Torque converter lockup clutch structure
AssigneeAllison Transmission, Inc.
InventorsJEZRAH HOREN, MICHAEL RIETDORF
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque converter assembly includes a pump assembly coupled to a nose hub, a turbine assembly coupled to a turbine hub, a damper assembly coupled to the turbine hub, a backing plate assembly coupled to the nose hub, and a clutch assembly capable of transmitting torsional loads between the backing plate assembly and the damper assembly. The clutch assembly has an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the clutch assembly is engaged, the pump assembly is mechanically coupled to the turbine assembly and when the clutch assembly is disengaged, the pump assembly is not mechanically coupled to the turbine assembly.
Claims20
A torque converter assembly, comprising:
- a pump assembly coupled to a nose hub;
- a turbine assembly coupled to a turbine hub;
- a damper assembly coupled to the turbine hub;
- a backing plate assembly coupled to the nose hub;
- and
- a clutch assembly capable of transmitting torsional loads between the backing plate assembly and the damper assembly, the clutch assembly having an engaged position and a disengaged position;
- wherein when the clutch assembly is engaged, the pump assembly is mechanically coupled to the turbine assembly and when the clutch assembly is not engaged, the pump assembly is not mechanically coupled to the turbine assembly.
A torque converter backing plate assembly for a lockup clutch, comprising:
- a first plate and a second plate coupled to each other, the first plate and the second plate extending radially outward from a hub portion;
- at least one finger extending from the backing plate assembly that engages a portion of a clutch assembly;
- at least one bend in each the first plate and the second plate;
- and
- a backing plate surface aligned with the clutch assembly;
- wherein, the backing plate assembly provides axial resistance for the clutch assembly and transfers torsional forces from the hub portion to the clutch assembly.
A torque converter with a lockup clutch, comprising:
- a front cover extending from a front cover hub and coupled to a rear cover;
- a pump assembly coupled to the rear cover;
- a turbine assembly coupled to a turbine hub;
- a stator located between the turbine assembly and the pump assembly;
- a damper coupled to the turbine hub and defining damper clutch fingers;
- a backing plate assembly coupled to the front cover hub and defining backing plate clutch fingers;
- a clutch assembly coupled between the backing plate assembly and the damper;
- and
- a piston disposed in the front cover between a front plane and the clutch assembly;
- wherein, the backing plate clutch fingers engage a first portion of the clutch assembly and the damper clutch fingers engage a second portion of the clutch assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.