Patent Publication Number: US-2021164564-A1

Title: Hydraulic control module and solenoid assembly included therein

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a solenoid assembly for a hydraulic control module for use in a transmission of a motor vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional vehicle powertrain systems known in the art typically include an engine in rotational communication with a transmission. The engine generates rotational torque which is selectively translated to the transmission which, in turn, translates rotational torque to one or more wheels. Typical transmissions are shifted in discrete steps between a high-torque, low-speed mode for starting a vehicle and a high-speed, low-torque mode for vehicle operation at highway speeds. In a manual transmission, shifting is accomplished by the manual controlled engagement of gear sets. In an automatic transmission, shifting is accomplished by the automatic controlled engagement of friction elements. 
     To control shifting in the automatic transmission, a hydraulic control module includes a valve body coupled to a transmission housing of the automatic transmission, with the valve body defining a hydraulic circuit. Hydraulic fluid flowing within the hydraulic circuit facilitates shifting and controlled engagement of the friction elements. 
     To facilitate shifting and controlled engagement of the friction elements of the automatic transmission, the hydraulic control assembly typically includes a pump to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid, and a plurality of valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic circuit. In recent years, such automatic transmissions have used various electronic elements, such as solenoids, to control the plurality of valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic circuit. To couple the solenoids to the valve body, the hydraulic control module additionally includes brackets for coupling the solenoids to the valve body. Traditional brackets are specifically designed for certain automatic transmissions and valve bodies based on dimensional and spacing considerations. 
     However, traditional brackets do not account for tolerances of multiple components of the hydraulic control module, which causes the traditional brackets to inadequately secure the solenoid and causes traditional brackets to, at times, not fasten correctly to the valve body. Traditional brackets also must be designed to account for dimensional stack up of various components of the hydraulic control module, which increases design costs and increases manufacturing time. Also, a clamp load from the tightening of fasteners to fasten the traditional bracket against the solenoid is inadequately controlled, because the clamp load is often too strong, which can damage the solenoid, or is too weak, which allows movement of the solenoid with respect to the valve body, both of which are undesirable. Depending on where the solenoid is clamped by the traditional bracket, traditional valve bodies need to provide mounting tower projections, which increases cost and casting concerns for the valve body. As an alternative to mounting tower projections, traditional valve bodies may use tubular spacers, shims, and/or flat brackets to account for different tolerances, all of which increase costs, therefore making it more difficult to mass-produce traditional brackets and valve bodies. 
     As such, there remains a need to provide an improved bracket for hydraulic control modules. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     A solenoid assembly includes a solenoid adapted to be coupled to a solenoid connecting member extending from a support member. The solenoid assembly also includes a retaining bracket having a body portion and a securing portion extending from the body portion. The body portion is adapted to be removably coupled to the support member. The securing portion is removably coupled to the solenoid. The retaining bracket is moveable between an unsecured position where the retaining bracket is uncoupled from the support member and the solenoid, and a secured position where the body portion of the retaining bracket is coupled to the support member and the securing portion of the retaining bracket is coupled to the solenoid such that the solenoid is secured to the support member. The securing portion of the retaining bracket provides a spring force to the solenoid when the retaining bracket is in the secured position such that the solenoid is biased toward the solenoid connecting member to secure the solenoid between the solenoid connecting member and the securing portion of said retaining bracket. 
     Accordingly, the retaining bracket is able to account for tolerances of multiple components of the hydraulic control module, which allows the retaining bracket to adequately secure the solenoid. Additionally, dimensional stack up of various components is decreased, which decreases design costs and manufacturing time of the solenoid assembly. Also, a clamp load of the retaining bracket from various fasteners does not need to be controlled due to the spring force provided by the securing portion of the retaining bracket, which avoids concerns of the clamp load from being too strong or too weak. Additionally, mounting tower projections are not needed to couple the solenoid to the valve body, which reduces costs, as a result of the body portion of the retaining bracket being adapted to be removably coupled to the support member, and the securing portion being removably coupled to the solenoid, which then allows the securing portion of the retaining bracket to provide the spring force to the solenoid when the retaining bracket is in the secured position. Furthermore, additional tubular spacers, shims, and/or flat brackets are not needed to secure the solenoid between the solenoid connecting member and the securing portion of the retaining bracket to account for tolerances, which also reduces costs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a solenoid assembly including a solenoid adapted to be coupled to a solenoid connecting member, with the solenoid connecting member extending from a support member, and a retaining bracket having a body portion and a securing portion extending from the body portion, with the retaining bracket being in an unsecured position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the solenoid assembly; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the solenoid assembly further including a fastener engageable with the body portion of the retaining bracket to couple the body portion of the retaining bracket to the support member; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the solenoid assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the solenoid assembly, with the retaining bracket being in a secured position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the solenoid assembly, with the retaining bracket in the secured position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a transmission including a transmission housing, with a valve body of a hydraulic control module coupled to the transmission housing; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the valve body of the hydraulic control module defining a hydraulic circuit; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the retaining bracket; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the retaining bracket; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the hydraulic control module including a plurality of the solenoid connecting members, and with the solenoid assembly including a plurality of the retaining brackets and a plurality of the solenoids; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the hydraulic control module including a plurality of the solenoid connecting members, and with the solenoid assembly including a plurality of the retaining brackets and a plurality of the solenoids, with the plurality of retaining brackets being integral with one another at the body portion of each of the retaining brackets; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the solenoid assembly further including a plate for sandwiching the body portion between the support member and the plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a solenoid assembly  30  is generally shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The solenoid assembly  30  includes a solenoid  32  adapted to be coupled to a solenoid connecting member  34 , with the solenoid connecting member  34  extending from a support member  36 . The solenoid  32  may include an outer casing  38 , with the outer casing  38  typically being comprised of metal. The solenoid  32  may also include a terminal  40 . The solenoid  32  extends along a longitudinal axis A. 
     The solenoid assembly  30  also includes a retaining bracket  42  having a body portion  44  and a securing portion  46  extending from the body portion  44 . Typically, the securing portion  46  extends at an angle θ from the body portion  44 , as best shown in  FIG. 10 . Specifically, the securing portion  46  may extend at an angle between 100 and 170 degrees in some embodiments, between 110 and 160 degrees in some embodiments, between 120 and 150 degrees in some embodiments, and between 130 and 140 degrees in some embodiments. The body portion  44  is adapted to be removably coupled to the support member  36 , and the securing portion  46  is removably coupled to the solenoid  32 . The retaining bracket  42  is moveable between an unsecured position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a secured position, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . When in the retaining bracket  42  is in the unsecured position, the retaining bracket  42  is uncoupled from the support member  36 . When the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position, the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  is coupled to the support member  36  and the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  is coupled to the solenoid  32  such that the solenoid  32  is secured to the support member  36 . The securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  provides a spring force to the solenoid  32  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position such that the solenoid  32  is biased toward the solenoid connecting member  34  to secure the solenoid  32  between the solenoid connecting member  34  and the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the solenoid assembly  30  may be used in a hydraulic control module  48  for use with a transmission  50  of a motor vehicle. The transmission  50  includes a transmission housing  52 . The hydraulic control module  48  includes a valve body  54 , with the valve body  54  being adapted to be coupled to the transmission housing  52 . The valve body  54  defines a hydraulic circuit  56 . The hydraulic circuit  56  directs flow of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic circuit  56 , which facilitates shifting of the transmission  50 . It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments the solenoid  32  may be within the interior of the valve body  54 , and in other embodiments the solenoid  32  may be on the exterior of the valve body  54 . 
     It is to be appreciated that any description of the solenoid assembly  30 , namely the retaining bracket  42  and the solenoid  32 , in the hydraulic control module  48  including the valve body  54  also applies to embodiments with the support member  36 . Likewise, any description of the solenoid assembly  30 , namely the retaining bracket  42  and the solenoid  32 , with the support member  36  also applies to embodiments of the hydraulic control module  48  with the valve body  54 . The support member  32  may refer to any structure to which the solenoid  32  is secured, such as a motor, a housing of a parking mechanism, another solenoid, a stand-alone structure, an actuator, valve train assembly, an engine block, a transmission housing, or a solenoid body of a hydraulic control module. 
     When the solenoid assembly  30  is used in the hydraulic control module  48 , the solenoid connecting member  34  extends from the valve body  54 . Typically, the solenoid connecting member  34  integrally extends from the valve body  54 . In other words, the solenoid connecting member  34  and the valve body  54  are one piece. Typically, when the solenoid connecting member  34  integrally extends from the valve body  54 , the solenoid connecting member  34  is machined with the valve body  54 . It is to be appreciated that the solenoid connecting member  34  may also be fastened, welded, or cast to the valve body  54 . 
     The retaining bracket  42  is able to account for tolerances of multiple components of the hydraulic control module  48  as a result of the securing portion  46  providing the spring force, which allows the retaining bracket  42  to adequately secure the solenoid  32 . The spring force provided by the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  helps to account for differences in size due to tolerances between various components of the valve body  54 , which reduces dimensional stack up. Also, a clamp load of the retaining bracket  42  from various fasteners does not need to be controlled due to the spring force provided by the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42 , which avoids concerns of the clamp load from being too strong, which may damage the solenoid  32 , or too weak, which may allow too much movement of the solenoid  32 . For example, in some embodiments, as described in further detail below, the solenoid assembly  30  may have one fastener or may have no fasteners. Additionally, other typical components of typical valve bodies, such as mounting tower projections, are not needed to couple the solenoid  32  to the valve body  54 , which reduces costs, and also decreases manufacturing time as fewer components are needed to secure the solenoid  32  to the valve body  54 . This reduction in cost is, in part, a result of the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  being adapted to be removably coupled to the valve body  54 , and the securing portion  46  being removably coupled to the solenoid  32 , which then allows the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  to provide the spring force to the solenoid  32  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. Furthermore, the retaining bracket  42  eliminates the need of adding tubular spacers, shims, and/or flat brackets to account for different tolerances to secure the solenoid  32  between the solenoid connecting member  34  and the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42 , which also reduces costs. Also, the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  allows control of the spring force, which may prevent the solenoid  32  from moving when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. The spring force may be adjusted, as described in further detail below. Furthermore, having the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  providing the spring force to the solenoid  32  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position such that the solenoid  32  is biased toward the solenoid connecting member  34  to secure the solenoid  32  may allow the hydraulic control module  48  to be free of spacers between the fastener  92  and the solenoid connecting member  34 . 
     The hydraulic control module  48  may include a valve  58 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 , coupled to the valve body  54  to control hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic circuit  56 . Typically, actuation of the solenoid  32  controls the valve  58 , which, in turn, controls hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic circuit  56 . Control of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic circuit  56  may include controlling flow and/or pressure of the hydraulic fluid. The valve  58  may be located anywhere on the valve body  54  to control hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic circuit  56 . In some embodiments, the solenoid  32  may be a linear solenoid or rotary solenoid. In other embodiments, the solenoid  32  is further defined as a hydraulic solenoid valve. In this embodiment, the hydraulic solenoid valve includes the valve  58  and a solenoid portion  60 . The valve  58  typically extends from the solenoid portion  60  along longitudinal axis A. The solenoid connecting member  34  may define a bore  62 . When the solenoid connecting member  34  defines the bore  62 , the valve  58  of the hydraulic solenoid valve may be received within the bore  62  of the solenoid connecting member  34 . Additionally, when the valve  58  of the hydraulic solenoid valve is received within the bore  62  of the solenoid connecting member  34 , the solenoid portion  60  of the hydraulic solenoid valve  58  may be coupled to the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. It is to be appreciated that in some embodiments the solenoid portion  60  may be within an interior of the transmission housing  52 , and in other embodiments the solenoid portion may be on the exterior of the transmission housing  52 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the solenoid  32  may have a bottom solenoid portion  64  and a top solenoid portion  66 , with the bottom solenoid portion  64  being disposed between the valve body  54  and the top solenoid portion  66 . The securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  may coupled to the top solenoid portion  66  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. Coupling the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  to the top solenoid portion  66  eliminates the need for mounting tower projections and/or tubular spacers. Typically, the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  is coupled to the outer casing  38  at the top solenoid portion  66 . It is to be appreciated that the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  may coupled to the bottom solenoid portion  64 . 
     The solenoid connecting member  34  may include a mounting surface  68 . Typically, the mounting surface  68  is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, with the mounting surface  68  facing, when present, the solenoid portion  60 . The solenoid portion  60  may engage the mounting surface  68  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position to secure the solenoid  32  to the valve body  54 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  may have a free end  70  that is unattached from the valve body  54  when in either of the secured and unsecured positions, and the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  may be fixed to the valve body  54  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. The free end  70  of the securing portion  46  may be coupled to the top solenoid portion  66  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. The free end  70  of the securing portion  46  may be coupled to the bottom solenoid portion  64  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. The free end  70  of the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  allows for an easier installation of the retaining bracket  42  to couple the solenoid  32  to the valve body  54 . For example, the free end  70  of the securing portion  46  being unattached from the valve body  54  when in either of the secured and unsecured positions allows the free end  70  to be coupled to the solenoid  32 , and the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  coupled to the valve body  54 . In other words, only one portion, here the body portion  44 , of the retaining bracket  42  is required to be fixed to the valve body  54 , which, in turn, fixes the retaining bracket  42  to the valve body  54 . When the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  is fixed to the valve body  54  and the securing portion  46  is coupled to the solenoid  32 , the solenoid  32  is secured between the solenoid connecting member  34  and the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42 , with the securing portion  46  providing the spring force to the solenoid  32 . Depending on the strength of the spring force, the solenoid  32  may be fixedly secured with respect to the valve body  54  such that the solenoid  32  does not move when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. As described in further detail below, the spring force provided by the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  may be adjusted. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  is further defined as a first securing leg  72  and a second securing leg  74 . The first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  provide the spring force to the solenoid  32  such that the solenoid  32  is biased toward the solenoid connecting member  34  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. In this embodiment, the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  may each have a curved portion  76 , with each curved portion  76  presenting a contact surface  78  to contact and provide the spring force to the solenoid  32  such that the solenoid  32  is biased toward the solenoid connecting member  34  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. The contact surface  78  may contact the top solenoid portion  66  of the solenoid  32 . The contact surface  78  may contact the bottom solenoid portion  64 . As described in further detail below, contacting the top solenoid portion  66  or the bottom solenoid portion  64  allows for a closer nesting when multiple solenoids are adjacent in the valve body  54 . 
     Depending on the spring force required to bias the solenoid  32  toward the solenoid connecting member  34  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position, the curved portion  76  may be adjusted. For example, the curve of the curved portion  76  may be increased with respect to the body portion  44 , i.e., a greater curve, which may increase the spring force, or the curve of the curved portion  76  may be decreased, i.e., a smaller curve, which may decrease the spring force. Additionally, the curve of the curved portion  76  may be adjusted to also account for a greater tolerance for securing the solenoid  32 . For example, the greater the curve of the curved portion  76 , a greater tolerance for securing the solenoid  32  may be provided. Additionally, to adjust the spring force, the thickness of the retaining bracket  42  may be increased to provide a stronger spring force, or may be decreased to provide a smaller spring force. It is to be appreciated that other configurations of the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74 , such as a leaf spring, may be used to provide the spring force. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 6, 9, and 10 , the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  may have a distal securing end  80  spaced from the body portion  44 , with each of the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  defining a securing length SL from the distal securing end  80  to the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42 . The securing length SL of the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  may be adjusted to accommodate different solenoid sizes, such as height, length, and/or width of the solenoid  32 . Similarly, the body portion  44  may have a body length BL. The body length BL may be adjusted to accommodate different solenoid sizes, such as height, length, and/or width of the solenoid  32 . 
     The solenoid  32  may have a furthermost surface  82  spaced from the valve body  54  such that the entire solenoid  32  is disposed between the furthermost surface  82  and the valve body  54 . Typically, the top solenoid portion  66  has the furthermost surface  82 . A solenoid height SH may be defined between the furthermost surface  82  and the valve body  54  when the solenoid  32  is coupled to the solenoid connecting member  34 . When securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  has the distal securing end  80  spaced from the body portion  44 , a retaining height RH may be defined between the distal securing end  80  and the valve body  54  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. In some embodiments, the retaining height RH is less than the solenoid height SH. Having the retaining height RH less than the solenoid height SH decreases the space taken up by the solenoid  32  and the retaining bracket  42  in the hydraulic control module  32 , which ultimately may decrease the overall weight and size of the hydraulic control module  32 . Additionally, having the retaining height RH less than the solenoid height SH allows the retaining bracket  42  to accommodate any sized solenoid  32  because the retaining bracket  42  does not take up any additional space within the valve body  54 , which reduces the overall height, size, and weight of the hydraulic control module  48 . 
     The first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  may define a gap  84  between one another. The gap  84  defined by the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  allows easy access to the terminal  40  and other various components of the solenoid  32  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. Allowing access to the terminal  40  and, if present, a connector or lead frame, when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position allows the terminal  40  to be accessible without removing the retaining bracket  42  from the secured position. 
     When present, the first securing leg  72  and the body portion  44  may be joined together by a first securing bend  86 , and the second securing leg  74  and the body portion  44  may be joined together by a second securing bend  88 . The first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  provide the spring force from the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  to the solenoid  32  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. The spring force provided from the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  may be adjusted. For example, the first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  may be increased with respect to the body portion, i.e., a greater curve, which may increase the spring force, or the first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  may be decreased with respect to the body portion, i.e., a smaller curve, which may decrease the spring force. Specifically, as described above, the angle θ may be adjusted to provide the desired spring force. The spring force from the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  is typically caused from flexing of the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  about the body portion  44  such that the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74  bias the solenoid  32  toward the solenoid connecting member  34 . 
     For an additional example, the curve of the curved portion  76  may also be adjusted to adjust the spring force provided by the first and second securing legs  72 ,  74 . Additionally, the first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  may be adjusted to also account for a greater tolerance for securing the solenoid  32 . Additionally, to adjust the spring force, the thickness of the retaining bracket  42  may be increased to provide a stronger spring force, or may be decreased to provide a smaller spring force. It is to be appreciated that multiple features of the retaining bracket  42 , such as the first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  and the curved portion  76 , may provide the spring force. Typically, the first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  are configured as a lever spring. When the first and second securing bends  86 ,  88  are configured as a lever spring, the curved portion  76  is compressed against the solenoid  32  such that the securing portion  46  of the retaining bracket  42  provides the spring force to the solenoid  32  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. It is to be appreciated that the securing portion  46  may include on any number of securing legs, such as one securing leg, two securing legs (first and second securing legs  72 ,  74 ), three securing legs, or four securing legs. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the valve body  54  may include a secured retaining feature  90  adjacent the solenoid  32 . In this embodiment, the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  is engageable with the secured retaining feature  90  such that the secured retaining feature  90  acts as a fulcrum for the securing portion  46  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. When the secured retaining feature  90  acts as a fulcrum, the securing portion  46  may act as a lever. Typically, the secured retaining feature  90  is integral with the valve body, i.e., one piece. However, it is to be appreciated that the secured retaining feature  90  may be fastened, welded, cast, machined, or defined with the valve body  54 . It is also to be appreciated that the secured retaining feature  90  may extend further from the valve body  54  than shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , or the secured retaining feature  90  may extend less from the valve body  54  than shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . 
     The solenoid assembly  30  may include a fastener  92  engageable with the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  to couple the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  to the valve body  54  when the retaining bracket  42  is in the secured position. As described above, the solenoid  32  may extend along the axis A with the spring force biasing the solenoid  32  along the axis A. The fastener  92  may be configured to provide a fastening force perpendicular to the spring force to fix the retaining bracket  42  in the secured position. Providing the fastening force perpendicular to the spring force to fix the retaining bracket  42  in the secured position may allow the fastener  92  to also act as a fulcrum. Typically, the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  is parallel with respect to an upper surface  93  of the valve body  54 . In one embodiment, the fastener  92  is further defined as a threaded fastener. In such embodiments, the valve body  54  may define a mounting hole  94 , and the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  may define a bracket hole  96 . When present, the threaded fastener extends through the bracket hole  96  and the mounting hole  94  to fix the retaining bracket  42  to the valve body  54 . It is to be appreciated that the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  may be coupled to the valve body  42  by any suitable fastener. For example, as best shown in  FIG. 13 , the solenoid assembly  30  may include a securing plate  98  to couple the body portion  44  of the retaining bracket  42  to the valve body  54 . In such embodiments, the securing plate  98  may be integral with the valve body  54 , i.e., one piece, or the securing plate  98  may be a separate component from the valve body  54 . It is to be appreciated that the securing plate  98  may be integral with the secured retaining feature  90 . Typically, the securing plate  98  sandwiches the body portion  44  between the valve body  54  and the securing plate  98 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the hydraulic control module  48  may include a plurality of the solenoid connecting members  34 , and the solenoid assembly  30  may include a plurality of the retaining brackets  42  and a plurality of the solenoids  32 . In some embodiments, the plurality of retaining brackets  42  are integral with one another at the body portion  44  of each of the retaining brackets  42 . In such embodiments, the retaining bracket  42  may simultaneously mount the plurality of solenoids  32 . Having the retaining bracket  42  and, in some embodiments, a plurality of retaining brackets  42 , with the securing portion  46  allows for a closer nesting of multiple solenoids. Specifically, the plurality of solenoids  32  are able to be closer to one another, which decreases the space taken up by the plurality of solenoids  32 , particularly when used in the hydraulic control module  48 . 
     The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.