Transmission Fluid Circuit Control for Heat Exchanger Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle transmission systems lack an efficient mechanism to regulate fluid temperature within the transmission, which can lead to improper lubrication and clutch engagement issues, affecting the overall performance and longevity of the powertrain components.
Innovation Solution
A fluid system with a primary and secondary circuit, a valve, and a controller that directs fluid to a heat exchanger based on temperature sensors' readings, adjusting flow rates to maintain the fluid temperature within a desired range, ensuring proper cooling and lubrication of transmission components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the transmission system operates without active temperature control, then the system complexity is reduced, but the fluid temperature cannot be maintained within the desired range, leading to improper lubrication and clutch engagement issues
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is segmented into distinct functional components: a primary fluid circuit for normal operation, a secondary circuit for temperature control, and a valve mechanism for switching between circuits. This segmentation allows the system to maintain temperature control capability while keeping the base transmission system simple.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the primary fluid circuit and the secondary temperature control circuit. The valve selectively directs fluid flow based on temperature conditions, enabling temperature control without requiring complete system redesign.
2Temperature
If fluid is continuously directed to the heat exchanger, then the fluid temperature is controlled, but the transmission efficiency decreases due to excessive cooling when temperature is already optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic or conditional action by using a controller that monitors fluid temperature and selectively activates the secondary circuit only when temperature exceeds the desired range. The valve opens to direct fluid to the heat exchanger only when needed, rather than continuously, thus maintaining temperature control while minimizing interference with normal transmission operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control system incorporates feedback through temperature sensors that continuously monitor fluid temperature and provide signals to the controller. The controller adjusts the valve position based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains temperature within the desired range while avoiding excessive cooling that would reduce transmission efficiency.
3Temperature
If the valve transitions between partially opened positions to adjust flow rate, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to transition between fully closed, partially opened, and fully open positions based on temperature conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables precise control of fluid flow rate to the heat exchanger, improving temperature control precision. The controller manages the complexity by using electronic control signals to actuate the valve, rather than requiring complex mechanical linkages.
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
This solution effectively maintains optimal fluid temperature, enhancing the performance and longevity of transmission components by ensuring proper lubrication and clutch engagement, thereby improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the powertrain.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger configured to cool a fluid in the secondary circuit
Implementation Method 2
The valve is further configured to transition between partially opened positions to adjust a flow rate of the fluid from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a heat exchanger, a transmission, and a controller. The transmission is configured to transfer power within a powertrain. The transmission has a primary fluid circuit, a secondary fluid circuit, and a valve. The secondary fluid circuit is configured to divert the fluid from the primary fluid circuit and deliver the fluid to the heat exchanger. The valve is configured to control diverting fluid from the primary fluid circuit to the secondary fluid circuit. The controller is programmed to, in response to a temperature of the fluid being outside of a desired range, open the valve to direct the fluid toward the heat exchanger via the secondary fluid circuit. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the temperature of the fluid being within the desired range, close the valve to isolate the fluid from the secondary fluid circuit and the heat exchanger.