Drive axle

Abstract

A drive axle is provided including an axle housing and a filter assembly. The axle housing defines a filter slot and a filter insertion end. The filter assembly comprises a cover body and a filter element. The cover body comprises a base part and a supporting part which are fixedly connected. The base part is detachably mounted at the filtering insertion end, and the supporting part is inserted into the filtering groove through the filtering insertion end. The supporting part is cylindrical. A plurality of oil holes are formed in the supporting part and penetrate through the supporting part in the radial direction of the supporting part. The filter element is inserted into the filter tank through the filter insertion end. The filter element is detachably arranged on the supporting part in a sleeving mode, and hydraulic oil filtered by the filter element flows into the supporting part from the oil hole. In this way, the drive axle can have the advantages of being compact in layout, high in reliability and low in cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of transmission, and more specifically to a drive axle. Background Art

[0002] The US patent application with publication number US20190141898A1 discloses a hydrostatic drive axle. The housing is provided with a filter insertion port, and the filter cover is mounted on the filter insertion port. The filter holder is provided with a filter connection port. The filter body is inserted into the housing via the filter insertion port and connected to the filter connection port.

[0003] However, the filter is not conducive to the miniaturization of the drive axle. The filter holder itself needs to occupy the space inside the housing, and the drive axle needs to be additionally provided with a mounting structure that cooperates with the filter holder, making it difficult for the drive axle to have a compact layout. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application is made in view of the above-mentioned state of the prior art. The purpose of the present application is to provide a drive axle which can overcome at least one of the disadvantages described in the above-mentioned background technology.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions.

[0006] The present application provides a driving axle as follows, comprising: a bridge housing, which defines a filter slot and a filter insertion end; and a filter assembly, which comprises a cover body and a filter element, the cover body comprising a base and a support portion that are fixedly connected, the base portion being detachably mounted on the filter insertion end, the support portion being inserted into the filter slot via the filter insertion end, the support portion being cylindrical, and the support portion being provided with a plurality of oil holes, the oil holes penetrating the support portion in a radial direction of the support portion, the filter element being inserted into the filter slot via the filter insertion end, the filter element being detachably sleeved on the support portion, and the hydraulic oil filtered by the filter element flowing from the oil holes to the interior of the support portion.

[0007] In an optional solution, the bridge housing further defines an input flow channel, an output flow channel, a filter input end and a filter output end, the input flow channel is connected to the filter tank via the filter input end, and the output flow channel is connected to the filter tank via the filter output end.

[0008] In another optional solution, a bypass valve is further included, and the input flow channel is connected to the output flow channel via the bypass valve.

[0009] In another optional scheme, the filter assembly also includes a valve assembly, the bridge housing and the valve assembly together constitute the bypass valve, the bridge housing also defines a valve groove, the filter groove and the valve groove are formed on the same axial end wall or axial end cover of the bridge housing of the drive axle, the cover body and the filter element are installed to the axial end wall or axial end cover from the axial outside of the axial end wall or axial end cover, and the valve assembly is installed to the axial end wall or axial end cover from the axial inside of the axial end wall or axial end cover.

[0010] In another optional scheme, the valve assembly includes a retaining member, a valve spring and a valve core, one axial end of the valve spring abuts against the valve core, and the other axial end of the valve spring abuts against the retaining member, and the bridge housing also defines a valve insertion end, a valve input end and a valve output end, the valve assembly is inserted into the valve slot via the valve insertion end, the retaining member is detachably mounted on the valve insertion end, the valve slot is connected to the filter slot via the valve input end, and the valve slot is connected to the output flow channel via the valve output end, the valve spring can press the valve core to the valve input end to close the valve input end, and the valve core can be separated from the valve input end under the push of hydraulic oil to open the valve input end.

[0011] In another optional solution, the bridge housing includes a mounting portion, the mounting portion extends from the bottom surface of the filter tank toward the filter insertion end, the mounting portion is cylindrical, and the support portion is inserted into the mounting portion.

[0012] In another optional solution, the filter assembly further includes a magnet, which is sleeved on the mounting portion, and the filter input end faces the mounting portion.

[0013] In another optional solution, the filter element covers the oil hole, a sealing ring is arranged between the filter element and the supporting portion, the filter element is sleeved on the mounting portion, a sealing ring is arranged between the filter element and the mounting portion, and the input end of the oil hole is arranged between the two sealing rings.

[0014] In another optional scheme, the outer circumferential surface of the filter element is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the filter tank, the bridge housing includes one or more inner protrusions, the inner protrusions protrude from the bottom surface of the filter tank toward the filter insertion end, and the inner protrusions separate the filter element from the bottom surface of the filter tank, and the cover body includes one or more outer protrusions, the outer protrusions protrude from the base toward the bottom surface of the filter tank, and the outer protrusions separate the filter element from the base, so that the two axial end surfaces of the filter element can serve as the liquid inlet surface of the filter element.

[0015] In another optional scheme, the filter assembly also includes a limit spring, which is sleeved on the support part, and the limit spring presses the filter element so that the filter element is limited in the axial direction of the support part. The drive axle also includes an oil pump and a heat exchanger, and the oil pump and the heat exchanger are installed on the bridge housing. The oil pump is used to drive the hydraulic oil to pass through the filter element and the oil hole into the heat exchanger.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, by inserting the cover body and the filter element into the filter groove, the axle housing and the filter assembly can be integrated together, so that the drive axle can have a more compact layout. In addition, compared with the prior art, by arranging the support part on the cover body, the filter assembly can have a smaller number of parts, so that the drive axle can have higher reliability and lower cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a drive axle according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, in which devices or components such as a transmission are omitted.

[0018] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the drive axle in FIG.

[0019] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 Exploded view of the drive axle in Figure 1.

[0020] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the axle housing of the drive axle.

[0021] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A partial schematic diagram of the bridge housing.

[0022] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cover of the drive axle.

[0023] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 Another schematic diagram of the cover body in FIG.

[0024] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the filter element of the drive axle.

[0025] Description of Reference Numerals

[0026] 1 axle housing; 11 mounting portion; 12 inner convex portion;

[0027] 2 filter assembly; 21 cover; 211 base; 212 support; 213 outer protrusion; 21a oil hole; 22 filter element; 23 limit spring; 24 magnet; 25 valve assembly; 251 retainer; 252 valve spring; 253 valve core; 26 first sealing ring; 27 second sealing ring; 28 third sealing ring;

[0028] 3. Oil pump;

[0029] 4. Heat exchanger;

[0030] G1 filter tank; G2 valve tank;

[0031] T11 filter insertion end; T12 filter input end; T13 filter output end;

[0032] T21 valve insertion end; T22 valve input end; T23 valve output end;

[0033] P1 input flow channel; P2 output flow channel;

[0034] A: axial direction; R: radial direction; C: circumferential direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The exemplary embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these specific descriptions are only used to teach those skilled in the art how to implement the present application, and are not intended to exhaust all feasible methods of the present application, nor to limit the scope of the present application.

[0036] Figures 1 to 8 A drive axle according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, in particular, an electric drive axle (eAxle) suitable for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0037] The drive axle may include an axle housing 1 , a filter assembly 2 , an oil pump 3 and a heat exchanger 4 .

[0038] The axle housing 1 may define a filter tank G1, a valve tank G2, an input flow channel P1, and an output flow channel P2. Specifically, the filter tank G1 may be recessed from the outer wall of the axle housing 1 toward the inner side of the axle housing 1 and may be formed in a substantially columnar shape. The opening of the filter tank G1 may form a filter insertion end T11 on the outer wall surface of the axle housing 1. The inner circumferential surface of the filter tank G1 may be provided with a filter input end T12, and the input flow channel P1 may be communicated with the filter tank G1 via the filter input end T12. The bottom of the filter tank G1 may be provided with a filter output end T13, and the output flow channel P2 may be communicated with the filter tank G1 via the filter output end T13. The valve tank G2 may be recessed from the inner wall of the axle housing 1 toward the outer side of the axle housing 1 and may be formed in a columnar shape. The opening of the valve tank G2 may form a valve insertion groove T21 on the inner wall surface of the axle housing 1. The bottom surface of the valve tank G2 may be provided with a valve input end T22, and the filter tank G1 may be communicated with the valve tank G2 via the valve input end T22. The inner circumferential surface of the valve groove G2 may be provided with a valve output end T23 , and the output flow channel P2 may be communicated with the valve groove G2 via the valve output end T23 .

[0039] The bridge housing 1 may include a mounting portion 11 and a plurality of inner protrusions 12. Specifically, the mounting portion 11 may be cylindrical and arranged coaxially with the filter insertion end T11. The mounting portion 11 may extend from the bottom surface of the filter tank G1 toward the filter insertion end T11. The inner protrusion 12 may protrude from the bottom surface of the filter tank G1 toward the filter insertion end T11, and the plurality of inner protrusions 12 may be evenly spaced and arranged on the bottom surface of the filter tank G1.

[0040] The filter assembly 2 may include a cover 21 , a filter element 22 , a limit spring 23 , a magnet 24 , a valve assembly 25 , a first sealing ring 26 , a second sealing ring 27 and a third sealing ring 28 .

[0041] The cover body 21 may include a base 211, a support portion 212, and a plurality of protrusions 213. Specifically, the base 211 may be disc-shaped, and the support portion 212 may be cylindrical. The base 211 and the support portion 212 may be fixedly connected together, and preferably, the base 211 and the support portion 212 may be formed integrally. The base 211 and the support portion 212 may be coaxially arranged, and the support portion 212 may extend from the base 211 to the other side (axially) of the base 211. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The support portion 212 may be provided with a plurality of oil holes 21a, and the oil holes 21a may penetrate the support portion 212 along the radial direction R of the support portion 212. The outer protrusion 213 may extend from the base portion 211 to the other side ( Figure 1 and Figure 2The base 211 may be detachably mounted on the filter insertion end T11, for example, by screws. The first sealing ring 26 may be disposed between the base 211 and the bridge housing 1, so that the base 211 is sealed and connected to the bridge housing 1. The support portion 212 may be inserted into the mounting portion 11 via the filter output end T13, so that the cover body 21 is limited in radial direction R.

[0042] The filter element 22 can be installed on the bridge housing 1 and the cover body 21. Specifically, the filter element 22 can be cylindrical and can be detachably sleeved on the mounting portion 11 and the support portion 212. The filter element 22 can cover the oil hole 21a, so that the hydraulic oil filtered by the filter element 22 can flow from the oil hole 21a to the inside of the support portion 212, and then flow into the output flow channel P2. The second sealing ring 27 can be arranged between the filter element 22 and the support portion 212, so that the inner peripheral surface of one axial end of the filter element 22 forms a sealed connection with the support portion 212. The third sealing ring 28 can be arranged between the other axial end of the filter element 22 and the mounting portion 11, so that the filter element 22 forms a sealed connection with the mounting portion 11. The input end (radial outer end) of the oil hole 21a can be arranged between the second sealing ring 27 and the third sealing ring 28, so that the unfiltered hydraulic oil will not directly flow into the oil hole 21a through the radial inner gap of the filter element 22. The outer circumferential surface of the filter element 22 can be spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the filter tank G1, so that the hydraulic oil can flow into the filter element 22 through the outer circumferential surface of the filter element 22. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The right end surface in the filter element 22) and the base 211 can be separated by the outer protrusion 213, so that the hydraulic oil can pass through the axial side end surface ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The right end face in the middle) flows into the filter element 22. The other axial end face of the filter element 22 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The left end surface in the filter element 22 and the bottom surface of the filter tank G1 can be separated by the inner protrusion 12, so that the hydraulic oil can flow through the other axial end surface of the filter element 22 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this way, the outer peripheral surface and the axial end surfaces of the filter element 22 can be used to filter the hydraulic oil, so that the filter element 22 can have a larger filtering area, and the hydraulic oil can have a smaller flow resistance at the filter element 22.

[0043] The limit spring 23 can be installed on the cover 21. Specifically, the limit spring 23 can be a coil spring. The limit spring 23 can be sleeved on the support portion 212, and the outer protrusion 213 can be arranged on the radial outer side of the limit spring 23. Figure 1 and Figure 2The right end of the limit spring 23 can be abutted against the base 211, and the other axial end ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The left end in the middle) can abut against the filter element 22. The limiting spring 23 can press the filter element 22 to the inner convex portion 12, so that the filter element 22 is limited in the axial direction A.

[0044] The cover 21, the filter element 22 and the limit spring 23 can be inserted into the filter tank G1 via the filter insertion end T11. Specifically, in a possible installation method, the cover 21, the filter element 22 and the limit spring 23 can be pre-assembled together and inserted into the filter tank G1 via the filter insertion end T11 as a whole. By tightening the screws, the limit spring 23 can be squeezed by the cover 21 and the filter element 22 and maintained in a compressed state in the filter tank G1. When the filter element 22 needs to be replaced, the cover 21, the filter element 22 and the limit spring 23 can be taken out of the filter tank G1 via the filter insertion end T11 as a whole.

[0045] The magnet 24 can be installed on the bridge housing 1. Specifically, the magnet 24 can be a ring-shaped permanent magnet, and is sleeved on the mounting portion 11. The magnet 24 can be confined between the bottom surface of the filter tank G1 and the filter element 22, and the inner convex portion 12 can be arranged on the radial outside of the magnet 24. The filter input end T12 can face the mounting portion 11, so that impurities such as metal debris in the hydraulic oil can be adsorbed by the magnet 24 before reaching the filter element 22, thereby preventing the filter element 22 from being blocked by impurities, thereby playing a role in extending the life of the filter element 22.

[0046] The valve assembly 25 may include a retainer 251, a valve spring 252, and a valve core 253. Specifically, one axial end ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The right end in the middle) can abut against the valve core 253, and the other axial end of the valve spring 252 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 The left end in the figure) can abut against the retaining member 251. The valve assembly 25 can be inserted into the valve groove G2 via the valve insertion end T21. The retaining member 251 is detachably mounted on the valve insertion end T21, for example, the retaining member 251 can be screwed with the bridge housing 1. The valve spring 252 can press the valve core 253 to the valve input end T22, so that the valve input end T22 is closed by the valve core 253, that is, the valve core 253 or the valve assembly 25 is in a closed state. In the case where, for example, the filter element 22 is blocked, the hydraulic oil can push the valve core 253 toward the valve spring 525 side, so that the valve core 253 and the valve input end T22 can be separated from each other, so that the valve input end T22 is opened, that is, the valve core 253 or the valve assembly 25 is in an open state. Here, the bridge housing 1 and the valve assembly 25 are equivalent to jointly forming a bypass valve, and the bridge housing 1 can be regarded as the valve body and valve seat of the bypass valve.

[0047] The oil pump 3 and the heat exchanger 4 can be installed on the bridge housing 1. Specifically, the oil pump 3 and the heat exchanger 4 can be fixedly installed on the outer wall surface of the bridge housing 1. Under normal circumstances, the valve core 253 can be in a normally closed state, and the oil pump 3 can pump the hydraulic oil to the heat exchanger 4 via the input flow channel P1, the filter element 22, the oil hole 21a and the output flow channel P2 in sequence. When the filter element 22 is blocked, so that the oil pressure in the filter tank G1 increases, the valve core 253 can be in an open state, and the oil pump 3 can pump part of the hydraulic oil to the heat exchanger 4 via the input flow channel P1, the bypass valve and the output flow channel P2, so that the hydraulic oil can at least partially bypass the filter element 22.

[0048] In this way, by inserting the cover 21 and the filter element 22 into the filter tank G1, the axle housing 1 and the filter assembly 2 can be integrated together, so that the drive axle can have a more compact layout. In addition, compared with the prior art, by providing the support portion 212 on the cover 21, the filter assembly 2 can have a smaller number of parts, so that the drive axle can have higher reliability and lower cost.

[0049] It should be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes to the above embodiments under the guidance of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0050] It should be understood that the valve body and the valve seat of the bypass valve are not limited to being formed by the axle housing 1 . For example, the bypass valve and the axle housing 1 may be formed independently of each other, and the bypass valve may be mounted on the axle housing 1 .

[0051] Here, as an example, the filter assembly 2, the oil pump 3 and the heat exchanger 4 can be installed on the same axial end wall or axial end cover of the housing (i.e., the axle housing) of the drive axle. The cover body 21 and the filter element 22 can be installed to the axial end wall or axial end cover from one axial side (especially the axial outer side) of the axial end wall or axial end cover, and the valve assembly 25 can be installed to the axial end wall or axial end cover from the other axial side (especially the axial inner side) of the axial end wall or axial end cover. In this way, the filter assembly 2 can be compactly installed to the axial end wall or axial end cover, and the maintenance of the cover body 21 and the filter element 22 is also easy to carry out.

Claims

1. A drive axle, characterized in that: include: A bridge housing (1) defining a filter slot (G1) and a filter insertion end (T11); as well as A filter assembly (2) comprises a cover body (21) and a filter element (22); the cover body (21) comprises a base (211) and a support portion (212) which are fixedly connected; the base (211) is detachably mounted on the filter insertion end (T11); the support portion (212) is inserted into the filter tank (G1) via the filter insertion end (T11); the support portion (212) is cylindrical; the support portion (212) is provided with a plurality of oil holes (21a); ​​the oil holes (21a) penetrate the support portion (212) along a radial direction (R) of the support portion (212); the filter element (22) is inserted into the filter tank (G1) via the filter insertion end (T11); the filter element (22) is detachably sleeved on the support portion (212); and hydraulic oil filtered by the filter element (22) flows from the oil holes (21a) to the interior of the support portion (212).

2. The drive axle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bridge housing (1) further defines an input flow channel (P1), an output flow channel (P2), a filter input end (T12) and a filter output end (T13); the input flow channel (P1) is connected to the filter tank (G1) via the filter input end (T12), and the output flow channel (P2) is connected to the filter tank (G1) via the filter output end (T13).

3. The drive axle according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a bypass valve, and the input flow channel (P1) is connected to the output flow channel (P2) via the bypass valve.

4. The drive axle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The filter assembly (2) further comprises a valve assembly (25), and the bridge housing (1) and the valve assembly (25) together constitute the bypass valve. The axle housing (1) further defines a valve groove (G2), the filter groove (G1) and the valve groove (G2) are formed on the same axial end wall or axial end cover of the axle housing of the drive axle, The cover body (21) and the filter element (22) are installed to the axial end wall or the axial end cover from the axial outer side of the axial end wall or the axial end cover, and the valve assembly (25) is installed to the axial end wall or the axial end cover from the axial inner side of the axial end wall or the axial end cover.

5. The drive axle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The valve assembly (25) comprises a retaining member (251), a valve spring (252) and a valve core (253), wherein one axial end of the valve spring (252) abuts against the valve core (253), and the other axial end of the valve spring (252) abuts against the retaining member (251). The bridge housing (1) further defines a valve insertion end (T21), a valve input end (T22) and a valve output end (T23); the valve assembly (25) is inserted into the valve groove (G2) via the valve insertion end (T21); the retaining member (251) is detachably mounted on the valve insertion end (T21); the valve groove (G2) is connected to the filter groove (G1) via the valve input end (T22); the valve groove (G2) is connected to the output flow channel (P2) via the valve output end (T23); The valve spring (252) can press the valve core (253) against the valve input end (T22) to close the valve input end (T22), and the valve core (253) can be separated from the valve input end (T22) under the push of hydraulic oil to open the valve input end (T22).

6. The drive axle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bridge housing (1) comprises a mounting portion (11), the mounting portion (11) extending from the bottom surface of the filter tank (G1) toward the filter insertion end (T11), the mounting portion (11) being cylindrical, and the support portion (212) being inserted into the mounting portion (11).

7. The drive axle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The filter assembly (2) further comprises a magnet (24), wherein the magnet (24) is sleeved on the mounting portion (11), and the filter input end (T12) faces the mounting portion (11).

8. The drive axle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The filter element (22) covers the oil hole (21a), a sealing ring (27) is provided between the filter element (22) and the support portion (212), the filter element (22) is sleeved on the mounting portion (11), a sealing ring (28) is provided between the filter element (22) and the mounting portion (11), and an input end of the oil hole (21a) is provided between the two sealing rings (27, 28).

9. The drive axle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The outer circumferential surface of the filter element (22) is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the filter tank (G1). The bridge housing (1) comprises one or more inner protrusions (12), wherein the inner protrusions (12) protrude from the bottom surface of the filter tank (G1) toward the filter insertion end (T11), and the inner protrusions (12) separate the filter element (22) from the bottom surface of the filter tank (G1). The cover (21) comprises one or more external protrusions (213), wherein the external protrusions (213) protrude from the base (211) toward the bottom surface of the filter tank (G1), and the external protrusions (213) separate the filter element (22) and the base (211). In this way, the two axial end surfaces of the filter element (22) can serve as the liquid inlet surfaces of the filter element (22).

10. The drive axle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The filter assembly (2) further comprises a limit spring (23), wherein the limit spring (23) is sleeved on the support portion (212), and the limit spring (23) presses against the filter element (22), so that the filter element (22) is limited in the axial direction (A) of the support portion (212). The drive axle further comprises an oil pump (3) and a heat exchanger (4), wherein the oil pump (3) and the heat exchanger (4) are mounted on the axle housing (1), and the oil pump (3) is used to drive hydraulic oil to pass through the filter element (22) and the oil hole (21a) and enter the heat exchanger (4).

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