Plastic Hydraulic Actuator Cylinders for Compact Transmission Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic actuating devices for motor vehicle transmissions are bulky, heavy, and consume excessive space, which is a concern in modern vehicles where space and weight reduction are critical for fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic actuating device with injection-molded plastic cylinder housings and a flange plate, where the cylinder housings protrude into the transmission housing, reducing the overall size and weight, and incorporating a compact design with integrated sensors and seals for efficient space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional metallic block-shaped actuating cylinders are used, then structural strength and reliability are ensured, but weight and installation space increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of actuating deviceVSAvoidstructural strength of cylinder housing
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal to plastic for the cylinder housing, achieving weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity through careful material selection and design optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction by integrating the flange plate and cylinder housing into a single plastic component, potentially incorporating reinforcement elements to maintain strength while reducing weight compared to solid metallic construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of stationary object

If traditional metallic block-shaped actuating cylinders are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but installation space and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space of actuating deviceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of actuating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the flange plate and cylinder housing into a single integrated plastic component, reducing the number of separate parts from multiple metallic components to one molded piece, thereby reducing installation space and simplifying manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical joining methods (bolts, welds, multiple metallic parts) with a single plastic injection molding process, eliminating complex assembly steps and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3175153B1Hydraulic operating device for operating actuators in a motor vehicle transmission
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 FTE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3175153B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175153B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175153B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic operating device (10) for operating actuators in a motor vehicle transmission, said device comprising at least two actuation cylinders (16), each containing a cylinder housing (18) and an actuation piston (22) guided therein along a cylinder axis (20) in a longitudinally displaceable manner, which actuation piston can be hydraulically loaded and is operatively connected to one of the actuators. The actuation cylinders are combined into a unit that can be flange-mounted on one side, via a flange face (24), to a dividing wall of a transmission housing of the motor vehicle transmission. To this end, the cylinder housings are injection moulded from plastic integrally with a flange plate (28) that runs transversely to the cylinder axes, the flange face being formed on the flange plate. The cylinder housings protrude beyond the flange plate, at least on the side of the flange face, in the direction of the cylinder axes, such that the installation space requirements for the operating device in or on the transmission housing are minimal.