阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆的阀设备 (Valve apparatus for vehicle ) 是由 金载然 长俊豪 高赫柱 于 2020-07-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开了一种用于车辆的阀设备。用于车辆的阀设备包括：壳体,具有开放端和封闭端以形成内部空间,并且形成有从变速器和油冷却器接收变速器流体的第一进入端口和第二进入端口、使变速器流体绕行到变速器的旁通端口以及将变速器流体排出到油冷却器的排出端口；内盖,至少部分地插入到内部空间中,固定到壳体,并具有插入到内部空间中的开孔；操作单元,设置在内盖与壳体的封闭端之间,并且根据变速器流体的温度往复地移动；阀单元,设置在操作单元中,以根据操作单元的运动选择性地打开和关闭旁通端口和排出端口；以及弹性构件,插在内盖与操作单元之间。(The application discloses a valve apparatus for a vehicle. A valve apparatus for a vehicle includes: a housing having an open end and a closed end to form an interior space, and formed with first and second inlet ports to receive transmission fluid from the transmission and oil cooler, a bypass port to bypass the transmission fluid to the transmission, and an exhaust port to exhaust the transmission fluid to the oil cooler; an inner cover at least partially inserted into the inner space, fixed to the housing, and having an opening inserted into the inner space; an operation unit disposed between the inner cover and the closed end of the case and reciprocally moving according to a temperature of the transmission fluid; a valve unit provided in the operation unit to selectively open and close the bypass port and the discharge port according to movement of the operation unit; and an elastic member interposed between the inner lid and the operation unit.)

1. A valve apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the valve apparatus comprises:

a housing having an open end and a closed end to form an interior space, and having a first inlet port on a first side configured to receive transmission fluid from a transmission and a bypass port configured to bypass the transmission fluid to the transmission, and a second inlet port on a second side configured to receive the transmission fluid from an oil cooler and an outlet port configured to discharge the transmission fluid to the oil cooler;

an inner cap having an open end inserted into the inner space, a closed end fixed to the open end of the case, and at least one opening in a portion inserted into the inner space;

an operating unit disposed in the internal space between the inner cover and the closed end of the housing and configured to reciprocally move along a length direction of the housing according to a temperature of the transmission fluid flowing into the housing through the first inlet port;

a valve unit provided in the operation unit and configured to selectively open and close the bypass port and the discharge port according to movement of the operation unit; and

an elastic member interposed between the inner cover and the operation unit and providing elastic force to the operation unit with respect to the inner cover.

2. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes:

a fixing rod having one end fixed to a fixing recess formed on an inner side of the closed end of the case; and

a deformation member having one end partially inserted into the other end of the fixing rod, and configured to expand and contract according to a temperature of the transmission fluid flowing into the housing through the first inlet port, thereby reciprocally moving with respect to the fixing rod.

3. The valve apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deformation member comprises a wax material that contracts and expands in accordance with a temperature of the transmission fluid.

4. The valve apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring that is selectively compressed according to the operation of the operation unit and abuts the inner cap at one end and the deformation member at the other end to provide an elastic force to the operation unit.

5. The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner cover comprises:

the clamping end is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the closed end of the inner cover, so that the clamping end can be clamped by the inner peripheral edge of the open end of the shell;

an insertion portion inserted into the interior of the housing and having a plurality of apertures at predetermined intervals along an outer peripheral edge thereof at positions corresponding to the bypass port and the second entry port;

a first fixing portion formed at a first position near the chucking end between the chucking end and the insertion portion, wherein an outer periphery of the first fixing portion is supported by the inner periphery of the housing;

a second fixing portion formed on an outer periphery of the insertion portion at a second position spaced apart from the first fixing portion, toward the open end of the inner cap, inserted into the opening hole; and

a support portion extending from the second fixing portion toward an opposite side of the catching end, the support portion partially receiving the operating unit and having at least one open groove formed in an outer peripheral edge thereof such that the transmission fluid received from the transmission through the first inlet port flows to the open hole.

6. The valve apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a fixing ring is mounted at the open end of the housing to prevent the inner cover from being separated from the housing.

7. The valve apparatus according to claim 5, wherein first and second seal rings are mounted to the first and second fixing portions, respectively, thereby preventing the transmission fluid flowing into the housing from leaking between the housing and the inner cover.

8. The valve apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the open groove connects the first inlet port with the bypass port through the aperture while the operation unit maintains an initial state of being partially inserted into the support portion.

9. The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein a valve bore having an inclined surface at an inner periphery is formed at the housing at a first position displaced from the first inlet port toward the closed end of the housing corresponding to the valve unit.

10. The valve apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the valve unit comprises:

a valve seat coupled to a coupling step formed in the operating unit and extending outward in a radial direction of the operating unit; and

a close contact member mounted on an outer circumference of the valve seat, wherein the outer circumference of the close contact member selectively makes close contact with the inclined surface of the valve hole according to an operation of the operation unit.

11. The valve apparatus of claim 10, wherein the valve seat is coupled to the coupling step in a removable press-fit state.

12. The valve apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the close contact member is formed of a rubber material and is configured to limit a range of movement of the operation unit while being in close contact with the inclined surface by an elastic force provided by the elastic member, and to enable communication between the first inlet port and the discharge port by opening the valve hole when the operation unit is operated.

13. The valve apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the close contact member is formed in a ring shape having a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the inclined surface;

at least two close contact steps are formed in the close contact member to contact the inclined surface; and is

A groove is formed between the close contact steps.

14. The valve apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least two close contact steps comprise:

a first close contact step that closely contacts the inclined surface at a second position near the first entry port; and

a second close contact step closely contacting the inclined surface at a third position near the discharge port,

wherein the close contact member doubly contacts the inclined surface through the first close contact step and the second close contact step to prevent the transmission fluid from leaking between the close contact member and the valve hole.

15. The valve apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the operation unit is not operated, the valve unit is configured to close the valve hole by maintaining close contact of the close contact member on the inclined surface so that the first inlet port and the discharge port are not connected to each other.

16. The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner cover is an integrally formed injection molded inner cover.

17. The valve apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bypass port is disposed on the same axis on the first side of the housing as the second inlet port, corresponding to the aperture.

18. The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first inlet port and the second inlet port are disposed at opposing locations on different sides of the housing; and is

The outlet ports are disposed on the second side of the housing at staggered positions relative to the first inlet port.

19. The valve apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

when the temperature of the transmission fluid is higher than a predetermined value, the operation unit is configured to move toward the inner cover to compress the elastic member and simultaneously end the connection of the first inlet port and the bypass port, and the valve unit is configured to open a valve hole to open the outlet port; and is

When the temperature of the transmission fluid is lower than the predetermined value, the operation unit is configured to be returned to or held at an initial position by the elastic force of the elastic member to maintain the connection between the first inlet port and the bypass port, and the valve unit is configured to close the valve hole to close the outlet port.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a valve apparatus for a vehicle.

Background

In general, a valve is a device that: which is installed in a pipe or a container to allow a fluid including a gas such as air and a liquid such as water to flow in, and to discharge the flowing fluid to the outside or prevent the discharge, to control the flow rate and pressure of the fluid.

Typically, such valves are configured to be capable of controlling the flow of fluid by manipulating a valve seat through which the fluid passes using a valve stem and handle, or to be capable of being remotely adjusted by detecting the temperature of the fluid flowing through the valve seat using a separate temperature control device.

Meanwhile, in recent years, a valve that can be controlled according to temperature as described above has been applied to a cooling apparatus for cooling transmission fluid (e.g., transmission oil).

Conventional transmission fluid cooling systems are classified into air-cooled and water-cooled to prevent excessive temperature rise due to slippage of transmission components by maintaining the temperature of the transmission fluid at a predetermined temperature, and at the same time, to prevent an increase in friction loss of the transmission and thus deterioration in fuel consumption due to an increase in oil viscosity upon excessive cooling of the transmission fluid.

Wherein the air-cooled transmission fluid cooling system comprises: an oil cooler provided at a position such as in front of the radiator where external air flows smoothly; and a bypass valve installed in a pipe between the oil cooler and the transmission to be opened and closed according to a temperature of the transmission fluid. Thus, when the temperature of the oil is above the predetermined temperature, transmission fluid is caused to pass through the heat exchanger via the bypass valve, and when the temperature of the oil is below the predetermined temperature, transmission fluid is not allowed to pass through the heat exchanger, thereby maintaining the transmission fluid at the predetermined temperature.

However, in the bypass valve applied to the conventional transmission fluid cooling system as described above, since each constituent element needs to be sequentially fitted and assembled to the valve mounting hole of the valve housing, there is a disadvantage in that: it is difficult to accurately position each constituent element, excessive assembly time is required, and manufacturing costs are increased.

Furthermore, the bypass valves applied to the transmission fluid cooling system also have the disadvantage of: when cooling of the transmission fluid is not required, rapid warm-up of the transmission fluid is difficult because a portion of the low temperature transmission fluid cooled by the oil cooler flows from the transmission into the bypass valve and then into the transmission along with the bypass transmission fluid in a high temperature state.

Further, since the conventional bypass valve is located in a flow passage pipe connecting the transmission and the oil cooler, and a relatively large bypass valve is located in the pipe, there is also a disadvantage that the space utilization of the engine room is deteriorated.

The above information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a valve apparatus for a vehicle having advantages of a simple structure to effectively distribute a flow of transmission fluid.

An exemplary valve apparatus for a vehicle includes: a housing having an open end and a closed end to form an interior space, and formed on a first side with a first inlet port to receive transmission fluid from the transmission and a bypass port to bypass the transmission fluid to the transmission, and formed on a second side with a second inlet port to receive transmission fluid from the oil cooler and an outlet port to discharge the transmission fluid to the oil cooler; an inner cap having an open end inserted into the inner space, a closed end fixed to the open end of the case, and at least one opening in a portion inserted into the inner space; an operating unit disposed in the internal space between the inner cover and the closed end of the housing and configured to reciprocally move along a length direction of the housing according to a temperature of transmission fluid flowing into the housing through the first inlet port; a valve unit provided in the operation unit to selectively open and close the bypass port and the discharge port according to movement of the operation unit; and an elastic member interposed between the inner cap and the operation unit and providing elastic force to the operation unit with respect to the inner cap.

The operation unit may include: a fixing rod having one end fixed to a fixing recess formed on an inner side of the closed end of the case; and a deformation member having one end partially inserted into the other end of the fixing rod, and configured to expand and contract according to a temperature of the transmission fluid flowing into the housing through the first inlet port, thereby reciprocally moving with respect to the fixing rod.

The deforming member may include a wax material that contracts and expands depending on the temperature of the transmission fluid.

The elastic member may be a coil spring that is selectively compressed according to the operation of the operation unit and is abutted with the inner lid at one end and the deformation member at the other end to provide an elastic force to the operation unit.

The inner lid may include: a clipping end (clipping end) formed along the outer periphery of the closed end of the inner cover, so that the clipping end can be clipped by the inner periphery of the open end of the shell; an insertion portion inserted into the interior of the housing and formed with a plurality of apertures at predetermined intervals along an outer peripheral edge of the insertion portion at positions corresponding to the bypass port and the second inlet port; a first fixing portion formed between the clamping end and the insertion portion at a position close to the clamping end, an outer circumferential edge of the first fixing portion being supported by an inner circumferential edge of the housing; a second fixing portion formed on an outer periphery of the insertion portion at a position spaced apart from the first fixing portion, facing the open end of the inner cap, and inserted into the opening hole; and a support portion extending from the second fixing portion toward an opposite side of the catching end, partially receiving the operating unit, and having at least one open groove formed in an outer peripheral edge thereof so that transmission fluid received from the transmission through the first inlet port may flow to the open hole.

A fixing ring may be installed at the open end of the case to prevent the inner lid from being separated from the case.

The first and second seal rings may be mounted to the first and second fixing portions, respectively, so that transmission fluid flowing into the housing may be prevented from leaking between the housing and the inner cover.

The open groove may connect the first inlet port with the bypass port through the aperture while the operation unit maintains an initial state of being partially inserted into the support portion.

Corresponding to the valve unit, a valve hole having an inclined surface at an inner periphery may be formed at a position displaced from the first inlet port toward the closed end of the housing at the housing.

The valve unit may include: a valve seat coupled to a coupling step formed in the operating unit and extending outward in a radial direction of the operating unit; and a close contact member mounted on an outer circumference of the valve seat, the outer circumference of the close contact member selectively making close contact with the inclined surface of the valve hole according to an operation of the operation unit.

The valve seat may be coupled to the coupling step in a detachable press-fit state.

The close contact member may be formed of a rubber material, and configured to limit a movement range of the operation unit while being in close contact with the inclined surface by an elastic force provided by the elastic member, and to enable communication between the first inlet port and the outlet port by opening the valve hole when the operation unit is operated.

The close contact member may be formed in a ring shape having a diameter larger than an inner diameter of the inclined surface. At least two close contact steps may be formed in the close contact member to contact the inclined surface. The groove may be formed between the close contact steps.

The at least two close contact steps may include: a first close contact step that closely contacts the inclined surface at a position near the first entry port; and a second close contact step closely contacting the inclined surface at a position near the discharge port, wherein the close contact member doubly contacts the inclined surface through the first close contact step and the second close contact step to prevent transmission fluid from leaking between the close contact member and the valve hole.

When the operation unit is not operated, the valve unit may close the valve hole by maintaining the close contact of the close contact member on the inclined surface so that the first inlet port and the outlet port are not connected to each other.

The inner lid may be integrally formed by injection molding.

The bypass port may be disposed on the same axis on the first side of the housing as the second inlet port, corresponding to the aperture.

The first inlet port and the second inlet port may be disposed at opposite locations on different sides of the housing. The outlet ports may be disposed on the second side of the housing at staggered positions relative to the first inlet ports.

When the temperature of the transmission fluid is higher than a predetermined value, the operation unit may move toward the inner cover to compress the elastic member and simultaneously end the connection of the first inlet port and the bypass port, and the valve unit may open the valve hole to open the outlet port, and

when the temperature of the transmission fluid is lower than a predetermined value, the operation unit may be returned to or maintained at an initial position by the elastic force of the elastic member to maintain the connection between the first inlet port and the bypass port, and the valve unit may close the valve hole to close the outlet port.

According to the valve apparatus for a vehicle of the exemplary embodiment, expansion or contraction can be rapidly performed in a simple structure according to the temperature of the transmission fluid to control the flow of the transmission fluid to bypass or be supplied to the oil cooler. Therefore, the constituent elements can be simplified, and also the production and assembly can be simplified, thereby reducing the production cost.

Further, it is possible to increase the flow rate by employing the bypass flow passage and prevent the transmission fluid cooled at the oil cooler from leaking to the transmission, thereby achieving reliable flow control according to the temperature of the transmission fluid.

The friction losses of the transmission may be reduced by rapidly warming the transmission fluid, thereby improving the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Further, the power required by the hydraulic pump may be reduced by increasing the bypass flow of transmission fluid.

The internal constituent elements can be post-assembled to the housing and can be replaced in the event of a failure, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving the convenience of replacement work.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a transmission fluid cooling system suitable for use with a valve apparatus for a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6 and 7 respectively show operation states of a valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification and the configurations depicted in the drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not cover the full scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist in applying the present specification.

In order to clarify the present invention, portions irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and the same elements or equivalents will be denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

Further, the size and thickness of each element are arbitrarily shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and in the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, and the like is exaggerated for clarity.

Furthermore, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

In addition, each of the terms such as "… … unit", "… … device", "… … portion", and "… … member" described in the specification means a unit of an integrated element that performs at least one function or operation.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a transmission fluid cooling system adapted for use with a valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment, fig. 2 is a perspective view of the valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment, and fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 2, and fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6 and 7 respectively show operation states of a valve apparatus for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, a valve apparatus 100 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is provided between a fluid cooler (hereinafter, referred to as an oil cooler) 9 and a transmission 5, and controls a flow of transmission fluid according to a temperature of the transmission fluid, wherein the oil cooler 9 can be formed in a known simple structure to cool the transmission fluid.

For this purpose, as shown in fig. 1, a valve apparatus 100 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is provided between a transmission and an oil cooler 9 included in a transmission fluid cooling system having the oil cooler 9, which is provided in front of a radiator 7 and cools transmission fluid by heat exchange with flowing ambient air to prevent the transmission fluid filled in a transmission 5 mounted on an engine 3 from being overheated.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, such a valve apparatus 100 for a vehicle includes a housing 101, an inner cover 110, an operation unit 120, a valve unit 140, and an elastic member 150.

The housing 101 includes an open side and a closed side, and forms an internal space S.

The housing 101 is formed in a rectangular column shape.

On a first side (e.g., the right side in fig. 2) of the housing 101, there are formed a first inlet port 102 that receives transmission fluid from the transmission 5 and a bypass port 103 that bypasses the fluid to the transmission 5.

On a second side (e.g., the left side in fig. 2) of the housing 101, a second inlet port 104 that receives transmission fluid from the oil cooler 9 and an outlet port 105 that discharges transmission fluid to the oil cooler 9 may be formed.

Here, the first inlet port 102 and the second inlet port 104 may be provided at opposite positions on different sides of the housing 101.

In more detail, the first inlet port 102 is formed at a lower position on the first side of the housing 101, and is connected to the transmission 5 through a pipe or a hose.

A second inlet port 104 is formed at an upper position of the second side of the housing 101, and is connected to the oil cooler 9 through a pipe or a hose.

The outlet port 105 may be provided on a second side of the housing 101 at an alternating position relative to the first inlet port 102, e.g. at a position close to the bottom side of the housing 101 from the height of the first inlet port 102.

That is, the exhaust port 105 is formed on the second side of the housing 101 at a location spaced from the second inlet port 104 toward the bottom side of the housing 101. The bypass port 103 is formed on the first side of the housing 101 at the same height as the second inlet port 104.

Therefore, the transmission fluid flowing into the housing 101 from the transmission 5 through the first inlet port 102 can flow back to the transmission 5 through the bypass port 103 or be discharged to the oil cooler 9 through the discharge port 105 by selectively operating the operating unit 120 according to the temperature of the transmission fluid.

Further, transmission fluid supplied from the oil cooler 9 may flow to the housing 101 through the second inlet port 104 and be discharged to the transmission 5 through the bypass port 103.

The first and second inlet ports 102 and 104, the bypass port 103, and the outlet port 105 may communicate with the inner space S of the housing 101.

The housing 101 may be formed of a synthetic resin material such as plastic, but is not limited thereto. The housing 101 may be formed of a material that can withstand the flow and velocity of transmission fluid and has excellent thermal resistance.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the inner lid 110 has an open end (a lower end in fig. 3) and a closed end (an upper end in fig. 3).

The open end of the inner cover 110 is partially inserted into the inner space S, and the closed end of the inner cover 110 is fixed to the open end of the housing 101.

The inner cover 110 may be formed with at least one opening hole 111 at a portion inserted into the inner space S.

In the present exemplary embodiment, four apertures 111 spaced apart by 90 degrees may be formed along the outer circumference of the inner cap 110.

The four apertures 111 spaced apart by 90 degrees along the outer circumference of the inner cap 110 may be merely an example, and are not limited thereto. The number and location of the at least one opening 111 may vary.

The inner lid 110 may be cylindrical in shape. The open and closed ends of the inner cover 110 are disposed in opposite directions of the open and closed ends of the case 101. The inner cover 110 may be integrally formed by injection molding.

The inner cover 110 may include a catching end 112, an insertion portion 113, first and second fixing portions 114 and 115, and a supporting portion 116.

The catching end 112 may be formed along an outer circumference of the closed end of the inner cap 110 such that the catching end 112 may be caught by an inner circumference of the open end of the case 101.

Here, the fixing ring 106 may be installed at an open end of the case 101 to prevent the inner cover 110 from being separated from the case 101.

The fixing ring 106 may be installed in an annular groove 106a formed along the outer circumference of the open end of the housing 101.

That is, the fixing ring 106 holds the closed end of the inner cover 110 while the catching end 112 of the inner cover 110 is supported by the housing 101, and thus, the inner cover 110 can be prevented from being separated from the housing 101.

The insertion portion 113 is inserted into the interior of the housing 101, and may be formed with a plurality of apertures 111 at predetermined intervals along an outer peripheral edge of the insertion portion 113 at positions corresponding to the bypass port 103 and the second inlet port 104.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the first fixing portion 114 is formed between the click end 112 and the insertion portion 113 at a position near the click end 112, and the outer peripheral edge of the first fixing portion 114 is supported within the internal space S by the inner peripheral edge of the housing 101.

The second fixing portion 115 is formed on the outer circumference of the insertion portion 113 at a position spaced apart from the first fixing portion 114 toward the open end of the inner cover 110, inserted into the opening hole 111.

The outer circumference of the second fixing portion 115 may be supported within the inner space S by the inner circumference of the housing 101.

Here, the first and second seal rings 114a and 115a may be mounted to the first and second fixing portions 114 and 115, respectively, so that transmission fluid flowing into the housing 101 may be prevented from leaking between the housing 101 and the inner cover 110.

The first and second seal rings 114a and 115a intervene in the opening 111, and may form seals between outer peripheries of the first and second fixing portions 114 and 115, respectively, and an inner periphery of the casing 101.

Accordingly, the first and second seal rings 114a and 115a may prevent the transmission fluid from leaking along the inner circumferential edge of the housing 101 and the outer circumferential edges of the first and second fixing portions 114 and 115.

The supporting portion 116 extends from the second fixing portion 115 toward the opposite side of the catching end 112. The deformation member 123 of the operation unit 120 may be partially inserted into the support portion 116.

Further, at least one open groove 117 may be formed in an outer periphery of the support portion 116 so that transmission fluid received through the first inlet port 102 from the transmission 5 may flow to the aperture 111.

The open grooves 117 may be formed at positions spaced apart at a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. In the present exemplary embodiment, four open grooves 117 may be spaced apart from each other by 90 degrees along the circumference of the support portion 116.

When the operation unit 120 maintains an initial state of being partially inserted into the support portion 116, the opening groove 117 may connect the first inlet port 102 and the bypass port 103 through the aperture 111.

Here, the bypass port 103 may be disposed on the same axis as the second inlet port 104 at the first side of the housing 101, corresponding to the aperture 111.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the operation unit 120 includes a fixing rod 121 and a deformation member 123.

One end of the fixing rod 121 is fixed to a fixing recess 107 formed on the inner side of the closed end of the case 101.

The fixing lever 121 is formed in a circular lever shape, and one end thereof may be fixed to the fixing recess 107.

One end of the deformation member 123 is partially inserted into the other end of the fixing rod 121 (i.e., the end that is not fixed to the fixing recess 107).

The deformation member 123 expands and contracts according to the temperature of the transmission fluid flowing into the housing 101 through the first inlet port 102, thereby reciprocally moving with respect to the fixing rod 121.

That is, the deformation member 123 changes its position with respect to the fixing rod 121 by being displaced in a straight line.

Here, the first inlet port 102 may be positioned at a location near the deforming member 123 such that deformation of the deforming member 123 is easily caused by transmission fluid flowing in through the first inlet port 102.

Such a deformation member 123 may include a wax material that contracts and expands depending on the temperature of an operating fluid (such as a transmission fluid).

The wax material changes its volume as a function of temperature, i.e., increases in volume as temperature increases and decreases in volume as temperature decreases.

That is, the deformation member 123 is a component including a wax material therein, and the operation unit 120 may be reciprocally moved along the axis of the fixing rod 121 when volumetric deformation of the wax material occurs according to temperature.

When transmission fluid above a predetermined temperature is received through the first inlet port 102, the deforming member 123 expands in volume, and the deforming member 123 may move from an initial position toward the other end of the fixing rod 121, i.e., upward in the figure.

Then, the deformation member 123 is inserted into the support portion 116 toward the second fixing portion 115, thereby closing the opening groove 117 communicating with the aperture 111 and compressing the elastic member 150.

Conversely, when transmission fluid below a predetermined temperature is received, the temperature of the deforming member 123 decreases, and the volume of the deforming member 123 contracts from an expanded state. Accordingly, the deformation member 123 moves toward the fixing recess 107 by the elastic force of the compressed elastic member 150.

That is, the deformation member 123 may return to the initial position from a state of being expanded toward the inner cover 110 along the fixing rod 121 by the elastic force of the elastic member 150 together with the volume contraction.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the elastic member 150 is interposed between the inner cover 110 and the operation unit 120, and may provide elastic force to the operation unit 120 with respect to the inner cover 110.

The elastic member 150 may be a coil spring having one end abutting the inner cover 110 and the other end abutting the deformation member 123, so that the elastic member 150 may be selectively compressed according to the operation of the operation unit 120 and provide an elastic force to the operation unit 120.

Although not shown in detail, a heater (not shown) may be installed in the operation unit 120 to directly heat the deformation member 123 independently of the transmission fluid according to driving conditions, such as a load state of the vehicle.

In the present exemplary embodiment, corresponding to the valve unit 140, the valve hole 108 having the inclined surface 109 at the inner periphery may be formed at a position displaced from the first inlet port 102 toward the closed end of the housing 101 at the housing 101.

Here, the valve unit 140 includes a valve seat 141 and a close contact member 143.

The valve seat 141 is coupled to the coupling step 125 formed in the operating unit 120, and may extend outward in a radial direction of the operating unit 120.

Here, the valve seat 141 may be coupled to the coupling step 125 in a detachable press-fit state.

The close contact member 143 is mounted on the outer periphery of the valve seat 141. The outer circumference of the close contact member 143 may selectively come into close contact with the inclined surface 109 of the valve hole 108 according to the operation of the operation unit 120.

Here, the close contact member 143 is formed of a rubber material. The close contact member 143 may limit the movement range of the operation unit 120 while closely contacting the inclined surface 109 by the elastic force provided by the elastic member 150.

Further, when the operation unit 120 is operated, the close contact member 143 can achieve communication between the first inlet port 102 and the discharge port 105 by opening the valve hole 108.

The close contact member 143 is formed in a ring shape having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the inclined surface 109.

Here, at least two close contact steps may be formed in the close contact member 143 to contact the inclined surface 109, and the groove 149 may be formed between the close contact steps.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the close contact step may include a first close contact step 145 that closely contacts the inclined surface 109 at a position near the first inlet port 102 and a second close contact step 147 that closely contacts the inclined surface 109 at a position near the outlet port 105.

Accordingly, the close contact member 143 may doubly contact the inclined surface 109 through the first close contact step 145 and the second close contact step 147 to prevent the transmission fluid from leaking between the close contact member 143 and the valve hole 108.

When the operation unit 120 is not operated, the valve unit 140 closes the valve hole 108 by maintaining the close contact of the close contact member 143 on the inclined surface 109, so that the first inlet port 102 and the outlet port 105 are not connected to each other.

The groove 149 formed between the first and second close contact steps 145 and 147 may improve the tightness of the contact between the first and second close contact steps 145 and 147 and the inclined surface 109.

Since the close contact member 143 doubly closely contacts the inclined surface 109 through the first close contact step 145 and the second close contact step 147, a sealing force is increased at the time of closing of the valve hole 108, and thus, a rapid temperature rise of the transmission 5 may be caused, thereby improving fuel consumption of the vehicle.

Further, since the close contact member 143 is formed of an elastic rubber material, the sealing force and the contact close property may have excellent characteristics.

The valve seat 141 is supported by the coupling step 125 and detachably pressed into an outer circumference of the operating unit 120.

Therefore, when the valve unit 140 is worn or damaged, a worker can easily perform the replacement work of the valve unit 140.

On the other hand, when the size of the valve hole 108 is changed to secure a required fluid amount of the transmission fluid, the valve unit 140 may be applied by changing the size of the valve seat 141.

Therefore, since various conditions can be satisfied by ensuring a required fluid amount of the transmission fluid only by changing the size of the valve seat 141 without changing the entire components, a customizing effect can be expected.

Further, since the close contact member 143 is formed of a material such as rubber, the close contact member 143 may provide the operation unit 120 with a repulsive force against the elastic force of the elastic member 150.

More specifically, in the case where the deformation member 123 is elastically pressurized by the elastic member 150, when the valve unit 140 is in close contact with the inclined surface 109 of the valve hole 108, the valve unit 140 may be restricted by the movement of the operation unit 120 toward the fixing recess 107.

In other words, the repulsive force generated between the coupling step 125 coupled with the valve seat 141 and the close contact force of the close contact member 143 with respect to the inclined surface 109 may limit the movement range of the operation unit 120 such that the operation unit 120 is not pushed toward the fixing recess 107.

Therefore, a separate stopper device for limiting the operation range of the operation unit 120 may not be employed, so that the entire constituent elements of the valve apparatus 100 may be reduced, thereby simplifying the structure.

That is, the valve unit 140 installed through the operation unit 120 may implement a valve function of opening and closing the valve hole 108, and may also implement a stopper function of limiting an operation range of the operation unit 120 elastically pressurized by the elastic member 150.

In the present exemplary embodiment, it has been described that the valve unit 140 opens and closes the valve hole 108 according to the operation of the operation unit 120, but it is understood that this is only an exemplary embodiment and is not limited thereto.

For example, at least one flow hole (not shown) may be formed at the valve seat 141 such that a portion of the transmission fluid flowing into the first inlet port 102 may be discharged to the oil cooler 9 through the discharge port 105 when the operating unit 120 operates according to the temperature of the transmission fluid.

Therefore, even if the operating unit 120 malfunctions, the flow hole enables a predetermined amount of transmission fluid to flow to the oil cooler 9, and therefore, overheating and damage of the transmission 5 can be prevented.

Hereinafter, the operation of the valve apparatus 100 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is described in detail with reference to fig. 6 and 7.

Referring to fig. 6, the valve hole 108 is closed in an initial state where the tight contact member 143 of the valve unit 140 closely contacts the inclined surface 109 of the valve hole 108.

Accordingly, the operation unit 120 can maintain a state in which the deformation member 123 is partially inserted into the support portion 116. The first inlet port 102 may then be connected to the bypass port 103 through the open slot 117 and aperture 111.

In this state, when the transmission fluid having a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature flows through the first inlet port 102, the deformation member 123 does not expand or contract, and the position does not change.

In this case, the valve unit 140 keeps the valve hole 108 closed.

Accordingly, transmission fluid flowing from the transmission 5 through the first inlet port 102 flows into the interior of the inner cover 110 through the open groove 117 and is discharged to the bypass port 103 through the aperture 111.

The transmission fluid discharged to the bypass port 103 flows back to the transmission 5.

Here, the operation unit 120 may be prevented from being further moved toward the elastic member 150 by the repulsive force of the valve unit 140 between the coupling step 125 and the valve hole 108.

When the transmission fluid is below the predetermined temperature, the valve apparatus 100 causes the transmission fluid received from the transmission 5 to bypass back to the transmission 5 through the bypass port 103 so that the transmission fluid may not be cooled by passing through the oil cooler 9. Therefore, the transmission 5 can be warmed up quickly.

Here, although the cooled transmission fluid discharged from the oil cooler 9 flows to the second inlet port 104 in the open state, the transmission fluid does not flow to the oil cooler 9 through the discharge port 105, and therefore, only a small amount of transmission fluid is received through the second inlet port 104 and flows to the transmission 5 together with the bypass transmission fluid having a predetermined temperature.

That is, the small amount of cooled transmission fluid received through the second inlet port 104 does not affect the temperature of the bypass transmission fluid, and transmission fluid having a predetermined temperature continues to bypass to the transmission 5, thereby enabling the transmission 5 to warm up more quickly.

By such operation of the valve apparatus 100 for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment, the transmission 5 can be enabled to warm up more quickly, thereby quickly reducing the friction loss of the transmission 5 and improving the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle.

In contrast, as shown in fig. 7, when the transmission fluid received through the first inlet port 102 is higher than a predetermined temperature, the deformation member 123 of the operation unit 120 expands and moves toward the second fixing portion 115.

Then, the valve unit 140 may move together with the deformation member 123 to open the valve hole 108. Meanwhile, the deformation member 123 is partially inserted into the second fixing portion 115, and closes the opening groove 117 to prevent communication between the opening groove 117 and the aperture 111.

That is, the valve unit 140 moves upward together with the deformation member 123 to open the closed valve hole 108, and the deformation member 123 compresses the elastic member 150.

At this time, the transmission fluid received through the first inlet port 102, which is higher than a predetermined temperature, passes through the opened valve hole 108 to flow to the oil cooler 9 through the outlet port 105.

Then, the transmission fluid flowing into the oil cooler 9 is cooled at the oil cooler 9 by heat exchange with ambient air. After cooling at the oil cooler 9, the transmission fluid flows into the housing 101 through the second inlet port 104 and then flows to the transmission 5 through the bypass port 103 connected to the second inlet port 104 via the aperture 111.

Therefore, the transmission fluid cooled in the oil cooler 9 flows into the transmission 5 that is overheated due to the temperature rise of the transmission fluid to cool the transmission 5. Thus, the transmission fluid cooled at the oil cooler 9 flows to the transmission 5 containing the heated transmission fluid, and the transmission 5 can be cooled.

On the other hand, the elastic member 150 is compressed by the deformation member 123 which has been expanded and moved from the fixing rod 121.

In this state, when the temperature of the transmission fluid received through the first inlet port 102 is reduced below a predetermined temperature, the deformation member 123 contracts to an initial state and moves toward the fixing recess 107 along the fixing rod 121.

At this time, the deformation member 123 may be rapidly returned to its original position by the elastic force of the compressed elastic member 150.

At the same time, the valve unit 140 moves together with the deformation member 123 to return to the initial position, and thereby closes the opened valve hole 108.

That is, in the present exemplary embodiment, when the temperature of the transmission fluid is higher than the predetermined value, the operation unit 120 moves toward the inner cover 110 to compress the elastic member 150 and simultaneously end the connection of the first inlet port 102 and the bypass port 103, and the valve unit 140 opens the valve hole 108 to open the outlet port 105.

Conversely, when the temperature of the transmission fluid is lower than a predetermined value, the operation unit 120 may be returned to or maintained at the initial position by the elastic force of the elastic member 150 to maintain the connection between the first inlet port 102 and the bypass port 103, and the valve unit 140 closes the valve hole 108 to close the outlet port 105.

As described above, the valve apparatus 100 can selectively warm up or cool down the transmission 5 by the operation unit 120 operating according to the temperature of the transmission fluid received from the transmission 5 and by the valve unit 140 operating with the operation unit 120, thereby improving the reliability and responsiveness of the valve operation.

According to the valve apparatus 100 for a vehicle of the exemplary embodiment, expansion or contraction can be rapidly performed according to the temperature of the transmission fluid with a simple structure to control the flow of the transmission fluid to bypass or be supplied to the oil cooler 9. Therefore, the constituent elements can be simplified, and also the production and assembly can be simplified, thereby reducing the production cost.

Further, it is possible to increase the flow rate by employing the bypass flow passage and prevent the transmission fluid cooled at the oil cooler 9 from leaking to the transmission 5, thereby achieving reliable flow control according to the temperature of the transmission fluid.

The friction loss of the transmission 5 can be reduced by rapidly warming the transmission fluid, thereby improving the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

Further, the power required by the hydraulic pump may be reduced by increasing the bypass flow of transmission fluid.

The internal constituent elements may be post-assembled to the housing 101 and may be replaced in the event of a failure, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving the convenience of replacement work.

This application claims priority to korean patent application No. 10-2019-.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

< description of labeling >

3: engine

5: speed variator

7: heat radiator

9: oil cooler

100: valve with a valve body

101: shell body

102. 104: a first access port and a second access port

103: bypass port

105: discharge port

106: fixing ring

106 a: annular groove

107: fixing recess

108: valve bore

109: inclined surface

110: inner cover

111: opening holes

112: clamping end

113: insertion part

114. 115: first and second fixing parts

114a, 115 a: first and second seal rings

116: supporting part

117: open slot

120: operating unit

121: fixing rod

123: deformation component

125: coupling step

140: valve unit

141: valve seat

143: close contact member

145: first closely contacting step

147: second close contact step

149: trough

150: elastic member

S: inner space