GEARBOX CONTROL UNIT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transmission control unit, with a valve block carrying a plurality of solenoid valves and with an adapter block for connecting the valve block to a transmission to be controlled pneumatically and / or hydraulically by means of a fluid, wherein control channels are formed in the adapter block, each of which is assigned to at least one solenoid valve, wherein on an underside of a housing of the valve block facing the adapter block, each solenoid valve is assigned an outlet opening, which can each be acted upon by the fluid by means of the assigned solenoid valve, wherein the at least one outlet opening opens into a recess in the underside of the housing of the valve block and each recess of the valve block is framed by ribs like a window frame, and wherein a sealing grid is arranged between the adapter block and the valve block for individually sealing the control channels from one another and from the external environment.

[0002] Conventional motor vehicles today are still predominantly powered by a conventional internal combustion engine, with a transmission downstream of it for torque adjustment. The power flow between the internal combustion engine and the transmission can be temporarily interrupted, for example to perform a gear change, using a clutch arranged between the internal combustion engine and the transmission. Such a transmission can be, for example, a conventional manual transmission that can only be operated manually or a fully automated manual transmission. In the case of an automated manual transmission, gear changes are carried out with the help of actuators that are operated pneumatically and / or hydraulically, for example. With the help of the actuators, shift forks are operated via shift rods, with the help of these shift sleeves can be moved to perform the actual gear change.The actuators are controlled by a transmission control unit, which is generally located on top of the transmission housing. Otherwise, the design of an automated manual transmission largely follows that of a conventional manual transmission, thus achieving the same high level of mechanical efficiency.

[0003] To control the actuators within the transmission, a transmission control unit with a valve block containing several solenoid valves is typically used. The valve block carries the solenoid valves and, in the case of pneumatic actuators, distributes the compressed air to the various actuators. To achieve a specific control behavior, particularly with regard to timing and / or the pressure required to control the actuators, it is necessary to individually adjust the air flow to specified values ​​for each transmission actuator.

[0004] In known designs of such transmission control units, this is achieved at the expense of high manufacturing costs, for example through the use of different solenoid valves with specially adapted cross-sections, custom machining of the bores within the valve block and / or nozzles with different opening cross-sectional areas pressed into standard bores. In addition, to ensure the long-term proper functioning of the transmission control unit, separate filter elements are often required to clean the compressed air or hydraulic fluid, which further increases the manufacturing costs of the transmission control unit. The filter elements can be integrated, for example, in supply or discharge hoses or in solenoid valves. In the event of a defect in a filter integrated into a solenoid valve, it is therefore often necessary to replace the entire solenoid valve or to undertake complex repairs.

[0005] DE202013007241U relates to a flat gasket having at least one metallic layer, wherein at least one through-opening is arranged in the metallic layer and a sieve layer is arranged on at least one side of the metallic layer, which sieve layer covers at least one of the at least one through-opening.

[0006] DE69720312T discloses a manifold and valve device or arrangement comprising a manifold block with a plurality of inlet ports and a plurality of outlet ports, drive-controlled valve means arranged on the manifold block and arranged to selectively control the flow between the inlet and outlet ports upon actuation.

[0007] DE202010006768U discloses a metallic flat gasket having at least one metallic layer having at least two through-openings for mounting elements, wherein the at least one metallic layer is formed from a metallic mesh material.

[0008] WO2018 / 171837A discloses a transmission control unit with a valve block carrying several solenoid valves.

[0009] The invention was therefore based on the object of presenting a transmission control unit which can be produced cost-effectively and has a simplified structural design, in particular due to a reduced number of components and a larger number of identical parts.

[0010] To achieve this object, a transmission control unit is provided which has the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments of this transmission control unit are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] Accordingly, the invention relates to a transmission control unit, with a valve block carrying a plurality of solenoid valves and with an adapter block for connecting the valve block to a transmission to be controlled pneumatically and / or hydraulically by means of a fluid, wherein control channels are formed in the adapter block, each of which is assigned to at least one solenoid valve, wherein on an underside of a housing of the valve block facing the adapter block, each solenoid valve is assigned an outlet opening, which can each be acted upon by the fluid by means of the assigned solenoid valve, wherein the at least one outlet opening opens into a recess in the underside of the housing of the valve block and each recess of the valve block is framed by ribs like a window frame, and wherein a sealing grid is arranged between the adapter block and the valve block for individually sealing the control channels from one another and from the external environment.

[0012] To achieve the stated object, this transmission control unit is additionally provided with the sealing grid having a network of sealing webs that are at least largely congruent with the ribs of the valve block and that form sealing frames, with each recess being assigned a sealing frame and the sealing frames each having a membrane that is formed at most in certain areas. The transmission control unit proposed here considerably simplifies its manufacturing effort because, for example, the outlet openings on the underside of the valve control unit can be of identical design, for example drilled or milled identically. Adaptation to different requirements of the transmission to be controlled, in particular with regard to the volume flows of the fluid used for control, is achieved solely with the aid of the membranes of the sealing grid. If the sealing frame is completely open, minimal flow resistance results.Furthermore, the membrane allows additional functions, such as a filter, to be implemented without requiring additional installation space. Depending on the actuators of the transmission to be controlled, the solenoid valves are electrically switchable and / or controllable valves for a fluid, particularly in the form of compressed air or a substantially incompressible hydraulic fluid.

[0013] An advantageous development of the subject matter of the invention provides that the ribs on the underside of the valve block housing, the individual sealing frames of the sealing grid, and the control channels in the adapter block each have at least largely the same circumferential geometry. This largely prevents a reduction in the flow cross-section through the sealing grid.

[0014] According to the invention, at least one diaphragm has at least one round, preferably circular, nozzle opening for at least one associated solenoid valve. If required, the nozzle opening can also be oval or have a different geometry. This allows individual flow adaptation to the flow channels in the adapter block assigned to the individual solenoid valves and to the transmission to be controlled, without prejudice to the outlet openings standardized according to the invention on the underside of the valve block housing. Furthermore, similar solenoid valves with a maximum necessary cross-section can be used, since the individual flow regulation in the control channels is essentially achieved through the nozzle openings in the diaphragms. The cross-sectional area of ​​the nozzle openings is very small compared to the remaining closed area of ​​the diaphragms in question.

[0015] Furthermore, it can advantageously be provided that at least one membrane is designed as a filter element, at least in part. As a result, additional filters within the valve block that increase the installation space and are otherwise located in particular in the solenoid valves or in supply or discharge lines are eliminated. Furthermore, standardized solenoid valves with identical flow cross-sections can be used as identical parts without an integrated filter function. The filter function can be implemented exactly where it is required, regardless of the use of standardized, filterless solenoid valves. Preferably, a filter element takes up the entire surface of a respective sealing frame. Alternatively, the filter element can also extend over only part of the membrane surface, which in such a configuration is otherwise designed to be impermeable or fluid-tight.

[0016] The embodiment according to the invention provides that at least two nozzle openings of at least two membranes are of different sizes. This allows for individual adjustment of the volume flow of the fluid into the control channels of the adapter block, even though all outlet openings on the underside of the valve block housing are identical. As a result, a reduction in the manufacturing effort of the transmission control unit is achievable.

[0017] Preferably, the material thickness of the membranes is at most equal to the material thickness of the sealing ribs surrounding the membranes. Consequently, the material thickness of the membranes can be adjusted, particularly to increase mechanical strength and prevent vibrations. To simplify the manufacturing process, the membranes are preferably flush with the sealing ribs on one or both sides. Alternatively, the membranes can also be non-flush or at least slightly recessed relative to the sealing ribs on both sides.

[0018] The sealing grid is preferably made of a metallic material. This allows the sealing grid to be used at higher operating pressures and / or temperatures in the area of ​​the pneumatic or hydraulic transmission control unit.

[0019] However, the sealing grid can also be made of a plastic, which enables the sealing grid to be manufactured in a large-scale, lightweight, cost-effective manner and with high reliability in terms of dimensional accuracy.

[0020] However, the sealing grid can also be made of rubber vulcanized to a metallic structure or of silicone bonded to a metallic structure. This results in an excellent sealing effect while simultaneously providing the sealing grid with sufficiently high mechanical and / or thermal resilience.

[0021] The invention is described below with reference to several embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1 a perspective schematic view of a transmission control unit according to the invention with a valve block and an adapter block arranged underneath, Fig. 2 a perspective top view of the adapter block according to Fig. 1 with the valve block removed, Fig. 3 a perspective bottom view of the valve block according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 a first embodiment of a sealing grid of the transmission control unit according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 a second embodiment of a sealing grid for the transmission control unit according to Fig. 1 , and Fig. 6 a third embodiment of a sealing grid for the transmission control unit according to Fig. 1 .

[0022] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a transmission control unit according to the invention. This transmission control unit 10 has a valve block 12 with a substantially cuboid-shaped and largely solid housing 14, on the upper side 16 of which six solenoid valves 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 are arranged, here merely by way of example. These solenoid valves 18 to 28 are electrically controllable and / or regulatable valves for any desired fluid, in particular in the form of compressed air and / or a hydraulic fluid.

[0023] Below the valve block 12 is a likewise substantially cuboid-shaped adapter block 30 for pneumatically and / or hydraulically adapting the functions of the valve block 12 to a motor vehicle transmission (not shown here) to be controlled by means of the solenoid valves 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 of the transmission control unit 10. Furthermore, a first embodiment of a sealing grid 38 according to the invention for fluidic sealing is arranged between the underside 32 of the valve block 12 and the upper side 34 of a housing 36 of the adapter block 30. The sealing grid 38 is designed in the manner of a flat gasket. The sealing grid 38 seals the control channels 42, 44, 46, 48, which are concealed here and formed within the adapter block 30 (see Fig. 2 ) among themselves and with respect to an external environment 40. The valve block 12 is also mechanically firmly connected to the adapter block 30 by means of fastening means not shown.

[0024] According to Fig. 2 The housing 36 of the adapter block 30 has, merely by way of example, four control channels 42, 44, 46, 48, each with a different, polygonal cross-sectional geometry. The four control channels 42, 44, 46, 48 extend completely through the housing 36 of the adapter block 30, starting from its top side 34 to the bottom side 50 of the housing 36 of the adapter block 30. Furthermore, the control channels 42, 44, 46, 48 extend essentially perpendicular to the top side 34 and bottom side 50 of the adapter block 30, with the top side 34 and bottom side 50 of the adapter block 30 extending parallel to one another and being flat.

[0025] The Fig. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the valve block 12 according to Fig. 1 . Each of the three visible solenoid valves 20, 22, 24, as well as the three additional solenoid valves (covered here) of the valve block 12 of the transmission control unit 10, is assigned an outlet opening 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66. Each of these six outlet openings 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 can be individually supplied with the fluid (not shown) by means of one of the associated solenoid valves 20, 22, 24, as well as the associated concealed solenoid valves 18, 26, 28.

[0026] Four trough-like depressions 70, 72, 74, 76 are formed in the underside 32 of the housing 14 of the valve block 12, merely by way of example. Their polygonal circumferential contours essentially correspond to the circumferential contours of the control channels 42, 44, 46, 48 of the adapter block 30. Each of the four recesses 70, 72, 74, 76, produced, for example, by machining, is framed by four of the seven ribs 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 of the valve block 12. These ribs 80 to 92 are integrally formed on the housing 14 of the valve block 12 of the transmission control unit 10.

[0027] The six outlet openings 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 each have an identical cross-sectional geometry or the same diameter, since the necessary adaptation to a fluidic control behavior specified by the transmission is carried out according to the invention solely with the aid of a sealing grid 38 with correspondingly adapted nozzle openings (compare with Fig. 4 Due to the essentially similar design of the outlet openings 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, a significant reduction in the manufacturing costs of the housing 14 of the valve block 12 is achievable. Among other things, the required machining processes, such as milling or drilling, can be considerably simplified.

[0028] The Fig. 4 shows a first embodiment of a sealing grid 38 of the transmission control unit 10 according to Fig. 1 . The sealing grid 38 has sealing webs 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 which are oriented essentially geometrically congruent with the underside ribs 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 of the valve block 12 and which each form one of the four recesses 70, 72, 74, 76 (see. Fig. 3 ) associated circumferential sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120. The four sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120 are each shown with dotted lines. The four sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120 each have, merely as an example, a different polygonal circumferential geometry, which is essentially geometrically congruent with the ribs 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92 on the underside 32 of the valve block 12.

[0029] In each of the four sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120, a closed or fluid-tight membrane 122, 124, 126, 128 is arranged, which is formed at most in certain regions and each has at least one preferably circular nozzle opening 130, 132, 134, 136. Alternatively, the nozzle openings 130, 132, 134, 136 can have any cross-sectional geometry other than circular.

[0030] In order to achieve a specific control behavior, particularly with regard to a desired time behavior and pressure curve, despite the identically designed outlet openings 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66 in the valve block 12, the nozzle openings 130, 132, 134, 136 each have, by way of example only, a circular cross-sectional geometry with a different diameter. Furthermore, the invention enables the use of similar solenoid valves each with an identical, maximum operationally necessary nominal cross-section, resulting in further cost savings. According to the invention, the nozzle openings 130, 132, 134, 136 of at least two membranes 122, 124, 126, 128 are of different sizes or, in the case of a circular cross-sectional geometry, each have a different diameter.

[0031] The membranes 122, 124, 126, 128 can be flush with the sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120 or with the sealing webs 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 on one or both sides. Alternatively, the membranes 122, 124, 126, 128 can also be non-flush with the sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120 on both sides. The material thickness M1 of the sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120 is uniform and at most equal to the material thickness M2 of the four membranes 122, 124, 126, 128.

[0032] The sealing grid 38 can be made entirely of a metallic material or of a thermoplastic, thermosetting, and / or elastomeric plastic. Optionally, the plastic used can be fiber reinforced to increase mechanical strength and temperature resistance. Alternatively, the sealing grid 38, including the membranes 122, 124, 126, 128, can be made of a metallic material and any plastic, preferably a vulcanizable elastomer, such as a rubber or a rubber compound. Furthermore, a silicone or another elastomer can be used instead of rubber or a rubber compound.

[0033] The Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a sealing grid 140 for the transmission control unit 10 according to Fig. 1 . The structural design of this second embodiment of a sealing grid 140 with the four sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120 as well as its three membranes 122, 124, 128 and the three nozzle openings 130, 132, 136 incorporated therein is essentially identical to that of the first embodiment of the sealing grid 38 according to the Figuren 1 and 4 In contrast to the first embodiment, instead of the closed membrane 126 with the nozzle opening 134 therein within the sealing frame 118, a homogeneous filter element 142 is provided here merely by way of example, wherein the filter element 142 completely fills the sealing frame 118. Alternatively, the filter element 142 can also fill the sealing frame 118 only in certain regions, wherein a closed, fluid-tight membrane with an optional nozzle opening or a recess or an empty area can be provided in the remaining surface.

[0034] Through the filter element 142, the sealing grid 140 simultaneously takes over the task of otherwise necessary separate filters, namely to filter the fluid supplied to the associated control channel and thus prevent functional impairments of the actuators within the transmission to be controlled due to any contaminants entrained in the fluid. As a result, separate filters within the solenoid valves and / or any supply or discharge lines for the fluid are no longer required, so that filter-free, identically constructed solenoid valves can be used without any problems, which contributes to further cost optimization of the transmission control unit. Furthermore, in the event of any damage to the filter element 142, any functional impairment of the associated solenoid valve, for example due to detaching filter parts, is reliably excluded, unlike with a solenoid valve with an integrated filter function.This eliminates the need for a costly replacement of the relevant solenoid valve in valve block 12 and subsequent disposal. Each of the other three membranes 122, 124, 128 of the sealing grid 140 according to . Fig. 5 can accordingly have at least in some areas a filter element analogous to the filter element 142.

[0035] The Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of a sealing grid 150 for the transmission control unit 10 according to Fig. 1 . This sealing grid 150 has, like the sealing grid 140, Fig. 5 via the four sealing frames 114, 116, 118, 120, in which the closed, fluid-tight membranes 122, 124, 128 with the circular nozzle openings 130, 132, 136 are formed. Deviating from the second embodiment according to Fig. 5 However, there is no filter element 142 within the right sealing frame 118. Rather, this sealing frame 118 is completely empty or freely continuous and therefore has a full-surface recess 152. As a result, there is no reduction in cross-section and the control channel of the adapter block 30, which is assigned to the sealing frame 118 here only as an example, can be controlled by means of associated solenoid valves (see Fig. 2 , reference numbers 24, 26, 30, 46) are supplied with the highest possible volume flow of the fluid if necessary.

[0036] A sealing grid according to the invention can in principle have sealing frames that are at least partially empty or sealing frames with a recess that is at least partially formed and / or sealing frames with at least partially formed closed, fluid-tight membranes with at least one nozzle opening and / or sealing frames with a filter element that is clamped in at least partially. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0037] 10 Transmission control unit 12 Valve block 14 Valve block housing 16 Top of the housing 18 First solenoid valve 20 Second solenoid valve 22 Third solenoid valve 24 Fourth solenoid valve 26 Fifth solenoid valve 28 Sixth solenoid valve 30 Adapter block 32 Bottom of the housing 34 Top of the adapter block 36 Adapter block housing 38 Sealing grid 40 Surroundings 42 First control channel 44 Second control channel 46 Third control channel 48 Fourth control channel 50 Bottom of the adapter block 56 First outlet opening 58 Second outlet opening 60 Third outlet opening 62 Fourth outlet opening 64 Fifth outlet opening 66 Sixth outlet opening 70 First recess 72 Second recess 74 Third recess 76 Fourth recess 80 First rib 82 Second rib 84 Third rib 86 Fourth rib 88 Fifth rib 90 Sixth rib 92 Seventh rib 100 First sealing rib 102 Second sealing rib 104 Third sealing rib 106 Fourth sealing rib 108 Fifth sealing rib 110 Sixth sealing rib 112 Seventh sealing rib 114 First sealing frame 116 SecondSealing frame 118Third sealing frame 120Fourth sealing frame 122First membrane 124Second membrane 126Third membrane 128Fourth membrane 130First nozzle opening 132Second nozzle opening 134Third nozzle opening 136Fourth nozzle opening 140Sealing grid 142Filter element 150Sealing grid 152Recess M1Material thickness of the sealing frame M2Material thickness of the membrane

Claims

1. Transmission control unit (10) comprising a valve block (12) carrying a plurality of solenoid valves (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) and comprising an adapter block (30) for connecting the valve block (12) to a transmission to be controlled pneumatically and / or hydraulically by means of a fluid, wherein control channels (42, 44, 46, 48) are formed in the adapter block (30) and are each assigned to at least one solenoid valve (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28), wherein on an underside (32), facing the adapter block (30), of a housing (14) of the valve block (12), an outlet opening (56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66) is assigned to each solenoid valve (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) and can be supplied with the fluid by means of the associated solenoid valve (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28), wherein the at least one outlet opening (56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66) opens into a recess (70, 72, 74, 76) in the underside (32) of the housing (14) of the valve block (12), and each recess (70, 72, 74, 76) of the valve block (12) is enclosed by ribs (80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92) in the manner of a window frame, and wherein a sealing grid (38, 130, 140) is arranged between the adapter block (30) and the valve block (12) for individually sealing the control channels (42, 44, 46, 48) from one another and from the external environment (40), wherein the sealing grid (38, 140, 150) has sealing projections (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112), which extend in a net-like manner and are at least largely congruent with the ribs (80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92) of the valve block (12) and form sealing frames (114, 116, 118, 120), wherein a sealing frame (114, 116, 118, 120) is assigned to each recess (70, 72, 74, 76) and the sealing frames (114, 116, 118, 120) each have a membrane (122, 124, 126, 128) which is formed at most in regions, wherein at least one membrane (122, 124, 126, 128) has at least one round nozzle opening (130, 132, 134, 136) for at least one associated solenoid valve (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28), wherein at least two nozzle openings (130, 132, 134, 136) in at least two membranes (122, 124, 126, 128) are of different sizes.

2. Transmission control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the ribs (80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92) on the underside (32) of the housing (14) of the valve block (12), the individual sealing frames (114, 116, 118, 120) of the sealing grid (38, 140, 150), and the control channels (42, 44, 46, 48) in the adapter block (30) each have at least largely the same circumferential geometry.

3. Transmission control unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one membrane (126) is formed at least in regions as a filter element (142).

4. Transmission control unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material thickness (M2) of the membranes (122, 124, 126, 128) is at most equal to the material thickness (M1) of the sealing projections (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) circumferentially enclosing the membranes (122, 124, 126, 128).

5. Transmission control unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing grid (38, 140, 150) consists of a metal material.

6. Transmission control unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing grid (38, 140, 150) consists of a plastics material.

7. Transmission control unit according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sealing grid (38, 140, 150) is formed by a metal material and by an elastomer, in particular a vulcanized-on rubber or a silicone.

8. Transmission control unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the sealing grid (38, 140, 150) consists of a rubber vulcanized onto a metal structure or of a silicone arranged on a metal structure.

9. Transmission control unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve block (12) has six solenoid valves (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28), an outlet opening (56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66) being assigned to each of the solenoid valves (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) of the valve block (12) of the transmission control unit (10).

10. Transmission control unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the six outlet openings (56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66) each have an identical cross-sectional geometry or the same diameter.