Bidirectional Transmission Pump With Integrated Valve Plate Check Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid pumps for motor vehicle transmissions and clutches are not compact and cost-effective, lacking efficient mechanisms to manage lubricant flow in opposing directions of rotation.
Innovation Solution
A compact liquid pump design featuring a valve plate with axially oriented check valves and flow transfer openings, allowing for integrated check valves and optional throttles to manage lubricant flow independently of rotation direction, with a closure plate and cooling media channels for cooling the drive motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate check valves are used to manage lubricant flow in opposing directions of rotation, then the pump can provide different lubricant streams to different outlets, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple check valves are integrated into a single valve plate component, where each check valve consists of a valve seat and a valve element with guide wings. This merging of multiple separate check valves into one unified plate structure reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the ability to provide different lubricant streams to different outlets during opposing directions of rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve plate serves as a universal component that houses multiple check valves simultaneously, allowing the pump to function in two opposing directions of rotation. Each check valve within the plate can be selectively activated based on rotation direction, enabling the single valve plate to perform multiple flow control functions
2Ease of manufacture
If transverse bores are used in the valve plate for check valves, then check valves can be installed, but manufacturing becomes more complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are arranged axially along the rotation axis of the pump module, changing from a transverse (radial) arrangement to an axial arrangement. This dimensional change allows the valve plate to be manufactured without complicated transverse bores, as the axial orientation aligns with the natural manufacturing direction and eliminates the need for complex multi-axis machining
3Reliability
If restoring springs are used in check valves, then valve elements can be reset after opening, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The restoring spring component is completely removed from the check valve mechanism. Instead of using a spring to reset the valve element, the design relies on the pressure differential across the valve and the geometry of the guide wings to automatically return the valve element to its closed position after opening, eliminating the need for elastic restoring elements
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve mechanism uses the fluid pressure itself and the geometric configuration of the guide wings to automatically reset the valve element without external assistance. The pressure differential and guide wing geometry work together to push the valve element back to its closed position, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for separate restoring mechanisms
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 efficiently manages lubricant flow in both directions of rotation, reducing drag losses and enabling cooling of the drive motor while eliminating the need for complex geometries and restoring springs.
Implementation Method 1
By means of the cooling media channels, a part of the lubricant stream can be branched off and guided through the drive motor in order to cool the latter
Implementation Method 2
Each valve seat forms together with the assigned receptacle a throughflow channel which is arranged substantially in an axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The application relates to a liquid pump, in particular for providing a supply to a transmission or to a clutch in the drive train of a motor vehicle, having a drive motor (2), having a pump module (3) which can be operated in two opposing directions of rotation, and having at least one inlet (26) and multiple outlets (28, 30, 32), each of which is assigned at least one check valve (36, 38, 39), characterized in that the pump module (3) is assigned a valve plate (5) in which, for each check valve (38, 39), a valve seat (34) and a receptacle (40) for a valve element (36, 38, 39) interacting with the valve seat (34) are provided.