Transmission Case Integrated Drain Channel Gravity Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic transmissions experience increased parasitic losses due to accumulation of oil in the upper case, which also affects the oil pump's reservoir and fluid circulation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transmission case with an integrated drain channel and a pan secured to the case, where the drain channel extends longitudinally from one hole to another through the bottom wall, promoting gravity-fed fluid flow from the gearing components to the oil pan, reducing oil-to-component contact and enhancing fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drain holes are enlarged to improve fluid flow, then fluid circulation is enhanced, but structural integrity of the case is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drain channel is segmented into multiple sections: a first section extending from the first hole, a second section extending from the second hole, and these sections are connected by a bottom portion. This segmentation allows the channel to achieve adequate fluid drainage while maintaining case structural integrity by distributing the drainage function across multiple connected segments rather than requiring a single large hole.
2Quantity of substance
If oil accumulates in the upper case, then contact with rotating components increases, but this increases parasitic losses
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated drain channel acts as an intermediary structure that provides a dedicated pathway for oil to drain from the upper case to the pan. By introducing this intermediate drainage structure, oil is efficiently directed away from rotating components through the channel's gravity-fed design, thereby reducing unwanted oil-component contact and associated parasitic losses.
3Productivity
If a tapering channel is used for gravity-fed flow, then fluid drainage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain channel is merged with the case structure as an integrated feature rather than being a separate component. The channel includes a bottom portion that merges the first and second sections, and this integrated design allows the tapering geometry to be formed directly during case manufacturing, reducing overall system complexity despite the tapered geometry.
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 integrated drain channel reduces parasitic losses by improving fluid flow and maintaining an adequate oil reservoir, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and minimizing structural integrity issues related to enlarged drain holes.
Implementation Method 1
a tapering channel extending longitudinally along the central barrel from the first hole to the second hole... The pan may define a fluid reservoir disposed below the first and second holes to receive gravity-fed fluid from the tapering channel
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission includes a torque converter, an output shaft, rotatable gearing components, a case, and a pan secured to the case. The case defines a torque converter housing for receiving the torque converter, an output shaft housing for receiving the output shaft, and a central barrel extending between the torque converter housing and the output shaft housing for receiving the rotatable gearing components. The case further defines a first hole and a second hole through a bottom wall of the central barrel and a tapering channel extending longitudinally along the central barrel from the first hole to the second hole. The pan defines a fluid reservoir disposed below the first and second holes to receive gravity-fed fluid from the tapering channel through the first and second holes.