Multi-piece drive plate for a hydraulic torque converter
View Patent ↗A drive plate for a torque converter including first and second plates operatively arranged to be attached to a torque converter and a drive unit. In another embodiment, each of the first and second plates further includes at least one first opening and at least one second opening operatively arranged to receive a first and second fastener, respectively. In yet another embodiment, the drive plate includes a plurality of component plates operatively arranged to be attached to a torque converter and a drive unit.
1. A hydraulic torque converter, comprising:
a cover for the hydraulic torque converter;
a pump for the hydraulic torque converter connected to the cover;
a turbine for the hydraulic torque converter; and,
a device for connecting the hydraulic torque converter cover to a flex plate of a drive unit, the device including a plurality of drive plates wherein:
each drive plate of said plurality of drive plates is non-removably connected to the cover for said hydraulic torque converter by at least two respective circumferentially spaced non-removable fasteners;
said each drive plate is connected to said flex plate;
said each drive plate includes respective first and second outer edges curved with respect to a circumferential direction for the cover and circumferentially disposed between the at least two non-removable fasteners, the circumferential direction with respect to an axis of rotation for the torque converter;
the first edge is radially inward of the second edge; and
said each plate is axially disposed between the hydraulic torque converter and the flex plate.
2. The hydraulic torque converter of claim 1 wherein each plate of said plurality of drive plates further comprises at least one first opening and at least one second opening, said at least one first opening arranged to receive a first fastener for said cover and said at least one second opening arranged to receive a second fastener for said flex plate.
3. The hydraulic torque converter of claim 2 wherein said at least one first fastener is a rivet.
4. The hydraulic torque converter of claim 3 wherein said rivet is extruded from said cover.
5. The hydraulic torque converter of claim 2 wherein said second fastener is a stud or a bolt.
6. The hydraulic torque converter of claim 2 wherein said at least one first and second openings comprise first and second pluralities of openings, respectively, and wherein the openings in said first plurality of openings are disposed at a first distance from a center of rotation for the torque converter and the openings in said second plurality of openings are at a second distance, different from the first distance, from the center of rotation.