Sump Filter Biasing Mechanism for Hydraulic Fluid Submersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic fluid filter assemblies in transmission sumps face issues due to manufacturing tolerances, which cause the filter inlet to lift out of the fluid, leading to air entrainment and increased hydraulic fluid volume, resulting in added vehicle mass, cost, and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A sump filter assembly comprising a filter housing, a support member, a retainer member, and a biasing member, where the biasing member preloads the filter housing against the transmission sump to maintain the filter inlet submerged, minimizing the hydraulic fluid volume required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are relaxed, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the filter inlet moves away from the bottom of the sump causing air entrainment
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is designed to self-adjust and self-center on the sump bottom through the interaction of the biasing member and retainer member, eliminating the need for high-precision manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable submersion of the filter inlet
2Reliability
If the volume of hydraulic fluid in the sump is increased, then the filter inlet remains submerged preventing air entrainment, but vehicle mass and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member applies a preliminary downward force on the filter housing to preemptively counteract any upward movement caused by manufacturing tolerances or operational forces, ensuring the filter inlet remains submerged without requiring additional hydraulic fluid volume
3Reliability
If the filter housing is constrained to the bottom of the sump, then air entrainment is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining function is segmented into two independent components: a biasing member that provides downward force and a retainer member that limits upward movement. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively achieving reliable constraint of the filter housing
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer member is designed to be slideably connected to the support member, allowing dynamic adjustment and movement while maintaining the constraint function. This dynamic connection accommodates manufacturing tolerances and operational variations without requiring complex rigid constraints
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 effectively reduces the movement of the filter inlet, minimizing the hydraulic fluid volume needed in the sump, thereby enhancing vehicle performance by preventing air entrainment and reducing system burdens.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member biases the filter housing towards the bottom surface of the transmission sump
Data Source
AI summary
A sump filter assembly for filtering hydraulic fluid supplied by a transmission sump includes a filter housing, a support member, a retainer member, and a biasing member. The filter housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface opposes a bottom surface of the transmission sump. The support member includes a first end portion attached to the filter housing. The retainer member is slideably connected to the support member and includes a first end portion having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining surface opposes the top surface of the filter housing. The biasing member has a first end in contact with the retaining surface of the retainer member and a second end in contact with the top surface of the filter housing.