Valve Plate Check Valve Layout for Bidirectional Transmission Pumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid pumps for motor vehicle transmissions and clutches lack a compact and cost-effective design that can efficiently operate in two opposing directions of rotation, leading to suboptimal lubricant supply and increased drag losses.

Innovation Solution

A liquid pump with a valve plate integrating check valves that allow for axial throughflow channels and flow transfer openings, enabling operation in both directions without complex geometries or restoring springs, and incorporating cooling media channels for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate check valves are used to enable bidirectional operation, then the lubricant supply can be directed to different outlets, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional operation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of check valves

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple check valves are merged into a single valve plate component. The valve plate contains multiple valve seats and corresponding receptacles for valve elements, all integrated into one piece. This allows the pump to direct lubricant to different outlets during bidirectional operation without requiring separate check valve assemblies for each direction, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses multiple valve seats for different outlets, provides structural support, and enables bidirectional operation control. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex transverse bores are used in the valve plate for check valves, then the pump can operate in two directions, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional lubricant supplyVSAvoidvalve plate manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve flow paths are arranged substantially in the axial direction rather than requiring complex transverse bores. The throughflow channels extend from the pump plate through the valve plate in the axial direction, allowing standard machining or casting processes to be used without complicated multi-axis drilling operations, thereby significantly easing manufacturing while maintaining bidirectional supply capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If restoring springs are added to the valve elements, then the valve sealing reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve sealingVSAvoidvalve component structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve elements are designed to close and seal automatically under the action of pressure difference across the valve seat. The geometry of the valve element and receptacle creates a self-closing mechanism where the pressure differential during operation provides the necessary force for sealing without requiring external restoring springs, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing component complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design achieves a compact, cost-effective pump that ensures efficient lubricant supply independent of rotation direction, reduces drag losses, and allows for cooling of the drive motor, while maintaining reliable sealing without additional springs.

Implementation Method 1

at least two cooling media channels extend through the valve plate and the pump module to the drive motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through channels:

Implementation Method 2

a throttle may be provided for at least one of the cooling media channels in the valve plate, so as to set the throughflow to a desired value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrottling:

Data Source

PatentUS11686306B2Liquid pump, in particular for providing a supply to a transmission or to a clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 VALEO POWERTRAIN GMBH

AI summary

A liquid pump, in particular for providing a supply to a transmission or to a clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle, includes a drive motor, a pump module which can be operated in two opposing directions of rotation, and at least one inlet and multiple outlets, each of which has at least one corresponding check valve. The pump has a valve plate corresponding to the pump module in which, for each check valve, a valve seat and a receptacle for a valve element interacting with the valve seat are provided.