# US 2024/0280171 A1 · Valve module with active valve oiling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0280171 A1 - Document ID: US20240280171A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/567,871 - Filed: 2022-10-13 - Published: 2024-08-22 - Earliest claimed: 2021-06-14 - Assignees: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Applicants: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG - Inventors: Matthias Grenzhäuser; Christopher Schneider - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240280171A1 ## CPC - F16H 61/0009: {Hydraulic control units for transmission control, e.g. assembly of valve plates or valve units} - F16H 61/0276: {Elements specially adapted for hydraulic control units, e.g. valves} - F15B 21/047: Preventing foaming, churning or cavitation - F16H 2061/0037: {characterised by controlled fluid supply to lubrication circuits of the gearing} - F16H 2061/004: {Venting trapped air from hydraulic systems} - F16H 2061/0279: {Details of hydraulic valves, e.g. lands, ports, spools or springs} - F16H: GEARING - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The valve module can be installed regardless of an oil level, for example of an oil level of an oil sump of a motor vehicle. By means of a buffer volume having an overflow it is always guaranteed that a leakage flow conveyed past a valve piston includes no air but consists solely of hydraulic medium, since the overflow guarantees a level of hydraulic medium which lies above an upper face of the valve piston in a preferred installation position. As a result, foaming of the hydraulic medium can be prevented. The valve module can also be installed above the oil sump, for example in an upper region of a gearbox of the motor vehicle. In addition, the oil from the overflow can be used for cooling/lubrication of further drive train components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve module configured for installation in a predetermined installation position within a hydraulic control system, the module comprising: a valve including a valve piston configured to be displaced in an actuating direction within a housing, the housing having a plurality of openings configured to be opened and closed by via displacement of the valve piston, and a first opening of the plurality of openings configured as a tank connection, and the valve is connected to a reservoir for a hydraulic medium via the tank connection, and the tank connection is fluidly connected to a buffer volume having an overflow arranged above an upper face of the valve piston when the valve module is installed in the predetermined installation position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve module according to claim 1, wherein the buffer volume is fluidly connected to a hydraulic circuit via a flow limiter, and the buffer volume is configured to be filled via the flow limiter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The valve module according to claim 2, wherein at least one orifice is configured as a flow limiter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve module according to claim 1, further comprising at least one leakage line fluidly connected to the buffer volume, the at least one leakage line configured to guide leakage flows from other hydraulic components into the buffer volume. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The valve module according to claim 1, wherein the overflow of the buffer volume is fluidly connected to a lubrication line, and hydraulic medium can be discharged as lubricant or coolant via the lubrication line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A drive train for a motor vehicle, comprising the valve module according to claim 1. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The drive train according to claim 6, further comprising at least one electric motor configured for providing torque. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The drive train according to claim 7, further comprising an internal combustion engine configured for providing torque. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A motor vehicle comprising: at least one valve module according to claim 1 and a drive train comprising an electric motor configured for providing torque. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the drive train further comprises an internal combustion configured for providing torque. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The valve module according to claim 1, wherein the valve piston is configured to be displaced against a compression spring arranged at a first longitudinal end of the valve piston. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The valve module according to claim 11, wherein the at least one opening extends away from the valve piston in a direction orthogonal to the actuating direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The valve module according to claim 11, wherein the tank connection is arranged at a second longitudinal end of the valve piston. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The valve module according to claim 13, wherein a second opening of the plurality of openings is a pump connection, and the pump connection is arranged between the compression spring and the tank connection in a longitudinal direction of the valve piston. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The valve module according to claim 14, wherein a third opening of the plurality of openings is a parking lock connection, and the parking lock connection is arranged between the compression spring and the tank connection in a longitudinal direction of the valve piston. ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The valve module according to claim 3, further comprising at least one leakage line fluidly connected to the buffer volume, the at least one leakage line configured to guide leakage flows from other hydraulic components into the buffer volume. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The valve module according to claim 16, wherein the overflow of the buffer volume is fluidly connected to a lubrication line, and hydraulic medium can be discharged as lubricant or coolant via the lubrication line. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The valve module according to claim 16, wherein the valve piston is configured to be displaced against a compression spring arranged at a first longitudinal end of the valve piston. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The valve module according to claim 18, wherein the tank connection is arranged at a second longitudinal end of the valve piston. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The valve module according to claim 19, wherein: a second opening of the plurality of openings is a pump connection, and the pump connection is arranged between the compression spring and the tank connection in a longitudinal direction of the valve piston; and a third opening of the plurality of openings is a parking lock connection, and the parking lock connection is arranged between the compression spring and the tank connection in a longitudinal direction of the valve piston.