FLUID SUPPLY APPARATUS

• US 20100062890A1
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Osamu
• Granted Patent: US 8,522,923 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 475/161
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/05 specially adapted to maintain constant speed, e.g. pressure-compensated, load-responsive F15B11/161 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/50518 using pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/50527 using cross-pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0037 characterised by controlled fluid supply to lubrication circuits of the gearing see also lubrication control F16H57/0446
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0413 Controlled cooling or heating of lubricant; Temperature control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0417 Heat exchangers adapted or integrated in the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0446 the supply forming part of the transmission control unit, e.g. for automatic transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0021 Generation or control of line pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8733 Fluid pressure regulator in at least one branch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87338 Flow passage with bypass

Abstract

A fluid supply apparatus includes a main passage through which fluid flows, a parallel passage section, and a pressure loss adjusting mechanism. The parallel passage section includes a plurality of passages connected in parallel to the main passage. The parallel passage section includes a selector valve, which changes the number of passages through which fluid passes among the plurality of passages. The pressure loss adjusting mechanism suppresses change in the pressure loss at the parallel passage section associated with change in an operating state of the selector valve.

Claims

1. A fluid supply apparatus comprising:

a main passage through which fluid flows;

a parallel passage section, which includes a plurality of passages connected in parallel to the main passage, the parallel passage section including a selector valve, which changes the number of passages through which fluid passes among the plurality of passages; and

a pressure loss adjusting mechanism, which suppresses change in the pressure loss at the parallel passage section associated with change in an operating state of the selector valve.

2. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure loss adjusting mechanism suppresses decrease in the pressure loss at the parallel passage section caused by increasing the number of passages through which the fluid passes by operation of the selector valve.

3. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure loss adjusting mechanism includes a constriction provided in the selector valve.

4. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the parallel passage section includes a first passage and a second passage, the selector valve includes an inlet passage, which communicates with the main passage, a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, which communicate with the first passage, a third outlet passage, which communicates with the second passage, the constriction being provided in the second outlet passage, the fluid supply apparatus further comprising:

a valve body, which selectively switches the operating state of the selector valve between a first state and a second state, wherein, when the operating state of the valve body is in the first state, the inlet passage communicates with the first outlet passage, and wherein, when the operating state of the selector valve is in the second state, the second outlet passage and the third outlet passage communicate with the inlet passage.

5. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the parallel passage section includes a first passage and a second passage, the selector valve includes a first inlet passage and a second inlet passage, which communicate with the main passage, a first outlet passage, which communicates with the first passage, and a second outlet passage, which communicates with the second passage, the constriction being provided in the second inlet passage, the fluid supply apparatus further comprising:

a valve body, which selectively switches the operating state of the selector valve between a first state and a second state, wherein, when the operating state of the valve body is in the first state, the first inlet passage communicates with the first outlet passage, and wherein, when the operating state of the selector valve is in the second state, the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage communicate with the second inlet passage.

6. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the parallel passage section includes a first passage and a second passage, the selector valve includes a first inlet passage and a second inlet passage, which communicate with the main passage, a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, which communicate with the first passage, and a third outlet passage, which communicates with the second passage, the constriction being one of a pair of constrictions which are provided in the second inlet passage and the second outlet passage, respectively, the fluid supply apparatus further comprising:

a valve body, which selectively switches the operating state of the selector valve between a first state and a second state, wherein, when the operating state of the valve body is in the first state, the first inlet passage communicates with the first outlet passage, and wherein, when the operating state of the selector valve is in the second state, the second outlet passage and the third outlet passage communicate with the second inlet passage.

7. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the parallel passage section includes a first passage and a second passage, the selector valve includes a first inlet passage and a second inlet passage, which communicate with the main passage, a first outlet passage, which communicates with the first passage, and a second outlet passage, which communicates with the second passage, the constriction being one of a pair of constrictions which are provided in the second inlet passage and the second outlet passage, respectively, the fluid supply apparatus further comprising:

a valve body, which selectively switches the operating state of the selector valve between a first state and a second state, wherein, when the operating state of the valve body is in the first state, the first inlet passage communicates with the first outlet passage, and wherein, when the operating state of the selector valve is in the second state, the first outlet passage and the second outlet passage communicate with the second inlet passage.

8. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the parallel passage section includes a first passage and a second passage, the selector valve includes an inlet passage, which communicates with the main passage, a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage, which communicate with the first passage, a third outlet passage, which communicates with the second passage, the constriction being one of a pair of constrictions which are provided in the second outlet passage and the third outlet passage, respectively, the fluid supply apparatus further comprising:

a valve body, which selectively switches the operating state of the selector valve between a first state and a second state, wherein, when the operating state of the valve body is in the first state, the inlet passage communicates with the first outlet passage, and wherein, when the operating state of the selector valve is in the second state, the second outlet passage and the third outlet passage communicate with the inlet passage.

9. The fluid supply apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the fluid is lubricant of an automatic transmission, the passages forming the parallel passage section each being provided with a heat exchanger, and the lubricant that has been subjected to heat exchange with at least one of the heat exchangers is supplied to parts requiring lubrication in the automatic transmission.