Patent Publication Number: US-2023160459-A1

Title: Torque converter with resolver rotor having angular and axial locking

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a torque converter using planar surfaces to non-rotatably connect a resolver rotor to a pump hub. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known to use a shrink fit to connect a resolver rotor to a pump hub of a torque converter. The heat associated with a shrink fit may be incompatible with preferred materials for the rotor or pump hub. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque and supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a pump including a pump shell connected to the cover, and at least one pump blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the pump and including a turbine shell, and at least one turbine blade; a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the pump; a pump hub non-rotatably connected to the pump shell and including a first planar surface; and an annular resolver rotor including a second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface. The annular resolver rotor is arranged to determine a rotational position of the torque converter around the axis of rotation. 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque and supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a pump including pump shell connected to the cover, and at least one pump blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the pump and including a turbine shell, and at least one turbine blade; a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the pump; a pump hub non-rotatably connected to the pump shell and including a first planar surface facing radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation; and an annular resolver rotor including a second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface and facing radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation. The annular resolver rotor is arranged to determine a rotational position of the torque converter around the axis of rotation. 
     According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a torque converter, including: a cover arranged to receive torque and supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a pump including a pump shell connected to the cover, and at least one pump blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the pump and including a turbine shell, and at least one turbine blade; a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the pump; a pump hub non-rotatably connected to the pump shell and including a first planar surface facing radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation; and an annular resolver rotor non-rotatably connected to the pump hub and including a second planar surface in contact with the first planar surface and facing radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation. The pump hub includes a protrusion extending radially outward from the first planar surface and in contact with the annular resolver rotor. The annular resolver rotor is arranged to determine a rotational position of the torque converter around the axis of rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a partial cross-sectional view of an example torque converter including an annular resolver rotor having angular and axial locking; 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the resolver rotor shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric front detail of the pump hub of the torque converter shown in  FIG.  1   , with the resolver rotor removed; 
         FIG.  4    is a front detail of the pump hub of the torque converter shown in  FIG.  1   , with the resolver rotor removed; 
         FIG.  5    is a detail of area  5  in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric front detail of the pump hub and annular resolver rotor of the torque converter shown in  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a front detail of the pump hub and annular resolver rotor of the torque converter shown in  FIG.  1   ; and, 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic block diagram of a control arrangement for the torque converter shown in  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
     Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure 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 disclosure. 
     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 disclosure belongs. It should be understood that any methods, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  1    is a partial cross-sectional view of example torque converter  100  including an annular resolver rotor having angular and axial locking. 
       FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the annular resolver rotor shown in  FIG.  1   . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Torque converter  100  is supported for rotation around axis of rotation AR and includes: annular resolver rotor  102 ; cover  104 ; pump  106 ; turbine  108 ; and stator  110 . Pump  106  includes pump shell  112  non-rotatably connected to cover  104 , and at least one pump blade  114 . Turbine  108  is in fluid communication with pump  106  and includes turbine shell  116 , and at least one turbine blade  118 . Stator  110  includes at least one stator blade  120  axially disposed between turbine  108  and pump  106 . 
     By “non-rotatably connected” components, we mean that components are connected so that whenever one of the components rotates, all the components rotate; and relative rotation between the components is precluded. Radial and/or axial movement of non-rotatably connected components with respect to each other is possible. Components connected by tabs, gears, teeth, or splines are considered as non-rotatably connected despite possible lash inherent in the connection. The input and output elements of a closed clutch are considered non-rotatably connected despite possible slip in the clutch. The input and output parts of a vibration damper, engaged with springs for the vibration damper, are not considered non-rotatably connected due to the compression and unwinding of the springs. Without a further modifier, the non-rotatable connection between or among components is assumed for rotation in any direction. However, the non-rotatable connection can be limited by use of a modifier. For example, “non-rotatably connected for rotation in circumferential direction CD1,” defines the connection for rotation only in circumferential direction CD1. 
       FIG.  3    is an isometric front detail of the pump hub of torque converter  100  shown in  FIG.  1   , with the resolver rotor removed. 
       FIG.  4    is a front detail of the pump hub of torque converter  100  shown in  FIG.  1   , with the resolver rotor removed. The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS.  1  through  4   . Torque converter  100  includes pump hub  122  non-rotatably connected to pump shell  112  and including planar surfaces  124 . Resolver rotor  102  is radially disposed around hub  122  and includes planar surfaces  126  in contact with planar surfaces  124 . A further described below, resolver rotor  102  is arranged to determine a rotational position of torque converter  100  around axis of rotation AR. Surfaces  124  face in radially outer direction RD 1 , orthogonal to axis of rotation AR. Surfaces  126  face in radially inner direction RD 2 , opposite direction RD 1 . Pump hub  122  extends past pump shell  112  in axial direction AD1. Direction AD1 is from cover  104  toward shell  112 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1   , pump hub  122  includes four surfaces  124  and resolver rotor  102  includes four surfaces  126 . It is understood that other numbers of surfaces  124  and surfaces  126  are possible. 
       FIG.  5    is a detail of area  5  in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  6    is an isometric front detail of pump hub  122  and annular resolver rotor  102  of torque converter  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  7    is a front detail of pump hub  122  and annular resolver rotor  102  of torque converter  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS.  1  through  7   . Pump hub  122  includes axial end  128 , axial end  130 , and radially outer surface  132  connecting ends  128  and  130 . Surface  132  includes surfaces  124 . Surface  132  includes curved segments  134  connecting surfaces  124  in opposite rotational directions RT1 and RT2 around axis AR. Resolver rotor  102  includes axial end  136 , axial end  138 , and radially inner surface  140  connecting ends  136  and  138 . Surface  140  includes surfaces  126 . Surface  140  includes curved segments  142  connecting surfaces  126  in rotational directions RT1 and RT2. In the example of  FIG.  1   , surfaces  134  and  142  are in contact. In the example embodiment (not shown), surfaces  134  and  142  are free of contact. 
     Resolver rotor  102  includes: surface  144  facing in direction AD1; and surface  146 , facing in direction AD2, opposite direction AD1. In the example of  FIG.  1   , surfaces  144  and  146  are planar. Pump hub  122  includes surface  148  in contact with surface  146 . In the example of  FIG.  1   , surface  148  is planar. Pump hub  122  includes protrusions  150  extending radially outwardly past surfaces  124  and in contact with surfaces  144 . Surfaces  148  and protrusions  150  axially fix resolver rotor  102  with respect to pump hub  122 . In the example of  FIG.  1   , protrusions  150  are formed by displacing material forming hub  122 , for example, by staking hub  122 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1   , there is single protrusion  150  for each surface  124 , and the single protrusion  150  is centered, in directions RT1 and RT2, with respect to the surfaces  124 . It is understood that other numbers and configurations of protrusions  150  are possible. 
       FIG.  8    is a schematic block diagram of control arrangement CA for torque converter  100  shown in  FIG.  1   . Control arrangement CA includes sensor S and control unit CU. As is known in the art, resolver rotor  102  is used to measure rotational position RP of torque converter  100  with respect to axis of rotation AR. In the example of  FIG.  8   , sensor S senses the rotational position of features of resolver rotor  102 , for example, portions of radially outer surface  152  of rotor  102 . Sensor S sends signal SG to control unit CU. Control unit CU uses signal SG to measure rotational position RP of torque converter  100 . 
     The following should be viewed in light of  FIGS.  1  through  8   . The following describes a method for operating a torque converter including: a cover arranged to receive torque and supported for rotation around an axis of rotation; a pump including a pump shell connected to the cove, and at least one pump blade; a turbine in fluid communication with the pump and including a turbine shell, and at least one turbine blade; a stator including at least one stator blade axially disposed between the turbine and the pump; a pump hub non-rotatably connected to the pump shell; and an annular resolver rotor non-rotatably connected to the pump hub. The pump hub includes a protrusion extending radially outward from the first planar surface and in contact with the annular resolver rotor. 
     Although the method is presented as a sequence of steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the sequence unless explicitly stated. A first step measures, using the annular resolver rotor, a sensor, and a control device, a first rotational position of the cover around the axis of rotation. A second step rotates the cover and the pump hub in a first rotational direction around the axis of rotation. A third step rotates the resolver rotor via contact between a planar surface of the pump hub facing radially outward with respect to the axis of rotation, and a planar surface of the resolver facing radially inward with respect to the axis of rotation. A fourth step measures, using the annular resolver rotor, the sensor, and the control device, a second rotational position of the cover around the axis of rotation. 
     It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.  
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                 List of Reference Characters: 
               
             
            
               
                 AD1 
                 axial direction 
               
               
                 AD2 
                 axial direction 
               
               
                 AR 
                 axis of rotation 
               
               
                 CA 
                 control arrangement 
               
               
                 CU 
                 control unit 
               
               
                 RD 1 
 
                 radially outer direction 
               
               
                 RD 2 
 
                 radially inner direction 
               
               
                 RP 
                 rotational position 
               
               
                 RT1 
                 rotational direction 
               
               
                 RT2 
                 rotational direction 
               
               
                 S 
                 sensor 
               
               
                 SG 
                 signal 
               
               
                 
                   100 
                 
                 torque converter 
               
               
                 
                   102 
                 
                 resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   104 
                 
                 cover 
               
               
                 
                   106 
                 
                 pump 
               
               
                 
                   108 
                 
                 turbine 
               
               
                 
                   110 
                 
                 stator 
               
               
                 
                   112 
                 
                 pump shell 
               
               
                 
                   114 
                 
                 pump blade 
               
               
                 
                   116 
                 
                 turbine shell 
               
               
                 
                   118 
                 
                 turbine blade 
               
               
                 
                   120 
                 
                 stator blade 
               
               
                 
                   122 
                 
                 pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   124 
                 
                 planar surface, pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   126 
                 
                 planar surface, resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   128 
                 
                 axial end, pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   130 
                 
                 axial end, pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   132 
                 
                 radially outer surface, pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   134 
                 
                 curved segment, surface  132 
 
               
               
                 
                   136 
                 
                 axial end, resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   138 
                 
                 axial end, resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   140 
                 
                 radially inner surface, resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   142 
                 
                 curved segment, surface  140 
 
               
               
                 
                   144 
                 
                 surface, resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   146 
                 
                 surface, resolver rotor 
               
               
                 
                   148 
                 
                 surface, pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   150 
                 
                 protrusion, pump hub 
               
               
                 
                   152 
                 
                 radially outer surface, resolver rotor