Two stage torsional vibration damper

• US 6,224,487 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1997
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Inventors: Yuergens, Kenneth C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/831,198
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 464/63, 464/66, 464/68, 192/213.2, 192/213.1, 192/213.21, 192/213.11, 192/213.22, 192/213.12, 74/574
• US Class Current: 464/68.41
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/12366 acting on multiple sets of springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2045/0226 comprising two or more vibration dampers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2045/0231 arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2045/0294 Single disk type lock-up clutch, i.e. using a single disc engaged between friction members
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 45/02 with mechanical clutches for bridging a fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type control of torque converter lock-up clutches F16H61/14

Abstract

A torsional vibration damper has an outer drive plate connected to a pair of retainer plates by an outer array of damping springs disposed partly in windows formed in the outer drive plate and partly in first windows formed in the retainer plates, and an inner drive plate which is connected to the retainer plate by an inner array of damping springs disposed partly in second windows formed in the retainer plates and partly in windows formed in the inner drive plate. The adjacent peripheries of the drive plates have a plurality of notches that are defined by radial tangs that are arranged in confronting pairs when the torsional vibration damper is in a neutral position. The retainer plates are spaced apart and connected to each other by drive blocks that are disposed partly in each notch of the outer drive plate and partly in each notch of the inner drive plate. The drive blocks engage the radial tangs of the drive plates to limit the relative angular displacements of the drive plates with respect to the retainer plates and the compression of the damping springs. The retainer plate carries an annular friction disk that is biased into engagement with the inner drive plate by a spring.

Claims

1. A torsional vibration damper comprising an outer drive plate connected to a pair of retainer plates by means of an outer array of damping springs disposed partly in windows formed in the outer drive plate and partly in first windows formed in the retainer plates, and an inner drive plate which is connected to the retainer plates by means of an inner array of damping springs disposed partly in second windows formed in the retainer plates and partly in windows formed in the inner drive plate with the inner drive plate being mounted coaxially with respect to said outer drive plate and located within the space defined radially by the outer drive plate, characterized in that:

the outer drive plate has an inner periphery and a plurality of notches in the inner periphery that are defined by a plurality of radial tangs and the inner drive plate has an outer periphery of notches in the outer periphery that are defined by a plurality of radial tangs, the radial tangs of the outer and inner drive plates being arranged in confronting pairs when the torsional vibration damper is in a neutral position;

the retainer plates being spaced apart and connected to each other by means of individual drive blocks that are disposed partly in the notch of the outer drive plate and partly in the notch of the inner drive plate; and

the drive blocks have surfaces at each end for engaging the radial tangs of the outer drive plate and the radial tangs of the inner drive plate to limit the relative angular displacements of the outer drive plate and the inner drive plate with respect to the retainer plates.

2. The torsional vibration damper as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the drive blocks are symmetrical.

3. The torsional vibration damper as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that each of the drive blocks is attached to the retainer plates by two circumferentially spaced rivets.

4. The torsional vibration damper as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the drive blocks are arcuate and engage circumferential surfaces of the notches in the inner and the outer drive plates to center the drive plates with respect to each other.

5. The torsional vibration damper as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that one retainer plate extends radially inwardly and carries an annular friction disk on an inner surface confronting the inner drive plate and the inner drive plate carries a spring engaging an outer surface of the one retainer plate to bias the annular friction disk into engagement with the inner drive plate to create a hysteresis effect.

6. A torsional vibration damper comprising an outer drive plate connected to a pair of retainer plates by means of an outer array of damping springs disposed partly in windows formed in the outer drive plate and partly in first windows formed in the retainer plates, and an inner drive plate which is connected to the retainer plates by means of an inner array of damping springs disposed partly in second windows formed in the retainer plates and partly in windows formed in the inner drive plate with the inner drive plate being mounted coaxially with respect to said outer drive plate and located within the space defined radially by the outer drive plate, characterized in that:

one retainer plate extends radially inwardly and carries an annular friction disk on an inner surface confronting the inner drive plate and the inner drive plate carries a spring that engages an outer surface of the one retainer plate to bias the friction disk into engagement with the inner drive plate to create a hysteresis effect.

7. The torsional vibration damper as defined in claim 6 further characterized in that the inner drive plate has an inner drive hub and the spring is a Belleville washer that is carried on the inner drive hub and retained by a C-clip fastened to the inner drive hub.

8. A torsional vibration damper comprising an outer drive plate connected to a pair of retainer plates by means of an outer annular array of damping springs disposed partly in windows formed in the outer drive plate and partly in first windows formed in the retainer plates, and an inner drive plate which is connected to the retainer plates by means of an inner annular array of damping springs disposed partly in second windows formed in the retainer plates and partly in windows formed in the inner drive plate with the inner drive plate being mounted coaxially with respect to said outer drive plate and located within the space defined radially by the outer drive plate, characterized in that:

the outer drive plate has an inner periphery and a plurality of notches in the inner periphery that are defined by a plurality of radial tangs and the inner drive plate has an outer periphery and a plurality of notches in the outer periphery that are defined by a plurality of radial tangs, the radial tangs of the outer and inner drive plates being arranged in confronting pairs when the torsional vibrating damper is in a neutral position;

the retainer plates being connected to each other by means of individual symmetrical drive blocks that are disposed on a pitch circle the diameter of which is smaller than that of which the outer annular array of damping springs is arranged and greater than that of which the inner annular array of damping springs is arranged;

each drive block being disposed partly in the notch of the outer drive plate and partly in the notch of the inner drive plate to center the drive plates with respect to each other and each drive block having surfaces at each end for engaging the radial tangs of the outer drive plate and the inner drive plate to limit the relative angular displacements of the outer drive plate and the inner drive plates with respect to the retainer plates; and

each of the drive blocks is attached to the retainer plates by two circumferentially spaced rivets.