FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of power trains for four-wheel drive vehicles.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art. Generally, a four-wheel drive power train of an automatic transmission comprises an engine, a torque converter, a transmission (automatic), and a transfer case to power the front and the rear axles of the vehicle. A torque converter housing is used in the power train to house the torque converter and to connect the transmission housing with the engine.

In a conventional power train having automatic transmission, the engine drives the torque converter that further drives a transmission input shaft via a hydraulic coupling. Conventionally for connecting the engine drive to the torque converter a double flex plate is used in the power train of the four-wheel drive vehicle. One flex plate is mounted on the torque converter (herein referred as torque converter-side plate) and the other flex plate is mounted on the crankshaft flange of the engine (herein referred as engine-side plate). These two plates need to be bolted with each other after assembling the transmission with the engine. Once the transmission is mounted on the engine with the torque converter housing, the flex plates cannot be easily accessed from outside. A potential access can be provided by removing starter motor of the engine, which is not very convenient considering a four-wheel drive vehicle packaging. Typically, the power train is mounted on the chassis according to a power train mounting scheme. The position and alignment of each mount are engineered according to the combined CG (centre of gravity) location of the power train, vibration of engine, load on individual components of the power train, stiffness of anti-vibration mounts in use, and other components of the vehicle. This is necessary to achieve best possible isolation from engine vibration. Therefore, there is felt a need to provide a torque converter housing that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a torque converter housing with twin access openings (in the form of holes) for flex plate assembly and to create provision to remove bolts fallen inside the torque convertor housing during assembly.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a torque converter housing that improves serviceability and eliminates the need to remove starter motor for bolting flex plates.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to shape the torque converter housing by providing projected mounting surfaces for mounting power train according to engineered hard points without any changes in transmission housing. Still another object of the present disclosure is to shape the torque converter housing by providing projected mounting surfaces to avoid heavy or bulky design of power train mounting brackets.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a torque converter housing that reduces bending load on mounting brackets. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a torque converter housing for a transmission system of a vehicle. The torque converter housing is provided between the engine and the transmission. The housing comprises a first projected surface and a second projected surface defined on the housing, a first opening defined on the upper half portion of the housing, and a second opening defined on the lower half portion of the housing. The openings are configured to provide a twin access for assembling flex plates and for mounting a power train of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the first projected surface and the second projected surface are asymmetric with respect to a vertical-longitudinal plane passing through the central portion of the housing. Thus, making it possible to mount the power train according to engineered mounting hard point location.

In another embodiment, as engine used in power train is provided with only two mounting surfaces, the torque converter housing is used for supporting two additional power train mounts to make more stable and durable five hard point mounting arrangement.

In another embodiment, the location of the powertrain mounts is at different height and orientation with respect to a horizontal/vertical surface

In another embodiment, the mounts are made of elastic material selected from a group of materials consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

In another embodiment, the housing is configured to be installed in a two wheel drive and a four wheel drive vehicle.

In yet another embodiment, the material of the chassis of the vehicle is selected from a group of material consisting of aluminium, steel, carbon fibre, and composite material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

The torque converter housing for a transmission system of a vehicle of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of power train layout and flex plate assembly;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view and a rear side view of mounting positions (in the form of hard points) for power train mounting;

Figure 3 shows an exploded, perspective, and rear side view of the torque converter housing; and

Figure 4 shows a section view and perspective views of twin access openings in the torque converter housing. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 - Engine

2 - Torque converter housing

2A - First projected surface of torque converter housing 2B - Second projected surface of torque converter housing

3 - Transmission

3a - Transmission oil sump

4 - Tail shaft housing

5 - Transfer case 6 - Torque converter

7 - Torque converter-side flex-plate

8 - Engine- side flex-plate

9 - Transmission mounting bracket

10 - First opening 11 - Second opening

12 - Bolt line to assemble engine flex plate with transmission flex plate C - Transmission mounting surface

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail. The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.

Terms such as “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures. The present description envisages a torque converter housing 2 and a mounting arrangement of a power train on chassis frame of a vehicle. The torque converter housing 2 is provided with a first opening 10 and a second opening 11 for convenient assembly of flex plates and to create provision for removing bolts fallen inside the torque convertor housing 2 during assembly. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of layout of the power train and the flex plate assembly. The flex assembly comprises a torque converter-side plate 7 and an engine side plate 8 mounted on engine crankshaft flange. The torque converter-side plate 7 and engine-side plate 8 is assembled with each other vide a bolt line ‘12’ as shown in Figure 4. A tail shaft housing 4 is provided to cover a tail shaft (not seen in figures).

Figure 2 shows a perspective view and a rear side view of hard points for mounting the power train. The Figure 2 describes a five-point power train mounting scheme engineered for a four- wheel drive vehicle. The power train mounting scheme may comprise a 1 ^st , 2 ^nd , 3 ^rd , and 4 ^th mounting locations provided on the chassis. An engine assembly of the four-wheel drive vehicle of the present disclosure comprises a power train having only two (left & right side) mounting surfaces, which are used for 1st (left side), and 2 ^nd (right side) powertrain mountings.

The position of each hard point is shown in Figure 2 with respect to the CG of the power train and other components of power train.

It can be seen in Figure 2 that the 3 ^rd and 4 ^th mount locations are provided beside a transmission 3, such that the 3 ^rd and 4 ^th mount locations are not in the same plane.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view, a perspective view, and a rear side view of the torque converter housing 2 and projections of mounting surfaces. Figure 3 shows a first projected surface 2A and a second projected 2B of the torque converter housing 2. Power train mounting bracket 9 is mounted such that the first projected surface 2 A and the second projected surface 2B may reach the 4 ^th and 3 ^rd mounting locations (or hard points) respectively.

With respect to power train horizontal surface A-A, the height (a) of the second projected surface 2B is significantly higher than the height (b) of the first projected surface 2A. To calculate the heights (a & b) in Figure 3, top edges of both the projected surfaces (2A and 2B) are considered.

In an embodiment, the distance ‘c’ of the second projected surface 2B with respect to the longitudinal vertical surface B-B of the power train is less than distance (d) of the first projected surface 2A. Flence, the first projected surface 2A and the second projected surface 2B are asymmetric with respect to vertical-longitudinal plane (B-B) of the power train. In an embodiment, the vertical-longitudinal plane (B-B) passes through the central portion of the housing (2).

The top view in the Figure 3 shows the first projected surface 2A and the second projected surface 2B configured around the transmission-mounting surface (C) to facilitate mounting of the torque converter 6 at a rear portion of the vehicle and towards the side of the transmission 3 to reduce distance from 3 ^rd and 4 ^th mounting locations.

In another embodiment, a five point mounting is provided for mounting the power train on the chassis frame of the vehicle.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view and perspective view of twin access openings (or cutouts) in the torque converter housing 2.

Figure 4 shows the first opening 10 at top right corner of the torque converter housing 2 to bolt engine plate with torque converter plate, and the second opening 11 at the bottom of the torque converter housing 2 to take out fallen bolts during assembly.

The Figure 4 shows relative positions of the torque converter 6, the torque converter-side flex plate 7, engine-side flex plate 8, and bolt line 12 to assemble these flex plates with each other.

The Figure 4 also shows the access/reach to the bolt line 12 through the first opening 10 and complication involved in accessing the bolt line 12 through the second opening 11 at the bottom of the torque converter housing 2 because of transmission oil sump 3a position.

In an embodiment the engine 1 used in power train are provided with two mounting surfaces which are used for their mounting and installation.

The locations of the mounts are at different height and orientation with respect to a horizontal/vertical surface.

In an embodiment the mounts are made of elastic material selected from a group of materials consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.

The housing 2 is configured to be installed in a two wheel drive as well as a four wheel drive vehicle, with minimum modification. The material of the chassis of the vehicle is selected from a group of material consisting of aluminium, steel, carbon fibre, and composite material.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a torque converter housing with twin access openings for flex plate assembly and power train mounting, which:

• enables to improve serviceability as no need to remove starter motor to bolt flex plates;

• provides a bottom cut-out to improve accessibility inside the torque converter housing for removing bolts fallen during assembly of the flex plates and thus creates a provision of contingency during assembly;

• is to mount power train according to engineered hard points without having change in transmission housing; and

• enables to avoid heavy or bulky design of power train mounting brackets.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments, which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

One of the object of the Patent Law is to provide protection to new technologies in all fields and domain of technologies. The new technologies shall or may contribute in the country economy growth by way of involvement of new efficient and quality method or product manufacturing in India.

To provide the protection of new technologies by patenting the product or process will contribute significant for innovation development in the country. Further by granting patent the patentee can contribute in manufacturing the new product or new process of manufacturing by himself or by technology collaboration or through the licensing.

The applicant submits that the present disclosure will contribute in country economy, which is one of the purposes to enact the Patents Act, 1970. The product in accordance with present invention will be in great demand in country and worldwide due to novel technical features of a present invention is a technical advancement in the transmission assembly. The technology in accordance with present disclosure will provide product cheaper, saving in time of total process of manufacturing. The saving in production time will improve the productivity, and cost cutting of the product, which will directly contribute to economy of the country.

The product will contribute new concept in vehicles, wherein patented product will be used. The present disclosure will replace the whole concept of torque converter housing being used in four wheel drive vehicles from decades. The product is developed in the national interest and will contribute to country economy.

The economy significance details requirement may be called during the examination. Only after filing of this Patent application, the applicant can work publically related to present disclosure product/process/method. The applicant will disclose all the details related to the economic significance contribution after the protection of invention.