Damper assembly with engine-side cover plate directly connected to engine crankshaft and powertrain having same

1. A powertrain comprising:

an engine having a crankshaft;

a transmission having a transmission input member;

a damper assembly having

an engine-side cover plate having a first side facing the engine and a second side facing the transmission;

a transmission-side cover plate facing the transmission and connected to the engine-side cover plate at the second side of the engine-side cover plate;

a retaining member between the cover plates;

a first generally-annular weighted member coaxial with the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate and connected to the engine-side cover plate at the first side of the engine-side cover plate so that the first generally-annular weighted member, the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate are stacked axially with the engine-side cover plate between the first generally-annular weighted member and the transmission-side cover plate;

resilient members positioned between the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate and supported by the retaining member; and

a fastener extending through each of the first generally-annular weighted member, the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate;

wherein the engine-side cover plate is directly connected to the crankshaft for common rotation therewith.

2. The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member is connected for common rotation with the transmission input member.

3. The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the first generally-annular weighted member has teeth at an outer perimeter to form a ring gear.

4. The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the engine-side cover plate is a single, unitary stamped steel component.

5. The powertrain of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second generally-annular weighted member radially outward of the engine-side cover plate.

6. The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a rivet.

7. The powertrain of claim 1 , wherein the transmission-side cover plate has arcuate slots spaced circumferentially thereabout; wherein the retaining member has tabs extending therefrom and positioned in the slots so that ends of the slots limit movement of the tabs.

8. A damper assembly for reducing torsional vibrations between an engine and a transmission comprising:

an engine-side cover plate having a first side facing the engine and a second side facing the transmission;

a transmission-side cover plate facing the transmission and connected to the engine-side cover plate at the second side of the engine-side cover plate;

a retaining member between the cover plates and connected for common rotation with the transmission input member;

resilient members supported by the retaining member and extending through the transmission-side cover plate; and

a first generally-annular weighted member coaxial with the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate and connected to the engine-side cover plate at the first side of the engine-side cover plate so that the first generally-annular weighted member, the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate are stacked axially with the engine-side cover plate between the first generally-annular weighted member and the transmission-side cover plate;

a fastener extending through each of the first generally-annular weighted member, the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate; and wherein the first generally-annular weighted member has an outer perimeter with teeth at the outer perimeter to form a ring gear.

9. The damper assembly of claim 8 , wherein the engine-side cover plate is a single, unitary stamped steel component.

10. The damper assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:

a second generally-annular weighted member operatively connected to the engine-side cover plate for common rotation therewith.

11. The damper assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second generally-annular weighted member is directly connected to the first generally-annular weighted member.

12. The damper assembly of claim 8 , wherein the fastener is a rivet.

13. The damper assembly of claim 8 , wherein the transmission-side cover plate has arcuate slots spaced circumferentially thereabout; wherein the retaining member has tabs extending therefrom and positioned in the slots so that ends of the slots limit movement of the tabs.

14. A powertrain comprising:

an engine having a crankshaft;

a transmission having an input member;

a damper assembly having

an engine-side cover plate having a first side facing the engine and a second side facing the transmission;

a transmission-side cover plate facing the transmission and connected to the engine-side cover plate at the second side of the engine-side cover plate;

a retaining member between the cover plates and connected for common rotation with the transmission input member;

springs supported by the retaining member between the engine-side cover plate and to the transmission-side cover plate;

wherein the engine-side cover plate is a single, unitary stamped steel component directly connected to the crankshaft for common rotation therewith;

a first weighted member coaxial with the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate and directly connected to the engine-side cover plate at the first side of the engine-side cover plate so that the first weighted member, the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate are stacked axially with the engine-side cover plate between the first weighted member and the transmission-side cover plate;

a fastener extending through each of the first weighted member, the engine-side cover plate and the transmission-side cover plate;

a second weighted member directly connected to the first weighted member such that the first weighted member is between the engine and the second weighted member; and

wherein at least one of the first and second weighted members is configured with teeth at an outer periphery to form a ring gear.

15. The powertrain of claim 14 , wherein the fastener is a rivet.

16. The powertrain of claim 14 , wherein the transmission-side cover plate has arcuate slots spaced circumferentially thereabout; wherein the retaining member has tabs extending therefrom and positioned in the slots so that ends of the slots limit movement of the tabs.