Power transfer apparatus having a vibration dampening mechanism which provides structural support for the apparatus

• US 6,264,564 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2000
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exedy Corporation
• Original Assignee: Exedy Corporation
• Inventors: Fukamachi, Masanobu, Kajitani, Koji, Tsuruta, Hiroyoshi, Fukushima, Hirotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US09/634,580
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 192/208, 745/74, 464/24, 464/68
• US Class Current: 464/68.3
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/13107 for damping of axial or radial, i.e. non-torsional vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/13142 characterised by the method of assembly, production or treatment F16F15/13114 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/1315 Multi-part primary or secondary masses, e.g. assembled from pieces of sheet steel
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/13438 End-caps for springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/13461 Set of springs, e.g. springs within springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/161 characterised by the fluid damping devices, e.g. passages, orifices F16F15/162 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/165 Sealing arrangements

Abstract

A power coupling mechanism includes a flexible disk-like plate, a ring element, first and second input plates and a driven plate. The ring element is coupled to an outer radial portion of the flexible plate. The input plates are formed of deformed sheet metal material to at least partially define a viscous fluid filled chamber that encloses a dampening mechanism. The input plates are fixed to the ring element and the flexible plate such that center and inner radial portions of the flexible plate are axially spaced from the input plates to permit axial flexing. The driven plate at least partially extends into an annular housing of the dampening mechanism and has grooves interfitting with protrusions of the annular housing to provide structural support against thrust and radial forces. An inertia element with a ring gear is preferably connected to the driven plate.

Claims

1. A power coupling mechanism disposed between a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device and a transmission comprising:

a flexible disk-like plate having an outer radial portion, a center radial portion, and an inner radial portion with a plurality of bolt holes radially spaced apart from one another defining a pitch circle, said flexible disk-like plate being configured to be boltable to a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device via said bolt holes;

a ring element connected to said outer radial portion of said flexible disk-like plate;

first and second power input plates fixed to said ring element and to said flexible disk-like plate such that said center radial portion and said inner radial portion are axially spaced from said first and second power input plates to permit axial flexing of said inner radial portion relative to said first and second power input plates, said first and second power input plates at least partially defining a viscous fluid filled chamber that encloses a dampening mechanism, said dampening mechanism including an annular housing formed with a pair of opposing axially extending annular protrusions that extend toward one another, said annular housing being disposed within said viscous fluid filled chamber and fixed to said first and second power input plates, said first and second input power plates being made of a deformed sheet metal material such that portions of said first and second input power plates at least partially surround said fluid filled chamber; and

a driven plate at least partially extending into said annular housing, said dampening mechanism coupling said first and second power input plates to said driven plate together for limited relative rotary displacement therebetween;

said driven plate being formed with a pair of annular grooves engaging and interfitting with said annular protrusions such that engagement between said annular protrusions and said annular grooves confines said driven plate against axial and radial movement with respect to said first and second power input plates and provides structural support against thrust and radial forces experienced by the power coupling mechanism.

2. The power coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate and a ring gear rigidly connected to said ring element.

3. The power coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

a flywheel supported on said driven plate, said flywheel having a friction surface;

a clutch disk disposed adjacent to said friction surface; and

a clutch coupler connected to said flywheel including a pressure plate for selectively pressing said clutch disk against said friction surface and an elastic element supported by a portion of said flywheel for urging said pressure plate to said friction surface.

4. The power coupling mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein said dampening mechanism further comprises a spring member.

5. A power coupling mechanism disposed between a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device and a transmission comprising:

a flexible disk-like plate having a plurality of bolt holes radially spaced apart from one another defining a pitch circle, said flexible disk-like plate boltable to a crankshaft of a rotary power producing device via said bolt holes;

a ring element connected to an outer radial portion of said flexible disk-like plate;

first and second power input plates fixed to said ring element, said first and second power input plates at least partially defining a viscous fluid filled chamber that encloses a dampening mechanism, said dampening mechanism including an annular housing formed with a pair of opposing axially extending annular protrusions that extend toward one another, said annular housing being disposed within said viscous fluid filled chamber and fixed to said first and second power input plates;

a driven plate at least partially extending into said annular housing, said dampening mechanism coupling said first and second power input plates to said driven plate together for limited relative rotary displacement therebetween; and

an inertia element rigidly connected to said driven plate with a ring gear rigidly connected to said inertia element;

said driven plate being formed with a pair of annular grooves engaging and interfitting with said annular protrusions such that engagement between said annular protrusions and said annular grooves confines said driven plate against axial and radial movement with respect to said first and second power input plates and provides structural support against thrust and radial forces experienced by the power coupling mechanism.