Clutched Power Transmitting Device Filter Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power transmitting devices with separate clutch and gear sumps face challenges in fluid exchange and contamination, as seals are not effective in preventing the passage of solid particulates between the sumps, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A power transmitting device with a filter element that spans an annular cavity between the sumps, allowing fluid communication while inhibiting the passage of solid particulates, ensuring efficient lubrication and cooling by integrating a filter with sealing contacts on the outer and inner surfaces of the filter element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seals are used to separate clutch sump and gear sump, then fluid exchange between sumps is inhibited, but solid particulates can still pass through seals causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid separation effectivenessVSAvoidsolid particulate contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filter element is introduced as an intermediary component within the seal assembly. The filter element spans across the aperture in the seal and actively captures solid particulates while permitting fluid passage, thus resolving the contradiction by adding a mediating structure that addresses both fluid separation and contamination prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter element is constructed as a porous structure that allows fluid molecules to pass through while blocking larger solid particulates. This porous material enables the seal to simultaneously achieve fluid exchange inhibition and particulate filtration, resolving the technical contradiction between maintaining fluid separation and preventing contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If separate clutch and gear sumps are used, then lubrication and cooling of clutch plates and gears are optimized, but fluid exchange and contamination control become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication efficiencyVSAvoidfluid management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly merges the sealing function with the filtration function into a single integrated component. The seal assembly with the filter element combines fluid separation and particulate filtration capabilities, reducing device complexity while maintaining the benefits of separate sumps for optimized lubrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If filters are added to prevent particulate passage, then contamination is reduced, but fluid exchange between sumps may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolid particulate contaminationVSAvoidfluid flow between sumps

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element utilizes porous material with controlled pore sizes that are small enough to block solid particulates but large enough to permit fluid molecules to pass through freely. This resolves the contradiction by providing a filtering mechanism that does not restrict necessary fluid exchange between the clutch and gear sumps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution enables effective fluid exchange between the sumps, preventing contamination and ensuring efficient lubrication and cooling, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of the power transmitting device.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one filter element can span the at least one aperture. The filter element can be configured to permit fluid communication of the fluid between the first and second sumps through the at least one aperture and can inhibit passage of solid particulates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9163715B2Clutched power transmitting device with filter element

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A power transmitting device can include a clutch, filter and housing defining first and second sumps spaced apart by a first wall. First and second members can meshingly engage and rotate through the first sump. The clutch plates can rotate through the second sump. A third member can be drivingly coupled to the second member and clutch plates. An outer surface of the third member and the first wall can define an annular cavity that fluidly couples the sumps. The filter can be received in the annular cavity about the third member and can include a second wall, outer portion, inner portion, and a filter element. The second wall can define an aperture. The outer portion can seal with the first wall. The inner portion can seal with the outer surface. The filter element can span the aperture to permit fluid communication between the sumps and inhibit passage of solids.