KR102552733B1 - Torque converter for vehilce - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a torque converter in which a cover minimizes or eliminates an axial load acting on an engine side, wherein a cover hub is integrally coupled to the center of the front portion of the cover, and an annular shape is formed between the cover hub and the output member in the axial direction. The thrust washer of is interposed. The output member has a first circulation oil hole, the cover hub has a second circulation oil hole, and the thrust washer has a guide slot communicating with the first circulation oil hole and the second circulation oil hole. . The front surface of the cover hub is bonded to the rear surface of the front cover. The second circulation oil hole includes an axial oil hole and a radial oil hole connected thereto, wherein the diameter of the radial oil hole is larger than that of the axial oil hole or is in the form of a slot. A part of the circumference of the radial oil hole is open to the front surface of the cover hub, and a central angle A1 corresponding to the opened circumferential portion is smaller than a central angle A2 corresponding to the unopened circumferential portion.

Description

Torque converter for vehicles {TORQUE CONVERTER FOR VEHILCE}

The present invention relates to a torque converter for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a torque converter in which an axial load acting on an engine side of a cover is minimized or eliminated.

In general, a torque converter may be installed between an engine and a transmission of a vehicle, and transmits driving force of the engine to the transmission using a fluid. Such a torque converter is a component of an automatic transmission and can be referred to as a fluid transmission mechanism that multiplies driving force from an engine and transmits it to a transmission.

A torque converter has a torus that transfers a rotational input to an output through a fluid coupling. The torus includes an impeller, a turbine, and a reactor supported through a one-way clutch to a fixed end. The torque converter has a structure in which slip occurs and power loss inevitably occurs as power is transmitted by the force of an automatic transmission fluid (ATF).

To compensate for this and increase power transmission efficiency, a lock-up clutch is applied to the torque converter. The torque converter directly connects the input and output to compensate for the power transmission loss through the fluid coupling.

In addition, the torque converter is additionally provided with a torsional damper structure capable of mitigating impact during such a direct connection. Since the input of the engine has a fluctuation of torque, a torsional damper and/or a pendulum are sometimes installed in the power transmission system through the lockup clutch.

Lock-up clutches applied to such torque converters include a single-facing type in which one sheet of friction material is applied, and a multi-facing type composed of two or more sheets of friction material and a clutch pack.

In general, in the case of the multi-facing type, the clutch pack is located in the circulation pressure area of the lock-up clutch.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the output member 60 of the torque converter 1 is disposed behind the cover hub 13, and the output member 60 and the cover hub 13 are provided for cooling the clutch pack 33. A first circulation oil hole 63 and a second circulation oil hole 135 are provided to guide the flow of oil. However, since the cover hub 13 is spaced apart from the output member 60 in the axial direction, the pressure of oil flowing in the space between the cover hub 13 and the output member 60 affects the cover hub 13. It presses the back of the forward. Accordingly, the cover hub 13 and the cover 10 receive a thrust load in the axial direction forward. This phenomenon causes a large thrust load between the engine and the torque converter 1 and causes deformation of the cover 10 .

In addition, in the second circulation oil hole 135 of the cover hub 13 shown in FIG. 1, the flow cross-sectional area of the radial oil hole 1353 is smaller than that of the axial oil hole 1351, so the oil flow is not smooth.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and to minimize or eliminate the thrust load applied to the cover hub of the torque converter in the axial direction forward, to provide a torque converter that enables the lock-up clutch to operate reliably. to be

Another object of the present invention is to provide a torque converter in which oil can smoothly flow through a circulation oil hole provided in a cover hub.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, and other objects and advantages of the present invention not mentioned above can be understood by the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. . It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations indicated in the claims.

In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle torque converter of the present invention includes a cover receiving rotational force of the engine from the front, a torus disposed inside the cover and connected to the rear portion of the cover, disposed inside the cover and connected to the front of the cover. and an output member connected to the torus, connected to the lock-up clutch, and transmitting rotational force to the transmission rearward.

The cover may include a front cover and a rear cover.

The lock-up clutch may be installed on the front cover.

The torus may be installed on the rear cover.

A cover hub is integrally coupled to the center of the front cover.

An end of the rear cover may be connected to a pump input end.

The output member may be disposed behind the cover hub.

The torus may include an impeller installed on the rear cover, a turbine disposed in front of the impeller, and a reactor disposed between the impeller and the turbine.

The turbine may be installed on a turbine plate. The turbine plate may be connected to the output member.

The reactor may be installed at a fixed end through a one-way clutch.

The fixing end may be disposed between the output member and the rear cover in an axial direction.

A first bearing may be interposed between the rear cover and the reactor, and a second bearing may be interposed between the reactor and the output member.

The lock-up clutch may be connected to the output member through a torsional damper.

The torsional damper may have a form in which a first torsional damper and a second torsional damper are connected in series.

The lock-up clutch may include a clutch pack.

One side of the clutch pack may be connected to an input drum installed on the front cover.

The other side of the clutch pack may be connected to an output drum installed in the torsional damper.

The input drum may be disposed inside the clutch pack in a radial direction, and the output drum may be disposed outside the clutch pack in a radial direction.

A piston plate pressurizing or releasing the pressurization of the clutch pack may be disposed behind the clutch pack.

A radially inner end of the piston plate may be slidably installed on an outer circumferential surface of the cover hub.

A cylinder plate may be provided behind the piston plate.

A radially inner end of the cylinder plate may be fixed to the cover hub.

A radially outer end of the piston plate may come into contact with a radially outer end of the cylinder plate in a sliding manner.

A space between the piston plate and the cylinder plate may constitute an operation chamber filled with fluid (oil) for moving the piston plate in a direction pressing the clutch pack.

A piston oil hole for supplying oil to the operation chamber may be provided in the cover hub.

The piston oil hole may have a shape extending in a radial direction.

Oil supplied radially inside the cover hub may be supplied to the operation chamber through the piston oil hole.

A front end of the output member may face the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub at a radially inner side of the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub. A sealing ring may be installed between an inner circumferential surface of the cover hub and an outer circumferential surface of the output member radially facing the outer circumferential surface of the cover hub to prevent oil supplied to the operation chamber from leaking through a space between the output member and the cover hub. .

The torsional damper may be connected to the output member through a space between the cylinder plate and the turbine plate.

An annular thrust washer is interposed between the cover hub and the output member in the axial direction.

The thrust washer may contact a rear surface of the cover hub and a front surface of the output member. Accordingly, the sealing ring may be omitted.

The output member has a first circulation oil hole for guiding the flow of oil behind the output member to the front of the output member.

The cover hub includes a second circulation oil hole into which oil flowing toward the front of the output member through the first circulation oil hole is introduced.

The thrust washer has a guide slot communicating with the first circulation oil hole and the second circulation oil hole. Accordingly, the fluid flowing through the first circulation oil hole may be supplied to the second circulation oil hole without leaking elsewhere.

The thrust washer may include an inner ring, an outer ring spaced apart from the inner ring radially outside, and a connecting member extending in a radial direction to connect the inner ring and the outer ring.

The guide slot may be defined by the inner ring, the outer ring, and a connecting member.

The outer ring and the inner ring may not cover the second circulation oil hole exposed to the rear of the cover hub and the first circulation oil hole exposed to the front of the output member.

To this end, the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring is disposed more outward in the radial direction than the second circulation oil hole exposed to the rear of the cover hub and the first circulation oil hole exposed to the front of the output member, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring is The second circulation oil hole exposed to the rear of the cover hub and the first circulation oil hole exposed to the front of the output member may be disposed more inward in a radial direction.

A length of the guide slot extended in the circumferential direction may be equal to or greater than a width of the connecting member in the circumferential direction. The thrust washer is assembled to the cover hub and can rotate relative to the output member. In some cases, the thrust washer may be assembled to the output member and relatively rotated with respect to the cover hub. Accordingly, the connecting member may cover the first circulation oil hole and/or the second circulation oil hole. The circumferential width of the connecting member may affect the flow of oil and may affect the thrust load applied by the oil to the cover hub. Therefore, it is preferable to optimize the width of the connecting member within an allowable range for securing the rigidity of the thrust washer and considering smooth oil flow.

An annular groove accommodating a part of the thrust washer in an axial direction may be provided on at least one of a rear surface of the cover hub and a front surface of the output member. Further, the thrust washer may be accommodated in the annular groove so that its axis may be aligned.

The first circulation oil hole may extend in an axial direction. The first circulation oil hole may be obliquely extended outward in the radial direction toward the front in the axial direction. Then, the flow of oil can be made more smoothly by the centrifugal force.

The second circulation oil hole may include an axial oil hole extending forward from the rear of the cover hub, and a radial oil hole connected to a front end of the axial oil hole and extending radially outward.

The second circulation oil hole may be provided at a position that does not overlap with the piston oil hole in the circumferential direction.

In particular, the axial oil hole may be provided at a position that does not overlap with the piston oil hole in the circumferential direction.

The axial oil hole may extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction, or may be inclined outward in a radial direction as it extends from the rear to the front.

If the first circulation oil hole has an inclined shape, even if the axial oil hole extends in parallel with the axial direction, oil can flow smoothly.

A diameter of the radial oil hole may be greater than a diameter of the axial oil hole. Accordingly, it is possible to further smooth the flow of oil in the radial oil hole.

A portion of the circumference of the radial oil hole may be open to the front surface of the cover hub. Accordingly, processing of the radial oil hole may be more easily performed.

Among the circumferences of the radial oil hole, a central angle A1 corresponding to a circumferential portion open to the front surface of the cover hub may be smaller than a central angle A2 corresponding to an unopened circumferential portion. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize the pressure of oil acting on the front cover.

A front surface of the cover hub may be in close contact with a rear surface of the front portion of the cover.

A radially inner corner of the front surface of the cover hub may be welded to the cover.

The welding may be laser welding.

The welding may be MIG welding (metal inert gas welding).

A plurality of the axial oil holes may be disposed adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction to form a set.

The radial oil hole may be in the form of a slot formed in the circumferential direction to communicate with the set of axial oil holes.

A plurality of sets of the axial oil holes may be provided, and one radial oil hole may communicate with the plurality of sets of the axial oil holes. Of course, according to this structure, the radial oil hole and the piston oil hole may be disposed at a position where they do not overlap each other in the axial direction.

The slot may be formed 360 degrees along the circumferential direction. Of course, according to this structure, the radial oil hole and the piston oil hole may be disposed at a position where they do not overlap each other in the axial direction.

According to the present invention, by placing the thrust washer in the gap between the cover hub and the output member, it is possible to minimize the area where the pressure of the oil existing behind the cover hub pushes the cover hub forward. Accordingly, deformation of the cover hub and the cover may be prevented, thereby preventing abnormal operation of the lockup clutch.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smooth the flow of oil flowing through the circulation oil hole provided in the cover hub.

In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of the present invention will be described together while explaining specific details for carrying out the present invention.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a torque converter for a vehicle.
2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a torque converter for a vehicle according to an embodiment.
3 is a perspective view of a cover hub of the torque converter of FIG. 2 viewed from the front;
4 is a perspective view of a thrust washer of the torque converter of FIG. 2;
5 is a perspective view of an output member of the torque converter of FIG. 2;
6 is a rear perspective view illustrating a state in which a thrust washer is mounted on a cover hub of the torque converter of FIG. 2 .
7 is a development view of a connection portion between a cover hub and a front cover of a vehicle torque converter according to an exemplary embodiment as viewed in a radial direction.
8 is a development view of a connection portion between a cover hub and a front cover of a torque converter for a vehicle according to a modified example, as viewed in a radial direction.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and various changes may be applied and may be implemented in a variety of different forms. Only this embodiment is provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but all changes and equivalents included in the technical spirit and scope of the present invention as well as substitution or addition of the configuration of one embodiment and the configuration of another embodiment each other to substitutes.

The accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes and equivalents included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention It should be understood to include water or substitutes. In the drawings, components may be exaggeratedly large or small in size or thickness in consideration of convenience of understanding, etc., but due to this, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as being limited.

Terms used in this specification are only used to describe specific implementations or examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. And expressions in the singular include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as "comprise" and "consist of" are intended to designate that features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification exist. That is, in the specification, terms such as ~ include, ~ consist of, etc. It should be understood that it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. It should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

When an element is referred to as being “on top” or “under” another element, it should be understood that other elements may exist in the middle as well as being directly above the other element. .

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, they should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal meaning. don't

Since the torque converter of the embodiment is symmetric about the axis, only half of the axis is shown for convenience of drawing. Also, for convenience of description, a direction along the longitudinal direction of a shaft forming the center of rotation of the torque converter is referred to as an axial direction. That is, the front-rear direction or the axial direction is a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and the front (front) means a direction toward the power source, such as the engine, and the rear (rear) means the direction toward the other direction, such as the transmission. . Therefore, the front side (front side) means the side where the surface faces forward, and the rear side (rear side) means the side where the surface looks backward.

The radial direction or the radial direction means a direction approaching the center or a direction away from the center along a straight line passing through the center of the rotation axis on a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis. A direction away from the center in a radial direction is referred to as a centrifugal direction, and a direction approaching the center is referred to as a centripetal direction.

The circumferential direction or circumferential direction means a direction that surrounds the circumference of the rotating shaft. The outer circumference means an outer circumference, and the inner circumference means an inner circumference. Therefore, the outer circumferential surface is a surface in a direction facing away from the rotational axis, and the inner circumferential surface means a surface in a direction facing the rotational axis.

The circumferential side surface means a surface whose normal line is directed in the circumferential direction.

Hereinafter, a torque converter for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a torque converter 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cover 10 filled with fluid (oil) therein. The cover 10 may rotate by receiving an engine input from the front.

The cover 10 includes a cover hub 13 disposed at the front, a front cover 11 extending radially outward from the cover hub 13 and extending rearward, and a rear end of the front cover 11. It includes a rear cover 15 connected to. The rear cover 15 extends rearward from the front cover and extends radially inward.

A pump input end 151 extending rearward is provided at a radially inner end of the rear cover 15 . Therefore, the rotational force of the cover 10 rotating by receiving the rotational force of the engine (not shown) in the front is transmitted to the oil pump (not shown) in the rear, and thus the transmission oil can be supplied to the inside of the cover.

A torus 20 is connected to the front of the rear cover 15. The torus 20 includes an impeller 21, a turbine 23 and a reactor 25 disposed between them.

The impeller 21 is fixed to the inner surface (front surface) of the rear cover. The turbine 23 is disposed to face the impeller 21 at the front of the impeller 21 . The reactor 25 is disposed between the impeller 21 and the radially inner portion of the turbine 23 . The reactor 25 is rotatably supported on the fixed end 29 through the one-way clutch 27.

The fixed end 29 is disposed in front of the pump input end 151 and radially inside. A first bearing B1 is interposed between the reactor 25 and the pump input terminal 151 to support relative rotation between them.

The turbine plate 231 supporting the turbine 23 extends radially inward from the turbine 23 and is connected to the output member 60 . The output member 60 is connected to a torsional damper 50 to be described later and functions as a damper hub. The output member 60 has a flange 61 extending in the radial direction, and the turbine plate 231 and the torsional damper 50 to be described later are formed through a rivet hole 611 of the flange 61 (FIG. 5). reference) and is integrally fixed by riveting.

The output member 60 is disposed in front of the fixing end 29 and radially inside. A second bearing B2 is interposed between the fixed end 29 and the output member 60 to support relative rotation between them.

In addition, the output member 60 is disposed behind the cover hub 13 and radially inside. That is, the torque converter 1 is sequentially provided with a cover hub 13, an output member (damper hub) 60, a fixed end 29, and a pump input end 151 from front to rear along its rotation center. can do.

The space between the rear cover 15 and the reactor 25 and the space between the reactor 25 and the output member 60 are fluid (oil) for cooling the fluid coupling of the torus 20 may provide a circulation passage.

The lock-up clutch 30 is installed on the inner surface (rear surface) of the front cover 11 . In the embodiment, a clutch pack 33 having a multi-plate clutch structure is applied as the lock-up clutch 30 .

The lock-up clutch 30 includes an input drum 31 integrally connected to the front cover 11 and extending rearward, a clutch pack 33 connected radially outside of the input drum 31, the clutch An output drum 35 connected to the outside of the pack 33 in a radial direction, and a piston plate 41 pressurizing or releasing the clutch pack 33 at the rear of the clutch pack 33 .

The output drum 35 is connected to the output member 60 through a torsional damper 50.

The torsional damper 50 has a form in which a first torsional damper 51 and a second torsional damper 52 are connected in series. The torsional damper 50 is disposed at the rear of the piston plate 41 in the axial direction and at the front of the turbine plate 231 .

Between the piston plate 41 and the torsional damper 50 in the axial direction, a cylinder plate 43 is disposed. The torsional damper 50 may be connected to the output member 60 through a space between the cylinder plate 43 and the turbine plate 231 .

A radially inner end of the cylinder plate 43 may be fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 . A radially outer end of the cylinder plate 43 may come into contact with a radially outer end of the piston plate 41 .

A radially outer end of the piston plate 41 extends in the axial direction, and an inner circumferential surface of the piston plate 41 slidably contacts an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder plate 43 . A radially inner end of the piston plate 41 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 in a sliding manner. Accordingly, the piston plate 41 can slide in the axial direction with respect to the cover hub 13 and the cylinder plate 43 .

The space between the piston plate 41 and the cylinder plate 43 constitutes the working chamber 45. The piston plate 41 presses the clutch pack 33 as much as the difference between the pressure of the fluid filled inside the working chamber 45 and the external pressure.

A piston oil hole 137 is provided in the cover hub 13 , and the operation chamber 45 communicates with the piston oil hole 137 . The piston oil hole 137 extends from the inner circumferential surface to the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped cover hub 13 in a radial direction. Referring to FIG. 3, in the embodiment, a structure in which two piston oil holes 137 are formed at three locations is illustrated.

At least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 is spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of the output member 60 . The piston oil hole 137 opened to the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 faces the outer circumferential surface of the output member 60 .

The piston oil hole 137 opened to the outer circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 is disposed between the piston plate 41 and the cylinder plate 43 in the axial direction. The oil in the space where the inner circumferential surfaces of the cover hub 13 face each other flows radially outward through the piston oil hole 137 and fills the working chamber 45 .

The front area of the output member 60 faces the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 . A sealing ring 65 may be installed between the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub 13 and the outer circumferential surface of the output member 60 at the rear of the piston oil hole 137 opened to the inner circumferential surface of the cover hub 13. , The sealing ring 65 prevents the oil supplied to the operation chamber 45 from leaking through the space between the output member 60 and the cover hub 13.

An annular thrust washer 70 is interposed between the cover hub 13 and the output member 60 in the axial direction.

The thrust washer 70 may contact the rear surface of the cover hub 13 and the front surface of the output member 60 . Accordingly, the thrust washer 70 may block or block the flow of oil flowing in the radial direction through the space between the cover hub 13 and the output member 60 . The thrust washer 70 functions as a thrust bearing between the cover hub 13 and the output member 60 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , the thrust washer 70 has a circular ring shape of a flat plate. A guide slot 77 is formed in the thrust washer 70 in a circumferential direction. In the embodiment, a form in which three guide slots 77 are evenly disposed along the circumferential direction of the thrust washer 70 is exemplified.

An outer ring 71 is provided on the outer side of the guide slot 77 in the radial direction, and an inner ring is provided on the inner side in the radial direction. In the circumferential direction, a connecting member 75 is provided between two adjacent guide slots 77 . The connecting member 75 may extend in a radial direction and connect the inner ring 73 and the outer ring 71 to each other.

The connecting member 75 may cover the first circulation oil hole 63 and/or the second circulation oil hole 135 according to circumstances. From this point of view, the longer the length occupied by the guide slot 77 in the circumferential direction is, the better, and the smaller the width occupied by the connecting member 75 in the circumferential direction is, the better. The thickness of the connecting member 75 may be set to a level capable of securing minimum rigidity required for the thrust washer 70 .

On the other hand, as the width of the connecting member 75 in the circumferential direction decreases, the area in which the rear surface of the cover hub 13 is exposed to the oil flow path increases. This may cause the hydraulic pressure to press the cover hub 13 forward to increase the thrust load. Therefore, the circumferential width of the connection member 75 can be set to an optimal value while ensuring smooth oil flow in consideration of the thrust load applied by the oil to the rear surface of the cover hub 13 .

The outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 71 is circular, and the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring 73 is also circular. Accordingly, the thrust washer 70 can relatively rotate with respect to the cover hub 13 and also with respect to the output member 60 .

The outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 71 contacts (or contacts) the cover hub 13 and/or the output member 60, and the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring 73 contacts the cover hub 13 and/or the output member 60. By contacting 60, the thrust washer 70 can be centered with respect to the cover hub 13 or/and the output member 60.

An annular groove for accommodating a part of the thrust washer 70 in an axial direction may be provided on at least one of the rear surface of the cover hub 13 and the front surface of the output member 60 . Also, the thrust washer 70 may be accommodated in the annular groove so that its axis may be aligned. Specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring 71 is in contact with the outer circumferential wall 1313 of the annular groove 131 of the cover hub 13, and the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring 73 is the inner circumferential wall of the annular groove 131 ( 1311).

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the embodiment, a forward recessed annular groove 131 is formed on the rear surface of the cover hub 13, and a portion of the thrust washer 70 in the axial direction is the annular groove 131 ) is exemplified.

2 and 5, the output member 60 is provided with a first circulation oil hole 63 for guiding the flow of oil at the rear of the output member 60 to the front of the output member 60. .

The first circulation oil hole 63 may be inclined outward in the radial direction as it extends from the rear to the front. The first circulation oil hole 63 may be provided in plurality at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the output member 60 . In the embodiment, a structure in which 12 first circulation oil holes 63 are arranged at intervals of 30 degrees is exemplified.

Since the output member 60 rotates quickly, the oil introduced into the first circulation oil hole 63 from the rear of the output member 60 can more smoothly flow forward by centrifugal force.

The front end of the first circulation oil hole 63 is open to the guide slot 77.

The outer ring 71 and the inner ring 73 do not cover the first circulation oil hole 63. That is, the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 71 is disposed radially outside the front opening of the first circulation oil hole 63, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 73 is disposed in front of the first circulation oil hole 63. It is disposed more inward than the opening in the radial direction. Accordingly, the flow of oil moving from the rear to the front of the output member 60 through the first circulation oil hole 63 is not hindered.

However, although the connecting member 75 may temporarily cover a part of the first circulation oil hole 63 due to the relative rotation of the output member 60 and the thrust washer 70, as described above, the connecting member 75 Since the width in the circumferential direction has an optimal dimension within an allowable range, obstruction of oil flow is minimized.

The outer ring 71 and the inner ring 73 prevent oil from flowing in the radial direction through the space between the output member 60 and the cover hub 13 . Therefore, the oil introduced into the guide slot 77 through the first circulation oil hole 63 does not flow out in the radial direction.

The cover hub 13 includes a second circulation oil hole 135 into which oil flowing toward the front of the output member 60 through the first circulation oil hole 63 is introduced. The second circulation oil hole 135 is formed so as not to meet the piston oil hole 137. To this end, the piston oil hole 137 and the second circulation oil hole 135 are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction.

The second circulation oil hole 135 has a rear opening provided on the rear surface of the cover hub 13 . The rear opening of the second circulation oil hole 135 faces the guide slot 77 .

The outer ring 71 and the inner ring 73 do not cover the second circulation oil hole 135. That is, the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 71 is disposed radially outside the rear opening of the second circulation oil hole 135, and the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 73 is disposed behind the second circulation oil hole 135. It is disposed more inward than the opening in the radial direction. Accordingly, the flow of oil in the guide slot 77 into the second circulation oil hole 135 is not hindered.

However, although the connecting member 75 may temporarily cover a part of the second circulation oil hole 135 due to the relative rotation of the cover hub 13 and the thrust washer 70, as described above, the connecting member 75 Since the width in the circumferential direction has an optimal dimension within an allowable range, obstruction of oil flow is minimized.

As a result, the thrust washer 70 communicates with the first circulation oil hole 63 and the second circulation oil hole 135 . The thrust washer 70 allows the fluid flowing through the first circulation oil hole 63 to flow into the second circulation oil hole 135 without leaking elsewhere.

The first circulation oil hole 63 may extend in an axial direction. The first circulation oil hole 63 may extend obliquely outward in the radial direction toward the front in the axial direction. Then, the flow of oil can be made more smoothly by the centrifugal force.

The second circulation oil hole 135 is connected to an axial oil hole 1351 extending forward from the rear of the cover hub 13 and a front end of the axial oil hole 1351 and is radially outward. A radial oil hole 1353 extending to may be provided.

The second circulation oil hole 135 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the piston oil hole 137 in the circumferential direction of the cover hub 13 . The piston oil hole 137 is provided in the rear of the piston plate 41 in the axial direction to supply oil to the working chamber 45, while the radial oil hole 1353 is provided in the piston plate 41. It may be disposed ahead of the piston plate 41 in the axial direction to supply oil to the front space. Therefore, in the second circulation oil hole 135, the radial oil hole 1353 is easy to form avoiding the piston oil hole 137.

On the other hand, since the axial oil hole 1351 should extend in the axial direction, it is formed at a position in the circumferential direction different from that of the piston oil hole 137.

The axial oil hole 1351 may extend in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the torque converter, or may be inclined radially outward as it extends from the rear to the front. In the illustrated embodiment, a structure in which axial oil holes 1351 are formed in parallel and three sets of axial oil holes 1351 are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees is exemplified. This position is a position in which two piston oil holes 137 are offset by 60 degrees from a structure in which three sets are arranged at 120 degree intervals in one set.

According to the present invention, the thrust washer 70 interposed between the cover hub 13 and the output member 60 introduces all of the oil discharged from the first circulation oil hole 63 into the second circulation oil hole 135 guide you to Therefore, the flow pressure of the oil generated by the centrifugal force in the first circulation oil hole 63 is transferred to the second circulation oil hole 135 as it is. Therefore, if the first circulation oil hole 63 has an inclined shape, oil can flow smoothly even in the axial oil hole 1351 extending parallel to the axial direction.

According to the embodiment, the front surface of the cover hub 13 is in contact with the rear surface of the front cover 11, and the corner portion of the lower front surface of the cover hub 13 is laser welded or MIG to the front cover 11. It may be welded by a method such as metal inert gas welding.

Welding of the front cover 11 and the cover hub 13 is performed after machining the piston oil hole 137 and the second circulation oil hole 135 in the cover hub 13 .

Since the axial oil hole 1351 is parallel to the axial direction, processing is easy. In addition, since the front surface of the cover hub 13 is closely fixed to the rear surface of the front cover 11, the axial oil hole 1351 may be machined to penetrate the front surface of the cover hub 13. Accordingly, it is easier to process the axial oil hole 1351.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 , the radial oil hole 1353 may have a larger diameter than the axial oil hole 1351 . Accordingly, the flow sectional area of the radial oil hole 1353 can be increased, so that the flow of oil can be made more smooth.

In addition, since the diameter of the radial oil hole 1353 is larger than the diameter of the axial oil hole 1351, the drilling of the axial oil hole 1351 and the radial oil hole 1353 do not cross each other with their central axes. Even if slightly misaligned, the diameter of the axial oil hole 1351 may still be included within the diameter of the radial oil hole 1353, so that the processing tolerance range of the second circulation oil hole 135 may increase.

Referring to FIGS. 3 , 6 and 7 , a part of the circumference of the radial oil hole 1353 may be open to the front of the cover hub 13 . This makes it easier to align the processing positions of the axial oil hole 1351 and the radial oil hole 1353 during processing.

In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 7 , the central angle A1 corresponding to the circumference of the radial oil hole 1353 that is open to the front of the cover hub 13 corresponds to the circumference that is not open. It may be smaller than the central angle A2. Then, the effect of the pressure of the oil existing in the radial oil hole 1353 on the front cover 11 can be reduced.

A plurality of the axial oil holes 1351 (three in the embodiment) may be disposed adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction to form one set.

Referring to (a) and (b) of FIG. 8, as a modified example of the radial oil hole 1353, the radial oil hole 1353 is one formed in the circumferential direction to communicate with the set of axial oil holes. It may be in the form of a slot of In (a) of FIG. 8, a structure in which one radial oil hole 1353 communicates with one set of axial oil holes 1351 is illustrated. In (b) of FIG. 8, a structure in which one radial oil hole 1353 communicates with two sets of axial oil holes 1351 is illustrated.

Although not shown, a plurality of sets of the axial oil holes 1351 are provided in the cover hub 13, and one radial oil hole 1353 is all of the plurality of sets of the axial oil holes 1351. may communicate with This may be a slot shape in which the radial oil hole 1353 is formed throughout 360 degrees along the circumferential direction.

Hereinafter, the operation of the torque converter according to the present invention will be described.

When the vehicle is initially driven, rotational force of the engine is transmitted to the cover 10 in a state in which the lockup clutch 30 is released. Then, the pump input terminal 151 of the cover 10 operates the pump to supply oil to the inside of the cover 10 . Oil is supplied from the transmission to the space between the output member 60 and the fixed end 29. Then, part of the oil supplied between the output member 60 and the fixed end 29 flows toward the torus 20 while wetting the one-way clutch 27 and the second bearing by centrifugal force, and the rest of the oil flows toward the first circulating oil. into the hole 63.

The oil flowing into the first circulation oil hole 63 flows out into the space between the output member 60 and the cover hub 13, and receives the guide of the thrust washer 70, so that all of the second oil of the cover hub 13 It flows into the circulation oil hole 135. The fluid introduced into the second circulation oil hole 135 is supplied to the front space of the piston plate 41 through the axial oil hole 1351 and the radial oil hole 1353 .

The pressure of the oil supplied to the front of the piston plate 41 acts to push the piston plate 41 backward to move away from the clutch pack 33, and the clutch pack 33 and the torsional damper 50 are provided. It passes through the space and is supplied to the torus 20. And the oil returns to the transmission side through the space between the pump input end 151 and the fixed end 29.

In this process, the rotational force of the cover 10 is multiplied by the oil filled in the torus 20 and transmitted to the transmission through the output member 60.

When the rotational speed of the turbine 23 approaches the rotational speed of the impeller 21, oil is supplied through a passage provided radially inside the output member 60, and this oil is supplied through the piston oil hole of the cover hub 13. It is supplied to the working chamber 45 through 137 and moves the piston plate 41 forward. The piston plate 41 presses the clutch pack 33 to operate the lock-up clutch. Then, the rotational force of the engine is absorbed through the lock-up clutch 30 and the torsional damper 50, and the vibration is directly transmitted to the output member 60, and such rotational force is transmitted to the transmission.

As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings illustrated, but the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and various modifications are made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious that variations can be made. In addition, although the operation and effect according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described and described while describing the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be recognized.

1: Torque converter
10: cover
11: front cover
13: cover hub
131: annular groove
1311: inner wall
1313: outer wall
133: junction
135: second circulation oil hole
1351: axial oil hole
1353: radial oil hole
137: piston oil hole
15: rear cover
151: pump input
20: Taurus
21: impeller
23: Turbine
231 Turbine plate
25: reactor
27: one way clutch
29: fixed end
30: lock-up clutch
31: input drum
33: clutch pack
35: output drum
41: piston plate
43: cylinder plate
45: working chamber
50: torsional damper
51: first torsional damper
52: second torsional damper
60: damper hub (output member)
61: flange
611: rivet hole
63: first circulation oil hole
65: sealing ring
B1: first bearing
B2: 2nd bearing
70: thrust washer
71: paddle
73: inner ring
75: connecting member
77: guide slot
W: welding area
A1, A2: central angle

Claims (15)

A cover 10 receiving rotational force of the engine from the front, a torus 20 disposed inside the cover 10 and connected to a rear portion of the cover 10, disposed inside the cover 10 and connected to the rear portion of the cover 10 A lock-up clutch 30 connected to the front part of the ), and a torque converter 1 including an output member 60 connected to the taurus 20 and connected to the lock-up clutch 30 and transmitting rotational force to the transmission rearward. )as,
A cover hub 13 is integrally coupled to the center of the front portion of the cover 10,
The output member 60 is disposed behind the cover hub 13,
An annular thrust washer 70 is interposed between the cover hub 13 and the output member 60 in the axial direction,
The output member 60 has a first circulation oil hole 63 for guiding the flow of oil at the rear of the output member 60 to the front of the output member 60,
The cover hub 13 has a second circulation oil hole 135 into which oil flowing toward the front of the output member 60 through the first circulation oil hole 63 is introduced,
The thrust washer (70) has a guide slot (77) communicating with the first circulation oil hole (63) and the second circulation oil hole (135).
The method of claim 1,
The thrust washer 70 is:
inner ring 73;
an outer ring (71) spaced apart from the inner ring (73) in a radially outward direction; and
A connecting member 75 extending in the radial direction and connecting the inner ring 73 and the outer ring 71,
The torque converter, wherein the guide slot (77) is defined by the inner race (73), the outer race (71) and the connecting member (75).
The method of claim 2,
The inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 71 is radially larger than the second circulation oil hole 135 exposed to the rear of the cover hub 13 and the first circulation oil hole 63 exposed to the front of the output member 60. is placed further outside,
The outer circumferential surface of the inner ring 73 is radially larger than the second circulation oil hole 135 exposed to the rear of the cover hub 13 and the first circulation oil hole 63 exposed to the front of the output member 60. A torque converter, which is disposed further inside.
The method of claim 2,
The outer ring 71 and the inner ring 73 have a second circulation oil hole 135 exposed to the rear of the cover hub 13 and a first circulation oil hole 63 exposed to the front of the output member 60 Regardless, the torque converter.
The method of claim 2,
The torque converter, wherein the length of the guide slot (77) extended in the circumferential direction is equal to or greater than the circumferential width of the connecting member (75).
The method of claim 1,
An annular groove 131 for accommodating a part of the thrust washer 70 in the axial direction is provided on at least one of the rear surface of the cover hub 13 or the front surface of the output member 60,
The torque converter, wherein the thrust washer (70) is accommodated in the annular groove (131) and its axis is aligned.
The method of claim 1,
The second circulation oil hole 135 is:
an axial oil hole 1351 extending forward from the rear of the cover hub 13; and
A torque converter having a; radial oil hole 1353 connected to the front end of the axial oil hole 1351 and extending radially outward.
The method of claim 7,
The axial oil hole 1351 extends in a direction parallel to the axial direction or is inclined radially outward as it extends from the rear to the front.
The method of claim 7,
The torque converter, wherein the diameter of the radial oil hole (1353) is larger than that of the axial oil hole (1351).
The method of claim 7,
A part of the circumference of the radial oil hole (1353) is open to the front surface of the cover hub (13), the torque converter.
The method of claim 10,
A central angle A1 corresponding to the circumference of the radial oil hole 1353 that is open to the front surface of the cover hub 13 is smaller than a central angle A2 corresponding to the unopened circumference. converter.
The method of claim 10,
The front surface of the cover hub (13) is in close contact with the rear surface of the front portion of the cover (10).
The method of claim 12,
The torque converter, wherein a radially inner corner of the front surface of the cover hub (13) is welded to the cover (10).
The method of claim 7,
A plurality of the axial oil holes 1351 are disposed adjacent to each other along the circumferential direction to form a set,
The torque converter, wherein the radial oil hole (1353) is in the form of a slot formed in the circumferential direction to communicate with a set of the axial oil hole (1351).
The method of claim 14,
A plurality of sets of the axial oil holes 1351 are provided,
One radial oil hole (1353) communicates with a plurality of sets of the axial oil hole (1351).

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