Transmission Valve Block Sealing Grid for Standardized Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmission control units for automated manual transmissions in motor vehicles are costly due to the need for customized solenoid valves, complex machining, and separate filters, which increase manufacturing complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A transmission control unit design featuring a valve block with standardized outlet openings and a sealing grid with adjustable membranes and nozzle openings, allowing for identical solenoid valves and integrated filter functionality without additional space, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If customized solenoid valves with specially adapted cross-sections are used, then the air flow can be individually adjusted for each actuator, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening of each solenoid valve is segmented into a base portion and a variable portion. The base portion remains standardized for cost-effective manufacturing, while the variable portion (located in the sealing grid) provides individual adjustability for each actuator's air flow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable cross-section adjustment function is extracted from the solenoid valve body and relocated to the sealing grid. This allows the solenoid valves to remain standardized while the customization is achieved through interchangeable sealing grid elements with different aperture configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom machining of bores within the valve block is performed, then the control behavior can be optimized, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve block is designed with standardized, simple bores that reduce machining complexity. The control behavior optimization is achieved not through complex bore machining but through the configurable aperture patterns in the sealing grid, which segments the customization function away from the valve block manufacturing.
3Reliability
If separate filter elements are integrated into solenoid valves, then the long-term proper functioning is ensured, but the manufacturing costs and repair complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are merged with the sealing grid assembly rather than being separate components integrated into each solenoid valve. This consolidation reduces the total number of components, simplifies the overall structure, and maintains reliability by ensuring filtration at the control unit's inlet.
4Reliability
If filter elements are integrated into solenoid valves, then the filtration function is provided, but the replacement complexity increases when defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing grid with integrated filter elements is designed as a separate, interchangeable component. When filter elements become defective, only the sealing grid needs to be replaced rather than entire solenoid valves, significantly reducing repair complexity and costs.
5Ease of manufacture
If standardized solenoid valves are used, then the manufacturing costs are reduced, but the individual air flow adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow adjustment function is extracted from the solenoid valve body and implemented through the sealing grid's aperture configuration. This allows standardized solenoid valves to be used while maintaining individual adjustability for each actuator's air flow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing grid acts as an intermediary component between the standardized solenoid valves and the actuators. It provides the adaptability function by configuring aperture patterns that control individual air flow to each actuator, while the solenoid valves themselves remain standardized.
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
This design enables cost-effective production with simplified manufacturing processes, reduced component variability, and integrated filtration, ensuring efficient fluid control and actuator operation.
Implementation Method 1
a valve block (12) carrying a plurality of solenoid valves (18-28)
Implementation Method 2
a sealing grid (38) is arranged between the adapter block (30) and the valve block (12) for individually sealing the control channels (42-48) from one another and from the external environment (40)
Implementation Method 3
separate filter elements are often required to clean the compressed air or hydraulic fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a transmission control unit (10) with a valve block (12) carrying solenoid valves (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) and with an adapter block (30) for connecting the valve block to a transmission controlled by a fluid, wherein control channels (42, 44, 46, 48) are formed in the adapter block, each of which is assigned to at least one solenoid valve, wherein an outlet opening (56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66) is assigned to each solenoid valve on a lower surface (32) of a housing (14) of the valve block facing the adapter block, which can each be supplied with fluid by means of the assigned solenoid valve, wherein the at least one outlet opening opens into a recess (70, 72, 74, 76) in the lower surface (32) of the housing (14) of the valve block, and each recess of the valve block is provided by ribs. (80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92) is framed like a window frame,and wherein a sealing grid (38) is arranged between the adapter block (30) and the valve block (12) to seal the control channels (42, 44, 46, 48) from each other and from the environment (40). The sealing grid (38) is provided to have mesh-like sealing ribs (100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) that are congruent with the ribs of the valve block (12) and form sealing frames (114, 116, 118, 120), with each recess being assigned a sealing frame and each sealing frame having a diaphragm (122, 124, 126, 128).