Vehicle Transmission Thermal Control Without Fluid Coolers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmission overheating leads to inefficiency, premature wear, and potential catastrophic failure, with conventional transmission fluid coolers being costly and prone to failure, necessitating an alternative thermal management solution.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system that uses sensors to monitor transmission temperature and pressure, predicts potential overheating, and initiates mitigation strategies such as altering shift control logic, activating mechanical devices like fans or vents, and controlling torque to manage heat, thereby reducing transmission temperature and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transmission fluid coolers are added to reduce transmission fluid temperature, then transmission overheating is prevented, but vehicle cost increases and the cooler is prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system uses its own operational characteristics (shift patterns, torque application) to manage temperature without external cooling components. The control system monitors transmission state and autonomously adjusts shift logic to prevent overheating, making the system self-regulating and eliminating dependence on separate cooler components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical transmission fluid cooler system with a control-based thermal management approach. Instead of using physical cooling components, the system uses electronic monitoring and software-based shift logic modification to achieve temperature control, substituting mechanical cooling infrastructure with electronic control mechanisms.
2Temperature
If conventional transmission fluid coolers are used, then transmission temperature is reduced, but the system is costly and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system uses its own operational characteristics (shift patterns, torque application) to manage temperature without external cooling components. The control system monitors transmission state and autonomously adjusts shift logic to prevent overheating, making the system self-regulating and eliminating dependence on separate cooler components.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If thermal mitigation strategies are implemented to prevent overheating, then transmission lifespan is extended, but system complexity increases due to multiple sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions using the same infrastructure: it monitors transmission operational state, predicts temperature trends, determines appropriate mitigation strategies, and executes control actions all through a single integrated control unit. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate dedicated components for each thermal management task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses predictive modeling to anticipate temperature issues before they occur and initiates mitigation strategies in advance. By predicting future transmission state based on current operational characteristics, the system can proactively adjust shift logic before overheating occurs, preventing the need for reactive cooling components.
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 system effectively manages transmission temperature, preventing overheating, reducing wear, and extending the transmission's lifespan by proactively addressing heat-related issues without the need for costly transmission fluid coolers.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical device can be an adjustable speed radiator fan, and activation comprises increasing the speed of the radiator fan
Implementation Method 2
In another instance, the thermal mitigation strategy can specify activation of one or more mechanical devices to increase airflow, decrease air temperature, or both surrounding the transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission is subject to thermal management to prevent damage or failure due to overheating. Sensors can be employed to capture characteristics of a transmission, such as fluid temperature or pressure. Further, a predictive model can be invoked to predict characteristics based on current and future conditions. Characteristics can be compared with a threshold for intervention. A thermal mitigation strategy can be generated and initiated when characteristics satisfy the threshold. The thermal mitigation strategy can specify various actions to dissipate heat, including altering shift control logic and triggering mechanical devices that can increase airflow, reduce air temperature, or both surrounding the transmission.