JP4648664B2 - Intermediate member that connects the damper springs of the lockup damper in series - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an intermediate member for connecting damper springs in series in a lockup damper of a torque converter.

  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 peripheral 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. 5 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 ( B) can be directly rotated. However, before the engagement, the rotational speeds of the turbine runner (B) and the front cover (E) are not completely the same. 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 on 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.

  A plurality of coil springs (damper springs) are arranged on the outer periphery of the piston (d), and each damper spring is fixed to the piston side and protrudes outward from the plate, and the disk outward direction fixed to the turbine side It is sandwiched between the spring presser protruding to In this case, a plurality of damper springs having a predetermined length are arranged. However, when the length of the damper spring is increased, the damper spring comes into contact with the outer periphery of the piston, and rubs at the time of expansion and contraction to generate frictional resistance.

  Therefore, like the “damper mechanism” according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-169714, an intermediate member is attached and an intermediate support portion protruding outward of the intermediate member is interposed between the damper springs. That is, by connecting the damper springs in series with the intermediate support portion in between, the length of the damper spring is shortened and a structure that does not contact the outer periphery of the piston can be achieved.

  Multiple damper springs are connected in series via the intermediate support, which increases the torsion angle and further reduces the impact when the piston (retaining plate) engages with the front cover. Fluctuation in torque transmitted to the However, when the piston (retaining plate) engages with the front cover, the damper spring compresses and deforms, but the intermediate member having the intermediate support portion interposed between the adjacent damper springs is relatively deformed along with the expansion and contraction of the damper spring. Rotate.

The intermediate member is positioned by the presser plate, but transmission power loss occurs due to sliding friction accompanying rotation. Thus, by shortening the length of the damper spring, it is possible to suppress the frictional resistance with the outer periphery of the piston. However, since the intermediate member rotates as the damper spring expands and contracts, If a large frictional resistance is generated, the effect of shortening the damper spring and connecting it in series will be halved.
"Damper mechanism" according to JP-A-10-169714

  As described above, in the conventional torque converter, the intermediate member that connects the damper springs of the lockup damper in series has the above-described problems. The problems to be solved by the present invention are these problems. An intermediate member that rotates as the damper spring expands and contracts reduces friction between the piston and the presser plate, and a lockup damper for a torque converter having high transmission efficiency. Providing equipment.

  The torque converter lock-up damper device targeted by the present invention shortens the damper spring and connects it in series to expand the twist angle so as to further alleviate the impact when the piston engages the front cover. I can do it. An intermediate support portion is interposed between adjacent damper springs, and the intermediate support portion is provided so as to protrude from the outer periphery of the intermediate member. The basic structure is the same as that of the “damper mechanism” according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-169714, but the intermediate member of the present invention has a form in which the frictional resistance is reduced during the rotational movement accompanying the expansion and contraction of the damper spring.

  The intermediate member protrudes from the ring body and the intermediate support portion at a plurality of locations outward of the ring body. And a small convex part is provided in multiple places at least on the single side | surface side of a ring body, and the ring body pinched | interposed into a piston and a plate contacts via the said convex part. Accordingly, the frictional resistance accompanying the rotation of the intermediate member is reduced. Of course, the plate attached to the piston interposes a spacer so that the distance from the piston is not less than a certain value. Further, not only a small convex portion but also a narrow ring-shaped convex portion can be provided.

  Since the lockup damper to which the present invention is applied has damper springs arranged in series, it can be greatly expanded and contracted when the piston is engaged with the front cover, and the effect of suppressing impact is great. 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 can be expanded and contracted simultaneously by the intermediate member formed of the ring body.

  Since the ring member of the intermediate member is provided with a small convex part or a ring-shaped convex part, when rotating with the expansion and contraction of the damper spring, the frictional resistance between the piston and the plate is reduced, and the power It is possible to configure a torque converter with high transmission efficiency. This reduces the influence on the elastic deformation of the damper spring, can suppress the hysteresis phenomenon of the damper spring, and can stabilize the characteristics of the spring.

  FIG. 1 shows a torque converter provided with an intermediate member of the present invention. The basic structure is the same as that of the conventional torque converter shown in FIG. 5, 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, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). A plate 21 is fixed to the lockup damper 1 by rivets 8, 8,... Via spacers 7, 7,..., And spring retainers 9, 9,. , 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, and the intermediate support portions 11 are interposed between the damper springs 10 and 10. The damper springs 10 and 10 are connected in series. Yes.

  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 against the tip ends of the damper springs 10, 10 connected in series, and the spring retainer of the plate 21 is provided. It has a structure sandwiched between 9, 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 13 having a predetermined size, and the intermediate support portions 11 are formed at four locations on the ring body 13. 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 ring body 13, the ring body 13 can be rotated with the spacers 7, 7,.

  Further, small convex portions 16, 16,... And small concave portions 17, 17,... Are formed on one side surface of the ring body 13, and thus small convex portions 16, 16,. ing. Therefore, the ring body 13 of the intermediate member 12 sandwiched between the piston 5 and the plate 21 does not come into surface contact, and the small convex portions 16, 16,... .

  Here, as a method for reducing the contact surface, it is possible to provide a convex ring over the entire circumference instead of the small convex portions 16, 16. Of course, the convex ring may be provided partially rather than on the entire circumference. FIG. 4 shows the intermediate member 12 in which the convex ring 22 is formed.

  The intermediate member 12 can be manufactured by stamping and forming a metal plate, and the convex portions 16, 16... And the concave portions 17, 17. A convex ring 22 is also formed. In the embodiment, the shape of the intermediate support portions 11, 11,... Provided on the outer periphery of the ring body 13 is substantially U-shaped. However, in the present invention, the shape of the intermediate support portion 11 is not limited. .

  The intermediate support portion 11 of the embodiment has a generally U shape, and both side ends 19 and 19 can be flattened to abut against the tip of the damper spring, but sometimes the side ends 19 and 19 are formed with claws to form a damper spring. It is also possible to adopt a form that can be fitted into the center hole.

The torque converter provided with the lockup damper apparatus of this invention. An example of a lockup damper. An intermediate member built into the lockup damper. An intermediate member built into the lockup damper. Conventional torque converter.

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 Ring body
14 discs
15 Spring presser
16 Convex
17 Recess
19 Side edge
21 plates
22 Convex ring

Claims (2)

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, the lockup damper being a ring A plate-shaped plate is attached to the piston with a 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 and accommodated in series in the space formed between the spring retainers. and the intermediate member fitted in the gap that is formed between the piston and the plate is interposed intermediate support between the damper spring connected to the series, the intermediate member is to reduce the frictional resistance to the spacer as a guide to rotate to form a plurality of small projections on at least one side surface of the ring member, and the intermediate support Intermediate member in series damper spring of the lockup damper, characterized in that flattening the both side ends by folding the shape like a U shape. 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, the lockup damper being a ring A plate-shaped plate is attached to the piston with a 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 and accommodated in series in the space formed between the spring retainers. and the intermediate member fitted in the gap that is formed between the piston and the plate is interposed intermediate support between the damper spring connected to the series, the intermediate member is to reduce the frictional resistance to the spacer as a guide to rotate, the ring body at least on one side to form a ring-like convex portion, and the intermediate support Intermediate member in series damper spring of the lockup damper, characterized in that flattening the both end by bending the Jo as co shaped.

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