This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-109753 filed on May 16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a solenoid valve, which can be used as not only as a normally-closed type valve but also as a normally-opened type valve, and which is preferably applied to an automatic transmission apparatus for a vehicle.
An example of a solenoid valve, in which a spool valve and a linear solenoid are assembled together, will be explained with reference to
In the drawings, a normally-closed (N/C) type spool valve is also called as a first three-way valve A, while a normally-opened (N/O) type spool valve is also called as a second three-way valve B.
According to the first three-way valve A, in a condition that a spool 3 is moved to a right-hand position by a biasing force of a return spring 4 when power supply to the linear solenoid 6 is cut off;
The first three-way valve A has a first F/B chamber A7 for pushing back the spool 3 in a right-hand direction, when output oil pressure (that is, oil pressure generated at the first output port A2) is increased.
When the output oil pressure is generated at the first output port A2, such output oil pressure is applied to a large-diameter portion (a first F/B land A5) of a left-hand side of the first F/B chamber A7 and to a large-diameter portion (a first input-port controlling land A4) of a right-hand side of the first F/B chamber A7. Then, a first F/B force is generated in the spool 3 in the right-hand direction depending on a difference of diameters (a difference of areas) of the respective large-diameter portions AS and A4.
The output oil pressure is decided based on a balance among the following forces;
According to the second three-way valve B, in the condition that the spool 3 is moved to the right-hand position by the biasing force of the return spring 4 when power supply to the linear solenoid 6 is cut off;
The second three-way valve B has a second F/B chamber B7 for pushing back the spool 3 in a left-hand direction, when output oil pressure (that is, oil pressure generated at the second output port B2) is increased.
When the output oil pressure is generated at the second output port B2, such output oil pressure is applied to a large-diameter portion (a second F/B land B5) of a right-hand side of the second F/B chamber B7 and to a large-diameter portion (a second input-port controlling land B4) of a left-hand side of the second F/B chamber B7. Then, a second F/B force is generated in the spool 3 in the left-hand direction depending on a difference of diameters (a difference of areas) of the respective large-diameter portions B5 and 34.
The output oil pressure is likewise decided based on a balance among the following forces;
According to the prior arts, however, since the solenoid valve of the N/C type and the solenoid valve of the N/O type are separately formed from each other, those solenoid valves lack versatility.
The present disclosure is made in view of the above points. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a versatile solenoid valve, which can be used as a normally-closed type valve and as a normally-opened type valve. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an oil pressure control device having a versatile solenoid valve.
According to a feature of the present disclosure (for example, as defined in the appended claim 1), a solenoid valve has a first three-way valve of a normally-closed type and a second three-way valve of a normally-opened type.
As above, the solenoid valve of the present disclosure is a versatile valve, which can be used as either the N/C type valve or the N/O type valve.
According to another feature of the present disclosure (for example, as defined in the claim 2), the solenoid valve of the present disclosure has an oil-pressure switching member, which switches over an oil passage to either the first three-way valve or the second three-way valve, so as to supply the oil pressure to such selected valve.
The solenoid valve can be used either as the N/C type valve or the N/O type valve by the switching operation of the oil-pressure switching member.
According to a further feature of the present disclosure (for example, as defined in the claim 3), the first three-way valve has a first feedback chamber, while the second three-way valve has a second feedback chamber. In addition, the oil pressure control device has an assisting-oil-pressure supplying member provided for supplying oil pressure from an outside oil-pressure source to the first feedback chamber, when the second three-way valve is in operation so as to generate an assisting oil pressure therein.
In case of the solenoid valve being used as the N/C type valve, the first feedback force is generated in the first feedback chamber for pushing the spool in the right-hand direction.
In case of the solenoid valve being used as the N/O type valve, the second feedback force is generated in the second feedback chamber for pushing the spool in the left-hand direction.
“the driving force of the linear solenoid”=“the first feedback force (in the right-hand direction)”+“the spring biasing force”
“the driving force of the linear solenoid”+“the second feedback force (in the left-hand direction)”=“the spring biasing force”
The first feedback force is a force of pushing the spool in the right-hand direction, while the second feedback force is a force for pushing the spool in the left-hand direction. Therefore, the biasing force of the return spring cannot be formed as a common biasing force for both of the N/C type and N/O type valves. As a result, the biasing force of the return spring is set at such a low spring force, which is suited to the operation of the N/C type valve. Then, in case of the operation of the N/O type valve, the return spring lacks its biasing spring force.
According to the above feature (of the claim 3), as explained above, the oil pressure control device has the assisting-oil-pressure supplying member for supplying oil pressure to the first feedback chamber, when the second three-way valve is in operation so as to generate the assisting oil pressure therein.
Since the assisting oil pressure is generated in the first feedback chamber when the solenoid valve is operated as the N/O type valve, an assisting force is applied to the spool in the right-hand direction. The assisting force can make up for defection of the spring force of the return spring.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
An embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawing. However, the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiment.
A solenoid valve 1 is applied to an oil pressure control device for an automatic transmission apparatus of a vehicle. The solenoid valve 1 has a spool valve 5 for controlling oil pressure for the transmission apparatus and a linear solenoid 6 for driving the spool valve 5.
The spool valve 5 is composed of; a (common) cylindrical sleeve 2; a (common) spool 3 movably accommodated in the cylindrical sleeve 2 so that it reciprocates in its axial direction; and a return spring 4 for biasing the spool 3 in one axial direction (in a right-hand direction toward to the linear solenoid 6).
The linear solenoid 6 is fixed to one axial end (a right-hand end) of the sleeve 2 so as to move the spool 3 in a direction to the other axial end (a left-hand end) of the sleeve 2 in accordance with power supply to the linear solenoid 6.
A normally-closed three-way valve A (hereinafter also referred to as a N/C type valve A or a first three-way valve A) is provided on a left-hand side of the spool valve 5. A normally-opened three-way valve B (hereinafter also referred to as a N/O type valve B or a second three-way valve B) is provided on a right-hand side of the spool valve 5.
The first three-way valve A, which is provided on the left-hand side of the spool valve 5, will be explained more in detail.
The sleeve 2 of the first three-way valve A (a left-hand portion or a first portion of the sleeve 2) has;
According to the present embodiment, the discharge port 10 is commonly provided for both of the first three-way valve A and the second three-way valve B.
The above ports are arranged in the following order from the left-hand end of the sleeve 2 toward a middle (center) portion thereof; namely, the first F/B port A3, the first input port A1, the first output port A2 and the discharge port 10.
The spool 3 of the first three-way valve A (i.e. a left-hand portion or a first portion of the spool 3) has;
According to the present embodiment, the discharge-port land 11 is commonly provided not only for the first three-way valve A but also for the second three-way valve B.
The above lands are arranged in the following order form the left-hand end of the spool 3 to a center thereof; namely, the first F/B land A5, the first input-port controlling land A4, and the discharge-port controlling land 11.
A first distribution chamber A6, which is communicated to the first output port A2, is formed between the first input-port controlling land A4 and the discharge-port controlling land 11 (that is, a circumferential space around a small-diameter portion of the spool 3). A first feedback (F/B) chamber A7 is formed between the first input-port controlling land A4 and the first F/B land A5 (that is, another circumferential space around another small-diameter portion of the spool 3).
A positional relationship of the first input port A1 and the first input-port controlling land A4 as well as a positional relationship of the discharge port 10 and the discharge-port controlling land 11 is so set that the first three-way valve A is formed as the normally-closed (N/C) type valve.
More exactly, the above positional relationships are defined as below:
As a result, the first output port A2 is communicated only to the discharge port 10. In other words, an output oil pressure is not generated at the first output port A2.
As a result, the first output port A2 is communicated to both of the first input port A1 and the discharge port 10. In other words, communication degrees are changed depending on a moved position of the spool 3, and thereby the output oil pressure is generated at the first output port A2 depending on the position of the spool 3.
As a result, the first output port A2 is communicated only to the first input port A1. In other words, a maximum output oil pressure is generated at the first output port A2.
As explained above, the outer diameter of the first F/B land A5 is made smaller than that of the first input-port controlling land A4. When the oil pressure applied to the first F/B chamber A7 is increased, an axial fluid pressure (a first F/B force) is generated at the spool 3 in the right-hand direction against the driving force of the linear solenoid 6, depending on a land difference (a difference of the outer diameter) between the first input-port controlling land A4 and the first F/B land A5. A displacement of the spool 3 in the axial direction is thereby stabilized to suppress variation of the output oil pressure at the first output port A2.
The second three-way valve B, which is provided on the right-hand side of the spool valve 5, will be explained more in detail.
The sleeve 2 of the second three-way valve B (a right-hand portion or a second portion of the sleeve 2) has;
As explained above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge port 10 is commonly provided for both of the first three-way valve A and the second three-way valve B. The above ports are arranged in the following order from the center of the sleeve 2 toward the right-hand end thereof; namely, the discharge port 10, the second output port B2, the second input port B1, and the second F/B port B3.
The spool 3 of the second three-way valve B (the right-hand portion or a second portion of the spool 3) has;
As explained above, according to the present embodiment, the discharge-port land 11 is commonly provided not only for the first three-way valve A but also for the second three-way valve B.
The above lands are arranged in the following order form the center of the spool 3 to the right-hand end thereof; namely, the discharge-port controlling land 11, the second input-port controlling land B4, and the second F/B land B5.
A second distribution chamber B6, which is communicated to the second output port B2, is formed between the second input-port controlling land B4 and the discharge-port controlling land 11 (that is, a circumferential space around a small-diameter portion of the spool 3). A second feedback F/B chamber B7 is formed between the second input-port controlling land B4 and the second F/B land B5 (that is, another circumferential space around another small-diameter portion of the spool 3).
A positional relationship of the second input port B1 and the second input-port controlling land B4 as well as the positional relationship of the discharge port 10 and the discharge-port controlling land 11 is so set that the second three-way valve B is formed as the normally-opened (N/O) type valve.
More exactly, the above positional relationships are defined as below:
As a result, the second output port B2 is communicated only to the second input port B1. In other words, a maximum output oil pressure is generated at the second output port B2.
As a result, the second output port B2 is communicated to both of the second input port B1 and the discharge port 10. In other words, communication degrees are changed depending on the moved position of the spool 3, and thereby an output oil pressure is generated at the second output port B2 depending on the position of the spool 3.
As a result, the second output port B2 is communicated only to the discharge port 10. In other words, no output oil pressure is generated at the second output port B2.
As explained above, the outer diameter of the second F/B land B5 is made smaller than that of the second input-port controlling land B4. When the oil pressure applied to the second F/B chamber B7 (equal to the output oil pressure at the second output port B2) is increased, an axial fluid pressure (a second F/B force) is generated at the spool 3 in the left-hand direction against the biasing force of the return spring 4, depending on a land difference (a difference of the outer diameter) between the second input-port controlling land B4 and the second F/B land B5. The displacement of the spool 3 in the axial direction is thereby stabilized to suppress variation of the output oil pressure at the second output port B2.
The return spring 4 is a compression coil spring formed in a spiral shape for biasing the spool 3 in the right-hand direction.
An adjusting screw 12 is attached at the left-hand end of the sleeve 2. The return spring 4 is provided in a spring chamber between the adjusting screw 12 and the spool 3 in a compressed condition. The biasing force (a spring load) of the return spring 4 is adjusted by a screwed amount of the adjusting screw 12.
The linear solenoid 6 is a driving member for driving the spool 3 in the left-hand direction by an electromagnetic force generated by the power supply thereto. The linear solenoid 6 is composed of a coil 21 for generating the electromagnetic force, a fixed magnetic circuit (a stator 22 and a yoke 23), a plunger 24 movable depending on the magnetic force generated at the coil 21 so as to drive the spool 3 in the left-hand direction.
The cross sectional structure of the linear solenoid 6 shown in
An operation of the linear solenoid 6 is controlled by an electronic control unit (AT-ECU: not shown). The control unit (AT-ECU) controls a duty ratio of the driving current to be supplied to the linear solenoid 6. When the power supply to the linear solenoid 6 is controlled, the output oil pressures at the first and second output ports A2 and B2 are controlled.
“the driving force of the linear solenoid”=“the first F/B force (in the right-hand direction)”+“the spring biasing force”
“the driving force of the linear solenoid”+“the second F/B force (in the left-hand direction)”=“the spring biasing force”
The solenoid valve 1 has an oil-pressure switching member 7, which switches an oil passage to either one of the first and second three-way valves A and B, so as to supply oil pressure to such selected valve A or B. The solenoid valve 1 further has an assisting-oil-pressure supplying member 8, for supplying oil pressure to the first F/B chamber 7A when the second three-way valve B is operated (that is, when the solenoid valve 1 is used as the N/O type valve).
The oil-pressure switching member 7 supplies the oil pressure from an oil-pressure generating source (for example, an oil pump and a regulator) to either the first input port A1 or the second input port B1.
When the solenoid valve 1 is used as the N/C type valve, the oil pressure from the oil-pressure generating source is supplied to the first input port A1 by the oil-pressure switching member 7.
On the other hand, when the solenoid valve 1 is used as the N/O type valve, the oil pressure from the oil-pressure generating source is supplied to the second input port B1 by the oil-pressure switching member 7.
The assisting-oil-pressure supplying member 8 switches over its oil passage either to the first output port A2 or to an assisting-oil-pressure generating source (for example, the above oil pump and the regulator).
When the solenoid valve 1 is used as the N/C type valve, the oil pressure from the first output port A2 is supplied to the first F/B chamber A7 by the assisting-oil-pressure supplying member 8.
On the other hand, when the solenoid valve 1 is used as the N/O type valve, the oil pressure from the assisting-oil-pressure generating source is supplied to the first F/B chamber A7 by the assisting-oil-pressure supplying member 8.
The present embodiment has the following advantages:
As above, the solenoid valve 1 of the present embodiment is a versatile valve, which can be used as either the N/C type valve or the N/O type valve.
The solenoid valve 1 can be used either as the N/C type valve or the N/O type valve by the switching operation of the oil-pressure switching member 7.
As a result that the assisting-oil-pressure is applied to the first F/B chamber A7, an assisting force is generated in the spool 3 in the right-hand direction. The assisting force can make up for defection of the spring force of the return spring 4, when the solenoid valve is used as the N/O type valve.
As a result of generating the assisting force, when the solenoid valve 1 is used as the N/O type valve, the solenoid valve 1 is balanced so as to be:
“the driving force of the linear solenoid”+“the second F/B force (in the left-hand direction)”=“the spring biasing force”+“the assisting force”
In the above embodiment, the solenoid valve is applied to the oil pressure control device for the automatic transmission apparatus of the vehicle. However, the present disclosure can be applied to any other solenoid valves than the automatic transmission apparatus.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2011-109753 | May 2011 | JP | national |