Patent Publication Number: US-2004045614-A1

Title: Hydraulic interface plate

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001] The present invention relates to motor vehicle sensors and actuators.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Automobiles equipped with automatic transmissions have become ubiquitous. A conventional automatic transmission includes a planetary gearset, a set of bands used to engage parts of the gearset, a set of wet-plate clutches to engage other parts of the gears, a hydraulic system controlling the clutches and bands, and a transmission fluid pump. Numerous solenoid valves or actuators are used to control the flow of transmission fluid through the automatic transmission.  
       [0003] Oftentimes, the solenoid valves are arranged in an array to form a solenoid assembly module. A typical solenoid assembly module consists of plural solenoid valves and sensors that are mounted on a single mounting plate. One side of the mounting plate is formed with fluid ports that are aligned with outlet ports from the solenoids. The other side of the plate is formed with fluid channels that are in fluid communication with the fluid ports. When bolted or otherwise attached to a transmission, the fluid channels on the mounting plate are aligned with corresponding fluid channels in the transmission and the individual solenoids are in fluid communication with the transmission via the mounting plate.  
       [0004] Typically, the configuration of the solenoid assembly module is customer specific, i.e., the channels in the mounting plate are established based on the type of transmission to which the solenoid assembly module is to be mounted. As such, a particular solenoid assembly module configured for a particular transmission fluid channel configuration cannot be used with a transmission having a different fluid channel configuration. Moreover, the overall size of the solenoid assembly module is determined mostly by the layout of the channels, which can result in a module that utilizes space that could otherwise be used for other components.  
       [0005] As such, the present invention has recognized these prior art drawbacks, and has provided the below-disclosed solutions to one or more of the prior art deficiencies.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] A hydraulic interface plate for use with a motor vehicle transmission includes an interface plate that defines an upper surface and a lower surface. An upper fluid routing channel is formed in the upper surface of the plate. A lower fluid routing channel is formed in the lower surface of the plate. A fluid interface port connects the upper fluid routing channel to the lower fluid routing channel.  
       [0007] In a preferred embodiment, the upper fluid routing channel is configured to communicate with a solenoid fluid port established by a solenoid assembly module. Moreover, the lower fluid routing channel is configured to communicate with a transmission fluid channel established by a vehicle transmission. Preferably, the interface plate defines an outer perimeter that is configured to match an outer perimeter established by a solenoid mounting plate.  
       [0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle transmission control system includes a transmission that forms a transmission fluid channel. A solenoid assembly module is attached to the transmission and forms a solenoid fluid port. In this aspect, a hydraulic interface plate is mounted between the solenoid assembly module and the transmission. The hydraulic interface plate routes fluid from the solenoid fluid port to the transmission fluid channel.  
       [0009] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a fluid control system includes a fluid device that establishes a fluid channel. A solenoid assembly module is attached to the fluid device. The solenoid assembly module forms a solenoid fluid port. A hydraulic interface plate is mounted between the solenoid assembly module and the fluid device. The hydraulic interface plate routes fluid from the solenoid fluid port to the transmission fluid channel.  
       [0010] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hydraulic control system;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a solenoid assembly module;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a hydraulic interface plate;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the hydraulic interface plate; and  
     [0015]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a transmission mounting plate. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION  
     [0016] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a hydraulic control system is shown and generally designated  10 . FIG. 1 shows that the system  10  includes a solenoid assembly module  12  and a hydraulic interface plate  14  that are bolted or otherwise affixed to a transmission mounting plate  16  that extends from a vehicle transmission  18 . It can be appreciated that the solenoid assembly module  12  and hydraulic interface plate  14  can be attached to any other hydraulic device that requires an array of solenoid valves to control the flow of fluid thereto.  
     [0017]FIG. 1 shows that the solenoid assembly module  12  includes plural solenoid valves  20  that are attached to a solenoid mounting plate  22 . The solenoid mounting plate  22  is formed with plural threaded solenoid mounting plate fastener holes  24  and a threaded fastener  26 , e.g., a bolt, threadably engages each threaded solenoid mounting plate faster hole  24 . A molded lead frame  28  is mounted above and electrically connected to the solenoid valves  20 . As shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic interface plate  14  defines a thickness  30 .  
     [0018] Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, it is shown that the solenoid mounting plate  22  defines a lower surface  32  (FIG. 2). The interface plate  14  defines an upper surface  34  (FIG. 3) and a lower surface  36  (FIG. 4). Also, the transmission mounting plate  16  defines an upper surface  38  (FIG. 5). It is to be understood that when the system  10  is assembled, the lower surface  32  of the solenoid mounting plate  22  mates with the upper surface  34  of the interface plate  14  and the lower surface  36  of the interface plate  14  mates with the upper surface  38  of the mounting plate  16 .  
     [0019]FIG. 2 shows that the solenoid mounting plate  22  is formed with plural solenoid fluid ports  40  that are in fluid communication with the solenoid valves  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the solenoid fluid ports  40  are bored perpendicular to the bottom surface  32  of the solenoid mounting plate  22 . As further shown in FIG. 2, the solenoid mounting plate  22  has an overall width  42  and an overall length  44 . These dimensions are approximately equal to the below described dimensions of the interface plate  14  and the transmission mounting plate  16 .  
     [0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is shown that the interface plate  14  is also formed with plural interface plate fastener holes  46 . The interface plate fastener holes  46  are formed in the interface plate  14  so that they can be aligned with the threaded solenoid mounting plate fastener holes  24  during assembly. It is to be understood that the threaded fasteners  26  are inserted through the interface plate fastener holes  46  when threadably engaged with the threaded solenoid mounting plate fastener holes  24 .  
     [0021] Referring now only to FIG. 3, it is shown that the hydraulic interface plate  14  includes plural upper fluid routing channels  48  that are milled or otherwise formed laterally in the upper surface  34  of the interface plate  14 . It can be appreciated that the upper fluid routing channels  48  can have different shapes and sizes, as shown in FIG. 3. As further shown, the hydraulic interface plate  14  includes plural interface fluid ports  50 . Preferably, each interface fluid port  50  is bored perpendicularly to the upper surface  34  of the hydraulic interface plate  14  and is located within a respective fluid routing channel  48 . FIG. 3 also shows that the hydraulic interface plate  14  defines an overall width  52  and an overall length  54 . These dimensions are approximately equal to the width  42  and length  44  of the solenoid mounting plate  22 . Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the shape of the perimeter of the hydraulic interface plate  14  is the same as the shape of the perimeter of the solenoid mounting plate  22 . However, it can be appreciated that the interface plate  14  can have a different outer perimeter geometry than the solenoid mounting plate  22 .  
     [0022]FIG. 4 shows that the hydraulic interface plate  14  further includes plural lower fluid routing channels  56  that are milled or otherwise formed laterally in the lower surface  36  of the hydraulic interface plate. As shown, the lower fluid routing channels  56  can have different shapes and sizes and are configured to mate with transmission fluid channels  58  (FIG. 5) formed in the transmission mounting plate  16 . FIG. 4 shows that the interface fluid ports  50 , described above, lead from the upper fluid routing channels  48  to the lower fluid routing channels  56 . It can be appreciated that the thickness  30  (FIG. 1) of the hydraulic interface plate  14  is dependant on the depth of the fluid routing channels  48 ,  56 .  
     [0023]FIG. 5 shows that the transmission mounting plate  16  has an overall width  60  and overall length  62  that are approximately equal to the widths  42 ,  52  and lengths  44 ,  54  of the solenoid mounting plate  22  and the hydraulic interface plate  14 . Also, the transmission mounting plate  16  is formed with plural transmission mounting plate fastener holes  64  through which the threaded fasteners  26  are also inserted when properly engaged with the threaded solenoid mounting plate fastener holes  24 . It can be appreciated that the solenoid mounting plate fastener holes  24  can be smooth-bored while the transmission mounting plate fastener holes  64  can be threaded. Thus, the threaded fasteners  26  can be inserted through the solenoid mounting plate  22  and the interface plate  14  in order to attached the plates  22 ,  24  to the transmission mounting plate  16 .  
     [0024] With the configuration of structure described above, it can be appreciated that the interface plate  14  is in fluid communication with the solenoid valves  20  mounted on the solenoid mounting plate  22  and the transmission  18 . It is to be understood that the interface plate  14  transmits fluid from the individual solenoid valves  20  to the transmission through the upper fluid routing channels  48 , the interface ports  50 , and the lower fluid routing channels  56 . Thus, the positioning of the solenoid valves  20  on the solenoid mounting plate  22  and other components can be based more on the optimal usage of the available space and less on the channels  56  formed in the transmission plate  16 . Moreover, the solenoid assembly module  12  can be standardized while the hydraulic interface plate  14 , specifically the location, the size, and the shape of the upper and lower fluid routing channels  48 ,  56  and the interface ports  50 , can be varied to match transmission mounting plates  16  of varying configurations.  
     [0025] While the particular HYDRAULIC INTERFACE PLATE as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention and thus, is representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it is to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section  112 , sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”