Transmission Assembly Stator Cooling via Integrated Support Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmission assemblies for hybrid vehicles have complex and unreliable stator cooling circuits due to the arrangement of seals, which complicates assembly and may lead to sealing issues over time.

Innovation Solution

A transmission assembly with a one-piece support element featuring an annular duct for the stator cooling circuit, integrated within the support element, eliminating the need for seals and simplifying assembly while ensuring reliable sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seals are arranged between the cylindrical ring and the stator to seal the cooling circuit, then sealing function is provided, but assembly complexity increases and sealing reliability deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element integrates multiple functions: structural support for the stator, mounting attachment points, and sealed cooling circuit housing. The support element and cylindrical ring form an integrated assembly that eliminates separate sealing components, directly resolving the contradiction by combining structural and sealing functions into a unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is extracted from separate seal components and integrated into the support element-cylindrical ring assembly itself. The interference fit between these components creates the seal, removing the need for additional seal parts and simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If seals are arranged between the cylindrical ring and the half-shell to seal the cooling circuit, then sealing function is provided, but assembly operations become more complex and tightness reliability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support element merges the functions of structural support, mounting attachment, and cooling circuit sealing into a single component. The cylindrical ring and support element work together as an integrated sealed unit, eliminating multiple seal installations and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The interference fit between the support element and cylindrical ring acts as an intermediary sealing mechanism that eliminates the need for separate seal components. This intermediate solution provides reliable sealing while simplifying assembly operations compared to traditional multi-component seal arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a one-piece support element with integrated cooling circuit is used, then assembly simplicity and sealing reliability are improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed as a one-piece component that integrates structural support, mounting features, and the cooling circuit housing into a single manufacturable part. This consolidation simplifies assembly operations while the integrated design allows for efficient manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support element serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support for the stator, offering mounting attachment points for the transmission assembly, and housing the sealed cooling circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies assembly without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a simple and reliable assembly process for the transmission assembly with effective sealing of the stator cooling circuit, enhancing the durability and efficiency of the hybrid vehicle's transmission system.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling circuit for cooling the stator comprising an annular duct associated with inlet and outlet orifices and having a section surrounded by the material of the support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an inner periphery of cylindrical shape cooperating with the body of the stator by an interference fit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference fit: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2900506B1Transmission assembly for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.08.15 VALEO EQUIP ELECTRIC MOTEUR
  • EP2900506B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2900506B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2900506B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, intended for being arranged between a heat engine (52) and a gearbox (53), said assembly including: a rotary electric machine (4) comprising an outer stator (11) having a body and an inner rotor (5); a dry friction clutch (9) comprising a clutch mechanism (91) and a friction disc (93); an engine flywheel (7) intended for being attached to the crankshaft of the heat engine (52) and configured such as to form a reaction plate (92) of the dry clutch (9); an intermediate shaft (6) rotatably coupling the friction disc (93) of the dry friction clutch (9) and the rotor (5) of the electric machine (4); and an integral mounting element (10) intended for attaching the transmission assembly to a case of the gearbox (53) and to a case of the heat engine (52), and covering the dry friction clutch (9), the mounting element (10) engaging with the body of the stator (5) by means of a tight fitting and having a cooling circuit for cooling the stator (11) comprising an annular pipe (55) combined with intake and outlet openings and having a section surrounded by the material of the supporting element (10).