing 17 and the piston 28 from the first hydraulic oil passage 30a. The ATF flows between the plates (friction engagement plates) 32 and 35 disposed between the converter housing 17 and the piston 28. Therefore, the plates 32 and 35 can be efficiently cooled by the ATF that has flowed into the clutch region in order to achieve the lockup release state.

  (3) Since the hydraulic oil circulation means is composed of the through-hole 33 formed through the piston 28, unlike the case where the hydraulic oil circulation means is configured to include piping provided in the torque converter 14, An increase in the number of parts of the torque converter 14 can be suppressed.

(4) Since a plurality of through holes 33 are formed in the piston 28, the ATF can be smoothly distributed between the clutch region and the non-clutch region.
(5) If a member that supports each drive plate (second friction engagement plate) 35 is not a cut piece 34 but a member separate from the piston 28, the member is attached to the piston 28. On the other hand, it is necessary to fix by welding or the like. In this case, the strength may be reduced as compared with the case where the cut piece 34 integrally formed with the piston 28 is used. However, in this embodiment, each drive plate 35 is supported by the cut piece 34 cut and bent from the piston 28. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in strength at the site where each drive plate 35 is attached to the piston 28.

  (6) When the lockup is released, ATF (hydraulic oil) flowing into the clutch region from the first hydraulic fluid passage 30a flows between the plates (friction engagement plates) 32 and 35 adjacent in the front-rear direction. Thereafter, the fuel flows out of the clutch region through the through holes (hydraulic fluid distribution means) 33 formed on the radially outer side than the plates 32 and 35. That is, the ATF that flows between the plates 32 and 35 and the frictional heat is dissipated from the plates 32 and 35 flows out of the clutch region quickly through the through holes 33. Therefore, when the lockup is canceled, the ATF in which the frictional heat is not radiated can flow between the plates 32 and 35. Therefore, each plate 32 and 35 can be cooled efficiently.

The present embodiment may be changed to another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In the embodiment, the piston 28 may have a configuration in which the through holes 33 are formed inside the plates 32 and 35 in the radial direction around the rotation axis S.

In the embodiment, each of the driven plate 32 as the first friction engagement plate and the drive plate 35 as the second friction engagement plate may have a single configuration.
In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, each drive plate 35 is supported by a mounting member 40 fixed to the front side of the piston 28 by welding or the like without providing the cut piece 34 on the piston 28. It may be. In this case, it is desirable to fix the attachment member 40 in the vicinity of the through hole 33 formed through the piston 28.

  In the embodiment, the piston 28 may be formed with any number (for example, one or eight) through holes 33 other than six. Moreover, each through-hole 33 does not need to be formed so that the circumferential direction on the circular arc centering on the rotating shaft S may be followed.

  In the embodiment, the hydraulic oil circulation means may not be the through hole 33 formed in the piston 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the hydraulic oil distribution means includes a communication hole 45 formed in the converter housing 17, a communication hole 46 formed in the pump shell 19, and a distribution pipe that connects the communication holes 45, 46. 47 may be used.

  In the embodiment, the torque converter 14 may have a configuration in which the plates 32 and 35 are arranged on the rear side when viewed from the piston 28.

The skeleton figure of the automatic transmission in this embodiment. The partial schematic end elevation of the torque converter in this embodiment. The partial schematic end view of the torque converter in a lock-up state. The top view of a piston. The partial schematic end elevation of the torque converter of another example. The partial schematic end elevation of the torque converter of another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Engine (drive source), 13 ... Engine output shaft, 14 ... Torque converter (fluid type torque transmission device), 15 ... Transmission mechanism, 17 ... Converter housing, 18 ... Pump impeller, 23 ... Turbine runner, 24 ... Input shaft , 27 ... Lock-up mechanism, 28 ... Piston, 32 ... Driven plate (first friction engagement plate), 33 ... Through hole (hydraulic fluid distribution means), 34 ... Cut piece, 35 ... Drive plate (second friction engagement plate) ), 45, 46... Communication hole (hydraulic oil circulation means), 47... Distribution pipe (hydraulic oil circulation means), S.

Claims (3)

A converter housing coupled to an output shaft extending from a drive source; a pump impeller coupled to the converter housing; and an input shaft extending from the speed change mechanism on the same axis as the output shaft. A fluid comprising: a turbine runner coupled so as to face each other; and a lock-up mechanism that is positioned between the turbine runner and the converter housing and is capable of directly coupling the output shaft and the input shaft by operating a clutch. In the torque transmission device,
Hydraulic pressure fluctuation of hydraulic oil flowing between the converter housing and the turbine runner, the first friction engagement plate rotating with the converter housing, the second friction engagement plate rotating with the turbine runner, and the lockup mechanism. And a piston that moves along the axial direction to engage and release the first friction engagement plate and the second friction engagement plate, and is disposed between the converter housing and the piston. ,
When the piston is in a state of applying a pressing force to the friction engagement plates, the hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow out of the clutch region from the clutch region on the side where the friction engagement plates are disposed as viewed from the piston. On the other hand, when the piston is in a state in which it does not apply a pressing force to each friction engagement plate, the clutch area includes a through hole through which hydraulic oil flows from outside the clutch area ,
The through hole is formed by cutting and bending a cut piece along the axial direction in the direction away from the turbine runner with respect to the piston from the side where the drive source is disposed with respect to the piston. A hydrodynamic torque transmitting device that is formed so as to penetrate toward the side where the speed change mechanism is disposed, and that the second friction engagement plate is supported with respect to the cut piece . The fluid torque transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the through holes are formed at a plurality of locations along a circumferential direction centering on the axis. The fluid torque transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the through hole is disposed outside the friction engagement plates in a radial direction centered on the axis .

Images