Abstract:
A torque converter ( 10 ) including a lock-up clutch, the lock-up clutch ( 20 ) having an axially displaceable and/or axially elastic actuating element ( 26 ) for actuating the lock-up clutch, the actuating element being designed as a component different from the turbine and being mounted on the turbine.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A torque transmission device situated in a power train of a motor vehicle is known from DE102013202661, which is operatively situated between a drive side and an output side and includes a torque converter, which has a housing, in which a pump, a turbine and a lockup clutch are situated for the purpose of transmitting a torque between the drive side and the output side, the lockup clutch including an axially displaceable actuating element, designed as a turbine, for actuating the lockup clutch. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is an object of the present invention to improve the reliability of a torque transmission device, to reduce the manufacturing costs, to reduce the installation space requirements and/or to improve the power, in particular of the lockup clutch. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, a torque transmission device is proposed, operative between a drive side and an output side and including a torque converter, which has a housing in which a pump, a turbine and a lockup clutch are situated for the purpose of transmitting a torque between the drive side and the output side, the lockup clutch including an axially displaceable and/or axially elastic actuating element for actuating the lockup clutch, the actuating element being designed as a component which is different from the turbine and is mounted on the turbine. In particular, the power of the torque transmission device may be improved thereby. 
         [0004]    One particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the actuating element is fastened directly to the turbine. 
         [0005]    One particularly special specific embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the turbine is axially displaceable. 
         [0006]    Another special embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the actuating element acts in the direction of the housing for the purpose of actuating the lockup clutch. 
         [0007]    One advantageous specific embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the actuating element acts in the direction of the output side for the purpose of actuating the lockup clutch. 
         [0008]    One preferred special embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the torque transmission device includes a torsional vibration damper and/or a damper device, in particular a centrifugal pendulum absorber. 
         [0009]    Another special embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the actuating element furthermore forms a component of the torsional vibration damper and/or the absorber device, in particular a damper input part, a pendulum flange and/or a rotation angle limiting element. 
         [0010]    One preferred special embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the turbine includes a turbine wheel shell and turbine blades, and the actuating element is mounted on the turbine wheel shell. 
         [0011]    One particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the actuating element presses against the housing in an at least temporarily non-parallel manner during the actuation of the lockup clutch. The use of the installation space with regard to the clutch and/or the hydrodynamic performance may be increased thereby. The friction lining and/or the actuating element may be provided with a conical design compared to the mating surface on the housing, with which the friction lining is able to interact. 
         [0012]    One particularly special specific embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the actuating element accommodates at least one friction lining. 
         [0013]    The torque converter may also be generally connected to a torsional vibration damping device and/or absorber device situated outside the housing. 
         [0014]    Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the present invention result from the description and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The present invention is explained in detail below with reference to the figures. Specifically: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device in one special specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device  10  in one special specific embodiment of the present invention. It includes a torque converter  12 , which is operatively introduced between a drive side and an output side and which has a housing  14 , in which a pump  16 , a turbine  18  and a lockup clutch  20  are situated between the drive side and the output side for the purpose of transmitting a torque. Turbine  18  includes a turbine wheel shell  22  and turbine blades  24 , which are rotatably fixedly suspended thereon. 
         [0021]    Lockup clutch  20  includes an axially displaceable actuating element  26  for actuating lockup clutch  20 , which is designed as a component which is different from turbine  18  and is rotatably fixedly, in particular fixedly, mounted directly on turbine  18 , in particular on turbine wheel shell  22 . Specifically, actuating element  26  is riveted or welded to turbine  18 . 
         [0022]    Actuating element  26  has a radial extension, on which the actuating element accommodates a friction lining  28  on the axial side facing in the direction of housing  14 . To actuate lockup clutch  20 , actuating element  26 , which is axially displaceable together with turbine  18 , is displaced in the direction of housing  14 , whereby friction lining  28  may be brought into frictional engagement with housing  14 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device  10  in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. As part of the torque transmission device, torque converter  12  includes not only lockup clutch  20  with actuating element  26  but also a torsional vibration damper  30  in its housing  14 . Torsional vibration damper  30  includes an input part  32  and an output part  36 , which is rotatable to a limited extend with respect thereto via the action of energy storage elements  34 . Input part  32  is partially formed by actuating element  26 , which has an axial projection  38  for this purpose, with the aid of which energy storage elements  34  may be acted upon. 
         [0024]    Output part  36  is rotatably fixedly connected to an output hub  40 . Output hub  40 , in turn, is connectable to a transmission input shaft. 
         [0025]    Turbine  18  is supported on output hub  40  via a bearing element  42  and is axially displaceable with respect thereto for the purpose of facilitating an actuation of lockup clutch  20 , together with actuating element  26 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device  10  in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. Turbine  18  in this case is not axially displaceable; instead, actuating element  26  of lockup clutch  20  as such is axially elastic and/or is axially elastically mounted on turbine  18 . Actuating element  26  accommodates a friction lining  28 , which may be brought into frictional engagement with housing  14 . 
         [0027]    The turbine includes an output hub  40  radially internally, which, may be supported on housing  14  via an axial bearing element  44 , on the one hand, and on guide wheel  48  via another axial bearing element  46 , on the other hand. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a half section of a cross section of a torque transmission device  10  in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. Actuating element  26 , together with output hub  40 , is mounted, in this case specially riveted, on turbine  18  in a radially inner area. Actuating element  26  is axially elastic, so that an actuation of lockup clutch  20  may take place. The area of actuating element  26  where friction lining  28  is accommodated is designed to be inclined with respect to the radial direction, and the area of housing  14  is correspondingly also able to interact with friction lining  28 .