Torque Converter

Torque Converter





The torque converter is a four element assembly. The torque converter contains an impeller, a turbine, a reactor, and a Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) for increased fuel economy. It couples the engine to the turbine shaft assembly, provides torque multiplication and absorbs engine shock of gear shifting.

Impeller and Cover
The impeller and cover assembly drives the impeller blades and pump assembly. The impeller is primarily responsible for driving the turbine with hydraulic fluid by means of centrifugal force. The cover provides a mating surface for the torque converter clutch piston plate and damper assembly.

Turbine
The turbine is driven by centrifugal fluid force from the impeller. The turbine transmits input torque to the drive chain and driven sprocket through the turbine shaft.

Reactor
The reactor redirects fluid flow from the turbine back to the impeller so that fluid rotates in the same direction as the impeller. This action also assists in torque multiplication.

Torque Converter Clutch (TCC)
The Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) provides a mechanical link or direct drive between the engine crankshaft and turbine shaft when applied. The application of the torque converter clutch is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Under certain conditions, the PCM sends the appropriate signal to the TCC solenoid which allows fluid pressure within the torque converter to force the TCC piston plate and damper assembly against the cover creating a mechanical link between the engine and transaxle.

Turbine Shaft
The turbine shaft connects the torque converter stator with the forward/coast/direct clutch cylinder. When applied, the forward/coast/direct clutch cylinder transmits input torque to the reverse/overdrive ring gear assembly, which also acts as the drive sprocket. This allows input torque to be transmitted from the torque converter to the drive chain and driven sprocket.





Geartrain
The geartrain includes the planetary gearsets, apply components, and final drive gearset and differential.

Planetary Gearsets
The automatic transaxle has two planetary gearsets to provide operation in reverse and four forward speeds. The gearsets are comprised of the following components:
^ Low/intermediate sun gear assembly.
^ Low/intermediate carrier assembly.
^ Low/intermediate ring gear assembly.
^ Reverse/overdrive sun gear and shell assembly.
^ Reverse/overdrive carrier assembly.
^ Reverse/overdrive ring gear assembly.





Drive Chain and Sprockets
A chain drive transfers torque from the torque converter turbine to the planetary gearsets. The chain drive is composed of the following components:
^ Reverse/overdrive ring gear assembly which acts as a drive sprocket.
^ Driven sprocket.
^ Drive chain.

The drive chain connects the reverse/overdrive sun gear with the driven sprocket. The final drive sun gear located on top of the driven sprocket meshes with the final drive gearset.








The final drive consists of a planetary gearset that transfers and multiplies torque from the planetary gearsets to the differential. The final drive consists of the following components:
^ Final drive sun gear: is chain driven by the reverse/overdrive ring gear assembly and transfers torque to the final drive carrier.
^ Final drive carrier: the final drive carrier acts as the driven member and is part of the differential case.
^ Final drive ring gear: is held by the converter housing and is always the held member of the final drive planetary gearset.

The differential assembly drives the differential pinion gears and the differential side gears which in turn drive the front wheel driveshaft and joints, and provides differential action if driving wheels are turning at different speeds. The differential assembly consists of the following components:
^ Differential case (part of the final drive carrier).
^ Two pinion gears supported by a pinion shaft.
^ Two side gears supported by the differential case and halfshafts.