Unitized Transmission Valve Body With 3D Hydraulic Orifice Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmission valve bodies with two-dimensional worm trail routing require complex and costly castings due to the need for convoluted flow paths and additional separator plates for fluid communication, leading to increased size and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A unitized valve body manufactured via additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for mechanical fasteners and allowing fluid communication through a monolithic structure with strategically placed orifices connecting hydraulic passages in multiple dimensions, reducing size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valve bodies with separator plates are used to overcome two-dimensional routing limitations, then fluid communication in third dimension is enabled, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve bodies and separator plates into a single unitized valve body structure. The monolithic design integrates what would otherwise be separate components into one unified casting, eliminating the need for assembly of multiple parts and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining three-dimensional fluid communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional worm trail routing to three-dimensional hydraulic passage routing within the unitized valve body. This dimensional change allows fluid passages to cross over and under each other in the third dimension, enabling more direct and efficient fluid communication paths without requiring additional separator plates or complex two-dimensional routing around fasteners.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separator plates with gasket seals are used for fluid communication, then cross-over of hydraulic circuitry is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple valve bodies and separator plates into a single unitized structure. By integrating the separator plate functionality directly into the monolithic valve body design, the need for separate gasketed interfaces is eliminated, thereby removing the stringent manufacturing precision requirements associated with gasket surface machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separator plate and gasket seal components from the traditional multi-body valve assembly. By removing these intermediate components and their associated sealing interfaces, the design avoids the need for high-precision gasket surface machining while maintaining hydraulic circuit connectivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional castings with worm trail routing are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but flow paths become lengthy and convoluted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional hydraulic passages within the unitized valve body to create more direct and efficient fluid flow paths. By utilizing vertical and diagonal passages that extend in the third dimension, the design reduces flow path length and eliminates the need for lengthy, convoluted two-dimensional worm trail routing while maintaining ease of manufacturing through a single additive printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitized valve body structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, defines hydraulic passages, creates flow distribution networks, and eliminates the need for separate separator plates and fasteners. This multi-functionality is achieved through the monolithic design that integrates all these elements into one additive-manufactured component.
4Strength
If additional fasteners are used to connect valve bodies, then structural integrity is maintained, but cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple valve bodies that would require fasteners for connection into a single unitized valve body. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional fasteners entirely, as the monolithic structure provides inherent structural integrity without requiring separate fastening components, thereby reducing assembly time and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A unitized valve body for use in an automatic transmission includes a plurality of first hydraulic passages, a second hydraulic passage and a plurality of orifices. The second hydraulic passage extending through the unitized valve body and configured to be in fluid communication with a plurality of valve bores. Each orifice disposed within the unitized valve body and fluidly connecting the second hydraulic passage to a respective first hydraulic passage of the plurality of first hydraulic passages.