Abstract:
The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing which comprises a wall which is on the driving side, where a connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall and comprises several mounting locations for connecting the hydrodynamic torque converter to a drive unit, the mounting locations being distributed over the circumference of the connecting plate and in the mounted state of the hydrodynamic torque converter being fastened at corresponding mounting locations of the drive unit. In order to provide a hydrodynamic torque converter which can be produced economically and has a long service lifetime, for each two mounting locations the connecting plate comprises, between them in the circumferential direction, a fastening area with which the connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall which is on the driving side.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This patent application Claims priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2005 047 108.0, filed on Sep. 30, 2005, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing which comprises a wall which is on the driving side, where a connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall and comprises several mounting locations for connecting the hydrodynamic torque converter to a drive unit, the mounting locations being distributed over the circumference of the connecting plate and in the mounted state of the hydrodynamic torque converter being fastened at corresponding mounting locations of the drive unit. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In traditional torque converters, as are known, for example, from the German Patent Specification DE 38 23 210 C2, the connecting plate has essentially the structure of a circular annular disk comprising several mounting locations, the circular annular disk being welded, both radially outwards and radially inwards, to the housing wall which is on the driving side. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the objective of the present invention to provide a hydrodynamic torque converter which can be produced economically and has a long service lifetime. 
   In a hydrodynamic torque converter with a housing which comprises a wall which is on the driving side, where a connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall and comprises several mounting locations for connecting the hydrodynamic torque converter to a drive unit, the mounting locations being distributed over the circumference of the connecting plate and in the mounted state of the hydrodynamic torque converter being fastened at corresponding mounting locations of the drive unit, the objective is realized by the fact that, for each two mounting locations the connecting plate comprises, between them in the circumferential direction, a fastening area with which the connecting plate is fastened to the housing wall which is on the driving side. Due to the fastening areas disposed between each two mounting locations, the connecting plate&#39;s rigidity in the circumferential direction in the mounted state is clearly increased with respect to traditional torque converters. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the hydrodynamic torque converter mounting locations each comprise at least one mounting surface, the mounting surface being spaced from the housing wall which is on the driving side and extending radially outwards from a connecting annular disk. This offers the advantage that the intermediate space, which is present in the axial direction between the mounting surface, or the part of the connecting plate with the mounting surface, and the housing wall, which is on the driving side, is accessible radially outwards. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, the hydrodynamic torque converter comprises two preferably oblique cupping surfaces running out from the mounting surface laterally in the circumferential direction, the cupping surfaces each becoming a fastening flange and extending, in the circumferential direction, between two mounting surfaces. The fastening flange serves to fasten the connecting plate to the housing wall which is on the driving side, the fastening being, in the circumferential direction, between the mounting locations. The connecting plate&#39;s rigidity in the circumferential direction is increased by the cupping surfaces, which can also be formed so as to be curved. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein radially outwards the fastening flange is welded to the housing wall which is on the driving side. The weld seam runs, in the circumferential direction, between the mounting locations and is interrupted in the area of the mounting locations. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein the fastening flange is connected by rivets to the housing wall which is on the driving side. Preferably, riveted studs are set out from the housing wall which is on the driving side, the riveted studs serving not only to fasten the connecting plate but rather also to center the connecting plate during mounting. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein the connecting plate is spaced in the axial direction from the housing wall which is on the driving side. The connecting plate&#39;s essentially cup-shaped form resulting therefrom has proven itself particularly advantageous in the framework of the present invention. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein the connecting annular disk is connected as one piece to the fastening flange by an additional cupping surface. Preferably, the additional cupping surface extends obliquely from the inside outwards in the radial direction. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein radially inwards the connecting annular disk is welded to the housing wall which is on the driving side. The weld seam is preferably formed so as to be continuous but can also be interrupted. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein the connecting annular disk is connected by rivets to the housing wall which is on the driving side. Preferably, riveted studs are set out from the housing wall which is on the driving side, the riveted studs serving not only to fasten the connecting plate but rather also to center the connecting plate during mounting. 
   In an additional preferred embodiment, a hydrodynamic torque converter wherein between the mounting surface and the housing wall which is on the driving side a nut is fastened to the connecting plate. Preferably, the connection of the nut will already have been done before the mounting of the connecting plate on the housing wall, which is on the driving side. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Additional advantages, features, and details of the invention follow from the following description, in which different embodiment examples are described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, each of the features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be significant for the invention, by itself alone or in any combination with the others, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hydrodynamic torque converter according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view along line II-II in  FIG. 1  according to a second embodiment; and, 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view along line II-II in  FIG. 1  according to a third embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
   Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
   Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
   In  FIG. 1 , hydrodynamic torque converter  1  with axis or rotation  3  is represented in perspective. Hydrodynamic torque converter  1  has housing  2  with wall  4 , which is on the driving side and a wall, which is on the driven side. The phrases “on the driving side” and “on the driven side” relate to an internal combustion engine which forms the drive mechanism in the drive train of a motor vehicle and which is disposed in  FIG. 1  on one side of hydrodynamic torque converter  1 , specifically the side facing the observer. Housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side, is connected, in such a manner that it is fixed against rotation, to a drive shaft (not represented), in particular a crankshaft, of the internal combustion engine. The housing wall, which is on the driven side, is combined in one structural unit with a pump wheel of hydrodynamic torque converter  1 . 
   Between the pump wheel and housing wall  4  which is on the driving side a turbine wheel is disposed in a known manner, the turbine wheel being connected in the direction radially inwards to an input shaft of a transmission in such a manner that it is fixed against rotation. Between the turbine wheel and the pump wheel a stator can be disposed. The design and function of a hydrodynamic torque converter are assumed to be known and thus not explained further in the following. 
   Connecting plate  5 , which comprises connecting annular disk  6 , is fastened to housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. Connecting annular disk  6  has the form of a circular annular disk with radially inner circumferential edge  8 , which is bent toward housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. Radially outwards, connecting annular disk  6  comprises outer circumferential edge  9  from which three mounting surfaces  11 ,  12 , and  13  extend radially outwards. Three mounting surfaces  11 ,  12 , and  13  are distributed uniformly over the circumference of connecting annular disk  6 . 
   Mounting surfaces  11 ,  12 , and  13  are each formed so as to be essentially rectangular and each comprise a through hole, of which through holes only through hole  14  in mounting surface  13  is provided with a reference number. In the axial direction, that is, in the direction of axis of rotation  3 , mounting surface  13  is spaced from housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. In the intermediate space between mounting surface  13  and housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side, nut  15  is fastened to the underside of mounting surface  13 . Nut  15  serves to receive a shaft of a screw, with whose aid a corresponding mounting surface of the drive unit can be fastened to mounting surface  13  of hydrodynamic torque converter  1 . 
   Seen in the circumferential direction, two cupping surfaces  17 ,  18  run out laterally from mounting surface  13  and extend up to housing wall  4  which is on the driving side. The angles made by cupping surfaces  17 ,  18  and mounting surface  13  are preferably greater than 90° but less than 180°. Preferably, the angles lie in the range of 120° to 160°. Mounting surfaces  11 ,  12  are formed in the same manner as mounting surface  13 . Thus, two cupping surfaces  19 ,  20  also extend from mounting surface  11  to housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. Cupping surface  17 , which runs out from mounting surface  13 , and cupping surface  20 , which runs out from mounting surface  11 , are connected as one piece to fastening flange  22  which, between mounting surfaces  11 ,  13 , abuts housing wall  4  which is on the driving side. Radially outwards, fastening flange  22  comprises edge area  23 , which according to one embodiment example of the present invention is welded to housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. Alternatively or in addition, fastening flange  22  can be connected at fastening points  24 ,  25  by fastening means such as rivets or by welding as one piece to housing wall  4  which is on the driving side. Radially inwards, fastening flange  22  comprises edge area  26  at which fastening flange  22  is connected as one piece to cupping surface  30 . Cupping surface  30  extends from fastening flange  22  to radially outer circumferential edge  9  of connecting annular disk  6  and is connected as one piece to it. Cupping surface  30  extends, in the circumferential direction, between cupping surfaces  17  and  20 . Connecting plate  5  is formed between mounting surfaces  11 ,  12  and  12 ,  13  just as between mounting surfaces  13 ,  11 . 
   Between mounting surfaces  12  and  13  fastening flange  32  extends which abuts housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side, just as fastening flange  22  does. Fastening flange  32  comprises radially outer edge area  33  at which fastening flange  32  can be welded to housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. Moreover, at fastening flange  32  additional connection points  34  and  35  are indicated. Furthermore, fastening flange  32  comprises radially inner edge area  36 , which is connected as one piece to connecting annular disk  6  by cup surface  37 . In the area of mounting surface  12  partial circle  38  is indicated on which the through hole in mounting surface  12  is disposed. Partial circle  38  has approximately the same diameter as radially outer edge area  33  of fastening flange  32 . 
   In  FIG. 2  the view of a section along the line II-II in  FIG. 1  is represented. In the sectional view one sees that at connection point  34 , riveted stud  40  stands out from housing wall  4  which is on the driving side, the riveted stud extending through a corresponding through hole in fastening flange  32 . Riveted stud  40  and at least one (not represented in the section) additional riveted stud serves to fasten fastening flange  32  to housing wall  4  which is on the driving side. Radially inwards, connecting plate  5  is welded at inner circumferential edge  8  of connecting annular disk  6  to housing wall  4 , which is on the driving side. 
   In the embodiment example represented in  FIG. 3  not only radially inner circumferential edge  8  of connecting annular disk  6  but rather also radially outer edge area  33  of fastening flange  32  are welded to housing wall  4  which is on the driving side, as is indicated by weld seam  44 . 
   In the embodiment example represented in  FIG. 4  in comparison to the embodiment example represented in  FIG. 2  not only fastening flange  32  but rather also connecting annular disk  6  is welded in the vicinity of its radially inner circumferential edge  8  to housing wall  4  which is on the driving side, as is indicated by riveted stud  48 . 
   Through the cupping, in the circumferential direction, between the mounting surfaces a clear increase in rigidity in the connecting plate can be achieved. The cupping is preferably implemented as a bevel. The realization according to the invention has with respect to completely closed and cupped connecting plates a lower weight and a lower mass moment of inertia. The embodiment examples represented in  FIGS. 2 and 4  with a rivet connection between the connecting plate and the housing wall which is on the driving side offer additional advantages since the riveted studs set out from the housing wall which is on the driving side according to one aspect of the present invention serve to center the connecting plate. The connection of the nut will preferably already have been done before the mounting of the connecting plate since the realization according to the invention has less weld distortion than in the case of traditional realizations. Due to the lesser weld distortion the thickness of the connecting plate can also be reduced. 
   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
   
       
         1  Hydrodynamic torque converter 
         2  Housing 
         3  Axis of rotation 
         4  Housing wall, which is on the driving side 
         5  Connecting plate 
         6  Connecting annular disk 
         8  Radially inner circumferential edge 
         9  Radially outer circumferential edge 
         11  Mounting surface 
         12  Mounting surface 
         13  Mounting surface 
         14  Through hole 
         15  Nut 
         17  Cupping surface 
         18  Cupping surface 
         19  Cupping surface 
         20  Cupping surface 
         22  Fastening flange 
         23  Radially outer edge area 
         24  Connection point 
         25  Connection point 
         26  Radially inner edge area 
         30  Cupping surface 
         32  Fastening flange 
         33  Radially outer edge area 
         34  Connection point 
         35  Connection point 
         36  Radially inner edge area 
         37  Cupping surface 
         38  Partial circle 
         40  Riveted stud 
         44  Weld seam 
         48  Riveted stud