Hydraulic power transmission device

Abstract

A hydraulic power transmission device includes a front cover, a torque converter main body, a lock-up device, and a dynamic damper. The dynamic damper has a base plate, inertia rings and lid members that configure an inertial body, viscosity attenuation portions, and an elastic coupling portion. The base plate is fixed to an output plate. The inertial body can move in the rotation direction relative to the base plate. The viscosity attenuation portions can generate a variable hysteresis torque according to the relative speed difference between the base plate and the inertial body.

Claims

1. A hydraulic power transmission device for transmitting power from an engine to a transmission via a fluid, the hydraulic power transmission device comprising: a front cover; a fluid coupling main body including a turbine that rotates integrally with an input shaft of the transmission, the fluid coupling main body configured to transmit power from the engine to the transmission via the fluid; a lock-up device provided between the front cover and the turbine, the lock-up device including a clutch portion, an output-side member, and a plurality of first coil springs, the clutch portion configured to transmit or cut off power from the front cover, the output-side member configured to receive power from the clutch portion, the output-side member coupled to the turbine, and an outer circumferential end portion of the output-side member engaged with each of the plurality of first coil springs; and a dynamic damper configured to attenuate rotational speed fluctuation from the engine, the dynamic damper including a base plate, an inertial body and an elastic unit, the base plate directly fixed to the output-side member of the lock-up device, the inertial body configured to move in a rotation direction relative to the base plate, the elastic unit including a variable hysteresis torque generation portion and a plurality of second coil springs, the variable hysteresis torque generation portion configured to generate a variable hysteresis torque according to a relative speed difference between the base plate and the inertial body, the plurality of second coil springs coupling the base plate and the inertial body elastically in the rotation direction, wherein the base plate is ring-shaped, and has a plurality of openings in an outer circumferential portion with predetermined intervals therebetween in a circumferential direction, the variable hysteresis torque generation portion is disposed between two adjacent openings among the plurality of openings in the circumferential direction, and the inertial body has a first inertia ring and a second inertia ring arranged sandwiching the outer circumferential portion of the base plate in an axial direction, each of the first and second inertia rings having a ring-shape, the first and second inertia rings each including corresponding openings at positions that correspond to the openings of the base plate, and the plurality of second coil springs of the elastic unit are housed in the openings of the base plate and the corresponding openings of the first and second inertia rings.

2. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic damper is fixed to the output-side member of the lock-up device.

3. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic unit generates a larger hysteresis torque when the relative speed difference between the base plate and the inertial body is large than when the relative speed difference is small.

4. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic unit has a viscosity attenuation portion that generates the hysteresis torque by viscosity resistance.

5. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the viscosity attenuation portion has an oil chamber filled with a hydraulic oil, and a piston that is arranged in the oil chamber and can move in the rotation direction in the oil chamber along with the base plate.

6. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the inertial body has a first lid member and a second lid member respectively arranged on sides of the first inertia ring and the second inertia ring opposite to a base plate side, the first and second lid members arranged to obstruct the openings of the first and second inertia rings.

7. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the base plate has a notch, and the viscosity attenuation portion is housed, at least in part, in the notch of the base plate.

8. The hydraulic power transmission device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of second coil springs and the viscosity attenuation portion are arranged along the circumferential direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a torque converter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(2) FIG. 2 is an extracted view of a lock-up device in FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is an extracted view of a dynamic damper in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a partial front view of the dynamic damper.

(5) FIG. 5 is a partial front view of an inertia ring.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dynamic damper.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view of an oil chamber formation member.

(8) FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a viscosity attenuation mechanism.

(9) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between engine rotational speed and output-side torque fluctuation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(10) Overall Configuration

(11) A torque converter 1 serving as a hydraulic power transmission device is shown in FIG. 1. An engine (not shown) is arranged on the left side in FIG. 1, and a transmission (not shown) is arranged on the right side in FIG. 1. A line O-O shown in FIG. 1 is the rotation axis of the torque converter 1.

(12) The torque converter 1 is a device for transmitting power from a crankshaft (not shown) of the engine to an input shaft of the transmission. The torque converter 1 is mainly provided with a front cover 2 to which power is input, an impeller 3, a turbine 4, a stator 5, a lock-up device 6, and a dynamic damper 7. A torque converter main body (fluid coupling main body) 8 is configured by the impeller 3, the turbine 4, and the stator 5.

(13) Front Cover 2

(14) The impeller 3 is fixed to the front cover 2, and a fluid chamber is formed by the front cover 2 and the impeller 3. The turbine 4 is arranged in opposition to the impeller 3 inside the fluid chamber. The turbine 4 has a turbine shell 10, a plurality of turbine blades 11 that are provided inside the turbine shell 10, and a turbine hub 13 that is fixed to the turbine shell 10 by rivets 12. The stator 5 is a mechanism for adjusting the flow of hydraulic oil from the turbine 4 to the impeller 3, and is arranged between the inner circumferential portion of the impeller 3 and the inner circumferential portion of the turbine 4.

(15) The turbine hub 13 has a spline hole 13a in its central portion, and an input shaft 15 of the transmission can engage with the spline hole 13a. The turbine hub 13 also has a flange portion 13b that extends radially outward, and a tubular portion 13c that extends from the outer circumferential portion of the flange portion 13b toward the front cover 2. The inner circumferential portion of the turbine shell 10 is fixed to the flange portion 13b by the rivets 12 as previously mentioned. Also, a protrusion 13d that protrudes farther radially outward is formed on the outer circumferential face of the tubular portion 13c.

(16) Lock-Up Device 6

(17) FIG. 2 is an extracted view of the lock-up device 6. The lock-up device 6 is a device for mechanically coupling the front cover 2 and the turbine 4 as necessary, and is arranged between the front cover 2 and the turbine 4. The lock-up device 6 has a piston 18, a drive plate 19, an output plate 20 (output-side member), and a plurality of coil springs 21.

(18) Piston 18

(19) The piston 18 is arranged in a manner of being capable of sliding in the axial direction between the front cover 2 and the turbine 4. The piston 18 has a disc-shaped main body portion 18a, an inner circumferential tubular portion 18b that extends from the inner circumferential end of the main body portion 18a toward the turbine 4, and an outer circumferential tubular portion 18c that extends from the outer circumferential end of the main body portion 18a toward the turbine 4.

(20) The main body portion 18a is arranged in opposition to the front cover 2. A ring-shaped friction member 23 is fixed to the side face, on the front cover 2 side, of the outer circumferential portion of the main body portion 18a. The inner circumferential tubular portion 18b is supported on the outer circumferential face of the tubular portion 13c of the turbine hub 13 in a manner of being capable of moving in the axial direction and in the rotation direction. A seal member 24 is arranged on the outer circumferential face of the tubular portion 13c of the turbine hub 13. Accordingly, the region between the inner circumferential tubular portion 18b of the piston 18 and the outer circumferential face of the tubular portion 13c of the turbine hub 13 is sealed. Note that the leading end of the inner circumferential tubular portion 18b can abut against the protrusion 13d of the turbine hub 13, and movement of the piston 18 toward the turbine 4 is restricted by the protrusion 13d.

(21) Drive Plate 19

(22) The drive plate 19 is arranged on the outer circumferential portion of the piston 18, on the turbine 4 side of the piston 18. Also, the drive plate 19 is arranged radially inward of the outer circumferential tubular portion 18c of the piston 18. The drive plate 19 is ring-shaped, and has a fixing portion 19a, a plurality of spring housing portions 19b, and a plurality of engaging portions 19c.

(23) The fixing portion 19a is formed in the inner circumferential end portion of the drive plate 19, and is fixed to the piston 18 by rivets 26. The spring housing portions 19b and the engaging portions 19c are arranged alternatingly in the circumferential direction. The spring housing portions 19b have a C-shaped cross-section, and the coil springs 21 are housed inside the spring housing portions 19b. The engaging portions 19c have a C-shaped cross-section, and a portion on the inner circumferential side and a portion on the outer circumferential side engage with the two ends of a coil spring 21. Due to these engaging portions 19c, power transmitted to the piston 18 is transmitted to the coil springs 21 via the drive plate 19.

(24) Output Plate 20

(25) The output plate 20 is disc-shaped, and is arranged between the piston 18 and the turbine 4. The inner circumferential end portion of the output plate 20 is fixed to the flange portion 13b of the turbine hub 13 together with the turbine shell 10 by the rivets 12. A plurality of engaging portions 20a, which are bent toward the front cover 2, are provided on the outer circumferential end portion of the output plate 20. The engaging portions 20a are engaged with the two ends of the coil springs 21.

(26) Coil Springs 21

(27) The coil springs 21 couple the piston 18 and the drive plate 19 to the output plate 20 elastically in the rotation direction. As previously mentioned, the coil springs 21 are housed in and supported by the spring housing portions 19b of the drive plate 19.

(28) Dynamic Damper 7

(29) The dynamic damper 7 is a device for attenuating rotational speed fluctuation from the engine, and is arranged between the output plate 20 and the impeller 3 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. The dynamic damper 7 has a base plate 28, first and second inertia rings 29 and 30, first and second lid members 31 and 32, viscosity attenuation portions (variable hysteresis torque generation portions) 33, and an elastic coupling portion 34. An elastic unit is configured by the viscosity attenuation portions 33 and the elastic coupling portion 34.

(30) Note that FIG. 4 is an external view of the dynamic damper 7 from the transmission side, and some members have been removed from the view. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a view in which the second inertia ring 30 and the second lid member 32 have been removed from the portions shown on the two circumferential sides in the external view.

(31) Base Plate 28

(32) As shown in FIG. 3, the base plate 28 is disc-shaped, and the inner circumferential end portion thereof is fixed to an intermediate portion, in the diameter direction, of the output plate 20 by rivets 36. The outer circumferential portion of the base plate 28 is biased toward the transmission side in the axial direction relative to the inner circumferential end portion.

(33) As shown in FIG. 4, the base plate 28 has four spring housing portions 28a and four notches 28b with predetermined intervals therebetween in the circumferential direction. The spring housing portions 28a and the notches 28b are arranged alternatingly in the circumferential direction. The spring housing portions 28a are openings that extend in the circumferential direction and are closed on the outer circumferential side. The four notches 28b have a predetermined length in the circumferential direction, and are formed with openings on the outer circumferential side. Also, protrusions 28c that protrude circumferentially outward are formed on two opposing notches 28b among the four notches 28b. The protrusions 28c are formed in the center of the notches 28b in the circumferential direction, and have a height that is approximately the depth (length in the diameter direction) of the notches 28b.

(34) First and Second Inertia Rings 29, 30

(35) The first and second inertia rings 29 and 30 are formed by performing pressing on a sheet metal member. The first inertia ring 29 is arranged between the outer circumferential portion of the output plate 20 and the outer circumferential portion of the base plate 28. The second inertia ring 30 is arranged on the transmission side of the base plate 28. The outer diameter of the first inertia ring 29 is the same as that of the second inertia ring 30, but the inner diameter is smaller than that of the second inertia ring 30.

(36) The first inertia ring 29 is shown in FIG. 5. The first inertia ring 29 and the second inertia ring 30 are only different in terms of the inner diameter dimension, and therefore reference signs for the second inertia ring 30 are also shown along with those for the first inertia ring 29 in FIG. 5.

(37) The first and second inertia rings 29 and 30 have the four spring housing portions 29a and 30a with predetermined intervals therebetween in the circumferential direction. The spring housing portions 29a and 30a are formed at positions that correspond to the spring housing portions 28a of the base plate 28. The spring housing portions 29a and 30a are openings that are closed on the outer circumferential side, and the length thereof in the circumferential direction is the same as that of the spring housing portions 28a of the base plate 28. Also, the first and second inertia rings 29 and 30 have openings 29b and 30b at positions that correspond to the four notches 28b of the base plate 28. The openings 29b and 30b are closed on the outer circumferential side. The circumferential length of the openings 29b and 30b is shorter than the circumferential length of the notches 28b of the base plate 28.

(38) First and Second Lid Members 31, 32

(39) As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the first lid member 31 is arranged farther on the engine side than the first inertia ring 29. The first lid member 31 is a ring-shaped member, and the inner diameter thereof is smaller than the inner diameter of the first inertia ring 29. The second lid member 32 is arranged farther on the transmission side than the second inertia ring 30. The second lid member 32 is a ring-shaped member, and the inner diameter thereof is the same as that of the second inertia ring 30.

(40) Viscosity Attenuation Portions 33

(41) The viscosity attenuation portions 33 are provided at two opposing locations. The viscosity attenuation portion 33 at one location is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the viscosity attenuation portions 33 have an oil chamber formation member 40 and a piston 41.

(42) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the oil chamber formation members 40 are formed by plates shaped as a circular arc, and are arranged in two opposing notches 28b among the four notches 28b of the base plate 28. Each oil chamber formation member 40 has a pair of leg portions 40a and a connecting portion 40b that connects the pair of leg portions 40a. The pair of leg portions 40a are formed at the two end portions of the oil chamber formation member 40 in the circumferential direction. The height (length in the diameter direction) of the leg portion 40a is the same as the depth (length in the diameter direction) of the notches 28b of the base plate 28. The connecting portion 40b connects the outer circumferential portions of the pair of leg portions 40a. In other words, a space a is formed on the inner circumferential side of the connecting portion 40b. An oil chamber space is formed by the space a and the openings 29b and 30b of the first and second inertia rings 29 and 30. This space is blocked in the axial direction by the first and second lid members 31 and 32, thus forming an oil chamber A (see FIG. 4).

(43) Note that the oil chamber formation members 40 are each fixed by rivets 42 (see FIG. 4) that pass through through-holes 40c formed in the pair of leg portions 40a, through-holes 29c and 30c formed in the first and second inertia rings 29 and 30, and through-holes formed in the first and second lid members 31 and 32 (not shown). Also, due to these rivets 42, the first and second inertia rings 29 and 30 and the first and second lid members 31 and 32 are fixed in a manner of being incapable of relative rotation and incapable of moving in the axial direction.

(44) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the piston 41 is a block-shaped member, and is formed from resin. The piston 41 is arranged in a manner of being capable of sliding in the circumferential direction in the oil chamber A. A groove 41a that has a predetermined depth toward the outer circumferential side is formed in the inner circumferential surface of the piston 41. A protrusion 28c of the base plate 28 is inserted into the groove 41a. The piston 41 and the base plate 28 therefore rotate in synchronization.

(45) Also, a slight gap is formed between the outer circumferential face of the piston 41 and the inner circumferential wall surface of the oil chamber A (the wall surface formed by the inner circumferential surface of the connecting portion 40b and the inner circumferential surfaces of the openings 29b and 30b of the first and second inertia rings 29 and 30), and hydraulic oil on the two sides of the piston 41 can flow through this gap. In other words, the gap functions as a restrictor.

(46) Elastic Coupling Portion 34

(47) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 4, the elastic coupling portion 34 has a plurality of coil springs 44 that are housed in the spring housing portions 28a of the base plate 28 and the spring housing portions 29a and 30a of the first and second inertia rings 29 and 30. The base plate 28 is coupled elastically in the rotation direction to the two inertia rings 29 and 30 and the two lid members 31 and 32 by the coil springs 44.

(48) Operations

(49) First, operations of the torque converter main body will be described briefly. While the front cover 2 and the impeller 3 are rotating, hydraulic oil flows from the impeller 3 toward the turbine 4, and power is transmitted from the impeller 3 to the turbine 4 via the hydraulic oil. The power transmitted to the turbine 4 is then transmitted to the input shaft 15 of the transmission via the turbine hub 13.

(50) When the speed ratio of the torque converter 1 rises, and the input shaft 15 reaches a certain rotational speed, the hydraulic oil is drained from the space between the front cover 2 and the piston 18 and supplied to the turbine 4 side of the piston 18. Accordingly, the piston 18 is moved toward the front cover 2. As a result, the friction member 23 fixed to the piston 18 is pressed against the front cover 2, and the lock-up clutch enters the ON state.

(51) In the clutch ON state described above, power from the engine is transmitted to the input shaft 15 of the transmission via the following path: front cover 2.fwdarw.piston 18.fwdarw.drive plate 19.fwdarw.coil spring 21.fwdarw.output plate 20.fwdarw.turbine hub 13.

(52) With the lock-up device 6, power is transmitted via the above-described path, and rotational speed fluctuation input from the engine is absorbed and attenuated by the operation of the coil springs 21.

(53) Operations of Dynamic Damper 7

(54) The dynamic damper 7, which is fixed to the output plate 20, operates due to rotation of the output plate 20, and rotational speed fluctuation from the engine is suppressed by the action of the dynamic damper 7. In other words, the action of the coil springs 44 produces phase shift between the rotation of the base plate 28 and the rotation of the inertia rings 29 and 30 and lid members 31 and 32. Specifically, at a predetermined engine speed, the fluctuation phase of the inertia rings 29 and 30 and the lid members 31 and 32 cancels out the rotational speed fluctuation of the base plate 28. Due to this phase shifting, it is possible to absorb rotational speed fluctuation in the transmission.

(55) Also, in the case where the relative rotational speed difference between the base plate 28 and the inertia rings 29 and 30 and lid members 31 and 32 is large, a relatively large rotation resistance, that is to say hysteresis torque, is generated in the viscosity attenuation portions 33. Also, in the case where the relative rotational speed difference is small, a relatively small hysteresis torque is generated. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to suppress resonance peaks that appear due to the dynamic damper, and it is possible to suppress torque fluctuation over the entirety of the normal rotational speed range. In FIG. 9, C1 indicates a characteristic in the case where the viscosity attenuation portions 33 are not provided, and C2 indicates a characteristic in the case where the viscosity attenuation portions 33 are provided.

(56) Other Embodiments

(57) The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

(58) (a) Although the elastic unit is configured by the viscosity attenuation portions and the elastic coupling portion, these portions may be formed in an integrated manner.

(59) (b) The variable hysteresis torque generation portion is not limited to the viscosity attenuation portions. The variable hysteresis torque generation portion may be configured without using a fluid.

(60) (c) The configuration of the viscosity attenuation portions is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a configuration is possible in which members fixed to the base plate are arranged in the oil chambers, holes are formed in the circumferential direction in the fixed members, and these through-holes function as restrictors.

(61) (d) In the above embodiment, there are no particular limitations on the torsional characteristic of the dynamic damper 7, and the torsional characteristic of the dynamic damper 7 may be a one-stage torsional characteristic, or a torsional characteristic having two or more stages.

(62) (e) Although the clutch portion is configured by the piston and the friction member in the above embodiment, the clutch portion may be a multi-plate clutch portion that has a plurality of clutch plates.

(63) (f) Although the dynamic damper is mounted to an output-side member in the above embodiment, it may be mounted to another member.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(64) 1 Torque converter

(65) 2 Front cover

(66) 4 Turbine

(67) 6 Lock-up device

(68) 7 Dynamic damper

(69) 8 Torque converter main body

(70) 20 Output plate (output-side member)

(71) 21 Coil spring

(72) 28 Base plate

(73) 28a Spring housing portion (opening)

(74) 29, 30 Inertia ring

(75) 29a, 30a Spring housing portion (opening)

(76) 31, 32 Lid member

(77) 33 Viscosity attenuation portion

(78) 34 Elastic coupling portion

(79) 40 Oil chamber formation member

(80) 41 Piston

(81) 44 Coil spring

(82) A Oil chamber