Hydrodynamic torque converter

US6634474B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Mannesmann Sachs AG · DE

Inventors

• Christoph Sasse · Schweinfurt, DE
• Wolfgang Kundermann · Schweinfurt, DE
• Hans-Wilhelm Wienholt · Schweinfurt, DE
• Wolfgang Gude · Niederwerrn, DE
• Dietrich Bechmann · Schweinfurt, DE
• Erwin Wack · Niederwerrn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 16, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 21, 2003
• Expiry date: Nov 16, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16H2045/0284
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a converter housing and a turbine wheel which is arranged in the converter housing and is rotatable with respect to the converter housing about a rotational axis of the converter. The torque converter further includes a lockup clutch for producing a torque transmission connection between the converter housing and the turbine wheel. The lockup clutch has a first friction surface arrangement held by a first friction surface carrier arrangement substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to the converter housing, a second friction surface arrangement is held by a second friction surface carrier arrangement substantially fixed with respect to rotation relative to the turbine wheel, a contact pressing arrangement for pressing the first and the second friction surface arrangement against one another in frictional contact, and an abutment arrangement at which the first and second friction surface arrangement can be supported substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation when pressed by the contact pressure arrangement. The first friction surface carrier arrangement has a substantially annular body region connected either directly…