Unitized Transmission Valve Body With 3D Annulus Fluid Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmission valve bodies with two-dimensional worm trail routing require complex, costly, and large castings due to limitations in fluid path design, which are overcome by using separator plates that increase size and complexity, and require additional fasteners and precise machining.
Innovation Solution
A unitized valve body with a plurality of annuluses axially spaced apart, manufactured through additive manufacturing without mechanical fasteners or separator plates, allowing for fluid communication and reduced size through multi-dimensional routing of hydraulic passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separator plates are used to overcome two-dimensional routing limitations, then fluid communication between valve bodies is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve bodies and separator plates into a single unitized valve body structure. The annuluses are integrated directly into the valve body casting, eliminating the need for separate separator plates and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining fluid communication capabilities between different worm trails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional worm trail routing to three-dimensional routing by incorporating annuluses at different radial levels within the valve body. This allows fluid passages to cross over each other in the radial dimension, overcoming the limitations of planar routing without requiring additional valve bodies or separator plates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separator plates with gasket seals are used, then fluid communication is achieved, but manufacturing precision and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separator plate function is merged into the valve body casting itself through the annulus structure. The annuluses are formed as integral parts of the valve body, eliminating the need for separate separator plates and gasket surfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the separator plate and gasket sealing function from the traditional valve body design. By eliminating these separate components and their associated precision machining requirements, the design simplifies manufacturing while maintaining fluid communication capabilities through the integrated annulus passages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve bodies are used to overcome routing limitations, then fluid path flexibility is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve bodies into a single unitized structure with integrated annuluses. This merger maintains the fluid path routing flexibility of multiple separate bodies while eliminating the complexity of assembling and sealing multiple components together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves three-dimensional fluid path routing within a single valve body by utilizing annuluses at different radial levels. This allows complex fluid paths to be routed in multiple dimensions without requiring multiple separate valve bodies, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining routing flexibility.
4Strength
If additional fasteners are used to connect separator plates, then structural integrity is improved, but assembly time and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separator plate function into the valve body casting, creating a unitized structure that requires no additional fasteners. This integration maintains structural integrity through the monolithic construction while eliminating the time-consuming assembly of multiple fastened components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the fastener assembly step from the valve body construction process. By integrating the separator plate function into the casting itself, the design removes the need for additional fasteners and their associated assembly time, while maintaining structural integrity through the unified casting.
Data Source
AI summary
A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a valve bore and an annulus. The valve bore is configured to receive a valve. The annulus is in fluid communication with the valve bore. The annulus defines an outer portion having an outer diameter and an innermost portion located at an interface between the valve bore and the valve. The outer portion having a first axial length and the innermost portion having a second axial length. The first axial length is greater than the second axial length.