Multi-physics coupled thermo-mechanics analysis of a hydraulic solenoid valve

Solenoid valve is complex heterogeneous system involving multi-physics coupling of mechanics, electronics, magnetics, thermotics, etc, whose reliability and life depends largely on the heat generated during the operation. A multi-physics coupled thermo-mechanics model of a hydraulic proportional solenoid valve used in an automatic transmission was built up with the finite element method (FEM), the temperature and thermal deformation of the solenoid valve with different currents under two operating environments was analyzed. The calculated results show that the operating environment and current are important factors leading to thermal failure of solenoid valves. The model has high accuracy because of considering the multi-physics coupling control characteristics of mechanics, electronics, magnetics, thermotics, etc, and so can be used for the reliability design of solenoid valves.