Lock-up device for coupling or converter

Claim 2

In a hydrodynamic unit having rotatable input and output rotor means rotatable about a longitudinal axis, a front cover for said unit providing an input operatively connected to said input rotor means, a torque transmitting hub, fastener means drivingly connecting said output rotor means to said hub, power transmitting means drivingly connected to said hub, clutch means for drivingly connecting said hub to said front cover to lock said hydrodynamic unit for unitary rotation, said clutch means comprising a base plate fixed to said cover and a locking plate disposed adjacent to said base plate having openings therein which are movable into drive engagement with said fastener means, coil spring means connected between said base plate and said locking plate for moving said locking plate from disengagement with said fastener means, cam means for moving said locking plate from a disengaged position to a clutching position into engagement with said fastener means, said cam means comprising a plurality of camming ramps each having a camming ball disposed therein each of which develops a centrifugal force of predetermined magnitude directed away from the axis of rotation of said base plate to move outwardly on said ramps to urge said locking plate axially into drive engagement with said fastener means to thereby lock said cover and said hub together for direct mechanical transmission of torque through said unit, and said spring means being operative to disengage said locking plate and said hub when said centrifugal force drops below the predetermined magnitude to thereby permit said unit to hydraulically operate.

Claim 3

In a hydrodynamic unit, bladed input rotor means and bladed output rotor means rotatable about an axis, rotatable housing means for said hydrodynamic unit drivingly connected to said input rotor means, said output rotor means having a central hub portion, locking means disposed in said hydrodynamic unit adjacent to said output rotor means for connecting and for disconnecting said input and output rotors, said locking means comprising a first locking member fastened to said housing means, a second locking member disposed between said first locking member and said central hub portion, connector means drivingly connecting said first and second locking members for rotation together and to allow said second member to be moved longitudinally with respect to said axis into and out of direct drive engagement with said hub portion of said output rotor means, centrifugally-operated actuator means disposed between said locking members for longitudinally moving said second locking member relative to said first member for locking and unlocking said input and output rotor means, inclined ramp means in one of said locking members for said actuator means, yieldable means operatively connecting said locking members for urging said locking means together and for exerting a force on said actuator means directed generally inwardly toward said axis of rotation, and said actuator means being movable to a position on said ramp means in response to a predetermined centrifugal force developed by said actuator means when said input rotor means reaches a predetermined input speed to effect the longitudinal movement of said second member into the drive engagement with said output rotor means to thereby cause the drive connection of said input and said output rotor means.

Claim 4

In a hydrodynamic unit, bladed input rotor means and bladed output rotor means rotatable about an axis, rotatable housing means for said hydrodynamic unit drivingly connected to said input rotor means, said output rotor means having a central hub portion, locking means disposed in said hydrodynamic unit adjacent to said output rotor means for connecting and for disconnecting said input and output rotors, said locking means comprising a first locking member fastened to said housing means, a second locking member disposed between said first locking member and said central hub portion, connector means drivingly connecting said first and second locking members for rotation together and to allow said second member to be moved longitudinally with respect to said axis into and out of direct drive engagement with said hub portion of said output rotor means, centrifugally-operated actuator means disposed between said locking members for longitudinally moving said second locking member relative to said first member for locking and unlocking said input and output rotor means, inclined ramp means in one of said locking members for said actuator means, yieldable means operatively connecting said locking members for urging said locking means together and for exerting a force on said actuator means directed generally inwardly toward said axis of rotation, and said actuator means being movable to a position on said ramp means in response to a predetermined centrifugal force developed by said actuator means when said input rotor means reaches a predetermined input speed to effect the longitudinal movement of said second member into the drive engagement with said output rotor means to thereby cause the drive connection of said input and said output rotor means.

Claim 5

In a hydrodynamic unit having input and output rotor means rotatable about an axis, said unit having a front cover providing an input operatively connected to said input rotor means, a driven member, said output rotor means having a central hub portion drivingly connected to said driven member, clutch means disposed between said front cover and said output rotor means and directly engageable with said hub portion to drivingly connect said front cover and said driven member to lock said hydrodynamic unit for unitary rotation; said clutch means comprising a base plate fixed to said cover member, locking plate carriEd by said base plate, connector means mounting said locking plate for longitudinal movement along said axis of rotation, centrifugally actuated cam means disposed between said base plate and said locking plate, said cam means being movable between an inner position in which said locking plate is spaced from said hub portion and an outer position in which said locking plate is forced by said cam means into direct driving engagement with said hub portion, and spring means for yieldably holding said plates together and for positioning said cam means in said inner position and to oppose movement of said cam means toward said second position.

Claim 6

In a hydrodynamic unit having input and output rotor means rotatable about an axis, said unit having a front cover providing an input operatively connected to said input rotor means, a driven member, said output rotor means having a central hub portion drivingly connected to said driven member, clutch means disposed between said front cover and said output rotor means and directly engageable with said hub portion to drivingly connect said front cover and said driven member to lock said hydrodynamic unit for unitary rotation; said clutch means comprising a base plate fixed to said cover member, locking plate carriEd by said base plate, connector means mounting said locking plate for longitudinal movement along said axis of rotation, centrifugally actuated cam means disposed between said base plate and said locking plate, said cam means being movable between an inner position in which said locking plate is spaced from said hub portion and an outer position in which said locking plate is forced by said cam means into direct driving engagement with said hub portion, and spring means for yieldably holding said plates together and for positioning said cam means in said inner position and to oppose movement of said cam means toward said second position.

Claim 7

In a hydrodynamic unit having input and output rotor means rotatable about an axis, said input and output rotor means having bladed portions to form a torus for the circulation of fluid therein, a front cover for said unit providing an input operatively connected to said input rotor means, torque transmitting means, connecting means drivingly connecting said output rotor means to said torque transmitting means, lock-up clutch means disposed radially inwardly of said bladed portion of said output rotor means for drivingly connecting said front cover and said torque transmitting means to lock said hydrodynamic unit for unitary rotation and for subsequently unlocking said hydrodynamic unit to provide for the hydrodynamic transmission of torque therethrough, said clutch means comprising base plate means fixed to said front cover within said hydrodynamic unit, locking plate means disposed adjacent to said base plate, connector means supporting said locking plate for longitudinal movement with respect to said axis into and from drive engagement with said connecting means, ball means disposed between said base plate means and said locking plate means for moving said locking plate means into driving engagement with said output rotor means, spring means operatively connecting said locking plate means and said base means together and for urging said locking plate means toward said base plate means, and ramp means providing a track for each of said ball means so that each said ball means will be moved outwardly by centrifugal force from a low part of the associated ramp to a high part thereof to effect the direct drive engagement of said locking plate with said connecting means.

Claim 8

In a hydrodynamic unit having input and output rotor means rotatable about an axis, said input and output rotor means having bladed portions to form a torus for the circulation of fluid therein, a front cover for said unit providing an input operatively connected to said input rotor means, torque transmitting means, connecting means drivingly connecting said output rotor means to said torque transmitting means, lock-up clutch means disposed radially inwardly of said bladed portion of said output rotor means for drivingly connecting said front cover and said torque transmitting means to lock said hydrodynamic unit for unitary rotation and for subsequently unlocking said hydrodynamic unit to provide for the hydrodynamic transmission of torque therethrough, said clutch means comprising base plate means fixed to said front cover within said hydrodynamic unit, locking plate means disposed adjacent to said base plate, connector means supporting said locking plate for longitudinal movement with respect to said axis into and from drive engagement with said connecting means, ball means disposed between said base plate means and said locking plate means for moving said locking plate means into driving engagement with said output rotor means, spring means operatively connecting said locking plate means and said base means together and for urging said locking plate means toward said base plate means, and ramp means providing a track for each of said ball means so that each said ball means will be moved outwardly by centrifugal force from a low part of the associated ramp to a high part thereof to effect the direct drive engagement of said locking plate with said connecting means.