US 4,727,970 A · Torque transmitting and torsion damping apparatus for use in motor vehicles

Abstract

A torsion damping apparatus between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the change-speed transmission of a motor vehicle has two flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which drives the input shaft by way of a friction clutch which generates heat. In order to prevent the transfer of heat from the friction clutch to the antifriction bearing between the flywheels, which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a damper, the bearing is at least partially surrounded by a thermal barrier of synthetic plastic, ceramic or metallic material which prolongs the useful life of the bearing and enhances the torsion damping action of the damper. The thermal barrier can constitute or form part of the damper. The bearing can be disposed radially inwardly of the location of engagement between the clutch and the other flywheel and can be cooled by streams of air flowing through an annulus of passages each having a first end disposed radially inwardly of the friction surface of the other flywheel and a larger second end in a second surface of the other flywheel opposite the friction surface. Heat barriers in the other flywheel can alternate with the passages in the circumferential direction of the other flywheel.

Claims96

Dependent claims

A torque transmitting and torsion damping apparatus, especially for taking up and compensating for fluctuations of torque which is transmitted between an internal combustion engine and a change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle, comprising first and second flywheels movable angularly relative to each other, said first flywheel being connectable to the engine and said second flywheel being connectable to the transmission;

bearing means comprising an antifriction bearing interposed between said flywheels and having coaxial first and second races and at least one row of antifriction rolling elements between said races;
a friction clutch operable to receive torque from said second flywheel and to transmit torque to the transmission with attendant generation of heat, said secod flywheel and said clutch having cooperating first and second friction- and heat-generating surfaces;
means for yieldably opposing angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other;
and means including at least one thermal barrier for impeding the transfer of heat from said first surface to said bearing means, said one barrier constituting a ring-shaped thermal barrier including an axially extending section overlapping said first race and a radial section extending from said axially extending section toward said second race, and means for biasing said second section axially of said flywheels against said second race, said biasing means comprising a spring.

1 more element

A torque transmitting and torsion damping apparatus, especially for taking up and compensating for fluctuations of torque which is transmitted between a internal combustion engine and a change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle, comprising first and second flywheels movable angularly relative to each other, said first flywheel being connectable to the engine and said second flywheel being connectable to the transmission;

damper means arranged to yieldably resist angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other;
bearing means interposed between said flywheels and having at least one row of antifriction rolling elements;
a friction clutch operable to receive torque from said second flywheel and to transmit torque to the transmission with attendant generation of heat, said second flywheel and said clutch having cooperating first and second friction- and heat-generating surfaces;
and means including a thermal barrier for impeding the transfer of heat from said first surface to said bearing means, said impeding means including means for yieldably opposing angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other and said opposing means comprising at least one ring having an axially extending annular first portion and a radially extending second portion, said opposing means further comprising means for at least indirectly biasing the second portion of said ring against said first flywheel and said biasing means comprising a dished spring, the annular portion of said ring being arranged to rotate with said second flywheel.

1 more element

damper means arranged to yieldably resist angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other;
bearing means interposed between said flywheels and having first and second races and at least one row of antifriction rolling elements between said races, said first race being mounted on said first flywheel and said second race being mounted on said second flywheel;
a friction clutch operable to receive torque from said second flywheel and to transmit torque to the transmission with attendant generation of heat, said second flywheel and said clutch having cooperating first and second friction- and heat-generating surfaces;
and means including a thermal barrier for impeding the transfer of heat from said first surface to said bearing means, said impeding means including means for yieldably opposing angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other and said opposing means including two rings having annular first portions adjacent the second race and radially extending second portions, said first race having end faces each adjacent and in direct or indirect frictional engagement with the second portion of one of said rings, said opposing means further comprising means for biasing the second portions of said rings against the respective end faces of said first race and said biasing means comprising first and second resilient means for said first and second rings, respectively, the bias of one of said resilient means exceeding the bias of the other of said resilient means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Torque transmitting and torsion damping apparatus for use in motor vehicles

Life of this patent

Torque transmitting and torsion damping apparatus for use in motor vehicles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims96