External Suction-Side Oil Filter Layout for Compact E-Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration systems for work fluid in E-transmissions, such as those used in electric vehicles, occupy significant vertical space, limiting the available volume for other components and making it difficult to fit the transmission into vehicles with reduced vertical space.
Innovation Solution
A canister filter is mounted externally on the transmission housing and fluidically coupled to the suction side of the pump, receiving work fluid directly from the reservoir via a pickup tube without a coarser filter, reducing vertical packing and allowing for a more compact filtration system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pan-style filter system is used on the suction side of the pump, then work fluid can be filtered and collected in a pan, but significant vertical space is occupied beneath the reduction assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is relocated from a vertical arrangement beneath the reduction assemblies to a horizontal arrangement on the exterior side wall of the transmission housing. This dimensional change allows the filter to occupy lateral space rather than vertical space, resolving the contradiction between filtration capability and vertical space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter system is extracted from the internal vertical space beneath the reduction assemblies and positioned on the exterior of the transmission housing. This extraction removes the space-consuming component from the constrained vertical interior volume while maintaining its filtration function.
2Reliability
If a coarse filter and pickup tube are submerged in the sump, then large debris can be prevented from entering the pump, but vertical packing of the sump increases and work fluid volume required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coarse filter and pickup tube assembly is extracted from the sump interior and relocated to the exterior of the transmission housing. This eliminates the need for submerged components within the sump, reducing vertical packing requirements and the volume of work fluid needed to submerge the components.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris prevention function is moved from the vertical dimension (submerged in sump) to the exterior horizontal dimension (mounted on housing side wall). This allows debris filtration without requiring vertical submersion space within the sump.
3Reliability
If traditional screw-on filter systems with two filters are used on the pressure side, then work fluid can be cleaned after exiting the pump, but vertical space is occupied and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction-side filter and the previously separate coarse filter/debris prevention components are merged into a single integrated filter assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate filter components from two or more to one, simplifying the system while maintaining comprehensive filtration and debris prevention capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single filter assembly performs multiple functions: filtering work fluid, preventing large debris entry, and protecting the pump. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate coarse filters and fine filters, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
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
This configuration reduces vertical space requirements, allowing for a more compact transmission assembly that can fit into vehicles with limited vertical space while maintaining effective filtration of work fluid.
Implementation Method 1
the canister filter fluidically coupled to a suction side of a pump
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for work fluid filtration in a transmission. The systems include a work fluid filter system for a transmission comprising: a canister filter arranged on an exterior of a transmission housing, the canister filter fluidically coupled to a suction side of a pump and a reservoir, wherein the canister filter receives work fluid directly from the reservoir via a pickup tube without a filter that is more coarse than the canister filter.