초록 ▼

A lockup clutch for a torque converter (10) has a piston (63) with a tapered face (67) that engages a grooved friction material (61). The edge (71) of the piston face (67) extends outward away from the center portion (69) of the piston face (67) toward the friction material (61). The friction materi

A lockup clutch for a torque converter (10) has a piston (63) with a tapered face (67) that engages a grooved friction material (61). The edge (71) of the piston face (67) extends outward away from the center portion (69) of the piston face (67) toward the friction material (61). The friction material (61) is arranged in a pattern of concentric lands (80, 82, 84) defining annular grooves (86) between adjacent lands with an innermost land (82) being free of radial grooves (92) and all other lands being connected by radial grooves (92) in communication with the interior of the torque converter housing (12, 14) through the torus circuit cavity. The innermost land (82) blocks fluid flow from the torus flow circuit cavity when the piston (63) engages the disk (61) in a hard lockup condition but permits fluid flow during a soft lockup condition.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A lockup clutch for a torque converter, said torque converter having an impeller housing enclosing a turbine and impeller, said lockup clutch comprising:a clutch plate, located in said housing, having one end portion connected to said turbine and a distal end portion form

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A lockup clutch for a torque converter, said torque converter having an impeller housing enclosing a turbine and impeller, said lockup clutch comprising:a clutch plate, located in said housing, having one end portion connected to said turbine and a distal end portion forming a piston, said piston having a face with a friction surface and containing a center portion and an edge portion;an annular friction disk attached to an interior portion of said housing, said clutch plate and said friction disk defining a control pressure chamber, said housing defining a torus circuit cavity; anda friction material on said annular friction disk for contacting said piston face, said friction material being arranged in a pattern of concentric lands defining annular grooves between adjacent lands with an innermost land being free of radial grooves and all other lands being connected by radial grooves communicating with said interior of said housing through said torus circuit cavity, said innermost land blocking fluid flow from said torus flow circuit cavity when said piston engages said disk in a hard lockup condition but permitting fluid flow during a soft lockup condition.