JP7138442B2 - Rotating body engagement structure and torque converter using the same - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to engagement of a rotating body that is optimally applied to a torque converter or the like, and relates to an engaging structure for the rotating body and a torque converter using the same.

A torque converter incorporated in an automatic transmission for a vehicle has a front cover that forms the front part of the converter housing, which is rotated by a crankshaft. blades), and torque is transmitted from the output shaft connected to the turbine runner to the input shaft of the transmission. Furthermore, the torque converter has a lockup device for directly transmitting the torque of the crankshaft of the engine to the transmission in order to improve fuel efficiency.

In the lockup device, the torque of the engine's crankshaft is directly transmitted to the transmission's input shaft by connecting the front cover of the converter housing and the output shaft with a clutch driven by fluid pressure (hydraulic pressure). .

The structure of this clutch includes a multi-plate type clutch plate that uses a sliding pressing force, and a clutch that is brought into sliding contact with a sliding member of a front cover. Such a lockup device includes a torsional vibration reduction mechanism (damper) interposed between the clutch and the output shaft to absorb and attenuate the torsional vibration.

As a structure for fixing the rotor in such a torque converter, each member is fixed by rivets.

For example, a torque converter equipped with a multi-plate lockup clutch (lockup device) disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a converter cover (front cover), It consists of an impeller assembly (pump impeller), a stator, a one-way clutch, a turbine assembly (turbine runner), a torsion damper (torsional vibration reduction device), a multi-plate lockup clutch, and the like.

Although this example shows a torsion damper with a single-stage torsion spring, there are also those with multi-stage torsion springs and those with an inertia mass (pendulum device). In such a configuration, the side plate of the torsion damper, the hub clutch, the drive plate, etc. are fixed by the rivet fixing portion A, the inner holding member of the multi-plate clutch and the hub clutch are fixed by the rivet fixing portion B, and the hub plate and the drive plate are fixed. , are fixed at rivet fixing portions C of the turbine shell.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-116110

In this way, the torque transmission mechanism has a plurality of fixing portions for fixing a plurality of parts and members, and not only transmits the torque of the turbine shell, but also reliably transmits the engine drive torque (torque of the front cover) at the time of lockup. However, the torque converter is desired to be lightweight, compact, and to have a small number of constituent parts.

As an example of this type of lockup device, as shown in FIG. A turbine shell and a side plate of a torque converting portion including a runner and the like are attached and fixed at a fixing portion C together with a hub clutch. As described above, since the rivet fixing portions are provided at a plurality of locations, there are many parts to be assembled, and the mounting process is complicated. Furthermore, assembly work is also complicated. Further, when additional parts such as the attachment of the clutch holding member and the torsional vibration reduction device are added, the attachment parts and the number of attachment man-hours are increased accordingly.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention focuses on a structure for mutually engaging fixed portions of rotating bodies (members) that rotate together, and provides an engaging structure for integrated rotating bodies, In addition, it is suitable for preventing rotation in the direction of rotation between parts that move relative to each other in the direction of the rotation axis. It is an object of the present invention to provide a torque converter which is made thinner (thinner) or which facilitates the installation of additional functions.

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention is characterized in that a concave portion is provided on one side of an engaging surface of a rotating body that rotates together, and a convex portion is provided on the other side, and the concave portion and the convex portion are fitted together. The object is to provide an engagement structure for a rotating body.

Further, according to the present invention, a predetermined number of recesses and protrusions are provided on the engaging surface of the rotor.

Further, according to the present invention, the concave portion and the convex portion are provided radially from the rotation axis of the upper rotating body.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the concave portion and the convex portion are provided at positions facing each other from the rotating shaft of the rotating body.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the rotating body that rotates together is a part that relatively moves in the direction of the rotation axis.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the concave portion and the convex portion serve as detents in the rotation direction of the rotating body that rotates together.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the rotating bodies that rotate together are a lockup piston and a piston housing of a torque converter with a lockup function.

Further, according to the present invention, the rotating bodies that rotate together are a lockup piston and a piston housing of a torque converter with a lockup function, the concave portion is provided on the surface on the side of the lockup piston, and the convex portion is provided on the piston housing. It is characterized by being provided on the side surface.

Further, according to the present invention, in a rotating body that engages and rotates with a rotating shaft of a torque converter, one of the opposing engaging surfaces of the rotating body is provided with a concave portion, and the other of the engaging surfaces is convex. Provided is a torque converter characterized in that a portion is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the rotating body that engages and rotates is a part that relatively moves in the direction of the rotation axis.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the concave portion and the convex portion serve as detents in the rotational direction of the rotating body that rotates in engagement with each other.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the torque converter is a torque converter with a lockup function, wherein one of the rotating bodies that engage and rotate is a lockup piston and the other is a piston housing.

According to the present invention, the engagement (coupling) between the rotating bodies can be made possible without using a coupling part such as a rivet, and the rotary motion can be integrated, so that the number of assembly parts can be reduced, and the number of assembly steps can also be reduced. Become.

In addition, the engagement structure of the rotating body of the present invention is suitable for preventing rotation in the rotation direction between parts that relatively move in the direction of the rotation axis. ) can be applied without adding parts. Therefore, even if many functions are added to the torque converter, the weight and size can be reduced, the number of constituent parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing and assembly processes can be simplified and facilitated.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the number of places to be fastened and fixed by rivets can be reduced, loosening and distortion of parts due to torque, centrifugal force, etc. can be prevented. In addition, since the number of fixed parts to be fixed by rivets and the like can be reduced, and the number of constituent parts can be reduced, additional mounting of mechanical parts and the like can be facilitated.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of applying the engagement structure of the rotating body to the torque converter with a lockup function according to the embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a piston housing of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a piston of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a piston housing of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a piston of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an example of a conventional torque converter with a lockup function;

The basic structure of the present invention resides in the engagement of rotating bodies that rotate together and provide mutual damping action. is provided with an engaging portion having a concave-convex shape (a convex portion and a concave portion) in a direction radially away from the . Moreover, this engagement structure is suitable for preventing rotation in the rotation direction between parts that relatively move in the direction of the rotation axis, and can be applied to a rotating body of a torque converter.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings with an example applied to a lockup piston and a piston housing of a torque converter, but the form of application is not limited.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the upper half with respect to the axis a serving as the rotation axis, and the cross-sectional direction is different from that shown in the conventional FIG. is connected to the transmission side.

The clutch portion of the torque converter shown in FIG. 7 is operated by a piston provided on the front cover side, but the torque converter shown in FIG. For simplification, the piston housing is provided with the piston facing the front cover.

In FIG. 1, the torque converter with lockup function has a turbine shell 3, a stator 4, a one-way clutch 5, a lockup mechanism, and a turbine shell 3 facing the impeller shell 2 in a housing surrounded by a front cover 1 and an impeller shell 2 of a pump impeller. As an example of functions, a multi-plate clutch portion 6 and a torsional vibration reduction portion (damper) 7 are shown, and as an additional function, an inertia mass body (for example, a pendulum component) 8 is provided.

The front cover 1 is provided with a cover boss 11 connected to the engine side, while the turbine shell 3 is connected to an output hub 32 to transmit its rotational force to the transmission side via the output hub 32. there is

Oil as a fluid (Fig. not shown) has been introduced. The function of the torque converter is to transmit the rotation of the engine to the transmission, and the turbine shell 3 is rotated by the movement of oil induced according to the rotation of the front cover 1 and impeller shell 2 driven by the engine. . A one-way clutch 5 connected to the stator 4 regulates the direction of rotation. The rotation of the turbine shell 3 generated here is transmitted to the transmission side connected to the output shaft.

The multi-plate clutch unit 6 includes clutch holding portions 62 and 63 radially distant from the axis a, a multi-plate clutch 61 provided between them, a lock-up piston 64 for pressing the clutch 61 in one direction, and a piston. It consists of a housing 65 . In the multi-plate clutch portion 6, the clutch holding portion 63 that is radially closer to the axis a is fixed to the front cover 1 side. When the rotational speed of the front cover 1 exceeds a predetermined speed, the piston 64 together with the piston housing 65 presses the clutch 61 toward the front cover 1 along with the movement of the oil. The same rotational force is applied to the reducing portion (damper) 7 and the turbine shell 3 to transmit the rotational speed of the engine to the transmission side.

The torsional vibration reduction section 7 that works to reduce vibration accompanying the rotation of the front cover 1 and turbine shell 3 shows an example in which two stages of torsion springs 71 and 72 are provided. It is held and fixed by the side plate. These side plates are bent as shown in the figure to sandwich and regulate each torsion spring.

Side plates and the like that hold the torsional vibration reducing portion 7 and the two-stage torsion springs 71 and 72 are fixed with rivets 711 and 712, respectively. Further, the side plate and hub plate holding the torsion spring 72 are fixed with rivets 721, and are fastened and fixed to the output hub 32 on the turbine shell 3 side with rivets.

The clutch holding portion 62 of the multi-plate clutch portion 6 which is radially farther from the axis a is the one of the two-stage torsion springs 71 and 72 of the torsional vibration reducing portion 7 which is radially farther from the axis a. It also holds the torsion spring 71 . A pendulum component 8 as an inertial mass is arranged in the space between the torsional vibration reducing portion 7 and the turbine shell 3 .

Based on this configuration, the present invention employs a structure in which the engagement relationship between the piston 64 and the piston housing 65 between the parts that move relative to each other in the direction of the rotation axis is fitted in a concave-convex manner. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of applying the engagement structure of the rotating body to the torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, the configuration shown on the left side is a cutout of the piston and piston housing portion shown in FIG. . The illustration on the left side of the drawing shows only the upper side with respect to the rotation axis a as in FIG. 1, and the schematic perspective view on the right side shows the entire parts.

In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1 indicate the same objects, and the piston 64 and the piston housing 65 are fitted together so that the convex portion of the piston housing 65 is engaged with the concave portion of the piston 64. is doing. In the drawing, the piston 64 shown on the right side is formed by extrusion from _one surface E1 side to the other surface E2 _side by press working or the like and has a recess at a predetermined location. _A convex portion is provided at a predetermined location formed by extrusion from side ₁ to side D2 by press working or the like, as viewed from _side D2.

By combining the piston 64 and the piston housing 65, the concave portion on the E1 surface and the convex portion on the D2 surface are engaged as shown in the round frames of the piston 64 and the piston housing 65 on the left side indicated by arrows in the figure. can be integrated with Therefore, a separate part such as a rivet is not required, and the storage space can be secured.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the piston housing of the torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention, and shows a plan view of the piston housing 65 shown on the right side of _FIG . ing.

In FIG. 3, the piston housing 65 is provided with projections 651 at predetermined radial positions from the rotation axis (center). In the illustrated example, six projections are formed on positions facing _each other from the rotation axis indicated by the dashed lines b1, _{b2 ,} and b3.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the piston of the torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention, and shows a plan view of the piston 64 illustrated on the right side of FIG. 2 as viewed from the E1 _side . .

In FIG. 4, the piston 64 is provided with recesses 641 at predetermined radial locations corresponding to the projections of the piston housing 65 shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, six recesses are formed on the positions opposite to each other from the rotating shaft indicated by the dashed lines c ₁ , c ₂ , and c ₃ .

Although the shape of the uneven portion shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is trapezoidal, the shape is not limited to this shape and may be changed as appropriate. In addition, although these concave-convex portions are provided at positions facing each other from the rotation axis, they are not limited to positions facing each other. , 3, 5, etc. may be provided.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the piston housing of the torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the piston housing 65 shown in _FIG . Figure shows.

In FIG. 5, six projections 651 are radially provided on the D2 surface _side of the piston housing 64 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a piston of a torque converter with a lockup function according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is _a perspective view of the piston 64 shown in FIG. showing.

In FIG. 6, six concave portions 641 are radially provided on the E1 surface _side of the piston housing 65 .

According to the present invention, the piston housing 65 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 and the piston 65 shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 are integrated by engaging the protrusions and recesses to constitute the torque converter illustrated in FIG. In this way, by engaging the concave portion and the convex portion, they can be integrated, so that a separate part such as a rivet is not required, and the housing space can have a margin.

Note that the piston that constitutes the clutch portion of the torque converter with a lockup function described in FIG. 1 is provided together with the piston housing on the side facing the front cover, unlike the configuration shown in FIG. 7 as a conventional example. It is. By adopting the configuration of the present invention, a space can be secured on one side of the two-stage torsion spring (the side farther from the rotation axis a), and as described above, it is possible to provide an additional function such as the pendulum part 8. and

By providing the piston 64 and the piston housing 65, these connecting parts are also required, but in the present invention, the engagement relationship can be maintained without requiring special fastening parts such as rivets.

In addition, in the example described in FIGS. 1 to 6, the present invention forms a concave portion on one side and a convex portion on the other side in relation to the piston and the piston housing. Without using a separate part, it functions as a detent in the rotation direction between parts that move relative to each other in the direction of the rotation axis. In addition, although the target rotating body is not limited to these, it is suitable for preventing rotation in the rotational direction between parts that move relative to each other in the axial direction, rotates together, and is integrated into parts that brake each other. Applicable.

Further, the surface on which these uneven portions are arranged, the number of arrangement, and the arrangement place are not limited to the examples shown in the drawings. That is, the number of engagement points of the unevenness is not limited to six, but may be any predetermined number that can maintain a balance as a rotating body. Further, concave portions and convex portions may be alternately formed on each engaging surface, and may be engaged with the concave and convex portions on the mating surface.

In addition, it is sufficient to maintain a predetermined clearance as the engagement state of the unevenness, and it is not necessary to form a tight contact state. Also, the shape of the unevenness in the illustrated example is an example, and should not be construed as being limited to the illustrated example, and may be variously modified. Also, the depth (depth) of the unevenness shown in the figure is only an example, and is determined depending on the material used and the application location.

The embodiments described above are provided as examples for understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments but is defined by the claims. In addition, as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of the present invention, configurations equivalent to those described in the claims are also included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, the rotating bodies can be engaged with each other without using a special fastening part or the like, the number of parts can be reduced, and the installation space can be saved. Since the number of parts can be reduced and the thickness can be reduced, or additional functions can be easily mounted, it is industrially advantageous and has high industrial applicability.

Reference Signs List 1 Front cover 2 Impeller shell 21 Impeller blade 3 Turbine shell 31 Turbine blade 32 Output hub 4 Stator 41 Stator blade 5 One-way clutch 6 Multi-plate clutch 61 Clutches 62, 63 Clutch holding portion 64 Lock-up piston 641 Recess 65 Piston housing (piston guide)
651... Convex part 7... Torsional vibration reducing part (damper)
71, 72 Torsion springs 711, 712, 721 Rivet 8 Inertia mass (pendulum component)

Claims (14)

A concave portion provided on one of engagement surfaces of a lockup piston and a piston housing of a torque converter with a lockup function, which constitutes a rotating body that rotates together around a rotation axis, and the other of the engaging surfaces of the rotating body and a convex portion provided on the surface of and fitted with the concave portion,
The concave portion and the convex portion are concave or convex in the axial direction of the rotating shaft,
the concave portion and the convex portion are engaged in the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
An engagement structure for a rotating body, wherein the lockup piston presses a clutch that forms a lockup function with the piston housing when the number of revolutions of the rotation reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of revolutions. 2. An engaging structure for a rotating body according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of said concave portions and said convex portions are provided on said engaging surface of said rotating body. 3. An engaging structure for a rotating body according to claim 2, wherein said concave portion and said projecting portion are provided radially from the rotation axis of said rotating body. 4. An engaging structure for a rotating body according to claim 3, wherein said recessed portion and said projecting portion are provided at positions facing each other from the rotating shaft of said rotating body. 5. The engagement structure for a rotating body according to claim 1, wherein said rotating body that rotates together is a part that relatively moves in the direction of the rotation axis. 6. An engaging structure for a rotating body according to claim 5, wherein said concave portion and said projecting portion serve as detents in the rotational direction of said rotating body that rotates together. 7. The rotor according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the rotating body that rotates together has the concave portion provided on the surface facing the lockup piston, and the convex portion provided on the surface facing the piston housing. Engagement structure for rotating bodies. In a rotating body that engages and rotates with a rotating shaft of a torque converter with a lockup function,
the rotor comprises a lockup piston and a piston housing of the torque converter with a lockup function,
A concave portion formed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is provided on one of the opposing engaging surfaces of the rotating body, and a convex formed on the other engaging surface in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. Department is established,
the concave portion and the convex portion are engaged in the axial direction of the rotating shaft;
A torque converter, wherein the lock-up piston presses a clutch forming a lock-up function with the piston housing when the number of revolutions of the rotation reaches or exceeds a predetermined number of revolutions. 9. A torque converter according to claim 8, wherein said rotating body that engages and rotates is a part that relatively moves in the direction of the rotation axis. 10. A torque converter according to claim 9, wherein said concave portion and said convex portion are engaged to prevent rotation of said rotating body that rotates. 11. The torque converter according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a predetermined number of said concave portions and said convex portions are provided on each of said engaging surfaces. 12. A torque converter according to claim 11, wherein said concave portion and said convex portion are provided radially from a rotation axis of said torque converter. 13. A torque converter according to claim 12, wherein said concave portion and said convex portion are provided at positions facing each other from said rotating shaft. 14. The torque converter according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the concave portion is provided on the surface on the lockup piston side, and the convex portion is provided on the surface on the piston housing side. .

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