US 5,305,862 AGranted

Control device for a frictionally engaging clutch for a hydrodynamic torque converter

AssigneeZahnradfabrik Friedrichshaften AG

InventorGeorg Gierer

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Abstract

In a control mechanism for a frictionally engaged lock-up clutch of a hydrodynamic torque converter, a coupling element (8) is axially displaced for engaging and disengaging the lock-up clutch (7), face end actuation spaces (10, 11) being accordingly pressurized via regulating valves (15, 16). A lubricant line (28) leads via a radiator (39) to lubrication points (40) of a change-speed gear (6) rear-mounted on the torque converter (3), the lubricant line (28) being attached to a controlled return flow of the actuation space (11). To ensure there is a sufficient supply of lubricant to the lubrication points (40) and a sufficient cooling of the pressurized fluid or lubricant in all shift conditions of the lock-up clutch (7) via the radiator (39), a leg (34) of the main pressure line (13) is attached to the lubricant line (28) before the radiator (39) which feeds a missing amount of lubricant into the lubricant line (28).

Claims6

Dependent claims

A control mechanism for a frictionally engaged lock-up clutch (7) of a hydrodynamic torque converter (3) having an axially displaceable coupling element (8) being pressurizable on opposed faces thereof via first and second actuation spaces (10, 11) for engaging and disengaging said lock-up clutch (7), said first and second actuation spaces (10, 11) being connectable to a main pressure line (13) via respective first and second regulating valves (15, 16), said control mechanism including a lubricant line (28) attached to a radiator (39) and a lubrication system (40) of a transmission (6) mounted on an output side of said torque converter (3), and said lubricant line (28) being connected with a controlled return (26d) of pressurized fluid from said second actuation space,

wherein a supply leg (34) of said main pressure line (13) discharges into said lubricant line (28) before said radiator (39);
and
a pressure-regulating valve (35) is situated between the supply leg (34) of said main pressure line (13) and said main pressure line's connection point with said lubricant line (28), and a valve position of said pressure-regulating valve (35) is controlled by pressure fluid in said lubricant line (28).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.