Oil wetting device for lubricating component of motor vehicle, lubricating device for transmission component, and transmission component of vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides an oil wetting device for lubricating a component of a motor vehicle, a lubricating device for a transmission component and the transmission component of the vehicle. The oil wetting device includes: an oil supply line having an inlet end for supplying oil; the oscillation device is used for spraying oscillation oil jet flow; wherein the oscillation device is formed with an oscillation chamber having a propulsion nozzle and a discharge nozzle positioned downstream with respect to the propulsion nozzle; wherein the propulsion nozzle is designed to discharge oil supplied via the oil supply line as a propulsion jet into the oscillation chamber; wherein a geometry is formed in the oscillation chamber for creating vortices, thereby causing a liquid propulsion jet to oscillate in a plane when flowing through the oscillation chamber; and wherein the discharge nozzle is designed to discharge the oil jet oscillated in the plane from the oscillation chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to an oil lubrication device for lubricating motor vehicles; according to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a lubrication device for transmission components; and according to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a transmission component of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of automotive components, particularly transmission components, comprehensive lubrication and cooling are required by applying suitable lubricants (e.g., transmission oil) to ensure operation with minimal friction. For example, it is known from the prior art to use dot-jet nozzles for cooling and lubrication of gears, which produce dot-jet streams of lubricant or oil. In the case of dot-jet nozzles, to achieve adequate lubrication and cooling of the transmission gears, multiple nozzles are needed to ensure sufficient lubrication and cooling in different areas of the transmission and to guarantee adequate lubrication and cooling under various operating conditions of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, some devices are known from the prior art that can apply an extensive oil film to transmission components. These devices, for example, form fan-shaped nozzles, slit nozzles, or dot nozzles with corresponding guide ribs to generate a large-area oil film. A disadvantage of the aforementioned devices for generating a large-area oil film is that they require high operating pressures of the lubricant or oil to achieve a sufficiently large application area via the corresponding nozzles. This is disadvantageous, especially in the field of electric vehicles (such as electric cars), where high operating pressures are closely related to the high energy input requirements from the pumps delivering the lubricant. Furthermore, a disadvantage of the aforementioned devices for applying a large-area lubricant film is that when the viscosity of the lubricant increases (e.g., when the lubricant is not heated, such as in winter), the devices cannot apply a large-area oil film via the corresponding nozzles due to the increased viscosity. Therefore, there is a risk that at lower lubricant temperatures (e.g., during cold starts of a vehicle in winter conditions), sufficient lubricant supply to the vehicle or transmission components may not be achieved, potentially leading to increased wear and reduced service life of the transmission components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for lubricating motor vehicle components (e.g., transmission components), which can achieve large-area application of lubricant even when the operating pressure of the lubricant is low, and can still ensure adequate lubrication of transmission components even at the lowest pump pressure used to deliver the lubricant and the existing high viscosity of the lubricant.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, the aforementioned problems are solved by an oil-lubricating device for lubricating motor vehicle components, particularly transmission components. The oil-lubricating device according to the invention firstly has an oil supply line having an inlet end for supplying oil and an oscillating device for injecting an oscillating oil jet. The oscillating device includes an oscillating chamber having a propulsion nozzle and a discharge nozzle located downstream of the propulsion nozzle, wherein the propulsion nozzle is designed to discharge oil supplied via the oil supply line as a propulsion jet into the oscillating chamber, wherein a geometry for forming vortices is formed in the oscillating chamber, thereby causing the liquid propulsion jet to oscillate in a plane as it flows through the oscillating chamber, and wherein the discharge nozzle is designed to discharge the in-plane oscillating oil jet from the oscillating chamber.

[0006] According to the invention, the term "oscillating oil jet" (which is ejected from a discharge nozzle) should be understood to mean an oil jet that is not necessarily continuous, and may, for example, be intermittent or temporarily formed as immediately continuous droplets. However, according to the invention, the term "oscillating oil jet" should not be understood as oil mist, and in particular not as atomized lubricant mist. The term "oil" as used herein refers to any lubricant used in the field of motor vehicle components (particularly in the field of transmission components) for lubrication and preferably for temperature control of components. This oil is preferably transmission oil.

[0007] The oil wetting device according to the invention, particularly using an oscillating chamber, in which a liquid-propelled jet of oil is oscillated via a geometric structure, has the advantage that the lubricant or oil can oscillate within the oscillating chamber even at very low operating pressures because there is only a small pressure loss within the oscillating chamber. In embodiments according to the invention, moving parts can be advantageously eliminated. Furthermore, the oscillating device according to the invention allows the liquid-propelled jet introduced into the oscillating chamber to pass through the oscillating chamber in a straight line at an oil operating pressure lower than the oscillation excitation within the oscillating chamber. This enables, according to the invention, at least point-like lubrication of the corresponding motor vehicle or transmission components to be ensured even at the lowest oil operating pressure.

[0008] According to the prior art, oscillating devices including oscillating chambers for generating oscillating fluid jets are known, and in particular, the geometry within the corresponding oscillating chamber for generating the oscillating fluid flow is known. As described above, the oscillating chamber essentially has a propulsion nozzle for introducing a liquid propulsion jet of lubricant or oil into the oscillating chamber, and a discharge nozzle arranged downstream of the propulsion nozzle within the oscillating chamber. The oscillating chamber has a pair of channels having inlet openings leading to respective sides of the discharge nozzle and corresponding outlet openings near the propulsion nozzle. The oscillating chamber has a pair of wall surfaces that begin immediately downstream of the outlet opening and extend downstream therefrom, defining two vortex-forming chambers. The upstream end of each vortex-forming chamber is sufficiently recessed relative to the outlet opening to avoid wall contact of the introduced oil, and the downstream end of each wall surface has a corresponding protrusion with a relatively smooth surface to guide the vortex formed in the vortex-forming chamber across the protrusion and into the inlet opening, thereby causing the liquid propulsion jet to oscillate back and forth in a plane within the oscillating chamber. Then, the corresponding oscillating oil jet is discharged from the oscillating chamber through the discharge nozzle and can then be applied to the surface of the corresponding vehicle part or transmission component to be lubricated.

[0009] Specifically, the propulsion nozzle can be designed as a point nozzle to inject a concentrated jet of liquid oil into the oscillation chamber. Point nozzles can have different geometric cross-sections or nozzle shapes, such as square, trapezoidal, or circular.

[0010] As described above, at least two control channels positioned opposite each other in the oscillation chamber can be formed as the geometry of the oscillation chamber. In a first exemplary embodiment, the opposing control channels can be formed in a mirror-symmetric manner with respect to the central axis, thereby achieving a beam that generates uniform oscillations in two directions within the oscillation plane. However, in other cases, it is also preferable to design the opposing control channels to be asymmetrical or to provide different flow cross-sections for the respective control channels in order to generate non-uniform oscillations or oscillations in one main direction.

[0011] Preferably, the discharge nozzle can be designed as a widened nozzle, such as a fan-shaped nozzle, wherein the corresponding fan-shaped nozzle is widened in a fan shape within the oscillating plane of the oil jet. However, the discharge nozzle can also be designed simply as an outlet orifice with a suitable cross-sectional size for discharging the oscillating oil jet.

[0012] Any lubricant can be used as the oil for the oil-lubricating device according to the invention, but transmission oil with low viscosity is particularly suitable.

[0013] Therefore, it can be proposed that the oil supply lines, as well as the oscillation device and their respective fluid transport components, be made of a plastic material resistant to transmission oil (and preferably a glass fiber reinforced plastic material). Preferably, thermoplastic plastics can be used to form the device and its components according to the invention.

[0014] Preferably, the oil supply lines and the oscillating device are made of polyamide 6 (polycaprolactam), and particularly preferably, glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6. More preferably, both the oil supply lines and the oscillating device can be manufactured as plastic injection molded parts.

[0015] The oil supply line may have an outlet end opposite to the inlet end, wherein the oscillating device is molded into the oil supply line by material bonding in the region of the outlet end, and wherein the propulsion nozzle is formed at the outlet end of the oil supply line.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the oil supply line may have an outlet end opposite the inlet end, wherein the oscillating device can be fluid-tightly connected to the oil supply line in the region of the outlet end. For example, clamps or locking elements can be used to form a fluid-tight connection between the oscillating device and the outlet end of the oil supply line, the clamps or locking elements being adapted to each other, thereby advantageously connecting the oscillating device to the outlet end of the oil supply line. This connection allows for advantageous modification of the position of the oscillating plane of the discharge nozzle or fan nozzle of the oscillating device relative to the oil supply line. According to the invention, this enables the formation of an oscillating oil jet within a desired plane, and thus allows the oscillating oil jet to be precisely directed towards the transmission component to be wetted. Preferably, the fluid-tight connection between the oscillating device and the outlet end, as well as the reverse operation, can be performed without tools.

[0017] Preferably, transverse to the oil flow direction from the inlet end to the outlet nozzle, the oil supply line and oscillation device can be designed as at least a double-shell injection molded part with at least two plastic housing parts.

[0018] The at least two plastic housing components are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner via at least one mating surface, or by material bonding, thereby forming a closed piping structure in the area of ​​a fluid-tight oscillation chamber and oil supply line.

[0019] Preferably, the at least double-shell injection-molded plastic part has at least one flat mating surface.

[0020] It can be proposed that at least one first plastic housing component is formed of a laser-transmitting plastic material, and at least one second plastic housing component is formed of a laser-absorbing plastic material. An advantage of the foregoing embodiments is that the first and second plastic housing components can be fluid-tightly connected or joined together by means of a laser welding process. Alternatively, the first and second plastic housing components can generally be formed of any plastic material, and the respective plastic housing components can be joined by means of an assembly injection molding process.

[0021] The at least two plastic housings can be joined together (preferably by material bonding). Alternatively, the at least two plastic housing parts can be glued together.

[0022] Preferably, the oil supply line and the oscillation device are designed as an integral plastic injection molded part along the oil flow direction from the inlet end to the outlet nozzle.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be proposed that a quick-connect fitting be formed in the inlet region of the oil supply line for fluid-tightly connecting the oil wetting device according to the invention to the oil transport component.

[0024] It may also be proposed that a sealing element be arranged or molded in the area of ​​the inlet end and / or (if present) outlet end of the oil supply line, the sealing element being preferably designed for a fluid-sealed connection of the oil supply line.

[0025] At least one fastening element (preferably a threaded sleeve) may also be provided in the area of ​​the oil supply line and / or oscillation device for load-bearing connection between the oil lubrication device according to the invention and the motor vehicle component or transmission component.

[0026] Threaded sleeves are used to specify the thread point in a component that absorbs thread loads.

[0027] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a lubrication device for a transmission component of a preferred electric vehicle, wherein the device comprises: at least one transmission component of the vehicle; at least one oil delivery component; and at least one oil wetting device according to a first aspect of the invention, wherein at least one inlet end of the at least one oil wetting device is connected to the at least one oil delivery component to supply oil to the at least one oil supply line, and wherein at least one discharge nozzle is directed toward the at least one transmission component to discharge an oscillating oil jet onto the transmission component.

[0028] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a transmission component of a vehicle, preferably an electrically driven vehicle, the transmission component comprising: at least one oil delivery component and at least one oil wetting device according to a first aspect of the invention, wherein at least one inlet end of the at least one oil wetting device is connected to the at least one oil delivery component to supply oil to at least one oil supply line, and wherein at least one discharge nozzle is directed toward the at least one transmission component to discharge an oscillating oil jet onto the transmission component. Attached Figure Description

[0029] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the device of the present invention are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The attached diagram shows:

[0031] Figure 1A This is a first perspective view of the front of the oil wetting device according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 1B It is based on Figure 1A A rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device;

[0033] Figure 2A This is a second exemplary embodiment of the first half-shell of the oil wetting device according to the present invention, which is designed as a half-shell.

[0034] Figure 2B Is it like this? Figure 2A The diagram shown is an enlarged view of the region of the oscillation chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2C Is it like this? Figure 2A An exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device according to the present invention is shown, wherein a second half-shell is attached, the second half-shell being partially cut off in the front region;

[0036] Figure 3 Is it like this? Figure 1A and Figure 1B An exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device according to the present invention is shown, with an oil jet schematically depicted; and

[0037] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 1AA first front view of an oil lubrication device 10 according to the present invention is shown in a perspective schematic diagram. This oil lubrication device is configured to lubricate motor vehicle components, particularly transmission components, by spraying an oscillating oil jet. The oil lubrication device 10 according to the present invention includes an oil supply line 1 and an oscillating device 2. The oil supply line has an inlet end 11 for oil supply, and the oscillating device is used to spray an oscillating oil jet, wherein... Figure 1A Oil jets are not shown in the diagram, but references are available. Figure 3 An example is shown, and the oil jet has reference numeral 3.

[0039] The oscillation device 2 has an oscillation chamber 20, which has a propulsion nozzle 21 and a discharge nozzle 22 located downstream of the propulsion nozzle 21. The propulsion nozzle 21 is designed to discharge oil supplied via the oil supply line 1 as a propulsion jet into the oscillation chamber 20, wherein a geometry 23 is formed in the oscillation chamber 20, such as from... Figure 2A As can be seen, this creates vortices in the oscillation chamber 20, whereby the liquid-propelled jet oscillates within the plane 30 as it flows through the oscillation chamber 20. The discharge nozzle 22 is designed to discharge the oil jet 3 oscillating within the plane 30 from the oscillation chamber. Figure 1A and Figure 1B An exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device is designed such that the oil supply line 1 has an outlet end 12 opposite to the inlet end 11, wherein, according to... Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the region of the outlet end 12 of the illustrated embodiment, the oscillating device 2 is formed on the oil supply line 1 by material bonding, and the propulsion nozzle 21 is formed on the outlet end 12 of the oil supply line, which can also... Figure 2A See more details in the middle.

[0040] according to Figure 1A and Figure 1B An exemplary embodiment further includes an optional quick-connect fitting 111 in the region of the inlet end 11 of the oil supply line 1, which is designed for a fluid-tight connection between the oil supply line 1 and the oil delivery component. A sealing element 14 is arranged or formed in the region of the inlet end 11 of the oil supply line 1, by which a fluid-tight connection between the device according to the invention and the oil supply component (e.g., in particular the oil supply line) can be achieved.

[0041] according to Figure 1A and Figure 1B The embodiments also include a fastening element 5, which, in the preferred embodiment shown, includes a threaded sleeve 51 for load-bearing connection between the oil lubrication device 10 and the vehicle component or the load-bearing structure of the vehicle.

[0042] Figure 2A It shows according to Figure 1A and Figure 1B An exemplary embodiment, wherein the oil wetting device 10 is designed as a double-shell plastic component, Figure 2A Only the first plastic housing member 41 is shown, which can be fluid-tightly joined or connected to the opposing second plastic housing member 42 via at least one flat mating surface 40, as shown. Figure 2C As shown. At least two plastic housing parts 41, 42 can be joined to each other by material bonding, or preferably by material bonding. Corresponding joining processes for plastic materials (especially thermoplastic materials), such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding, are known in the prior art. Of course, a so-called component injection molding process can also be provided to join the at least two plastic housing parts 41, 42.

[0043] Figures 2A-2C The construction of the oscillation device 2 is shown in detail, particularly the construction of the oscillation chamber 20, which has a propulsion nozzle 21 and a discharge nozzle 22 positioned opposite to the propulsion nozzle 21. In the diagram... Figures 2A-2C In this embodiment, the discharge nozzle 22 is designed as a fan-shaped nozzle 221, which expands in the oil discharge direction and expands in a fan shape within the oscillation plane 30 of the oil jet. In the illustrated embodiment, the propulsion nozzle 21 is designed as a dot-shaped nozzle to discharge the collected liquid oil jet into the oscillation chamber 20. Multiple geometries 23 are formed in the oscillation chamber 20, thereby forming two control channels 24 opposite to each other in the oscillation plane 30 within the oscillation chamber 20 in the illustrated embodiment. Figures 2A-2C In the illustrated embodiment, the two opposing control channels 24 are mirror-symmetrical in the oscillation plane 30, specifically having the same flow cross-section and course. This achieves uniform oscillation of the oil jet. However, it is also possible to specifically form the illustrated channels 24 with different flow cross-sections, such that the oscillation of the oil jet in the oscillation plane 30 can exhibit different pronounced or morphological expressions in two directions.

[0044] Figures 2A-2C As shown, transverse to the oil flow direction from inlet end 11 to outlet nozzle 22, the oil supply line 1 and the oscillating device 2 are designed as double-shell plastic components with two plastic housing parts 41, 42, wherein Figure 2A and Figure 2B Only the first plastic housing component 41 of the two plastic housing components is shown. Figures 2A-2C In the diagram, a flat mating surface 40 can be seen, through which the first plastic housing component 41 and the second plastic housing component 42 can be connected or joined together in a fluid-tight manner. For illustration, in... Figure 2CThe image shows an oil-lubricating device 10 comprising two plastic housing components 41, 42, wherein the second plastic housing component 42 is partially cut out in the region of the oscillation chamber 20 to show the internal structure and the mating surface 40.

[0045] Figure 3 A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device 10 according to the present invention is also shown, wherein in Figure 3 The image shows an oscillating oil jet 3, which is shown as multiple oil droplets following one another.

[0046] Figure 4 A perspective schematic diagram of another exemplary embodiment of the oil wetting device 10 according to the present invention is shown. Figure 4 The exemplary embodiment differs from the previous figures in that the oil supply line 1 has an outlet end 12 opposite to the inlet end 11, wherein the oscillating device 2 can be fluid-tightly connected to the oil supply line 1 in the region of the aforementioned outlet end 12. For this purpose, a fluid coupling is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which can be connected and coupled to each other without tools via a locking element. In the illustrated embodiment, the oil supply line 1 is designed as a single piece (e.g., an injection-molded part), while the oscillating device 2 is designed as a two-piece housing component, including a first housing part 41 and a second housing part 42 having a flat mating surface 40, the two plastic housing parts 41 and 42 of the oscillating device 2 being fluid-tightly connected or coupled to each other via this mating surface.

Claims

1. An oil wetting device (10) for lubricating motor vehicle parts, comprising: The oil supply line (1) has an inlet end (11) for oil supply; as well as An oscillating device (2) is used to spray an oscillating oil jet (3); The oscillation device (2) has an oscillation chamber (20) having a propulsion nozzle (21) and a discharge nozzle (22) positioned downstream of the propulsion nozzle (21). The propulsion nozzle (21) is designed to discharge oil supplied via the oil supply line (1) as a propulsion jet into the oscillation chamber (20); A geometric structure (23) is formed in the oscillation chamber (20) to generate vortices, thereby causing the liquid propulsion jet to oscillate in a plane (30) as it flows through the oscillation chamber (20); and The discharge nozzle (22) is designed to discharge the oil jet (3) that oscillates within the plane (30) from the oscillation chamber (20).

2. The oil wetting device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The propulsion nozzle (21) is designed as a dot nozzle to spray the collected oil jet into the oscillation chamber (20).

3. The oil wetting device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least two control channels (24) positioned relative to each other in the oscillation plane (30) form the geometry (23) in the oscillation chamber (20).

4. The oil wetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The discharge nozzle (22) is designed as a fan-shaped nozzle (221), which is widened in a fan shape within the oscillating plane (30) of the oil jet (3).

5. The oil wetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The oil supply line (1) and the oscillation device (2) are made of a plastic material that is resistant to transmission oil and preferably glass fiber reinforced.

6. The oil wetting apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The oil supply line (1) has an outlet end (12) opposite to the inlet end (11), wherein the oscillating device (2) is formed in the region of the outlet end (12) on the oil supply line (1) by means of material bonding, and wherein the propulsion nozzle (21) is formed on the outlet end (12) of the oil supply line (1).

7. The oil wetting apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The oil supply line (1) has an outlet end (12) opposite to the inlet end (11), wherein the oscillating device (2) is designed to be fluid-tightly connected to the oil supply line (1) in the region of the outlet end (12).

8. The oil wetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the direction transverse to the oil flow from the inlet end (11) to the outlet nozzle (22), the oil supply line (1) and the oscillating device (2) are designed as at least double-shell injection molded parts with at least two plastic housing parts (41, 42).

9. The oil wetting device (10) according to claim 8, wherein, At least one double-shell injection-molded plastic part has at least one flat mating surface (40).

10. The oil wetting apparatus (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, At least one first plastic housing part (41) is formed of a laser-transmitting plastic material, and at least one second plastic housing part (42) is formed of a laser-absorbing plastic material.

11. The oil wetting apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The at least two plastic housing parts (41, 42) are connected to each other by material bonding, preferably by material bonding.

12. The oil wetting apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Along the oil flow direction from the inlet end (11) to the outlet nozzle (22), the oil supply line (1) and the oscillation device (2) are designed as an integral injection molded plastic part.

13. The oil wetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a quick-connect fitting (111) is formed in the region of the inlet end (11) of the oil supply line (1) for fluid-tight connection with the oil transport component.

14. The oil wetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing element (14) is arranged or molded, preferably formed, in the region of the inlet end (11) and / or, if present, in the region of the outlet end (12) of the oil supply line (1) for fluid-sealed connection of the oil supply line (1).

15. The oil lubrication device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one fastening element (5), preferably a threaded sleeve (51), is formed in the region of the oil supply line (1) and / or the oscillation device (2) for the load-bearing connection of the oil lubrication device (10) to the motor vehicle component.

16. A lubrication device for a transmission component, preferably a transmission component of an electric vehicle, the lubrication device comprising: At least one transmission component of a vehicle; At least one oil delivery component; as well as At least one oil wetting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein, at least one inlet end (11) of the at least one oil wetting device (10) is connected to the at least one oil conveying component for supplying oil to the at least one oil supply line (1), and The at least one discharge nozzle (22) is aligned with the at least one transmission component to discharge the oscillating oil jet (3) onto the transmission component.

17. A transmission component for a vehicle, preferably an electric vehicle, the transmission component comprising: At least one oil delivery component; as well as At least one oil wetting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, Wherein, at least one inlet end (11) of the at least one oil wetting device (10) is connected to the at least one oil conveying component for supplying oil to the at least one oil supply line (1), and The at least one discharge nozzle (22) is aligned with the at least one transmission component to discharge the oscillating oil jet (3) onto the transmission component.

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