Hydraulic device for transmission lubrication and clutch cooling for a motor vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic systems for transmission lubrication and clutch cooling in motor vehicles are complex and energy-inefficient, requiring multiple valves and pumps that lead to high equipment complexity and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic device utilizing a reversing pump with a valve arrangement of check valves to direct hydraulic fluid flow for both transmission lubrication and clutch cooling, eliminating the need for additional pumps and complex valve systems, and allowing for energy-efficient operation by controlling the pump's rotation speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional hydraulic system with multiple pumps and valves is used for transmission lubrication and clutch cooling, then both lubrication and cooling functions can be provided, but the equipment complexity and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides hydraulic fluid for both transmission lubrication and clutch cooling operations. The pump delivers fluid to a manifold that distributes it to different outlets depending on the operational requirements, eliminating the need for separate pumps for each function and thereby reducing equipment complexity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the previously separate hydraulic systems for transmission lubrication and clutch cooling into a single integrated system. The manifold merges the fluid delivery paths, allowing one pump to serve both functions through a unified hydraulic circuit, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Device complexity
If a single pump is used for both transmission lubrication and clutch cooling, then equipment complexity is reduced, but the ability to independently control fluid delivery to each function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold divides the single pump's output into separate delivery paths for transmission lubrication and clutch cooling. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow to each function through separate control valves positioned at different outlets of the manifold, maintaining adaptability while using a single pump source.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold acts as an intermediary device between the single pump and the multiple functional outlets. It receives hydraulic fluid from the pump and distributes it to different destinations (transmission and clutch) based on operational requirements, enabling independent control of each function despite the unified pump source.
3Temperature
If continuous cooling of the clutch is provided, then clutch temperature is controlled, but drag losses in the open clutch increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides cooling of the clutch only when required rather than continuously. Control valves regulate the hydraulic fluid flow to the clutch cooling outlets based on actual cooling demand, allowing the clutch to operate in an uncooled state during normal operation to minimize drag losses, and activating cooling only when temperature thresholds are exceeded.
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 simplifies the equipment complexity and reduces energy consumption by using a single reversing pump to manage both lubrication and cooling tasks, ensuring continuous transmission lubrication and on-demand clutch cooling with minimal energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a valve arrangement with at least four check valves which are arranged between the pump ports, the suction inlet and the outlets such that the hydraulic fluid can only be drawn in via the suction inlet on the suction side and can only be output on the pressure side in the direction of the outlets
Implementation Method 2
the outlets are hydraulically connected by means of a connecting portion having a diaphragm and a check valve which blocks in the direction of the second outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A hydraulic device (H, H') for transmission lubrication and clutch cooling comprises a reversing pump (P) in which, depending on the rotation direction of the pump, one of two pump ports (P1, P2) lies on the suction side and the other pump port lies on the pressure side, with a suction inlet (S) for drawing in a hydraulic fluid from a storage container (B), a first outlet (A1) for hydraulic fluid for transmission lubrication, and a second outlet (A2) for hydraulic fluid for clutch cooling. To conduct the hydraulic fluid from the suction inlet to the outlets, a valve arrangement (V) is provided with at least four check valves (R1, R2, R3, R4) which are arranged between the pump ports, the suction inlet and the outlets such that hydraulic fluid can only be drawn in via the suction inlet on the suction side and can only be output on the pressure side in the direction of the outlets. Furthermore, the outlets are hydraulically connected by means of a connecting portion (C) having a diaphragm (D1) and a check valve (R5) which blocks in the direction of the second outlet, so that depending on the rotation direction of the pump, transmission lubrication or combined clutch cooling and transmission lubrication takes place.