Vehicle flexible driving plate having torsional damper
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorOxcan Chan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible driving plate having a torsional damper incorporating springs that are positioned in pockets that are non-linear relative to the direction of rotation of the crankshaft is disclosed. The torsional damper connects an engine crankshaft and a transmission input member wherein the crankshaft has a rotational direction. The damper comprises a drive plate connected to the crankshaft, a driven plate connected to the input member, a plurality of springs, and a like number of spring pockets in which the springs are fitted formed in both the drive plate and the driven plate. A plastic spacer is provided in each spring. The axis of each pocket is at an angle other than 90° relative to the angle of rotational direction of the crankshaft.
Claims20
A torsional damper connecting an engine crankshaft and a transmission input member, the crankshaft having a rotational direction, the damper comprising:
- a drive plate connected to the crankshaft;
- a driven plate connected to the input member;
- springs;
- spring pockets in which said springs are fitted formed in said plates, each pocket having an axis tangential to the rotational direction, said axis being at an angle other than 90° relative to the angle of rotational direction.
A damper assembly for decreasing torsional vibrations between an engine crankshaft and a torque converter, the crankshaft having a direction of rotation, the assembly comprising:
- a drive plate having a crankshaft attachment face;
- a driven plate having a torque converter attachment face;
- springs;
- spring pockets in which said springs are fitted formed in said plates, each pocket having an axis that is non-linear relative to the direction of rotation of the crankshaft.
A powertrain comprising:
- an engine having a crankshaft, the crankshaft having a direction of rotation;
- a transmission having an input member;
- a damper assembly connecting said crankshaft and said input member, said damper assembly including a flexplate, said flexplate having springs and spring pockets formed therein, each of said pockets having an axis, said axis being is non-linear relative to the direction of rotation of the crankshaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.