JP6010728B2 - Torque converter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a torque converter used in an automobile or the like.

  Conventionally, a torque converter as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below has been used in automobiles and the like. In particular, in the torque converter disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pump impeller, a turbine, and the like for the purpose of improving power transmission efficiency by reducing frictional resistance and increasing the rotational speed when the engine throttle is fully opened to reach equilibrium. And the coating which consists of an oil-repellent normal film is given to the surface of the blade | wing which makes a stator.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-146650

  Here, in the conventional torque converter as described above, when the turbine of the torque converter rotates in a direction opposite to that when the vehicle is moving forward, such as when the vehicle slides down a slope, the load of the torque converter is increased. It will increase. Further, when the load acting on the torque converter exceeds the driving torque of the engine, there is a concern that engine stall may occur.

  Therefore, the present invention can minimize the load acting on the torque converter and suppress the occurrence of problems such as engine stall even under circumstances where the turbine rotates backward due to the vehicle sliding down a slope. The purpose was to provide a simple torque converter.

  The torque converter of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problem includes a pump impeller connected to a drive source side, a turbine connected to a transmission side, and a stator, and the turbine is a turbine. A plurality of blades are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and an oil passage that communicates the front and back is formed in part or all of the plurality of turbine blades. Oil that flows backward from the pump impeller side to the pump impeller side is allowed to pass, and an opening is formed so that passage of oil flowing from the pump impeller side to the turbine side can be suppressed. .

  In the torque converter of the present invention, an oil passage that communicates the front and back is formed in a part or all of the plurality of turbine blades. Moreover, the opening part which makes | forms this oil channel | path can be made to pass the oil which flows backward toward the pump impeller side from the turbine side. As a result, when power is input from the transmission side (during reverse driving), oil can escape through the oil passage, and the load acting on the torque converter can be minimized.

  Further, the oil passage opening formed in the turbine blade can suppress passage of oil flowing from the pump impeller side to the turbine side. In other words, when power is input from the drive source side (during positive drive), oil does not escape through the oil passage, and the amount of oil necessary for driving can be ensured. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in torque transmission capacity during positive driving.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to minimize the load acting on the torque converter and suppress the occurrence of problems such as engine stall even under a situation where the turbine rotates backward due to the vehicle sliding down a slope. A torque converter can be provided.

1 is a developed sectional view of a continuously variable transmission employing a torque converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a skeleton diagram of the continuously variable transmission shown in FIG. 1. (A) is a perspective view showing a part of a turbine used in a torque converter, (b) is a plan view showing a turbine blade, (c) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an oil passage formed in the turbine blade, (d) ) Is a schematic view showing a modification of the oil passage shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the oil in a torque converter, (a) is a figure which shows the flow of the oil at the time of forward drive, (b) is a figure which shows the flow of the oil at the time of reverse drive.

  Hereinafter, a torque converter 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described taking a vehicle equipped with the torque converter 100 as an example. The present embodiment is characterized by the torque converter 100, but before the details of the torque converter 100 are described, the configuration of the vehicle will be schematically described.

≪About vehicle configuration≫
The vehicle of this embodiment includes a transmission such as a belt-type continuously variable transmission X (hereinafter also simply referred to as “continuously variable transmission X”) or a multi-stage transmission. The vehicle of this embodiment includes a belt type continuously variable transmission X. The continuously variable transmission X is an FF horizontal type automotive transmission, and generally includes an input shaft 3, a forward / reverse switching device 4, a continuously variable transmission A, a differential device 30 and the like as shown in FIGS. It consists of

  The input shaft 3 is driven by the engine output shaft 1 via the torque converter 100 and is connected to the pump impeller 102 of the torque converter 100. The forward / reverse switching device 4 is a device that transmits the rotation of the input shaft 3 to the drive shaft 10 by switching between forward and reverse. The continuously variable transmission A includes a drive pulley 11, a driven pulley 21, and a V belt 15 wound around both pulleys. The differential device 30 transmits the power of the driven shaft 20 to the output shaft 32.

  In the continuously variable transmission X of the present embodiment, the input shaft 3 and the drive shaft 10 are disposed on the same axis, and the driven shaft 20 and the output shaft 32 of the differential device 30 are parallel to the input shaft 3 and Arranged non-coaxially. Therefore, the continuously variable transmission X has a three-axis configuration as a whole. The V-belt 15 used in this embodiment is a known metal belt composed of a pair of endless tension bands and a large number of blocks supported by these tension bands.

  Each component constituting the continuously variable transmission X is accommodated in the transmission case 5. An oil pump 6 is arranged between the torque converter 100 and the forward / reverse switching device 4, and the oil pump 6 can be operated by power from the engine. A forward / reverse switching device 4 is connected to the turbine 104 of the torque converter 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the forward / reverse switching device 4 includes a planetary gear mechanism 40, a forward brake 50, and a reverse clutch 51. A sun gear 41 of the planetary gear mechanism 40 is connected to the input shaft 3 as an input member, and a ring gear 42 is connected to the drive shaft 10 as an output member. The planetary gear mechanism 40 is a single pinion system, the forward brake 50 is provided between the carrier 44 supporting the pinion gear 43 and the transmission case 5, and the reverse clutch 51 is provided between the carrier 44 and the sun gear 41. ing. When the reverse clutch 51 is released and the forward brake 50 is engaged, the rotation of the input shaft 3 is reversed, decelerated, and transmitted to the drive shaft 10. Conversely, when the forward brake 50 is released and the reverse clutch 51 is engaged, the carrier 44 and the sun gear 41 of the planetary gear mechanism 40 rotate together, so that the input shaft 3 and the drive shaft 10 are directly connected.

  The drive pulley 11 of the continuously variable transmission A is a fixed sheave 11a formed integrally on a drive shaft (pulley shaft) 10 and a movable supported on the drive shaft 10 so as to be axially movable and integrally rotatable. A sheave 11b and a hydraulic servo 12 provided behind the movable sheave 11b are provided. A piston portion 12a extending to the back side is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of the movable sheave 11b, and the outer peripheral portion of the piston portion 12a is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral portion of the cylinder 12b fixed to the drive shaft 10. An oil chamber 12c of the hydraulic servo 12 is formed between the movable sheave 11b and the cylinder 12b. Shift control can be performed by controlling the oil pressure to the oil chamber 12c.

  The driven pulley 21 includes a fixed sheave 21a integrally formed on the driven shaft (pulley shaft) 20, a movable sheave 21b supported on the driven shaft 20 so as to be axially movable and integrally rotatable, and a movable sheave. And a hydraulic servo 22 provided behind 21b. A cylinder portion 22a extending to the back surface is integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion of the movable sheave 21b, and a piston portion 22b (fixed piston) fixed to the driven shaft 20 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral portion of the cylinder portion 22a. . An oil chamber 22c of the hydraulic servo 22 is formed between the movable sheave 21b and the piston portion 22b. By controlling the oil pressure in the oil chamber 22c, a belt thrust necessary for torque transmission is given. Further, a spring 24 for applying an initial thrust is disposed in the oil chamber 22c.

≪About torque converter 100≫
Next, the torque converter 100 that is a characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the torque converter 100 includes a pump impeller 102, a turbine 104, and a stator 106. The torque converter 100 is filled with oil supplied from a lock-up oil inlet (not shown) and a converter oil inlet (not shown).

  The pump impeller 102 is connected to the output shaft 1 of the engine via the converter cover 110. The pump impeller 102 is configured by arranging a plurality of blades at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

  The turbine 104 is disposed opposite to the pump impeller 102 and is connected to the input shaft 3 via the turbine hub 112. As shown in FIG. 3, the turbine 104 includes a plurality of turbine blades 120, 120..., A core 122, and a shell 124. The turbine blades 120, 120,... Are attached between the core 122 and the shell 124, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

  In the turbine blades 120, 120..., An oil passage 130 is formed so as to communicate with the front and back. The oil passage 130 is formed by a method such as press molding of a plate body forming the turbine blade 120. The oil passage 130 is provided near the center of the turbine blade 120 or at a position on the outer peripheral side of the center. A plurality of oil passages 130 may be formed in one turbine blade 120, but one oil passage 130 is formed in the present embodiment.

  The oil passage 130 has a raised portion 132 and an opening 134 formed by cutting and raising a plate body forming the turbine blade 120. The opening 134 is formed so as to suppress the passage of oil flowing from the pump impeller 102 side to the turbine 104 side and to allow the oil that flows backward from the turbine 104 side toward the pump impeller 102 side to pass therethrough.

  Specifically, in the torque converter 100, when power is input via the output shaft 1 in accordance with the operation of the engine (hereinafter, also referred to as “at the time of normal driving”), white lines in FIG. As indicated by the arrow, the pump impeller 102 rotates, and with the rotation of the pump impeller 102, the oil in the torque converter 100 flows toward the outer diameter side due to the centrifugal force, and each turbine blade 120 of the turbine 104 is rotated. , 120 ... In this way, the turbine 104 is rotationally driven as indicated by the white arrow in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 3 (c), when the surface through which the oil flows to the turbine blade 120 during forward driving is the surface 120a and the opposite surface is the back surface 120b, the oil passage 130 is The raised portion 132 is formed so as to protrude (raise) toward the surface 120a and to have an upward slope toward the downstream side in the oil flow direction during normal driving. Further, the opening 134 is open at a position downstream of the raised portion 132. Therefore, as shown by solid arrows in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the oil flowing along the front surface 120a of the turbine blade 120 during the positive drive does not leak to the back surface 120b side through the opening 134. It flows toward the downstream side. Further, the rotation of the turbine 104 is promoted by the force generated when the oil collides with the raised portion 132. Thereby, it is transmitted toward the downstream side of the power transmission as a driving force for driving the vehicle through the input shaft 3 connected to the turbine 104.

  On the other hand, when power is input to the torque converter 100 from the continuously variable transmission A side to the turbine 104 (hereinafter, also referred to as “reverse driving”), for example, when the vehicle slides down on a slope, FIG. As indicated by an arrow α in b), an oil flow is generated on the surface 120a side in the direction from the turbine 104 side toward the pump impeller 102 side, that is, in the direction opposite to that during normal driving. When such a flow occurs, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 3B and 3C, a part of the oil flowing along the surface 120 a is an opening surrounded by the raised portion 132. It passes through 134 to the back surface 120b side. Thereby, the load which acts at the time of reverse drive can be reduced.

  The stator 106 is fixedly held between the pump impeller 102 and the turbine 104. Similarly to the pump impeller 102 and the turbine 104, the stator 106 also has a plurality of blades arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The stator 106 can return the oil that has passed through the turbine 104 to the pump impeller 102 side and amplify the torque.

  In the torque converter 100 of the present embodiment described above, an oil passage 130 communicating with the front and back is formed in the plurality of turbine blades 120. Further, the opening 134 is opened so that oil that flows backward from the turbine 104 side toward the pump impeller 102 side can be passed when the torque converter 100 is reversely driven. As a result, even when the vehicle slides down on a slope or the like, the oil is allowed to pass through the oil passage 130 and escape to the back surface 120b side of the pump impeller 102, and the load acting on the torque converter 100 can be minimized. it can.

  Moreover, the opening part 134 formed in the turbine blade 120 is surrounded by the raised part 132, and is formed so that it may open in the flow direction downstream of the oil at the time of a positive drive. Thereby, it is possible to prevent oil flowing from the pump impeller 102 side to the turbine 104 side during the positive drive from escaping to the back surface 120b side of the pump impeller 102, and to secure an oil amount necessary for driving. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in torque transmission capacity during positive driving.

  The oil passage 130 is provided at a position where the oil flow is easily reversed during reverse driving, that is, near the center of the turbine blade 120 or at a position closer to the outer periphery than the center. Thereby, it is possible to reduce effectively the load which acts on the torque converter 100 by carrying out reverse drive.

  The oil passage 130 exemplified in the present embodiment forms a raised portion 132 so as to protrude (raise) toward the surface 120a, and an opening 134 is formed downstream of the raised portion 132 in the oil flow direction during normal driving. Although the opened configuration is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, oil that flows backward from the turbine 104 side to the pump impeller 102 side during reverse driving can be passed from the front surface 120a side to the rear surface 120b side, and passage of oil flowing from the pump impeller 102 side to the turbine 104 side during forward driving can be suppressed. As long as the opening is formed as described above, the configuration of the oil passage 130 is not limited to the above.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the plate body forming the turbine blade 120 is cut and raised toward the back surface 120b to form an oil passage 150 having an opening 152, which is the oil oil described above. It may be used in place of the passage 130. With respect to the oil passage 150 as well, it is possible to suppress oil from escaping from the front surface 120a side to the back surface 120b side during forward driving, and to allow oil to escape from the front surface 120a side to the back surface 120b side during reverse driving. Therefore, even when the oil passage 150 is provided instead of the oil passage 130, the load acting on the torque converter 100 during the reverse drive is suppressed to the minimum as in the case where the oil passage 130 is provided, while the forward drive is performed. The effect of preventing the torque transmission capacity from being lowered is obtained.

  In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the torque converter 100 is applied to the continuously variable transmission X. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to a transmission such as a multistage transmission. Is possible.

  The torque converter of the present invention can be suitably used in a vehicle equipped with a continuously variable transmission, a multistage transmission, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Torque converter 102 Pump impeller 104 Turbine 106 Stator 120 Turbine blade 130,150 Oil passage 134,152 Opening part

Claims (1)

A pump impeller connected to the drive source side;
A turbine connected to the transmission side;
With a stator,
The turbine is configured to provide a plurality of turbine blades at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction,
An oil passage communicating with the front and back is formed in part or all of the plurality of turbine blades,
The oil passage is formed with an opening so that oil flowing backward from the turbine side toward the pump impeller side is allowed to pass therethrough, and passage of oil flowing from the pump impeller side to the turbine side can be suppressed. Torque converter characterized by

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