JP6608195B2 - Torque converter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a torque converter.

  A conventional torque converter includes a torque converter main body and a lock-up device. The lockup device is disposed between the front cover coupled to the engine and the torque converter body. The torque converter body includes a front cover, a pump, a turbine, and a stator (see Patent Document 1). In this torque converter, the torque converter main body uses the flow of oil (working fluid) to transmit power, and transmits torque from the engine to the transmission. The lock-up device attenuates torque fluctuations from the engine and transmits torque from the engine.

JP 2013-124597 A

  In a conventional torque converter, oil is allowed to flow from between the front cover and the lockup device (between the axial direction and between the radial directions) to between the lockup device and the torque converter body, so that the lockup device (for example, The piston) contacts the front cover and locks up. In other words, if the lockup device can be brought into smooth contact with the front cover, the responsiveness of the lockup device during lockup can be improved.

  On the other hand, until now, attempts have been made to improve the responsiveness of the lockup device by controlling the pump that supplies oil, but the technology that improves the responsiveness of the lockup device using the configuration of the torque converter itself. About was not noticed.

  The objective of this invention is providing the torque converter which can improve the responsiveness of the lockup apparatus at the time of lockup.

  (1) A torque converter according to one aspect of the present invention is for transmitting torque from an engine to a transmission. The torque converter includes a front cover, a torque converter main body, and a lockup device. Torque from the engine is input to the front cover. The torque converter body is provided on the front cover. The lockup device is disposed between the front cover and the torque converter body in the axial direction. In such a torque converter, the flow path of the working fluid provided between the front cover and the lockup device on the radially outer side has a smaller cross-sectional area on the torque converter body side than a cross-sectional area on the engine side.

  In this torque converter, the cross-sectional area on the torque converter main body side is smaller than the cross-sectional area on the engine side in the flow path of the working fluid on the radially outer side. For this reason, when the working fluid moves in the radially outer flow path from the engine side to the torque converter main body side, the flow velocity increases on the torque converter main body 3 side.

  Due to the increase in the flow velocity, the pressure is reduced on the torque converter main body side (outlet side) of the flow path. That is, the pressure between the lockup device and the torque converter main body decreases. Then, the differential pressure between the pressure between the front cover and the lockup device in the axial direction and the pressure between the lockup device and the torque converter main body in the axial direction becomes small.

  Thus, by reducing the differential pressure between the two, the lockup device (for example, the piston) can be brought into contact with the front cover with a small pressure, so that the responsiveness of the lockup device can be improved during lockup. Here, in the conventional torque converter, the cross-sectional area of the radially outer flow path is constant. For this reason, in this torque converter, the responsiveness of the lockup device can be improved at the time of lockup as compared with the conventional configuration.

  (2) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the lockup device includes an elastic member that attenuates torque fluctuations, and a rotating member that transmits torque from the front cover to the elastic member. ing. The flow path is provided between the inner peripheral portion of the front cover and the outer peripheral portion of the rotating member.

  Even if the lockup device is configured in this manner, the responsiveness of the lockup device can be improved at the time of lockup.

  (3) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the first inclined portion is provided on the inner surface of the radially outer portion of the front cover. The first inclined portion is formed so that the distance between the inner surface of the front cover and the rotation shaft gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body side. The first inclined portion constitutes the radially outer portion of the flow path on the torque converter main body side.

  In this case, the radially outer portion of the flow path is constituted by the first inclined portion having the above shape. Thus, the working fluid can be guided more smoothly from the engine side to the torque converter main body side by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of a lockup apparatus can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (4) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the second inclined portion is provided on the outer surface of the radially outer portion of the rotating member. The second inclined portion is formed so that the distance between the outer surface of the rotating member and the rotating shaft gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body side. The second inclined portion constitutes the radially inner portion of the flow path on the torque converter main body side.

  In this case, the radially inner portion of the flow path is configured by the second inclined portion having the above shape. Thus, the working fluid can be guided more smoothly from the engine side to the torque converter main body side by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of a lockup apparatus can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (5) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the second inclined portion is provided on the outer surface of the radially outer portion of the rotating member. The second inclined portion is formed so that the distance between the outer surface of the rotating member and the rotating shaft gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body side. The second inclined portion is provided to face the first inclined portion, and constitutes the radially inner portion of the flow path on the torque converter main body side.

  In this case, the radially inner portion of the flow path is configured by the second inclined portion having the above shape. Thus, the working fluid can be guided more smoothly from the engine side to the torque converter main body side by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of a lockup apparatus can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (6) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the first position where the first inclined portion starts to be inclined on the engine side is more torque than the second position where the second inclined portion starts to be inclined on the engine side. It is provided on the converter body side.

  Thereby, the flow path can be easily formed so that the cross-sectional area of the flow path on the torque converter main body side is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the flow path on the engine side. Further, the working fluid that has flowed into the flow path from between the front cover and the lockup device in the axial direction can be smoothly guided between the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of a lockup apparatus can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (7) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the torque converter body includes a pump, a turbine, and a stator. The pump has a pump shell connected to the front cover and a pump blade provided on the pump shell. The turbine includes a turbine shell disposed to face the pump shell, and a turbine blade provided on the turbine shell between the turbine shell and the pump blade. The stator rectifies the working fluid between the pump blade and the turbine blade.

  In this case, the first distance between the pump shell and the turbine shell on the radially outer side is smaller than the second distance between the pump blade and the turbine blade on the radially outer side. Thus, the working fluid can be smoothly guided between the lockup device and the torque converter main body in the axial direction without flowing between the pump shell and the turbine shell.

  (8) In the torque converter according to another aspect of the present invention, the turbine further includes a control fin. The control fin controls the flow of the working fluid toward the rotating shaft side of the turbine shell. The control fin is provided on the radially outer side of the turbine shell with respect to the rotation axis.

  In this case, the third distance between the pump shell and the control fin on the radially outer side is smaller than the first distance. Thus, the working fluid can be smoothly guided between the lockup device and the torque converter main body in the axial direction without flowing the working fluid between the pump shell and the control fin.

  According to the present invention, in the torque converter, the responsiveness of the lockup device at the time of lockup can be improved.

Sectional drawing of the torque converter which concerns on this embodiment The external view of the control fin seen in the direction where the rotating shaft of a turbine shell extends. Partial enlarged sectional view of torque converter The figure for demonstrating the structure of a 2nd flow path. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the 2nd flow path which concerns on other embodiment.

<Configuration of torque converter>
(Basic configuration of torque converter)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a torque converter 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. An engine (not shown) is arranged on the left side of FIG. 1, and a transmission (not shown) is arranged on the right side of FIG. X in FIG. 1 is the rotational axis of the torque converter 1.

  The torque converter 1 is for transmitting torque from the engine to the transmission. The torque converter 1 includes a front cover 31, a torque converter main body 3, and a lockup device 5.

  Torque from the engine is input to the front cover 31. The front cover 31 has a disc part 31a and a cylindrical part 31b. The disc part 31a is formed substantially in a disc shape, and receives torque from the engine. The cylindrical portion 31b is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is formed integrally with the outer peripheral portion of the disc portion 31a. The cylindrical portion 31b corresponds to a radially outer portion of the front cover 31 described later. The cylindrical portion 31b has an opening 31c. A pump 41 is connected to the opening 31c. The front cover 31 and the pump 41 (pump shell 42) form a filling space S1 filled with a working fluid. The filling space S1 includes a flow path R (a first flow path R1, a second flow path R2, and a third flow path R3) to be described later. The pump 41 and the front cover 31 may be interpreted as constituting a pump impeller of the torque converter 1.

  The torque converter body 3 is provided on the front cover 31. The torque converter main body 3 includes a pump 41, a turbine 51, and a stator 61.

  The pump 41 includes a pump shell 42 and a pump blade 43. The pump shell 42 is connected to the opening 31 c of the front cover 31. The pump blade 43 is formed integrally with the pump shell 42. Specifically, the pump blade 43 is integrally formed with the pump shell 42 in the filling space S1.

  The turbine 51 is a turbine liner of the torque converter 1. The turbine 51 includes a turbine shell 52, turbine blades 53, and control fins 54.

  The turbine shell 52 is disposed to face the pump shell 42. An inner peripheral portion of the turbine shell 52 is connected to a hub 30 for outputting torque to the transmission.

  The turbine blade 53 is provided in the turbine shell 52 between the turbine shell 52 and the pump shell 42. The turbine blade 53 is arranged at a predetermined interval from the pump shell 42.

  The control fin 54 is for controlling the flow of oil. For example, the control fin 54 controls the flow of oil toward the rotation axis X side. The rotation axis X may be interpreted as the rotation axis of the turbine 51. The rotation axis X is coaxial with the rotation axis X of the torque converter 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control fins 54 are provided in the turbine shell 52. Here, the plurality of control fins 54 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the turbine shell 52. Each control fin 54 is provided on the radially outer side of the turbine shell 52 with the rotation axis X as a reference. In FIG. 2, only three control fins 54 are shown, and the other control fins 54 are omitted.

  The outer portion of the control fin 54 is disposed offset with respect to the rotation direction RA opposite to the rotation direction RB of the turbine shell 52 with respect to the inner portion of the control fin 54. In other words, the inner part of the control fin 54 is arranged offset in the rotational direction RB of the turbine shell 52 with respect to the outer part of the control fin 54. The inner part of the control fin 54 is arranged outside the central part in the radial direction of the turbine blade 53.

  When viewed in the direction in which the rotation axis X extends (see FIG. 2), a straight line D1 connecting the end of the inner side of the control fin 54 and the rotation axis X (rotation center) and the end of the inner side of the control fin 54 And the straight line D2 connecting the end portion of the outer side of the control fin 54 is set to 30 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less. Here, the angle θ is set to 70 degrees, for example.

  The stator 61 is disposed between the turbine blade 53 and the pump blade 43. The stator 61 guides oil from the turbine blade 53 to the pump blade 43. The stator 61 is allowed to rotate only in one direction by the one-way clutch 62. For example, when the difference in rotational speed between the turbine liner (turbine 51) and the pump impeller (front cover 31 and pump 41) is large, the stator 61 rectifies oil and promotes the rotation of the pump impeller. On the other hand, when the difference in rotational speed is small, the stator 61 is idled by the one-way clutch 62.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the torque converter body 3, a first gap M <b> 1 is provided between the radially outer portion of the turbine shell 52 and the radially outer portion of the pump shell 42. The first interval B of the first gap M1 is the minimum interval between the radially outer portion of the turbine shell 52 and the radially outer portion of the pump shell 42.

  A second gap M <b> 2 is provided between the radially outer portion of the pump blade 43 and the radially outer portion of the turbine blade 53. The second interval A of the second gap M <b> 2 is the minimum interval between the radially outer portion of the pump blade 43 and the radially outer portion of the turbine blade 53.

  A third gap M <b> 3 is provided between the radially outer portion of the pump shell 42 and the radially outer portion of the control fin 54. The third gap C of the third gap M3 is the minimum gap between the radially outer part of the pump shell 42 and the radially outer part of the control fin 54.

  The following relationship is established in the first gap M1, the second gap M2, and the third gap M3. The first interval B is smaller than the second interval A, and the third interval C is smaller than the first interval B. That is, the intervals become smaller in the order of the second interval A, the first interval B, and the third interval C (A> B> C). In other words, the first to third gaps M1, M2, and M3 are provided between the above members so that the first to third intervals B, A, and C have the above relationship.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the lockup device 5 is a device for absorbing and attenuating torque fluctuations while mechanically transmitting torque from the front cover 31 to the turbine 51. The lockup device 5 is arranged in a space between the front cover 31 and the turbine 51.

  The lockup device 5 mainly has a piston 7 and a damper mechanism 9.

  The piston 7 is disposed so as to divide the space between the front cover 31 and the turbine 51 in the axial direction. The piston 7 is disposed close to the axial engine side of the front cover 31.

  The piston 7 is a member that can move in the axial direction by a change in hydraulic pressure in the torque converter 1. A friction member 8 is attached to the piston 7. The friction member 8 can come into contact with the front cover 31 and can slide.

  Specifically, before the lockup device 5 is locked up, oil is supplied between the front cover 31 and the piston 7 in the axial direction (first flow path R1 described later; see FIG. 3). And the torque converter main body 3 in the axial direction (a third flow path R3 described later; see FIG. 3). In this case, the friction member 8 is not in contact with the front cover 31.

  On the other hand, when the lockup device 5 locks up, oil is supplied between the piston 7 and the torque converter body 3 in the axial direction (a third flow path R3, which will be described later). Are discharged from the axial direction (first flow path R1 described later). As a result, the friction member 8 of the piston 7 moves to the front cover 31 side and contacts the front cover 31.

  The damper mechanism 9 includes a drive plate 11, a driven plate 13, a plurality of torsion springs 15 (an example of an elastic member), and a float member 17 (an example of a rotating member).

  The drive plate 11 is disposed on the axial transmission side (turbine 51 side) of the piston 7. The drive plate 11 is fixed to the piston 7 by a fixing member such as a rivet and holds a plurality of torsion springs 15. The drive plate 11 is engaged with the end of the torsion spring 15 and inputs torque to the torsion spring 15.

  The driven plate 13 is disposed between the axial direction of the turbine 51 and the piston 7. The driven plate 13 is fixed to the hub 30 and engages with end portions of the plurality of torsion springs 15. The driven plate 13 receives torque output from the plurality of torsion springs 15 and outputs this torque to the hub 30.

  The plurality of torsion springs 15 expand and contract by relative rotation between the drive plate 11 and the driven plate 13. Thereby, the fluctuation torque input from the drive plate 11 is attenuated.

  The plurality of torsion springs 15 include an outer peripheral side torsion spring 15a and an inner peripheral side torsion spring 15b. The outer peripheral side torsion spring 15 a and the inner peripheral side torsion spring 15 b are held by the drive plate 11.

  The drive plate 11 comes into contact with the ends of the outer torsion spring 15a and the inner torsion spring 15b, and torque is input. The outer torsion spring 15 a and the inner torsion spring 15 b attenuate the fluctuation torque input from the drive plate 11. Further, the driven plate 13 comes into contact with the end portions of the outer peripheral side torsion spring 15 a and the inner peripheral side torsion spring 15 b, and the torque after the fluctuation torque is attenuated by these torsion springs 15 is output to the driven plate 13. The

  The float member 17 is a substantially annular member, and holds the torsion spring 15a on the outer peripheral side. The float member 17 includes a first portion 27a disposed between the piston 7 and the outer torsion spring 15a in the axial direction, a second portion 27b disposed radially inward of the outer torsion spring 15a, And a third portion 27c disposed on the radially outer side of the side torsion spring 15a.

  The first portion 27a is formed substantially in an annular shape. The second portion 27b is formed integrally with the inner peripheral portion of the first portion 27a. The float member 17 is positioned in the radial direction by the inner peripheral end of the second portion 27b coming into contact with the drive plate 11. The third portion 27c is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

  The third portion 27c holds the radially outer side of each torsion spring 15 on the outer peripheral side. The third portion 27c is formed integrally with the outer peripheral portion in the radial direction of the first portion 27a. The third portion 27 c extends from the radially outer portion of the first portion 27 a toward the turbine 51. Between the third portion 27c and the radially outer portion (cylindrical portion 31b) of the front cover 31, a flow path R (second flow path R2 described later) through which oil can pass is provided. The third portion 27c corresponds to a radially outer portion of the float member 17 described later. A second inclined portion 29, which will be described later, is formed in the third portion 27c.

(Description of flow path R and oil flow)
As shown in FIG. 3, the flow path R is formed between the front cover 31 and the lockup device 5 and between the lockup device 5 and the torque converter body 3. The flow path R is composed of a first flow path R1, a second flow path R2, and a third flow path R3.

  The first flow path R1 is formed between the front cover 31 and the piston 7 (lock-up device 5) in the axial direction. Oil (an example of a working fluid) can be supplied to and discharged from the first flow path R1 by an oil control unit (not shown) (see the broken line in FIG. 1). The first flow path R1 can also be interpreted as a space formed between the front cover 31 and the piston 7 in the axial direction.

  The second flow path R2 (an example of the flow path R) is formed between the front cover 31 and the float member 17 (lock-up device 5) in the radial direction. The second flow path R <b> 2 is provided on the radially outer side of the float member 17 and on the radially inner side of the front cover 31. The second flow path R2 can also be interpreted as a space formed between the front cover 31 and the float member 17 (lock-up device 5) in the radial direction.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the second flow path R <b> 2 includes the inner peripheral surface of the radially outer portion (cylindrical portion 31 b) of the front cover 31 and the radially outer portion 27 c (third portion) of the float member 17. And the outer peripheral surface of the portion 27c).

  A first inclined portion 32 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 31 b of the front cover 31. Specifically, the first inclined portion 32 is formed so that the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the front cover 31 and the rotation axis X gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body 3 side. Thus, the 1st inclination part 32 comprises the radial direction outer side part of 2nd flow path R2 in the torque converter main body 3 side.

  A second inclined portion 29 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 27 c of the float member 17. Specifically, the second inclined portion 29 is formed so that the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the lockup device 5 and the rotation axis X gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body 3 side. Further, the second inclined portion 29 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 27 c of the float member 17 so as to face the first inclined portion 32. Thus, the 2nd inclination part 29 comprises the radial direction inner side part of 2nd flow path R2 in the torque converter main body 3 side.

  Here, the first position P1 at which the first inclined portion 32 starts to tilt on the engine side is provided closer to the torque converter body 3 than the second position P2 at which the second inclined portion 29 starts to tilt on the engine side. Yes. In other words, the second position P2 is provided closer to the engine than the first position P1. In addition, the inlet of the second flow path R2 is defined by the second position P2. Further, the engine-side end point of the second inclined portion 29, that is, the third position P3 defines the outlet of the second flow path R2.

  Here, the first position interval K1 between the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 29 with respect to the first position P1 is shorter than the second position interval K2 with respect to the second position P2. Further, the third position interval K3 between the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 29 with respect to the third position P3 is shorter than the first position interval K1. The third position interval K3 is substantially the same as the second position interval K2.

  Note that the first position interval K1 corresponds to the length of the perpendicular drawn from the first position P1 to the second inclined portion 29. The second position interval K2 corresponds to the length of a perpendicular line that extends from the second position P2 to the inner peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 31b of the front cover 31. The third position interval K <b> 3 corresponds to the length of the perpendicular line dropped from the third position P <b> 3 to the second inclined portion 29.

  With this configuration, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path R2 on the torque converter body 3 side is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second flow path R2 on the engine side. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the second flow path R2 (cross-sectional area of the second position P2) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the outlet of the second flow path R2 (cross-sectional area of the third position P3). Become. That is, the second flow path R2 is formed so that the above relationship is established.

  In addition, said cross-sectional area is an area of the part which the plane which cross | intersects the rotating shaft X and contains said perpendicular | vertical overlaps 2nd flow path R2. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area at the first position P1 and the cross-sectional area at the third position P3 are the same.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the third flow path R <b> 3 is formed between the piston 7 and the torque converter body 3 in the axial direction. Oil can be supplied to and discharged from the third flow path R3 by an oil control unit (not shown) (see the broken line in FIG. 1). The oil control section for the third flow path R3 operates independently of the oil control section for the first flow path R1. Note that the third flow path R3 can also be interpreted as a space formed between the piston 7 and the torque converter body 3 in the axial direction.

  By controlling the first flow path R1 and the third flow path R3 as described above, a differential pressure is generated between the first flow path R1 and the third flow path R3. Due to this differential pressure, the piston 7 is movable in the axial direction. The lock-up device 5 is turned on and off by the movement of the piston 7.

  When the lockup device 5 is turned on, oil is supplied to the third flow path R3 and passes through the second flow path R2. Then, the oil flows from the second flow path R2 to the first flow path R1, and is discharged from the first flow path R1. In this state, the pressure in the third flow path R3 is higher than the pressure in the first flow path R1. Thereby, the piston 7 moves to the front cover 31 side, and the friction member 8 comes into contact with the front cover 31.

  When the lockup device 5 is off (when the torque converter body 3 is in operation), oil is supplied to the first flow path R1 and passes through the second flow path R2. Then, the oil flows from the second flow path R2 into the third flow path R3 and is discharged from the third flow path R3. In this state, the pressure in the first flow path R1 is greater than the pressure in the third flow path R3. In this case, the piston 7 is disposed at a position away from the front cover 31, and the friction member 8 is not in contact with the front cover 31.

  Here, when the lock-up device 5 is off, when oil is supplied to the first flow path R1, the oil passes through the second flow path R2. Since the outlet of the second channel R2 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the inlet of the second channel R2, the flow velocity of the oil flowing out from the outlet of the second channel R2 flows into the inlet of the second channel R2. It will be faster than the oil flow rate. At this time, the pressure at the outlet of the second channel R2 is smaller than the pressure at the inlet of the second channel R2. That is, a pressure drop occurs. Due to this pressure drop, the pressure in the third flow path R3 is reduced, so that the differential pressure between the first flow path R1 and the third flow path R3 in the axial direction becomes small.

  Note that when the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the second flow path R2 and the cross-sectional area of the outlet of the second flow path R2 are substantially the same, the above pressure drop does not occur, so the differential pressure in this case Is greater than the differential pressure of this embodiment.

  From the above, in the present embodiment, the piston 7 is attached to the front cover 31 with a smaller pressure than when the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the second flow path R2 is the same as the cross-sectional area of the outlet of the second flow path R2. The friction member 8 of the piston 7 can be brought into contact with the front cover 31. Thus, in this embodiment, the responsiveness of the lockup device can be improved at the time of lockup.

<Summary>
The above embodiment can be expressed as follows.

  (1) The torque converter 1 is for transmitting torque from an engine to a transmission. The torque converter 1 includes a front cover 31, a torque converter body 3, and a lockup device 5. Torque from the engine is input to the front cover 31. The torque converter body 3 is provided on the front cover 31. The lockup device 5 is disposed between the front cover 31 and the torque converter body 3 in the axial direction. In such a torque converter 1, the oil second flow path R <b> 2 provided between the front cover 31 and the lock-up device 5 on the outer side in the radial direction has a cross-sectional area on the torque converter body 3 side and a cross-sectional area on the engine side. Smaller than.

  In the torque converter 1, the cross-sectional area on the torque converter body 3 side is smaller than the cross-sectional area on the engine side in the second oil flow path R <b> 2 on the radially outer side. For this reason, when the oil moves in the second flow path R2 on the radially outer side from the engine side to the torque converter main body 3 side, the flow velocity increases on the torque converter main body 3 side.

  Due to the increase in the flow velocity, the pressure decreases on the torque converter body 3 side (outlet side) of the second flow path R2. That is, the pressure between the lockup device 5 and the torque converter main body 3 decreases. Then, the differential pressure between the pressure between the front cover 31 and the lockup device 5 in the axial direction and the pressure between the lockup device 5 and the torque converter main body 3 in the axial direction becomes small.

  By reducing the differential pressure between the two in this way, the lockup device 5 (for example, a piston) can be brought into contact with the front cover 31 with a small pressure, so that the responsiveness of the lockup device 5 is improved at the time of lockup. Can do. Here, in the conventional torque converter 1, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path R2 on the radially outer side is constant. For this reason, in this torque converter 1, compared with the conventional structure, the responsiveness of the lockup apparatus 5 can be improved at the time of lockup.

  (2) In the torque converter 1, the lockup device 5 includes a torsion spring 15 that attenuates torque fluctuations, and a float member 17 that transmits torque from the front cover 31 to the torsion spring 15. Yes. The second flow path R <b> 2 is provided between the inner peripheral part of the front cover 31 and the outer peripheral part of the float member 17.

  Even if the lockup device 5 is configured in this manner, the responsiveness of the lockup device 5 can be improved at the time of lockup.

  (3) In the torque converter 1, the first inclined portion 32 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 31 b of the front cover 31. The first inclined portion 32 is formed so that the distance between the inner peripheral surface of the front cover 31 and the rotation axis X gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter body 3 side. The 1st inclination part 32 comprises the radial direction outer side part of 2nd flow path R2 in the torque converter main body 3 side.

  In this case, the radially outer portion of the second flow path R2 is configured by the first inclined portion 32 having the above shape. Thereby, oil can be guided more smoothly from the engine side to the torque converter body 3 side by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of the lockup apparatus 5 can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (4) In the torque converter 1, the second inclined portion 29 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 27 c of the float member 17. The second inclined portion 29 is formed so that the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the float member 17 and the rotation axis X gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter body 3 side. The second inclined portion 29 constitutes the radially inner portion of the second flow path R2 on the torque converter main body 3 side.

  In this case, the radially inner portion of the second flow path R2 is configured by the second inclined portion 29 having the above shape. Thereby, oil can be guided more smoothly from the engine side to the torque converter body 3 side by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of the lockup apparatus 5 can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (5) In the torque converter 1, the second inclined portion 29 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the radially outer portion 27 c of the float member 17. The second inclined portion 29 is formed so that the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the float member 17 and the rotation axis X gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter body 3 side. The second inclined portion 29 is provided to face the first inclined portion 32 and constitutes the radially inner portion of the second flow path R2 on the torque converter main body 3 side.

  In this case, the radially inner portion of the second flow path R2 is configured by the second inclined portion 29 having the above shape. Thereby, oil can be guided more smoothly from the engine side to the torque converter body 3 side by the action of centrifugal force. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of the lockup apparatus 5 can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (6) In the present torque converter 1, the first position P1 where the first inclined portion 32 starts to be inclined on the engine side is the torque converter main body from the second position P2 where the second inclined portion 29 starts to be inclined on the engine side. It is provided on the 3 side.

  Accordingly, the second flow path R2 can be easily formed so that the cross-sectional area of the second flow path R2 on the torque converter body 3 side is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second flow path R2 on the engine side. In addition, oil that has flowed into the second flow path R <b> 2 from between the axial direction between the front cover 31 and the lockup device 5 can be smoothly guided between the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 29. Thereby, since a differential pressure | voltage can be made smaller, the responsiveness of the lockup apparatus 5 can be improved more at the time of lockup.

  (7) In the torque converter 1, the torque converter main body 3 includes the pump 41, the turbine 51, and the stator 61. The pump 41 has a pump shell 42 connected to the front cover 31 and a pump blade 43 provided on the pump shell 42. The turbine 51 includes a turbine shell 52 disposed to face the pump shell 42, and a turbine blade 53 provided on the turbine shell 52 between the turbine shell 52 and the pump blade 43. The stator 61 rectifies oil between the pump blade 43 and the turbine blade 53.

  In this case, the first distance B between the pump shell 42 and the turbine shell 52 on the radially outer side is smaller than the second distance A between the pump blade 43 and the turbine blade 53 on the radially outer side. Accordingly, the oil can be smoothly guided between the lockup device 5 and the torque converter main body 3 in the axial direction without flowing oil between the pump shell 42 and the turbine shell 52.

  (8) In the torque converter 1, the turbine 51 further includes the control fins 54. The control fin 54 controls the oil flow toward the rotation axis X side of the turbine shell 52. The control fins 54 are provided on the radially outer side of the turbine shell 52 with respect to the rotation axis X.

  In this case, the third distance C between the pump shell 42 and the control fin 54 on the radially outer side is smaller than the first distance B. Thus, the oil can be smoothly guided between the lock-up device 5 and the torque converter body 3 in the axial direction by the control fin 54 without flowing oil between the pump shell 42 and the control fin 54. it can.

<Other embodiments>
(A) The configuration of the lock-up device 5 of the embodiment is an example, and the lock-up device 5 may be configured in any way as long as the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 29 are formed. .

  (B) In the said embodiment, although the example in case the 1st inclination part 32 and the 2nd inclination part 29 were formed was shown, only one of the 1st inclination part 32 and the 2nd inclination part 29 is formed. You may make it do.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the cross-sectional area at the first position P1 of the first inclined portion 32 and the cross-sectional area at the third position P3 of the second inclined portion 29 are the same is shown. Instead, as shown in FIG. 5, the first inclined portion 32 and the second flow path R <b> 2 are gradually reduced from the front cover 31 side toward the torque converter main body 3 side. Two inclined portions 29 may be configured. In FIG. 5, by setting the inclination angles of the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 29 to different angles, the second position interval K2, the first position interval K1, and the third position interval K3 are sequentially set. The interval between the two flow paths R2 is small. In the embodiment, the inclination angles of the first inclined portion 32 and the second inclined portion 29 are set to substantially the same angle.

  (D) In the above embodiment, the example in which the member facing the front cover 31 (31b) in the radial direction is the float member 17 is shown. However, the member facing the front cover 31 (31b) in the radial direction is When the member is different from the float member 17, the second inclined portion 29 is formed on the member. For example, when the piston is a member facing the front cover 31 (31b) in the radial direction, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by forming the second inclined portion 29 in the piston.

  Widely applicable to torque converters.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Torque converter 3 Torque converter main body 5 Lockup apparatus 15 Torsion spring 17 Float member 29 2nd inclination part 31 Front cover 32 1st inclination part 41 Pump 42 Pump shell 43 Pump blade 51 Turbine 61 Stator 52 Turbine shell 53 Turbine blade 54 Control Fin X Rotating shaft A Second interval B First interval C Third interval K1 First position interval K2 Second position interval K3 Third position interval P1 First position P2 Second position R2 Second flow path

Claims (6)

A torque converter for transmitting torque from an engine to a transmission;
A front cover to which the torque from the engine is input;
A torque converter body provided on the front cover;
A lockup device disposed between the front cover and the torque converter body in the axial direction;
With
Passage of the working fluid is provided between the radially outer side and the front cover and the lockup device, the cross-sectional area of the torque converter body rather smaller than the cross-sectional area of the engine side,
The torque converter body is
A pump having a pump shell coupled to the front cover and a pump blade provided on the pump shell;
A turbine having a turbine shell disposed opposite to the pump shell, and a turbine blade provided in the turbine shell between the turbine shell and the pump blade;
A stator that rectifies the working fluid between the pump blade and the turbine blade;
The turbine further includes a control fin provided on a radially outer side of the turbine shell for controlling the flow of the working fluid toward the rotating shaft.
The first distance between the pump shell and the turbine shell on the radially outer side is smaller than the second distance between the pump blade and the turbine blade on the radially outer side,
A third interval between the pump shell and the control fin on the radially outer side is smaller than the first interval;
Torque converter. The lock-up device includes an elastic member that attenuates fluctuations in the torque, and a rotating member for transmitting the torque from the front cover to the elastic member,
The flow path is provided between an inner peripheral portion of the front cover and an outer peripheral portion of the rotating member.
The torque converter according to claim 1. The inner surface of the radially outer portion of the front cover is provided with a first inclined portion in which the distance between the inner surface of the front cover and the rotation shaft gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter body side,
The first inclined portion constitutes a radially outer portion of the flow path on the torque converter main body side.
The torque converter according to claim 2. The outer surface of the radially outer portion of the rotating member is provided with a second inclined portion in which the distance between the outer surface of the rotating member and the rotating shaft gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body side. ,
The second inclined portion constitutes a radially inner portion of the flow path on the torque converter main body side.
The torque converter according to claim 2. The outer surface of the radially outer portion of the rotating member is provided with a second inclined portion in which the distance between the outer surface of the rotating member and the rotating shaft gradually increases from the engine side toward the torque converter main body side. ,
The second inclined portion is provided to face the first inclined portion, and constitutes a radially inner portion of the flow path on the torque converter main body side.
The torque converter according to claim 3. The first position at which the first inclined portion starts to be inclined on the engine side is provided closer to the torque converter body side than the second position at which the second inclined portion starts to be inclined on the engine side.
The torque converter according to claim 5.

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