Hydrokinetic coupling device comprising friction disc carried by rotating linking element of turbine wheel with damper plate

1. A hydrokinetic coupling device for a motor vehicle, the hydrokinetic coupling device comprising:

an axis of rotation (B);

a damper hub mounted to rotate around the axis of rotation (B);

a torque converter comprising a turbine wheel mounted to rotate around the axis of rotation (B);

a circumferential damper device comprising a damper plate with a radial flange co-axial with the axis (B) and non-rotatably fixed without any play to the turbine wheel by a connecting element on the one hand, and rotationally linked with the damper hub with circumferential play and damping on the other;

a locking clutch comprising at least one annular, axially sliding friction disc rotatable together with the radial flange of the damper plate;

the at least one friction disc non-rotatably coupled in an axially sliding manner directly to the connecting element directly linking the turbine wheel to the flange of the damper plate;

the connecting element having a front end section non-rotatably fixed to the turbine wheel and a rear end section non-rotatably fixed to the radial flange so that the connecting element extending axially from the radial flange at one end thereof to the turbine wheel at another end thereof.

2. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting element is formed by an annular skirt extending axially from an outer radial edge of the flange to a mounting face of the turbine wheel so that the front free end section of the annular skirt is fixed to the mounting face of the turbine wheel; and wherein the at least one friction disc is carried by an outer axial face of the annular skirt.

3. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one friction disc comprises radial guide teeth, which extend radially inwards from their inner peripheral edge and which are received in an axial flow in associated axial channels formed in the outer axial face of the annular skirt.

4. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 2 , wherein the flange and the annular skirt are formed from a single piece.

5. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 2 , wherein the skirt is a separate piece, which is attached to the flange of the damper plate.

6. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 5 , wherein the annular skirt is linked rotationally to the flange by the mutual meshing of a toothed axial rear end section of the annular skirt and a toothed outer peripheral edge of the flange.

7. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 2 , wherein the front end section of the annular skirt is fixed to the mounting face of the turbine wheel in a leak-proof manner.

8. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 7 , wherein the front end section of the annular skirt is fixed to the mounting face of the turbine wheel by welding.

9. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 1 , wherein the damper plate is rotationally linked to the damper hub by means of at least one elastic member with circumferential action, and wherein the elastic member is carried by guide washers fitted axially on both sides of the flange of the damper plate and rotationally linked without play to the damper hub.

10. The hydrokinetic coupling device according to claim 9 , wherein the turbine wheel comprises a turbine hub which is rotationally mounted on a bearing surface of the damper hub.