The invention relates to a hydraulic system control plate with at least three layers, at least one through-opening being introduced in an inner one of the three layers and being delimited, on at least one part of its surface in the inner layer, by the two other layers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a hydraulic system control plate.
Hydraulic system controls, such as for example transmission controls, normally have two housing halves, optionally also more housing parts, which are separated by a hydraulic system control plate, in the case of transmissions, a transmission control plate. The housing halves or housing parts are thereby sealed by the hydraulic system control plate. In the state of the art, the seal of the housing halves or housing parts is effected by one or more layers of aluminium- or steel sheet of the hydraulic system control plate being provided with sealing elements in the form of beads and/or with coatings made of rubber mixtures.
The hydraulic system control plate thereby normally has through-openings through which hydraulic fluid can flow from the one housing half into the other housing half or from one housing part into another housing part. In the state of the art, the throughflow direction through these holes is thereby perpendicular to the plane of the layers of the hydraulic system control plate.
DE 10 2012 202 759 A1 describes an intermediate plate for transmission controls in which the control plate has three layers, a channel-like recess being stamped into the inner one of the layers. Normally, the connection of the layers here is undertaken in a step which is independent of a seal. As a result, the production of such intermediate plates is very complex. Furthermore, it is not possible with current connection methods to avoid gaping in the region of the channels as a result of pressure changes. The contour course of adjacent channels is, in addition, often so narrow that there is insufficient constructional space for accommodating beads or sealing beads along all the channel edges.
It is the object of the present invention to indicate a hydraulic system control plate in which gaping of the relevant layers relative to each other in the regions adjacent to the channels is prevented. In addition, also no special sealing of the layers relative to each other should preferably be required. Furthermore, it should preferably be possible to dispose channels very closely to each other, and also, if required, to enable an interference-free intersection of channels. Preferably, the hydraulic system control plate should be producible in a simple and economic manner. Therefore, a further object of the present invention is to indicate a method with which a hydraulic system control plate can be produced in a simple and economic manner.
The object is achieved by the hydraulic system control plate according to claim 1 and the method for producing a hydraulic system control plate according to claim 21. The respective dependent claims indicate advantageous developments of the hydraulic system control plate according to claim 1 and of the method according to claim 21.
According to the invention, a hydraulic system control plate is provided, which has at least one first layer, at least one second layer and at least one inner layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The at least one inner layer thereby has at least one through-opening, which penetrates the inner layer. An opening surface of this through-opening extends therefore in the surface of the inner layer. According to the invention, the through-opening in the inner layer is delimited, on at least one part of its extension, by the first layer and the second layer in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the inner layer.
Preferably, the layers are planar so that the mentioned surfaces are advantageously planar.
Preferably, the layers are disposed adjacent to each other.
Advantageously, the hydraulic system control plate according to the invention, in addition to the three mentioned layers, also the at least one inner layer falling within the scope of the present invention under the term layer, can have one or more further layers which are disposed on one side of the first layer, orientated away from the inner layer, and/or on a side of the second layer, orientated away from the inner layer. Advantageously, one, more or all of the mentioned further layers respectively can thereby delimit a through-opening in one or both adjacent ones of the layers on at least one part of the extension of this through-opening in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the corresponding adjacent layer. The corresponding adjacent layer of one given layer is thereby that one of the layers which is nearest the given layer in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the layer.
The hydraulic system control plate according to the invention therefore has at least three of the layers, namely the mentioned first layer, the second layer and the at least one inner layer, however can in addition have further layers so that it can have in total advantageously also four, five, six, seven, eight or more layers.
The mentioned further layers can advantageously have at least one through-opening which overlaps with one of the through-openings of an adjacent one of the layers, in particular in portions, and/or abuts on a through-opening of an adjacent one of the layers in a fluid-permeable manner.
If any number of layers is assumed, it is preferred if each of the layers has at least one through-opening which overlaps with respectively at least one through-opening of all immediately adjacent ones of the layers in a fluid-permeable manner, which through-openings of the adjacent layers respectively in turn overlap with a through-opening of the other adjacent layer of this layer in a fluid-permeable manner. Preferably, respectively at least one through-opening of all the layers together form a fluid-permeable channel which opens outwards, on the one hand, in an outermost of the layers and, on the other hand, in the opposite outermost of the layers outwards. The channel therefore allows throughflow of fluid from one side of the hydraulic system control plate to the opposite side of the hydraulic system control plate. The overlap thereby needs merely to be effected in a fluid-permeable manner, complete overlapping is possible but generally overlapping in portions is sufficient.
If at least five layers are provided, the through-openings in various of those ones of the layers which abut on both sides on others of the layers, can also intersect. If those ones of the layers, the through-openings of which intersect, are separated from each other by at least one further one of the layers, channel portions which intersect can be produced.
If the hydraulic system control plate has precisely the mentioned first layer, the second layer and the inner layer, then advantageously the first layer and/or the second layer have at least one through-opening which overlaps with the mentioned at least one through-opening of the inner layer and/or abuts on this through-opening of the inner layer in a fluid-permeable manner. It is therefore particularly preferred if the first and the second layer respectively have a through-opening which do not mutually overlap, however nevertheless communicate with each other fluidically via the inner layer. Preferably, respectively the outer layers of the layer system forming the hydraulic system control plate, having the first and second layer, the inner layer and all possible further layers, have in this way openings which do not overlap so that the hydraulic system control plate is an intermediate plate through which the fluid can be conducted from the one outer surface of the hydraulic system control plate to the opposite other surface of the hydraulic system control plate, the entry point on the one outer surface relative to the exit point on the opposite other surface being offset mutually, preferably in the direction parallel to the plane of a layer.
There is understood here preferably by overlapping of openings that the opening surfaces of the openings under consideration, in the case of a projection in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the layers in which the openings are present, mutually overlap, i.e. the projections intersect.
According to the invention, one, more or all of the layers comprise aluminium or consist thereof. According to the invention, in addition two adjacent ones of the layers or all of the layers adjacent in pairs are soldered together at least in regions.
It is thereby preferred if one, more or all of the layers, on at least one part of those of its surfaces which are orientated towards other ones of the layers, comprise aluminium solder and/or ceramic solder at least in regions or on all of these surfaces. The mentioned solder on the corresponding surface can therefore cover only a part of the surface which is not identical to the entire surface or else also cover the entire surface. In particular in the case of a planar coating with solder, it is preferred if the solder coating thereby has advantageously a layer thickness of 5 to 20% of the thickness of the relevant layer on one surface, advantageously between 10 and 150, in particular between 20 and 80 μm.
In an advantageous embodiment, the soldering can be undertaken as follows. In a first step, the solder can be applied on at least one metal sheet from which the layers are intended to be produced. From the metal sheet or sheets, then the individual layers can be produced, for example by means of stamping. Advantageously, the layers are then fixed or pressed one on the other by means of a force in order to produce good contact of the soldering points. Surfaces which are both coated with solder can thereby be disposed one on the other, or the surfaces can be disposed such that only one of the adjacent surfaces is coated with solder. Also layers which are not coated with solder can thereby be integrated if they come to lie adjacent to a layer which has a solder coating.
The layers can now advantageously be warmed or heated up to a melting temperature of the solder, for example to 540° C. to 610° C. Advantageously, the melting temperature of the material from which the layers are produced, i.e. the material of the mentioned metal sheets, should be higher than the melting temperature of the solder, for example 650° C.
It is particularly preferred if at least two adjacent ones of the layers or all of the respectively adjacent ones of the layers are soldered together respectively around at least one, preferably more or all of the through-openings in at least one of the respectively adjacent layers. For particular preference, the soldering is thereby effected at least along a line which surrounds the corresponding through-opening and, particularly preferably, extends parallel to an edge of this through-opening. Preferably, the soldering can be effected in a region of constant width in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the line. However, also courses with different widths are possible as an option. The latter is preferred in particular when the channels extend at different spacings relative to each other.
In a likewise advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least two adjacent ones of the layers or all adjacent ones of the layers can be soldered together also over the surface or the whole surface. The soldering can hereby be effected particularly advantageously in a continuous or batch furnace since the layers are connected at the same time not only in pairs. Planar, but not full-surface, connections are possible in particular when large island surfaces are configured between the channels in which, in addition to the circumferential, sufficiently wide soldering around the channels, no separate connection (and seal) is necessary in order to join the layers in a functionally reliable manner.
The soldering is effected preferably with the mentioned aluminium solder and/or ceramic solder. Full-surface soldering can be preferred from a procedural point of view because here particularly simple application of the solder is possible, for example by means of immersion, rolling or spraying.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one of the layers can have a recess and/or an opening into which solder can flow. This makes it possible to operate with an excess of solder so that it is ensured that all of the portions to be soldered together are also soldered and, outside of the regions with recess and/or opening, as constant a solder thickness as possible is adjusted. A constant solder thickness is advantageous for the planarity and reproducibility of the thickness of the hydraulic system control plate. Excess solder can then flow into the recesses and/or via the openings, either into cavities provided for this purpose or externally. The recesses and/or openings are thereby disposed preferably such that they prevent undesired flow of solder in the direction of through-openings, in particular of critical through-openings with small cross-sections, so that it is ensured that all the through-openings are not affected detrimentally by the layer connection. This recess or opening is advantageously configured such that, if the hydraulic system control plate is soldered completely, this opening conducts no hydraulic fluid, i.e. is impermeable for the throughflow of hydraulic fluid. In a finished hydraulic system control plate, advantageously at least one recess and/or at least one opening is present in one layer which is filled partially or completely with solder.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the hydraulic system control plate can have at least one magnet-, spring-, sieve-, sensor-, valve- and/or aperture element. A spring element can be formed for example by a spring plate being cut out in one of the layers, which spring plate is connected to a retaining region surrounding the latter, the spring plate being able to be connected to the retaining region via at least one spring arm, which is produced in the corresponding layer by incisions. Preferably, spring plate, spring arm and retaining region continue one into the other from a metal sheet, i.e. are preferably in one piece with the layer. Alternatively, the spring element can also be integrated as insert part in the hydraulic system control plate, in particular spring elements made of spring-hard metal sheets, preferably made of spring steel, are hereby preferably used. Likewise, more complex insert valves can be integrated. The relevant layer/layers of the hydraulic system control plate can hereby be provided with suitable receiving means devices.
An aperture element can be formed for example by one of the layers, which is disposed between two other ones of the layers, having a through-opening, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of through-openings of both adjacent layers, which through-openings overlap with the mentioned through-opening with a smaller diameter. An aperture (diaphragm) element can, on the other hand, also be formed optionally by two through-openings in mutually adjacent layers overlapping with each other only partially, here in particular oblong through-openings with a direction of extension essentially perpendicular to each other in the layer plane being preferred, as follows in fact from DE 10 2006 031 340 A1.
A magnet element can optionally be disposed in the form of a permanent magnet, for example in or on one of the layers, as is described in DE 20 2016 101 613, the content of which is herewith included in its entirety in this application.
The through-openings can basically have any shapes. Preferably, the through-openings have a closed edge in that layer through which they extend. In some of the layers, in particular in one or both of the outer layers, through-openings can be configured as simple round holes. In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the through-openings can have an oblong extension in the corresponding layer so that this through-opening can form a channel. Such a through-opening can therefore extend along a line and have a constant width in the direction perpendicular to this line. If however interference contours are present in the hydraulic system control plate, it is advantageous to avoid these by reducing the width of this line in portions. It is also possible to change the width specifically, for example to reduce or to widen it over the course specifically, in order to bring about pressure increase- or pressure reduction effects in the throughflowing hydraulic fluid. Such a pressure stabilisation can be used for example in order to prevent cavitation effects.
A thickness of one, more or all of the layers of greater than or equal to 0.2 mm is preferred, preferably greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and/or less than or equal to 4 mm, preferably less than or equal to 1.5 mm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 mm.
The hydraulic system control plate according to the invention can be termed carrier plate. It can be regarded as such as intermediate plate which carries the sealing layers or sealing coatings. The carrier plate can advantageously here have an uncoupling function for seals, sealing structures or sealing elements on the upper side and the lower side of the carrier plate, in particular if the sealing structures on the upper and lower side of the carrier plate extend in a projection into the plane of the carrier plate differently in portions. Preferably, the carrier plate has, on at least one or on both externally situated surfaces thereof, at least in regions or over the entire surface, an elastic coating and/or elastomer as sealing structure. Full-surface coatings can thereby have an essentially constant thickness. Preferably, sealing beads are formed from the elastic coating or the elastomer. With such sealing beads, the hydraulic system control plate can be sealed relative to the housing halves of the hydraulic system control or transmission control.
The hydraulic system control plate according to the invention can preferably also have at least two sealing layers, between which all of the previously mentioned layers, i.e. in particular the first layer, the at least one inner layer and the second layer, are disposed. The sealing layers can be disposed therefore on an upper and a lower side of the hydraulic system control plate. The sealing layers preferably have through-openings which coincide in projection of the sealing layer with the outermost of the layers in a common plane with through-openings in the outermost of the layers to which the corresponding sealing layer is adjacent. However, the diameter need not thereby be identical. In particular, the diameter of one through-opening in the sealing layer can be larger so that the throughflow cross-section through the through-opening in the carrier plate is delimited and hence controlled.
The sealing layers can advantageously comprise steel, constructional steel, spring steel or aluminium or consist thereof. The sealing layers can advantageously have a thickness of greater than or equal to 0.075 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.10 mm, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 0.15 mm and/or less than or equal to 0.6 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.25 mm.
The sealing layers preferably have sealing structures which are formed from full-surface or partial elastomer coatings and/or are formed from beads, for example whole and/or half-beads, a bead top of the beads, preferably in the case of full beads, pointing away from the mentioned inner layer. In the case of incorporation of the hydraulic system control plate between the housing halves, the bead tops would therefore be orientated toward the housing halves.
The sealing layers can be connected conventionally to those of the layers on which they are disposed and possibly also to further layers adjacent to the latter, for example by means of one or more connection points, as is described in DE 10 2012 003 149. In particular in the case of sealing layers without an elastomer coating, the possibility also exists of joining the sealing layers to the layers integrally.
Likewise, it is possible optionally to use soft material as sealing layers, these being preferably glued on the outermost of the layer/layers.
It is advantageous with the layer structure according to the invention that the sealing layers or sealing structures can be configured freely on both sides of the layer arrangement, independently of each other, since the layer arrangement with the at least three layers supports the sealing layers or sealing structures.
Advantageously the hydraulic system control plate can be a transmission control plate.
Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for producing a hydraulic system control plate, in particular a hydraulic system control plate as was described previously. For this purpose, solder is applied on at least one plate of a base material, for example over the entire surface by means of rolling or in portions by means of a printing method. At least one first layer is produced from the at least one plate of the base material, for example stamped out. The application of the solder and the production of the at least one first layer can thereby be effected in any sequence. Subsequently, at least three layers, one of which is the at least one first layer, are subsequently disposed one on the other such that all directly adjacent ones of the layers abut via at least one surface coated with solder, and the layers disposed one on the other are heated to a melting temperature of the solder so that the layers are soldered together.
It is not thereby necessary that all of the at least three layers are produced from the base material. Rather, at least one, preferably at least two, of the at least three layers can be produced not from the plate of base material. It is essential that, on each interface between two layers to be joined together on the surface of at least one of the layers, solder is present.
In the following, the invention is intended to be explained with reference to some Figures, by way of example. The same reference numbers characterise thereby the same or corresponding features. The features shown in the examples can also be produced independently of the concrete example and be combined amongst the examples.
There are shown:
The hydraulic system control plate 1 shown in
In the example shown in
The through-openings 4a to 4d are delimited respectively on at least one part of their extension by the two adjacent layers 2a and 2c in the direction perpendicular to the layer plane. In this way, the through-openings 4a to 4d form channels in the inner layer between the first layer 2a and the second layer 2c.
At their ends, the through-openings 4a to 4d of the inner layer 2b respectively overlap with an opening 5a to 5e of the layer 2a or 6a to 6c in the layer 2c. In this way, the through-openings 4a to 4d in the inner layer 2b form channels in the hydraulic system control plate in which fluid can flow between openings 5a to 5e or 6a to 6c of the first layer 2a and/or of the second layer 2c.
The hydraulic system control plate 1 shown in
On that side of the lower layer 2c, orientated away from the inner layer 2b, the seal is produced by a planar coating of the corresponding lower side of the lower layer 2c. The sealing material 8 can thereby cover completely the corresponding lower side of the layer 2c with the exception of the openings 6b, 3c and further openings.
The layers 2a, 2c, in the example of
In the example shown in
The sealing layers 9a and 9b have beads 10a or 10b which surround the openings 5a or 6a in the corresponding layer 2a or 2c. A bead top of the full beads 10a and 10b is thereby orientated respectively away from the inner layer 2b.
The connection of the sealing layers 9a or 9b to the layers 2a or 2c is effected here only locally, as known from WO 2013011132 A1. For this purpose, the uppermost layer 2a is recessed in section 21a, a web 23a of the sealing layer 9a, separated only partially, was formed in the plane of the layer 2a and is retained there by two projections 22a of the layer 2a. The other illustrated connection point is configured comparably, an only partially separated web 23b of the sealing layer 9b was formed in the plane of the layer 2c and is retained there by two projections 22b of the layer 2c. However, the recess 21b here is provided not only in the layer 2c but continues in both other layers 2b, 2a. The recess 21b could hence be used as particularly large reservoir for receiving excess solder, as is explained also with reference to
The embodiment shown in
All of the layers 2a to 2e, in the illustrated example, are connected together, preferably in pairs over the entire surface via a solder joint 15, this being illustrated explicitly in
The layers 2a, 2b and 2c form essentially the structures shown in
The sealing plates 9a and 9b have a large number of sealing beads 10a, 10b which seal the openings relative to the non-illustrated housing halves of the hydraulic system control. The sealing plates 9a and 9b are configured such that they can be connected together locally respectively with all of the layers 2a to 2e in the manner as clarified in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2016 102 266.5 | Apr 2016 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2017/060228 | 4/28/2017 | WO | 00 |