Torque converter with sealed turbine shell and clutch cooling
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorsKyle Nelson, Victor Norwich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hybrid module for a hybrid vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid module has two clutches located radially inward of an electric motor, and in their own respective fluid chamber. Fluid from one chamber can cool one of the clutches. Then the fluid can travel axially to the other chamber to cool the other clutch. The hybrid module can include a wall assembly between the two clutches, separating the fluid chambers. After the fluid cools both clutches, the fluid is directed to the wall assembly, and passes through two walls, radially outwardly, to spray onto the electric motor to cool the motor.
Claims20
A hybrid module for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid module comprising:
- a first fluid chamber located axially between a reaction plate and a first piston, and radially inward of an electric motor;
- a first clutch configured to mount radially inward of the electric motor, wherein the first piston is configured to slide axially to engage the first clutch to non-rotatably couple an input shaft to the electric motor in response to fluid pressure provided in the first fluid chamber;
- a second fluid chamber located axially between the first piston and a second piston and radially inward of the electric motor;
- a second clutch configured to mount radially inward of the electric motor, wherein the second piston is configured to slide axially to engage the second clutch to non-rotatably couple the electric motor to a transmission input shaft;
- a torque converter configured to mount radially inward of the electric motor, the torque converter having a turbine shell;
- and
- a third fluid chamber located axially between the second piston and the turbine shell, wherein the second piston is configured to slide axially to engage the second clutch in response to fluid pressure provided in the third fluid chamber.
A hybrid module for a hybrid vehicle, the hybrid module comprising:
- a first clutch configured to, when actuated, non-rotatably couple an input shaft to an electric motor;
- a second clutch configured to, when actuated, non-rotatably couple the electric motor to a transmission input shaft;
- an electric-motor housing configured to house the electric motor, the electric-motor housing having a radially-inner portion;
- and
- a torque converter including a turbine shell slidably disposed along the radially-inner portion of the electric-motor housing via a seal.
A method of cooling a hybrid module of a hybrid vehicle, the method comprising:
- transmitting fluid through a housing and into a first fluid chamber that has a first clutch located radially inward of an electric motor;
- transmitting the fluid radially outwardly to cool the first clutch;
- directing the fluid from the first fluid chamber into a second fluid chamber that has a second clutch located radially inward of the electric motor;
- transmitting the fluid radially inwardly to cool the second clutch;
- and
- directing the fluid from the second fluid chamber into a wall assembly that axially separates the first and second fluid chambers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.