IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0545198
(1983-10-25)
|
우선권정보 |
JP-0196897 (1982-11-10) |
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Murasugi, Takashi
- Morimoto, Yoshiro
- Suga, Masaaki
- Niikura, Yasuhiro
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Schwartz, Jeffery, Schwaab, Mack, Blumenthal & Evans
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
10 인용 특허 :
4 |
초록
▼
A torque converter having an engine-driven pump impeller fastened to an input shell and a fluid-driven turbine runner mounted on an output shaft is equipped with a fluid-operated lockup clutch for providing a direct mechanical drive between the input shell and the output shell. The lockup clutch is
A torque converter having an engine-driven pump impeller fastened to an input shell and a fluid-driven turbine runner mounted on an output shaft is equipped with a fluid-operated lockup clutch for providing a direct mechanical drive between the input shell and the output shell. The lockup clutch is maintained in a slipping engagement condition in an intermediate speed range. This slipping engagement is controlled by a variable fluid passage whose opening size is determined by an axial position of the turbine runner relative to the output shaft. The turbine runner is rotatable and axially movable relative to the output shaft. The turbine runner and the output shaft have, respectively, flanges which rotates side by side. There are formed, between the flanges, a plurality of pockets which are circumferentially arranged. Each pocket has contoured surfaces, and confines a ball. Each set of the ball and pocket is so formed as to control the opening size of the variable fluid passage by causing the turbine runner to move axially when the turbine runner rotate relative to the output shaft.
대표청구항
▼
1. A lockup torque converter system comprising; an input shell adapted to be driven by a prime mover, an input member which is secured to said input shell and forms a closed fluid space with said input shell, an output member which is disposed in said closed fluid space and forms a fluid flow c
1. A lockup torque converter system comprising; an input shell adapted to be driven by a prime mover, an input member which is secured to said input shell and forms a closed fluid space with said input shell, an output member which is disposed in said closed fluid space and forms a fluid flow circuit with said input member so that driving torque can be transmitted from said input member to said output member by the dynamic action of a fluid intervening between said input and output members, an output shaft on which said output member is mounted, a friction clutch, disposed in said closed space between said input shell and said output shaft, for providing a direct mechanical driving connection between said input shell and said output shaft, said friction clutch forming a lockup control chamber on one side between said input shell and said clutch and a converter chamber on the other side of said clutch, said clutch being operated by a fluid pressure difference between both fluid chambers for making and breaking the direct mechanical driving connection, fluid pressure regulating means, fluidly connected with said lockup control chamber and said converter chamber, for regulating fluid pressures in said chambers, and control means, disposed between said output member and said output shaft, for controlling a relative movement between said output member and said output shaft means, said output member being drivingly connected to said output shaft through said control means, said output member being axially movable relative to said output shaft within a limited length, said output member having a pressure-receiving portion having one side receiving a fluid pressure in said lockup control chamber and the other side receiving a fluid pressure in said converter chamber so that a force resulting from a fluid pressure difference between both chambers pushes said output member axially, said output member being rotatable relative to said output shaft within a limited angle, said control means causing said output member to move axially relative to said output shaft when said output member rotates relative to said output shaft, said lockup control chamber being connected with said converter chamber through a variable orifice which is formed between said output member and said output shaft means and capable of changing the opening size of said fluid passage when said output member moves relative to said output shaft. 2. A lockup torque converter system according to claim 1, wherein said control means allows said output member to rotate relative to said output shaft in accordance with a difference between a torque exerted on said output member and a torque transmitted through said friction clutch. 3. A lockup torque converter system according to claim 2, wherein said fluid pressure receiving portion of said output member surrounds said output shaft and projects radially outwardly, and said output shaft has an outward flange portion which projects radially outwardly around said output shaft, faces said pressure receiving portion of said output member, and forms a fluid pressure chamber between said pressure receiving portion of said output member and said outward flange portion, said pressure chamber being in fluid communication with said lockup control chamber, and wherein said control means is a plurality of balls each of which is confined in a pocket formed between said outward flange portion of said output shaft and said pressure receiving portion of said output member within said pressure chamber, each of said pockets being formed by a first recess formed in said pressure receiving portion of said output member and a second recess formed in said outward flange portion of said output shaft, said first and second recesses of each pocket extending circumferentially along an arc of a circle concentric with said output shaft, said first and second recesses of each pocket having, respectively, first and second bottoms which are parallel with each other, and inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to said output shaft, said ball of each pocket causing said output member to move axially when said first recess of that pocket rotates relative to said second recess of that pocket so that said ball remains in contact with said first and second bottoms of said first and second recesses. 4. A lockup torque converter system according to claim 3, wherein said variable orifice comprises a slit formed in said output member and a radial hole formed in said output shaft, the opening degree of said fluid passage being determined by an overlap between said slit and said radial hole, said overlap being changed when said output chamber moves relative to said output shaft. 5. A lockup torque converter system according to claim 4, wherein said output shaft has an axial fluid passage leading from said lockup control chamber to said variable orifice, and a second radial hole leading from said axial passage to said pressure chamber. 6. A lockup torque converter system according to claim 5, wherein said fluid pressure regulating means comprises constant fluid pressure supplying means for supplying a constant fluid pressure to said converter chamber, variable fluid pressure supplying means for supplying a variable fluid pressure, and a lockup control valve having a spool and biasing means for biasing said spool in a first axial direction, said spool receiving, on one end, the fluid pressure supplied by said variable fluid pressure supplying means so that said spool is pushed in a second axial direction opposite to said first axial direction, said biasing means maintaining said spool in a first axial position when said variable fluid pressure is below a first predetermined value, in a second axial position when said variable fluid pressure is between said first predetermined value and a second predetermined value higher than said first predetermined value, and in a third axial position when said variable fluid pressure is above said second predetermined value, said lockup control valve having an inlet port which is supplied with the constant fluid pressure of said constant fluid pressure supplying means, a control port communicating with said lockup control chamber, and first and second drain ports for removing the fluid pressure in said lockup control chamber, said first drain port having a fixed orifice, said spool closing said first and second drain ports and communicating said control port with said inlet port when said spool is in said first axial position, said spool closing said inlet port and said second drain port and communicating said control port with said first drain port when said spool is in said second axial position, said spool closing said inlet port and communicating said control port with said second drain port when said spool is in said third axial position.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.