Solenoid Spring Retainer Stabilizer for Valve Body Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solenoids in vehicle automatic transmission and torque converter hydraulic systems tend to become loose and wobble due to the collapse of spring retainers, leading to improper transmission and torque converter operation, including issues like flared shifts, delayed clutch engagements, and gear ratio errors.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer is introduced, which is an inverted U-shaped body made from a stiff but compressible material, such as low carbon steel, designed to fit between the front and rear walls of the spring retainer. This stabilizer prevents the collapse of the spring retainer by maintaining its spring-like properties and ensuring the solenoid remains securely positioned in the valve body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring retainers are used to secure solenoids in valve bodies, then solenoids can be held in place initially, but the spring retainers collapse over time causing solenoids to become loose and wobble
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is divided into two separate functional components: a spring retainer that provides initial securing force and a stabilizer that maintains long-term positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the stabilizer preventing retainer collapse over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer acts as an intermediary component between the spring retainer and the solenoid. It receives the solenoid, maintains its positioning, and prevents the spring retainer from collapsing, thereby extending the overall system's service life and reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If solenoids are secured with spring retainers only, then installation is simple, but solenoids push out of bore and become off-center when pintle acts on valve stem
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is segmented into two components: the spring retainer for initial securing and the stabilizer for maintaining alignment. This allows the system to remain simple to assemble while adding the necessary alignment stabilization function.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system uses a composite structure combining the spring retainer (made of spring steel) and the stabilizer (made of stiff but compressible material like low carbon steel). This composite approach provides both the initial securing force and the long-term alignment stability needed to prevent solenoid push-out.
3Reliability
If spring retainers are used to hold solenoids, then solenoids are initially secured, but the retainers lose spring-like properties and collapse over time
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is divided into two components with different functional lifespans: the spring retainer that may lose its spring properties over time, and the stabilizer that maintains its structural integrity. This segmentation ensures that even when the spring retainer degrades, the stabilizer continues to provide reliable holding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retainer is designed as a shorter-lived component that can be replaced more easily, while the stabilizer is designed to last the life of the solenoid assembly. This approach is economical because the stabilizer prevents collapse and maintains alignment throughout the system's service life.
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 stabilizer effectively prevents the collapse of the spring retainer, maintaining the solenoid's proper alignment and operation, thereby resolving issues related to loose solenoids, wobbling, and subsequent transmission and torque converter problems.
Implementation Method 1
A stabilizer is introduced, which is an inverted U-shaped body made from a stiff but compressible material, such as low carbon steel, designed to fit between the front and rear walls of the spring retainer. This stabilizer prevents the collapse of the spring retainer by maintaining its spring-like properties
Data Source
AI summary
A spring retainer configured to secure a solenoid in a transmission fluid valve body having bores. The solenoid is positioned in the valve body with a neck located at a slot. The spring retainer includes a body having an inverted U-shape with corresponding front and rear walls, the front and rear walls having a top and legs, the legs defining free ends opposite the top, the front and rear walls joined to one another at their respective free ends, at a bend, to space the front and rear walls from one another, the rear wall having a return bend at the top, the return bend extending downward to prevent collapse of the spring retainer when the spring retainer is installed to secure the solenoid in the transmission fluid valve body.