Lock-up clutch assembly having improved torque capacity

摘要

A lock-up clutch assembly for a torque converter includes a clutch housing defining an annular clutch chamber, and an annular piston received in the clutch chamber and extending between the inner diameter and outer diameter of the clutch chamber. The piston defines inner and outer diameters associated respectively with the inner and outer diameters of the clutch chamber. The assembly further includes a backing plate received in the clutch chamber, and at least one annular friction disk and at least one annular friction plate received in the clutch chamber between the piston and the backing plate. The assembly further includes first and second seal members configured to provide respective fluid seals between the inner diameters of the piston and clutch chamber and between the outer diameters of the piston and clutch chamber.

主权项

1. A lock-up clutch assembly for a torque converter, the lock-up clutch assembly comprising:
a clutch housing defining an annular clutch chamber, the clutch chamber defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter; an annular piston received in the clutch chamber and extending between the inner diameter and outer diameter of the clutch chamber, the clutch housing and the piston defining a fluid chamber configured to receive fluid, wherein the piston defines an inner diameter and an outer diameter associated respectively with the inner and outer diameters of the clutch chamber; a backing plate received in the clutch chamber; at least one annular friction disk received in the clutch chamber between the piston and the backing plate; at least one annular friction plate received in the clutch chamber between the piston and the backing plate; a first seal member configured to provide a fluid seal between the inner diameter of the piston and the inner diameter of the clutch chamber; a second seal member configured to provide a fluid seal between the outer diameter of the piston and the outer diameter of the clutch chamber, wherein the piston and the clutch housing are configured such that fluid received in the fluid chamber results in the at least one friction disc and the at least one friction plate being pressed together between the piston and the backing plate, such that the clutch housing and a turbine of the torque converter are coupled to one another via the at least one friction disc and the at least one friction plate, and wherein the outer diameter of the clutch chamber defines a plurality of radially extending splines that define a thickness and extend longitudinally from the piston to the backing plate, the thickness of at least some of the splines of the clutch chamber changing, such that the backing plate is prevented from moving toward the piston relative to the clutch chamber.