Transmission Sealing Baffle for Torque Transfer Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmission systems face challenges in preventing lubricating fluid from flooding the torque transfer member, which is costly and difficult to conform to complex geometries, and fails to maintain an effective seal at high operating temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A sealing baffle with a polymer base, such as DuPont HYTREL 7246, featuring a base, flanges, and a sealing lip that compresses against the transmission case to form a seal, preventing fluid from flooding the torque transfer member, and includes metal inserts for added durability and ease of mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal baffles are used to prevent lubricating fluid from flooding the chain, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer and modifies the geometric parameters of the baffle structure. The polymer material with specific thermal expansion properties and the redesigned geometry with flanges and sealing lips provide effective sealing while reducing complexity and cost compared to traditional metal baffles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by integrating multiple functional elements into a single polymer baffle component. The baffle combines structural support functions with sealing functions through integrated flanges and sealing lips, eliminating the need for separate metal baffle components and reducing overall device complexity
2Reliability
If metal baffles are used to minimize lubricating fluid flooding, then the sealing performance is improved, but the overall transmission dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes thermal expansion parameter changes by designing the polymer baffle to expand when heated by transmission operating temperatures. This thermal expansion causes the sealing lip to press tighter against the transmission case, improving sealing performance without requiring additional space or larger transmission dimensions
3Ease of manufacture
If a polymer baffle is used instead of metal, then the ease of manufacture and conformability to complex geometries is improved, but the durability at high temperatures may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polymer composite material that combines the ease of manufacturing and conformability of polymers with enhanced thermal stability. The specific polymer composition provides both the geometric flexibility needed for complex transmission case geometries and the thermal durability required for high-temperature operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the thermal expansion parameter change of the polymer material to improve sealing effectiveness at operating temperatures. The polymer is selected and designed to expand thermally within the operating temperature range, causing the sealing surfaces to press together more firmly, thereby maintaining durability and sealing performance at high temperatures
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 effectively prevents lubricating fluid from entering the torque transfer member, maintaining a seal across the entire operating temperature range without increasing transmission dimensions or complicating the geometry, ensuring efficient fluid distribution and extended transmission life.
Implementation Method 1
The seal created by compression of the sealing lip against the transmission case
Implementation Method 2
the subsequent thermal expansion of the baffle and sealing lip is maintained over the entire operating temperature range of the transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission having a sealing baffle is disclosed. The transmission further includes a transmission case, a torque converter housing and a torque transfer member. The transmission case has a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket mounted for rotation therein. The torque converter housing has a fluid pump for pumping lubrication fluid. The torque converter housing is configured to mount to the transmission case. The torque transfer member is coupled to the drive sprocket and to the driven sprocket for transferring a driving torque from the drive sprocket to the driven sprocket. The first baffle is mounted to the torque converter housing. The first baffle has a base, a first flange extending from a first side of the base, a second flange extending from a second side of the base and a sealing lip formed in the second flange. The sealing lip contacts the transmission case to form a seal to prevent the fluid from flooding the torque transfer member. The seal created by compression of the sealing lip against the transmission case and the subsequent thermal expansion of the baffle and sealing lip is maintained over the entire operating temperature range of the transmission.