METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ONE-PIECE TORSIONAL VIBRATION DAMPER RETAINER PLATE

摘要

A method for manufacturing a drive plate or one-piece torsional vibration damper retainer plate (20) for a torque converter (26) is disclosed. The retainer plate includes an annular periphery (36) curled into a generally C-shaped channel (46) for retaining at least one spring (56). The method includes the following steps. First, the retainer plate (20) is stamped primarily to form a central plate segment (34), an annular periphery (36), and a hub opening (44). Next, the annular periphery of the retainer plate is pre-curled. The plate is then heat treated to enhanced the physical properties of the retainer plate. The spring is disposed within the pre-curled annular periphery. Finally, the annular periphery of the retainer plate is completely curled into the generally C-shaped channel to substantially surround the spring thereby preventing the spring from being removed from the C-shaped channel of the retainer plate during operation of the retainer plate.