Twistlock Transmission Filter Pump Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of transmission filters and pumps using fasteners is labor-intensive, costly, and prone to errors, leading to inadequate connections and noise issues due to improper engagement or premature failure of fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A twistlock attachment feature is implemented, where the filter is inserted into the pump and rotated 90 degrees to engage a twistlock mechanism, eliminating the need for additional fasteners and ensuring a secure connection, with the filter and pump components being injection molded as a single piece to reduce material costs and manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fasteners are used to assemble the filter to the pump, then the connection can be secured, but the assembly becomes labor-intensive, costly, and prone to improper engagement or premature failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing and pump housing are merged into a single integrated component with an integral attachment feature. The attachment feature is formed as part of the pump housing structure, eliminating the need for separate fasteners, clips, or clamping plates. This integration reduces assembly complexity while maintaining secure connection through direct structural coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment function is extracted from separate fastener components and incorporated directly into the pump housing structure. The attachment feature is built-in rather than added, allowing the filter to be secured through the housing integration itself without requiring additional fastening elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If fasteners are used to secure the filter, then connection can be achieved, but additional material costs are incurred and precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment feature is combined with the pump housing as a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need to manufacture separate fasteners, reducing material costs and simplifying the manufacturing process. The integral design allows for fewer production steps and reduced inventory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used for filter and pump assembly, then flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent flexibilityVSAvoidassembly productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter housing and pump housing are merged into an integrated assembly with the attachment feature formed as one piece. This reduces the number of discrete components from multiple separate parts to a unified structure, directly improving assembly productivity by eliminating multiple assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7331771B2Method and apparatus for attaching a transmission filter to a pump

Publication Date: 2008.02.19 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A filter and pump include complementary engagement features such that the filter is inserted into the pump and thereafter rotated approximately 90 degrees to engage a twistlock feature. In this manner, filter attachment is maintained without additional fasteners, spring clips, clamping plates, etc.