Automotive Transmission Baffle for Fluid Aeration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmissions experience fluid splashing and aeration due to the interaction between the drive member and the transmission fluid in the sump, leading to increased particulates and reduced fluid longevity.
Innovation Solution
A baffle assembly with a lip that engages the torque converter housing and fluid pump, segregating the fluid sump from the drive member and featuring slits or grooves for flexibility to provide a seal, reducing fluid flow and aeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drive member revolves at high speeds to transfer torque efficiently, then productivity is improved, but fluid splashing and aeration increase causing harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
A baffle assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive member and the transmission fluid. The baffle includes a vertical skirt portion that extends downward to engage the drive member and a horizontal lip portion that engages the pump housing, creating a physical barrier that prevents fluid from splashing onto the rotating drive member while allowing high-speed operation to continue
2Reliability
If a rigid seal is used between the baffle and pump housing to prevent fluid leakage, then reliability is improved, but the seal fails due to misalignment and vibration at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal lip portion of the baffle is designed to be resilient rather than rigid, allowing it to flex and conform to the pump housing surface dynamically. This resilience enables the seal to maintain contact and prevent fluid leakage even when relative movement or vibration occurs between the baffle and pump housing during high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lip portion is constructed from resilient material that can deform elastically to accommodate misalignment and vibration. This flexible sealing surface maintains continuous contact with the pump housing, preventing fluid leakage without requiring perfect rigid alignment
3Ease of operation
If the baffle lip is made flexible with slits to accommodate misalignment, then ease of operation is improved, but the structural strength of the lip is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous lip structure is segmented by introducing vertical slits that divide it into multiple flexible segments. These segments can independently deflect and conform to the pump housing surface, improving sealing adaptability while the overall lip structure maintains sufficient strength through the distributed geometry of the slits
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 baffle assembly effectively reduces fluid splashing and aeration, enhancing transmission efficiency by minimizing parasitic and frictional losses and extending fluid longevity.
Implementation Method 1
The lip engages a portion of the torque converter housing and the outer flange. By doing so, the lip provides a seal between the torque converter housing and the outer flange. This segregates fluid in a fluid sump from a drive member housed in the baffle
Implementation Method 2
The lip of the baffle may define a plurality of slits, cuts, or grooves. The lip has an outer edge spaced from the base of the baffle, and the slips, cuts or grooves extend from the outer edge toward the base. The slits, cuts or grooves allow for relative flexibility amongst portions of the lip such that the lip can flex to provide a proper seal
Implementation Method 3
The baffle assembly effectively reduces fluid splashing and aeration, enhancing transmission efficiency by minimizing parasitic and frictional losses and extending fluid longevity
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission in a vehicle includes a gearbox and a differential. Torque is transferred from an output of the gearbox to an input of the differential via a drive member. This transfers torque to enable the differential to distribute the torque amongst wheels of the vehicle. A transmission housing and a torque converter housing are mounted to one another to at least partially house the gearbox and the differential, respectively. A transmission fluid sump is provided between the housings where transmission fluid gathers. A fluid pump pressurizes the fluid and distributes it amongst working parts in the transmission. A baffle assembly partially contains the drive member and segregates the fluid sump from the drive member. One of the baffles in the assembly includes a lip engaging a portion of an outer flange of the pump to provide a seal between the fluid pump and components within the transmission.