[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to hybrid motor vehicle drive trains and more specifically to rotor dampers used therein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Some hybrid motor vehicle drive trains include a hybrid module including a torque converter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A hybrid module is configured for arrangement in a torque path upstream from a transmission and downstream from an internal combustion engine. The hybrid module includes an electric motor and a clutch. The electric motor includes a rotor and a rotor carrier supporting the rotor. The hybrid module also includes a damper assembly fixed to the rotor carrier. The clutch is configured for selectively coupling the damper assembly to a shaft drivingly coupled to the internal combustion engine. The damper assembly includes an output configured for connecting to an input shaft of the transmission.

[0004] Embodiments of the hybrid module may include one or more of the following features:

the damper assembly includes a front damper hub configured for centering the shaft drivingly coupled to the internal combustion engine;

the damper assembly includes a plurality of springs, the springs being radially inside of the rotor carrier;

the damper assembly includes a rear damper hub including a pump hub configured for driving an oil pump;

the rear damper hub is configured for centering a front support of the

transmission;

the rotor carrier includes an axially extending section and a radially extending section, the damper assembly being fixed to the radially extending section of the rotor carrier; the damper assembly includes a rear damper cover and a front damper cover, the rear damper cover and the front damper cover being fixed to the radially extending section of the rotor carrier;

the rear damper cover and the front damper cover are fixed to the radially extending section of the rotor carrier by fasteners that pass through a radially outer end of the rear damper cover and a radially outer end of the front damper cover and into the radially extending section of the rotor carrier;

the damper assembly includes at least one spring retainer retaining a plurality of springs, the rear damper cover and the front damper cover surrounding the springs;

the damper assembly includes a damper flange fixed to the damper output configured for being driven by the springs of the at least one spring retainer;

the at least one spring retainer includes a first spring retainer retaining a first set of the springs and a second spring retainer retaining a second set of the springs, both of the first and second sets of springs configured for driving the damper flange.

[0005] A method of constructing a hybrid module configured for arrangement in a torque path upstream from a transmission and downstream from an internal combustion engine is also provided. The method includes providing an electric motor and a clutch. The electric motor includes a rotor and a rotor carrier supporting the rotor. The method also includes fixing a damper assembly to the rotor carrier such that the clutch is configured for selectively coupling the damper assembly to a shaft drivingly coupled to the internal combustion engine. The damper assembly includes an output configured for connecting to an input shaft of the transmission.

[0006] Embodiments of the method may include one or more of the following features: providing the damper assembly with a front damper hub configured for centering the shaft drivingly coupled to the internal combustion engine and a rear damper hub including a pump hub configured for driving an oil pump;

the rear damper hub is configured for centering a front support of the

transmission;

providing the damper assembly with a plurality of springs radially inside of the rotor carrier; the rotor carrier includes an axially extending section and a radially extending section, the damper assembly including a rear damper cover and a front damper cover, the fixing of the damper assembly to the rotor carrier including fixing the rear damper cover and the front damper cover to the radially extending section of the rotor carrier; the damper assembly includes at least one spring retainer retaining a plurality of springs, the damper assembly including a damper flange fixed to the damper output configured for being driven by the springs of the at least one spring retainer;

at least one spring retainer includes a first spring retainer retaining a first set of the springs and a second spring retainer retaining a second set of the springs, both of the first and second sets of springs configured for driving the damper flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is described below by reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0008] Fig. 1 shows a hybrid module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0009] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a damper assembly of the hybrid module shown in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The present disclosure provides a hybrid module that does not include a torque converter. Removing the TC from the front module led to some problems with damper integration and centering of the connect/disconnect clutch. The module still required damping and the connect/disconnect clutch had to be increased in length in order to function as a disconnect and launch clutch. In order to package a damper in the most optimized way, the present disclosure provided a damper designed to be integrated into the inner diameter of the rotor carrier hub. In order to maintain the functionality of the pump hub, the present disclosure also incorporates a pump hub, so that the oil pump can still be driven. This damper hub assembly now provides centering functionality for the shaft which is longer than previous modular hybrid transmission designs. The centering of the shaft can be performed by a bearing or bushing. These features combined solve the problem of removing the launch device- i.e., fluid coupling device, which in this case would be a torque converter, from the front module.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows hybrid module 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Module 10 is configured for attachment to an internal combustion engine 13 and includes a damper assembly 14 configured for attachment to a transmission input shaft 15a of a transmission 15. Hybrid module 10 is selectively operable to transmit torque from the internal combustion engine 13 to damper assembly 14 or directly drive damper assembly 14 via an electric motor 16 of hybrid module 10, or combine motor 16 and combustion engine 13 to drive damper assembly 14. Along these lines, hybrid module 10 includes an engine connect/disconnect clutch 18 for selectively connecting damper assembly 14 to a shaft 20, which is configured for non-rotatably connecting to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine, or disconnecting damper assembly 14 from shaft 20 such that torque converter can be driven solely by electric motor 16.

[0012] Electric motor 16 includes a stator 22 and a rotor 24, with stator 22 being fixed to a housing 26 of hybrid module 10. Upon current being provided to coils of stator 22, rotor 24 is rotated about a center axis CA of hybrid module 10 in a known manner, due to rotor 24 including a plurality of permanent magnet segments of rotor 24 that are energized by the current in the coils. The terms axially, radially and circumferentially as used herein are used with respect to center axis CA. Rotor 24 is supported at its inner circumference by a rotor carrier 28. Rotor carrier 28 includes a cylindrical axially extending section 28a supporting the inner circumference of rotor 24 and a radially extending section 28b protruding radially outward from an end of axially extending section 28a to axially align magnet 24 on section 28a.

[0013] Clutch 18 includes a plurality of clutch plates 30, at least some of which are supported in an axially slidable manner at outer diameter ends thereof by splines 32 formed on an inner circumferential surface of axially extending section 28a. At least one of clutch plates 30 are supported in an axially slidable manner at inner diameter ends thereof by an inner support 34 that is fixed to a counter pressure plate 36, which is nonrotatably fixed to shaft 20. Clutch 18 further includes a piston 38 that is axially slidable along an outer circumference of shaft 20 to engage and disengage clutch 18 based on fluid pressure differences on front and rear sides of piston 38. When piston 38 forces clutch plates 30 against counter pressure plate 36, clutch 18 is engaged and torque from shaft 20 is transmitted through clutch plates 30 into rotor carrier 28, which then transmits the received torque to damper assembly 14. Piston 38 is held axially away from clutch plates 30 by a spring 40 supported by a support plate 41. Piston 38 is also resiliently connected to a liftoff control plate 42 that limits the liftoff of piston 38 with respect to clutch plates 30.

[0014] Housing 26 includes an axially extending protrusion 44 provided on an engine side of clutch 18 radially outside of shaft 20. Protrusion 44 supports a ball bearing 46, which rotatably supports a rotor flange 48 on protrusion 44. An inner race of ball bearing 46 sits on an outer circumferential surface of protrusion 44 and rotor flange 48 extends from an outer circumferential surface of the outer race of ball bearing 46 to axially extending section 28a of rotor carrier 28.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of damper assembly 14, which is provided on a transmission side of clutch 18. Damper assembly including a rear damper hub 50 configured for centering drive module 10 on a front support 52 of transmission 15. Rear damper hub 50 also centers a damper spline 56a of a damper output 56 of damper assembly 14 via a bushing 58 and attaches a first or rear spring retainer 60 via fasteners 62, which in this embodiment are bolts. More specifically, rear damper hub 50 includes an axially extending portion 50a extending around an outer circumferential surface of front support 52, with axially extending portion 50a being rotatably received on front support 52 due to a bushing 64 provided radially between an inner circumferential surface of portion 50a and the outer circumferential surface of front support 52. An outer diameter surface of axially extending portion 50a is formed as a pump hub 51 configured for driving an oil pump 54, which is schematically shown in Fig. 2. For example, axially extending portion 50a may be substantially cylindrical with a plurality of

circumferentially spaced flats provided on the outer diameter surface thereof to form pump hub 51. The flats are configured for non-rotatably engaging with corresponding flats of an oil pump input such that pump hub 51 is configured for driving oil pump 54. Alternatively, pump hub 51 may be formed by splines or teeth configured for non- rotatably mating with a corresponding surface of oil pump 54.

[0016] Rear damper hub 50 further includes a radially extending portion 50b protruding radially outward from axially extending portion 50a, which is on a rear side of portion 50b, and from an axial protrusion 50c, which is on a front side of portion 50b. Radially extending portion 50b is fixed to a rear damper cover 66, which is a torque input section for rear damper hub 50, by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 68, which in this embodiment are rivets that pass through both rear torque input section 66 and radially extending portion 50b. Axial protrusion 50c receives bushing 58 on an inner

circumferential surface thereof for centering damper spline 56a. Axial protrusion 50c also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending blind holes 50d formed therein at a front radially extending surface 50e thereof for receiving fasteners 62, which in this embodiment are bolts that connect first spring retainer 60 to rear damper hub 50. Rear damper hub 50 is fixed to rotor carrier 28 by rear damper cover 66 such that damper hub 50 receives torque from the internal combustion engine and electric motor 16 as dictated by clutch 18. Fasteners 70, which in this embodiment are bolts, pass axially through a radially outer end of rear damper cover 66 into radially extending section 28b.

[0017] Damper assembly further includes a front damper hub 72 configured for centering damper assembly 14 on a rear end of shaft 20. Front damper hub 72 includes a rear axially extending protrusion 72a protruding axially forward from a radially extending section 72b. Protrusion 72a has an inner circumferential surface that is supported on the outer circumferential surface of shaft 20 via a bushing 74. Axially extending protrusion 72a also includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending blind holes 72c formed therein at a rear radially extending surface 72d thereof for receiving fasteners 76, which in this embodiment are bolts that connect a second or front spring retainer 78 to front damper hub 72. Radially extending portion 72b protrudes radially outward from axial protrusion 72a and is fixed to a front damper cover 80, which is a torque input section for front damper hub 72, by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 82, which in this embodiment are rivets. Front damper cover 80 extends radially outward from portion 72b and then curves to extend axially along an entirety of the outer circumference of spring retainer 78 and a portion of the outer circumference of spring retainer 60, before curving radially outward along radially extending section 28b of rotor carrier 28. A radially outer end of front damper cover 80 is sandwiched between rear damper cover 66 and the radially outer end of extending section 28b of rotor carrier 28. and radially extending section 28b of rotor carrier 28. Bolts 70 pass through the radially outer end of rear damper cover 66, through the radially outer end of front damper cover 80 and into radially extending section 28b of rotor carrier 28.

[0018] First spring retainer 60 includes a radially inner portion 60a through which bolts 62 pass and a rounded outer portion 60b that supports a plurality of circumferentially spaced first arc springs 60c. Rounded outer portion 60b begins radially inside of springs 60c, then while extending radially outward, curves axially rearward along rearmost edges 60d of springs 60c and back axially frontward along outermost circumferences 60e of springs 60c. Then rounded portion 60b extends back radially inward while extending further frontward, with an outer rim 60f of spring retainer 60 facing second spring retainer 78.

[0019] Second spring retainer 78 includes a radially inner portion 78a through which bolts 76 pass and a rounded outer portion 78b that supports a plurality of

circumferentially spaced first arc springs 78c. Rounded outer portion 78b begins radially inside of springs 78c, then while extending radially outward, curves axially frontward along frontmost edges 78d of springs 78c and back axially rearward along outermost circumferences 78e of springs 78c. Then rounded portion 78b extends back radially inward while extending further frontward, with an outer rim 78f of spring retainer 78 facing first spring retainer 60. More specifically, outer rims 60f, 78f axially face each other. Rear cover 66 and front cover 80 together surround springs 60c, 78c.

[0020] A damper flange 84 is provided axially between spring retainers 60, 78 for activating arc springs 60c, 78c. Damper flange 84 includes first or rear damper tabs 84a configured for contacting circumferential ends of springs 60c and second or front damper tabs 84b configured for contacting circumferential ends of springs 78c. Tabs 84a, 84b extend axially from a radially extending base 84c of flange 84, with tabs 84a extending axially rearward from radially extending base 84c into spaces circumferentially between springs 60c and tabs 84b extending axially forward from radially extending base 84c into spaces circumferentially between springs 78c. Base 84c is fixed to damper output 56 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fasteners 86, which in this embodiment are rivets. A radially inner end 84d of damper flange 84 axially abuts a radially inner end 78g of spring retainer 78. Axially between tabs 84a, 84b damper flange 84 is further provided with a separating and retention tabs 84e between the two sets of springs 60c, 78c configured for separating springs 60c, 78c from each other and retaining springs 60c, 78c.

[0021] Damper output 56, which is configured to transfer torque from damper assembly 14 to transmission 15, includes a radially extending portion 56b fixed to base 84c of drive flange 84 by rivets 86 and an axially extending portion 56c provided with splines 56a on an inner diameter thereof and supporting bushing 58 on an outer diameter thereof.

[0022] Damper assembly 14 is thus configured for transferring torque from rotor carrier 28 along two parallel paths to drive flange 84, which then transfer the torque to transmission input shaft 15a via splines 56a. One of the paths is from rear damper cover 66 to rear damper hub 50, to rear spring retainer 60, to rear springs 60c and then to flange 84 via tabs 84a. The other path is from front damper cover 80 to front damper hub 72, to front spring retainer 78, to front springs 78c and then to flange 84 via tabs 84b.

[0023] Damper assembly 14 has a compact arrangement such that springs 60c, 78c, spring retainers 60, 78, hubs 50, 72, drive flange 84 and damper output 56 are all positioned radially inside of rotor carrier 28 - i.e., these components of damper assembly 14 are closer to center axis CA than rotor carrier 28 - with springs 78c, spring retainer 78, and hubs 50, 72 being directly radially inside of rotor carrier 28 - i.e., these components of damper assembly 14 are closer to center axis CA than rotor carrier 28 and are radially aligned with rotor carrier 28 - and with portions of springs 60c, spring retainer 60, flange 84 and hub 50 being directly radially inside of rotor carrier 28. Rear cover 66 and front cover 80 surround springs 60c, 78c. [0024] Damper assembly 14 centers shaft 20 on front damper hub 72 via bushing 74, which is advantageous because clutch 18 in this embodiment in Figs. 1 and 2 is longer than usual because clutch 18 functions as both a launch and disconnect clutch. The components of damper assembly 14 are arranged and configured to function together to provide centering of shaft 20, centering of damper assembly 14, packaging of damper assembly 16 inside rotor carrier hub 28b, while retaining the functionality of the pump hub from designs that include torque converters.

[0025] In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and examples thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.

[0026] List of Reference Numerals

CA center axis

10 hybrid module

13 internal combustion engine

14 damper assembly

16 electric motor

15 transmission

15a transmission input shaft

18 engine connect/disconnect clutch

20 shaft

22 stator

24 rotor

26 housing

28 rotor carrier

28a cylindrical axially extending section

28b annular radially extending section clutch plates splines

inner support

counter pressure plate piston

spring

support plate

liftoff control plate

housing protrusion

ball bearing

rotor flange

rear damper hub

a axially extending portionb radially extending portionc axial protrusion

d blind holes

e radially extending surface

pump hub

transmission front support oil pump

damper output

a damper spline

bushing

rear spring retainer

a radially inner portion

b rounded outer portionc first arc springs

d rearmost spring edgese outermost spring circumferencesf outer rim

fasteners bushing

rear damper cover

fasteners

fasteners

front damper hub

a rear axially extending protrusionb radially extending sectionc blind holes

d radially extending surface bushing

fasteners

front spring retainer

a radially inner portionb rounded outer portionc second arc springs

d frontmost spring edgese outermost spring circumferencesf outer rim

g radially inner end

front damper cover

fasteners

damper flange

a rear damper tabs

b front damper tabs

c radially extending based radially inner end

e separating and retention tabs fasteners