Torsional vibration absorption system

A vibration absorbing system for transmitting torque between a rotating output member of a power source and a rotatable input member of a load, the system comprising:

• a cam plate configured to attach to and rotate with one of the output member of the power source or the input member of the load, the cam plate having an inner periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cam surfaces separated by a plurality of shoulders, each of the shoulders having a rectilinear wall adjoining a respective one of the cam surfaces;
• and
• a plurality of springs configured to rotate about an axis of rotation with the other one of the output member or the input member, each of the springs extending radially relative to the axis of rotation into operative engagement with a respective one of the cam surfaces such that the spring is compressed by the cam surface during relative rotation between the input and output members whereby the springs cooperatively absorb torsional vibrations of the power source;
• and
• a spring hub configured to attach to the other one of the input member or the output member to rotate in unison therewith, the spring hub including a plurality of spring cages projecting radially outward therefrom and each housing therein a respective one of the springs, wherein each of the spring cages is configured to abut a respective one of the shoulders and thereby restrict rotation of the springs relative to the cam plate in the first direction, and abut another respective one of the shoulders and thereby restrict rotation of the springs relative to the cam plate in a second direction opposite the first direction.

A torque converter assembly for transmitting torque from a crankshaft of an engine to an input shaft of a transmission, the torque converter assembly comprising:

• a pump portion configured to be driven by the crankshaft of the engine to rotate about an axis of rotation;
• a turbine portion configured to drive the input shaft of the transmission and be driven by the pump portion via a fluid coupling to rotate about the axis of rotation and transmit torque from the engine to the transmission;
• a cam plate operatively connected to the pump portion to rotate in unison therewith, the cam plate having an inner periphery with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cam surfaces separated from each other by a plurality of shoulders, each of the cam surfaces having a curved segment, and each of the shoulders having a rectilinear wall aligned on a radial plane from a central rotational axis of the cam plate and adjoining a respective one of the cam surfaces;
• and
• a plurality of springs connected to the turbine portion to rotate in unison therewith about the axis of rotation, each of the springs extending radially relative to the axis of rotation into operative engagement with the curved segment of a respective one of the cam surfaces such that the spring is compressed by the cam surface during relative rotation between the crankshaft and input shaft whereby the springs cooperatively absorb torsional vibrations generated by the engine,
• wherein each of the springs is configured to engage a respective one of the rectilinear walls when rotating in a first direction whereby the shoulders restrict rotation of the springs relative to the cam plate.