JP7126850B2 - Thrust washer for torque converter - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a thrust washer used in a structure for holding an input-side member and an output-side member of a torque converter for automobiles so that they can rotate relative to each other, and more particularly to a space-saving, low-cost thrust washer.

2. Description of the Related Art Torque converters generally used in automatic transmissions of automobiles coaxially transmit power from the input side to the output side via fluid or via a lockup mechanism.

Here, since relative rotation is required between the input-side member and the output-side member through any of them, a smooth relative rotation such as a thrust washer is required between the contact surfaces perpendicular to the rotation axis. is required.

Patent Document 1 discloses a structure of a torque converter for automobiles. Here, in order to rotatably assemble the center piece 30 fixed to the front cover 3, which is the input side of the torque converter, and the turbine hub 7, which is the output side, a flat thrust washer (not numbered) is used. is provided.

Here, both the turbine hub 7 and the center piece 30 have a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis, and by providing a flat thrust washer therebetween, both members can smoothly rotate relative to each other.

However, if either the input side member or the output side member has a protruding portion, it is possible to add a member that absorbs the protruding portion to form a flat portion and use a flat thrust washer. As a result, an additional member is required and, therefore, a wide space is required, resulting in a high manufacturing cost and a space-saving rotatable coupling.

Therefore, when either the input side member or the output side member of the torque converter has a protruding portion, the manufacturing cost is low, the space is saved, and the input side member and the output side member can smoothly rotate relative to each other. The development of a thrust washer to realize a more flexible structure has been desired.

International Publication No. 2017/131229

The present invention reduces the number of parts, reduces the manufacturing cost, and saves space when either the input side member or the output side member of a torque converter has a projecting portion. To provide a thrust washer for realizing a structure capable of smooth relative rotation of

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve these problems in the prior art. and an output-side member, and has a recessed portion for accommodating a protruding portion on either the input-side member or the output-side member.

More specifically, in the torque converter thrust washer according to the present invention, the input side member is a cover hub on the input side of the torque converter, and the output side member is a turbine hub on the output side of the torque converter. may be characterized.

In this way, since the thrust washer itself is provided with a concave portion (counterbore portion) to accommodate the projection portion, there is no increase in the number of parts, and a large space is not required. A structure that allows relative rotation with the output-side member can be realized.

The invention may also be characterized in that the projecting portion is the head of the coupling element. Here, the connecting element is a rivet, screw, or the like, which is used for fixedly connecting a plurality of members on the output side (or input side).

In this way, the means for fixedly coupling the plurality of members on the output side (or input side) is not limited, and a low-cost configuration can be selected.

Further, the present invention may be characterized in that there are a plurality of recesses that accommodate the protrusions.

With this configuration, the thrust washer can rotate integrally with the member having the protrusion, thereby providing an anti-rotation effect.

Further, the present invention may be a thrust washer assembly for a torque converter, characterized by stacking a plurality of the thrust washers according to claim 1.

That is, when both the input-side member and the output-side member of the torque converter have projections, two thrust washers provided with recesses capable of absorbing the respective projections are placed back-to-back on a flat surface having no recesses. This is a thrust washer assembly provided so as to contact and slide with each other, and by doing so, a space-saving structure can be realized without increasing the number of parts even when there are protrusions on both sides.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. All of these are part of this technical idea.

According to the present invention, when either the input side member or the output side member of the torque converter has a projecting portion, the number of parts is small, the manufacturing cost is low, and the space is saved. It is possible to realize a thrust washer for realizing a structure capable of smooth relative rotation with a member.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an overall image of a torque converter including a thrust washer according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of a torque converter including a thrust washer according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thrust washer according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thrust washer according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a thrust washer assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a thrust washer assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated with reference to drawings. In the following, the range necessary for the description to achieve the object of the present invention is schematically shown, and the range necessary for the description of the relevant part of the present invention is mainly described. It shall be based on a well-known technique.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an overall image of a torque converter including a thrust washer according to one embodiment of the invention, and FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

As shown in these figures, the torque converter 1 is a device for transmitting torque from the crankshaft of the engine to the input shaft of the transmission. An engine (not shown) is arranged on the right side of the drawing, and a transmission (not shown) is arranged on the left side of the drawing. A-A' shown in FIG. 1 is the rotational axis of the torque converter 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the torque converter 1 mainly includes a front cover 11, three types of impellers (pump impeller 12, turbine shell 13, stator blades 14), and a lockup device 2 having a damper function. ing.

Here, the front cover 11 is fixed to a cover hub 23 arranged inside near the rotary shaft of the torque converter 1 and rotates integrally with the cover hub 23 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the lockup device 2 is arranged between the front cover 11 and the turbine shell 13, and has a damper function of elastic bodies and inertial masses from the front cover 11 to the turbine hub 34. A multi-plate clutch 17 arranged between the front cover 11 and the damper function portion, an intermediate member (drive plate 18, retainer plate 19, etc.) for transmitting the torque from the clutch to the turbine direction, A lockup piston 15 and a piston guide 16 are provided.

In the description up to this point and the following, the terms "inner side" and "outer side" refer to radial directions from the center of the rotation axis of the torque converter 1, with the side closer to the center being the inner side and the side farther from the center being the outer side.

A driven plate 32 to which power is transmitted from the retainer plate 19 via an elastic body is provided on the output side of the lockup device 2 .

On the other hand, the power transmitted from the pump impeller 12 to the turbine shell 13 via fluid is transmitted to the support plate 33 provided to hold the turbine shell 13 fixed.

The driven plate 32, the support plate 33 that holds the turbine shell 13, and the turbine hub 34 are fixedly coupled together by rivets 35 passing through holes provided in each member. Here, 12 holes and rivets 35 of each member are provided at equal intervals on the circumference of the circle equidistant from the rotation axis.

As a result, the power transmitted through the fluid from the turbine shell 13 and the power transmitted through the lockup device 2 are alternatively transmitted to the turbine hub 34, and further splined from the turbine hub 34. Power is transmitted to the input shaft 37 of the transmission.

Due to such a power transmission path, relative rotation will occur between the turbine hub 34 and the cover hub 23 . Therefore, a thrust washer 36 is provided in the space between the turbine hub 34 and the cover hub 23 to achieve smooth relative rotation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the thrust washer 36 according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from one direction, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the thrust washer 36 viewed from another direction.

The thrust washer 36 is a part made of metal or resin that can receive axial stress and enable smooth relative rotation. It has a hole portion 361 and the inner surface of the hole portion 361 is in contact with the outer surface of the turbine hub 34 .

Here, regarding the thrust washer 36, the material and manufacturing method are important because the shape thereof is more complicated than that of a general disk-shaped thrust washer. If it is a metal, the method of molding sintered metal is desirable, and sintered metal is easy to mold, and it is mixed with molybdenum to increase lubricity, and mixed with ceramics to increase wear resistance. can be In addition, the method of molding resin has the advantage that it is lighter than metal and the manufacturing cost can be kept relatively low.

One annular surface 362 of the thrust washer 36 is in surface contact with the annular surface of the driven plate 32 and has twelve bottomed cylindrical recesses 363 . The cylindrical recess 363 has an opening 364 near the outer periphery of the thrust washer 36. As shown in FIG.

The inner diameter of this concave portion 363 is formed substantially equal to the outer diameter of the head portion 351 of the rivet 35 that fastens the driven plate 32, the support plate 33 and the turbine hub 34 together.

The other annular surface 365 of the thrust washer 36 is in surface contact with the annular surface of the cover hub 23 and can slide and rotate.

Here, the other annular surface 365 of the thrust washer 36 is formed with a plurality of grooves 366 radially from the rotation axis. Hydraulic oil flows through the grooves 366 to lubricate the sliding surfaces and keep the coefficient of friction low.

The shape, number, position, or presence/absence of the grooves 366 are not limited to this embodiment, and may be appropriately set according to the overall configuration.

Next, the operation of one embodiment according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described.

The driving force from the engine rotates the cover hub 23 fixedly coupled to the front cover 11, and is transmitted to the driven plate 32 via the lockup device or to the support plate 33 via the turbine shell 13. , is transmitted to turbine hub 34 fixedly connected by rivet 35 .

Here, the head portion 351 of the rivet 35 on the cover hub 23 side is fitted in the recessed portion 363 provided in one annular surface of the thrust washer 36. Since there are 12 recessed portions 363, the rivet 35 is fixed. The coupled driven plate 32, turbine hub 34, and thrust washer 36 can rotate integrally without relative rotation or displacement, and have a detent function.

The recessed portion 363 of the thrust washer 36 is not a perfectly cylindrical recessed portion, but has an opening facing the outside of the thrust washer 36. If there are restrictions, the outer peripheral dimension of the thrust washer 36 can be reduced, and if the majority of the area of the head 351 of the rivet 35 is accommodated, the anti-rotation and centering effects can be exhibited.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the recess of the thrust washer 36 according to the present invention. As shown in 5(b), the concave portion 363 may be a perfect cylinder with no opening. This has the advantage of reducing wear on the surface.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the recess 363 may have an opening facing the inside of the thrust washer 36, or as shown in FIG. Both sides may have openings. Such a thrust washer structure may be selected due to the arrangement layout of peripheral members and restrictions on installation space.

Here, the number of heads 351 of the rivet 35 is 12, which is preferable in terms of maintaining the strength of the thrust washer and exerting a detent effect during rotation, but the number is not limited. It may be more or less, and if there are at least two, the anti-rotation effect can be fully expected.

In addition, although the member for fixed connection is a rivet and its head protrudes from the plane, the member for fixed connection that forms the protrusion is not limited to a rivet, and screws and other fastening members are used. Furthermore, the projecting portion is not limited to the fastening member, and may be based on the external shape of the member of the hub portion itself.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thrust washer assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; For example, if the cover hub 23 described in the embodiment also has projections such as rivets (not shown), the first thrust washer 36A and the second thrust washer 36B can be used back to back as shown. can be done.

Here, the thrust washer 36A and the thrust washer 36B do not need to have the same shape, and the external dimensions, the shape and the number of the recesses 363A and 363B are appropriately set according to the state of the projections. do.

Here, the thrust washer 36A accommodates the head of the rivet 35 on the turbine hub 34 side in its recess 363A, and the thrust washer 36B accommodates the projection (not shown) on the cover hub 23 side in its recess 363B. In this way, the thrust washer 36A has an effect of preventing rotation with respect to the turbine hub 34, while the thrust washer 36B has an effect of preventing rotation with respect to the cover hub 23. can be slid on.

In the descriptions of the embodiments so far, the cover hub 23 on the input side of the torque converter 1 and the turbine hub 34 on the output side of the torque converter 1 have been targeted as the parts that require relative rotation inside the torque converter 1. , and can be applied to other locations where relative rotation is required.

For example, when power is transmitted from the turbine shell to the turbine hub via a damper, which is called a turbine damper, when the lockup is released, there are places where relative rotation is required. The present invention can also be applied.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. All of these are part of this technical idea.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The thrust washer of the present invention has industrial applicability because it can be widely used in vehicle torque converters.

1 torque converter 2 lockup device 11 front cover 12 pump impeller 13 turbine shell 14 stator blade 15 lockup piston 16 piston guide 17 multi-plate clutch 18 drive plate 19 retainer plate 23 cover hub 32 driven plate 33 support plate 34 turbine hub 35 rivet 351 Rivet heads 36, 36A, 36B Thrust washer 361 Hole 362 Annular surface 363 Recess 364 Opening 365 Annular surface 366 Groove 37 Input shaft

Claims (5)

A thrust washer for the torque converter provided between a relatively rotatable input side member and an output side member of the torque converter ,
The thrust washer has a central throughbore and axially opposite first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces extending around the central throughbore. , the first surface is in contact with one of the input-side member and the output-side member, the second surface is in contact with the other of the input-side member and the output-side member,
The first surface of the thrust washer has a recess, and the recess accommodates a protruding portion provided on the one of the input-side member and the output -side member to preventing relative rotation of said one of the side members with respect to said thrust washer;
A thrust washer for a torque converter, wherein the second surface of the thrust washer is configured to slide and rotate relative to the other of the input side member and the output side member. 2. A thrust washer for a torque converter according to claim 1 , wherein said input side member is a cover hub on the input side of said torque converter, and said output side member is a turbine hub on the output side of said torque converter. 2. A thrust washer for a torque converter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projecting portion is the head of a coupling element. 2. A thrust washer for a torque converter according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of said recesses for accommodating said projecting portions . A thrust washer assembly for a torque converter, said thrust washer assembly comprising two thrust washers stacked together, each of said thrust washers for an input member and an output member of said torque converter. provided between, wherein the input-side member and the output-side member are rotatable relative to each other;
Each of the thrust washers has a central throughbore and axially opposite first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces extending about the central throughbore. and
The first surface of the first thrust washer of the two thrust washers is in contact with the input side member and has a recess, and the recess accommodates a protruding portion provided on the input side member. to prevent relative rotation of the input side member with respect to the first thrust washer,
The first surface of the second thrust washer of the two thrust washers is in contact with the output-side member and has a recess, and the recess accommodates a projecting portion provided on the output-side member. to prevent relative rotation of the output side member with respect to the second thrust washer,
The thrust washer assembly, wherein the second surfaces of the first and second thrust washers contact each other and are configured for relative sliding rotation.

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