Hydraulic Valve Diverts Fluid to Reduce Drag Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic systems in transmission devices experience high heat losses and inefficiency due to excessive hydraulic fluid volume flow, which is not fully utilized for lubrication and cooling, especially in hybrid vehicle drive trains with engine decouplers, leading to complex system design and reduced overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a lubrication circuit that allows hydraulic fluid to be supplied downstream of a cooling device, featuring a valve device that can divert fluid either to a reservoir or directly to the shifting element, optimizing fluid flow based on operating states to minimize drag torques and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high volume flow of hydraulic fluid is led through the lubrication circuit for cooling and lubrication of the shifting element, then the cooling and lubrication capacity is sufficient, but heat losses increase and overall efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamically controllable valve device that can adjust the volume flow of hydraulic fluid to the shifting element based on operating conditions. The valve device has multiple operating states (first, second, and intermediate states) that enable continuous or stepwise adjustment of fluid flow, allowing the system to optimize between cooling/lubrication needs and energy efficiency in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of hydraulic fluid volume flow dynamically by using the valve device to regulate flow rates. By adjusting the valve opening degree between fully open (first state) and fully closed (second state) positions, the system modifies the flow parameter to match actual operational requirements, reducing unnecessary heat losses while maintaining adequate cooling and lubrication
2Temperature
If the volume flow of hydraulic fluid led through the cooling device is used partially in the lubrication circuit, then cooling capacity is provided, but the other portion causes high heat losses when discharged into the oil sump
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device acts as an intermediary between the cooling device and the lubrication circuit, controlling the distribution and flow of hydraulic fluid. It mediates between the cooled fluid from the cooling device and the shifting element, ensuring that fluid is directed where needed while preventing wasteful discharge into the oil sump, thus reducing heat losses
3Reliability
If the lubrication circuit is dimensioned for high volume flows required by the shifting element, then cooling and lubrication is sufficient, but the system becomes complex and existing transmission hydraulic concepts cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The valve device integrates multiple functions into a single component: it controls fluid flow to the shifting element, regulates cooling fluid distribution, and can operate in multiple states (fully open, fully closed, intermediate positions). This multi-functional design allows the lubrication circuit to be dimensioned for lower flows while still providing adequate cooling and lubrication, maintaining compatibility with existing transmission hydraulic concepts
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamically adjustable valve device allows the system to adapt flow rates to actual needs rather than requiring the circuit to be dimensioned for maximum flow continuously. This dynamic control enables the use of smaller, simpler circuit dimensions while maintaining sufficient cooling and lubrication capacity when needed
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 design improves the overall efficiency of the transmission device by reducing unnecessary fluid circulation, allowing for adjustable fluid supply to the shifting element, minimizing drag torques, and enabling more efficient operation, particularly in hybrid vehicles, allowing for extended purely electrical operation with equal energy needs.
Implementation Method 1
a lubrication circuit (4), which can be supplied with hydraulic fluid downstream of a cooling device (18)
Implementation Method 2
for the cooling and lubrication of a shifting element (28)
Implementation Method 3
for the cooling and lubrication of the shifting element (28)
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic system of a transmission device with a lubrication circuit, which is supplied with hydraulic fluid downstream of a cooling device for cooling and lubrication, is described. One part of the volume flow of hydraulic fluid led through the cooling device is able to be discharged downstream of the cooling device and upstream of the lubrication circuit in the direction of a hydraulic fluid reservoir. A valve device arranged downstream of the cooling device and upstream of the lubrication circuit is provided, which valve device is transferable into a first operating state and into a second operating state depending on the operating condition, whereas, in the first operating state of the valve device, a volume flow of hydraulic fluid supplied to the valve device is able to be discharged at least partially in the direction of the hydraulic fluid reservoir, while, in the second operating state of the valve device, a volume flow of hydraulic fluid supplied to the valve device is able to be supplied at least partially to a shifting element of the transmission device.