Lubricant guide ring for guiding liquid lubricant and supply system

Abstract

The invention relates to a lubricant guide ring and a supply system for guiding a liquid lubricant. The lubricant guide ring includes an annular body defining a channel. The channels (18) extend radially and are used to divert lubricant radially inward from radially outward. The channel (18) is formed by a gap (15), by means of which the main body (14) is interrupted in the circumferential direction to form free ends (16, 17), the main body (14) being designed at least in sections to be elastic and being radially elastically variable by a relative movement of the free ends (16, 17) thereof oriented in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the main body (14) is provided, at the free ends (16, 17) thereof, with a respective lubricant guide surface (22, 23) which extends radially inwardly obliquely in relation to the outer circumferential side (28) of the main body (14) towards the channel (18) and which is provided in each case for guiding lubricant to the channel (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a lubricant guide ring for guiding liquid lubricant. The lubricant guide ring includes an annular body defining a channel, wherein the channel extends radially and is used to guide the lubricant from the radially outer side to the radially inner side. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a supply system having the aforementioned lubricant guide ring. Background Technology

[0002] Technically, in many fields, it is common to supply lubricant to areas and components that require lubrication and / or cooling. For this purpose, the corresponding areas and components are mostly connected to their respective supply systems, through which lubricant is delivered specifically. Thus, in mechanical systems, for example, bearing locations and gear meshing parts are supplied in a targeted manner. Within the corresponding supply system, the lubricant is mostly drawn from a lubricant reservoir by a transfer pump and transported to the corresponding area or component. Partially, the supply system includes guiding elements that specifically guide the lubricant to the areas of the components to be supplied.

[0003] CN 209587 103 U discloses a supply system in which lubricant can be supplied to a toothed engagement portion established between driving teeth, wherein a connection against relative rotation between two shafts is achieved via the toothed engagement portion. Lubricant flow occurs here via a lubricant guide ring, which guides the lubricant from the radially outer side. The lubricant guide ring has an annular body, which in particular has radially extending channels through which the lubricant is guided radially inward from the radially outer side and subsequently to the toothed engagement portion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on the aforementioned prior art, the objective of the present invention is to provide a lubricant guide ring by means of which appropriate radial flow of lubricant can be achieved; however, the lubricant guide ring can also be reliably and as self-retainingly fastened in the corresponding area of ​​the supply system.

[0005] This task is solved by starting from the preamble of claim 1 and incorporating its distinctive features. The subsequent dependent claims reflect advantageous improvements of the invention. Furthermore, claims 11 to 15 pertain to a supply system provided with a lubricant guide ring according to the invention.

[0006] According to the invention, the lubricant guide ring comprises an annular body defining a channel extending radially and used to guide the lubricant from the radially outer side to the radially inner side. Thus, the lubricant guide ring according to the invention is configured to guide liquid lubricant, particularly oil. This guidance of the lubricant occurs radially from the radially outer side to the radially inner side via a channel formed by the body of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention.

[0007] The body of the lubricant guide ring is designed to be annular. In the context of this invention, this should be understood as the body of the lubricant guide ring being designed to be at least largely annular in its cross-section. Preferably, the body of the lubricant guide ring, in addition to its annular shape, also has an axial extension, which, together with its annular cross-section, gives the body a hollow column-like or tubular shape.

[0008] The present invention now includes the technical teaching that the channel is formed by a slit, and the body is interrupted in the circumferential direction by the slit to form a free end. Here, the body is designed at least segmentally to be elastic and can be radially elastically varied by the relative movement of its free ends in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, each of the free ends of the body is provided with a lubricant guiding surface radially externally, the lubricant guiding surfaces extending radially inward toward the channel relative to the outer peripheral side of the body, and are respectively configured to guide the lubricant into the channel.

[0009] In other words, the annular body is thus constructed with a slit, wherein the slit extending through the body defines a radially extending channel. In addition to forming the radial channel, the free ends of the body are designed circumferentially via the slit. The body of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention is elastic in at least a portion, allowing the body to undergo radial elastic change through relative movement between the free ends of the body in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the body has lubricant guide surfaces at its free ends, which are arranged radially outward at their respective ends. Here, the respective lubricant guide surfaces are constructed radially inward at an incline relative to the outer peripheral surface of the body, with this inward inclination directed towards the channel. The respective lubricant guide surfaces are used to guide the lubricant towards the channel.

[0010] Here, the design of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention has the advantage that, on the one hand, the lubricant guide ring can be self-holdingly arranged in the supply system for guiding liquid lubricant. Because of the slotted embodiment of the annular body, the free ends forming the annular body, combined with the elastic design of at least part of the body, allow the body to radially elastically change. Based on this radial variability, the body of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention can be self-holdingly arranged in a hole or groove in the supply system without problems, similar to an inner or outer retaining ring. On the other hand, the lubricant guiding surfaces, radially externally defined at the ends of the body, respectively support the delivery of lubricant to the channel by facilitating the flow of lubricant into the channel based on their respective inclinations. In summary, this provides a lubricant guide ring that can be easily installed into the supply system and that provides reliable lubricant guidance from the radially outer to the radially inner side.

[0011] According to the invention, the annular body is interrupted by a gap to form free ends, thereby giving the annular body a C-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the body is designed at least segmentally to be elastic, allowing the free ends to move relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Here, the free ends can move in the circumferential direction, particularly moving closer together and further apart, thereby changing the radial dimension of the annular body. Thus, when the free ends move closer together, the annular body radially shrinks, and when the ends move further apart, the annular body radially expands. Based on the at least segmentally elastic design, this occurs elastically, meaning that after the force causing shrinkage or expansion ceases, the annular body will attempt to automatically and elastically return to its initial state with the initial spacing between the free ends.

[0012] Preferably, the body is designed to be at least primarily elastic, meaning that when the free ends move relative to each other in the circumferential direction, most of the body undergoes elastic deformation in its circumferential extension. More particularly preferred is that the body is designed to be entirely elastic; for this purpose, the body is particularly composed of a spring-elastic material.

[0013] Within the scope of the invention, the lubricant guide ring is particularly configured for arrangement in the internal space of a surrounding member designed as a hole, wherein the body of the lubricant guide ring is then preferably radially reduced in relation to this arrangement by the convergence of its free ends in order to be introduced into the internal space and subsequently self-retained in the internal space by expansion after reduction through a resilient shaping design based on the body.

[0014] The lubricant guiding surfaces are designed radially outward at the ends of the main body, wherein the lubricant guiding surfaces preferably extend for a specific length radially outward from the main body. The corresponding lubricant guiding surfaces extend continuously away from the channel to the outer peripheral side of the annular main body, wherein alternatively, a stepped transition can be achieved.

[0015] Within the scope of this invention, the corresponding inclination of the corresponding lubricant guide surface in the cross-section of the lubricant guide ring can be designed to be linear, thereby making the corresponding lubricant guide surface a bevel. However, particularly preferably, at least one segment of the corresponding lubricant guide surface is curved in the cross-section of the lubricant guide ring, i.e., defined by at least one radius. Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding lubricant guide surface may extend axially along the entire axial depth of the body at the corresponding free end, or extend only along a portion of the axial depth of the body.

[0016] In the context of this invention, "radial" refers to a direction along the diameter of the body, with its center point located on the central axis of the body. Within the scope of this invention, "axial" means a direction parallel to the central axis, while "circumferential direction" refers to a direction along the periphery of the body.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lubricant guiding surface is formed by a bottom of a corresponding inlet groove, which is designed to extend radially outward at the respective free end of the body in the circumferential direction and radially inward toward the channel, and communicate with the channel. In this case, the corresponding lubricant guiding surface is thus formed by a bottom of a recess, which is introduced into the body as an inlet groove radially outward and is designed to have a radially inwardly inclined orientation. In particular, the inlet grooves here have a groove-like shape design. Advantageously, reliable guidance of lubricant to the channel can be achieved based on the groove-like or recess-like shape design. Particularly preferred is that the inlet grooves here are axially limited on both sides by their respective sidewalls, thereby facilitating the accumulation of lubricant in the inlet grooves.

[0018] In an improved embodiment of the foregoing, the corresponding sidewalls may at least sectionally protrude radially outward relative to the outer peripheral surface of the body. This not only facilitates the accumulation of lubricant in the respective inlet grooves but also allows for the creation of an outer contour via the sidewalls, which can support the self-centering of the lubricant guide ring when it is placed in the supply system and / or provide a mechanical stop to prevent undesirable torsion of the lubricant guide ring.

[0019] As a further alternative or supplement, each inlet channel is defined by an arched inlet that is introduced into the body from the radial outside. Advantageously, this allows the respective inlet channels to be designed in a simple manner.

[0020] According to a feasible design according to the invention, corresponding action surfaces are designed at the free ends of the main body, pointing circumferentially away from the channel. These surfaces are each configured to introduce a circumferentially acting installation force to achieve relative movement of the free ends. This allows the annular main body to elastically expand or contract by introducing the installation force, and the action surfaces can be operated on without problems using tools. This simplifies the installation of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention.

[0021] Another embodiment of the invention has a flange on its inner circumference, which is designed to project radially inward and extend circumferentially. This, on the one hand, increases the strength of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention, and consequently achieves a more stable fastening in the supply system. On the other hand, it allows for lubricant accumulation on the radially inner side of the body, thereby supplying lubricant to components axially adjacent to the lubricant guide ring. Particularly preferably, the flange has a maximum radially inward extension relative to the channel diameter, wherein the flange continuously decreases radially toward the inner circumferential side of the body on both sides of this maximum extension in the circumferential direction. Alternatively or supplementarily, the flange is axially centered on the inner circumference of the body.

[0022] In an improved embodiment of the invention, the lubricant guide ring according to the invention is preferably constructed as a single piece, wherein the single-piece construction is particularly achieved using thermoplastic materials. This allows for a suitable design of the lubricant guide ring.

[0023] The subject of this invention is also a supply system for delivering lubricant, comprising a stationary component in which a lubricant collection space is designed. An internal space is designed vertically below the lubricant collection space, connecting to it via a transition portion, and the area to be supplied from the lubricant collection space is located within this internal space. Here, a lubricant guide ring according to any one or more of the aforementioned edge configurations is accommodated in the internal space and at the transition portion, wherein the lubricant guide ring is introduced into the internal space by radial elastic contraction of its body, and is held there by expansion of its body after contraction. The lubricant guide ring utilizes the free end of its body located in the transition portion, thereby allowing the lubricant to flow from the lubricant collection space through the channel of the lubricant guide ring to the radially inner region of the lubricant guide ring, and further to the internal space, via a lubricant guide surface provided at the free end. This allows for reliable delivery of lubricant into the internal space and, consequently, into the area to be supplied, via the application of the lubricant guide ring according to the invention in the supply system, wherein the lubricant guide ring is also reliably retained within the internal space. Preferably, the internal space is defined herein by a hole.

[0024] If the lubricant guide ring is also designed to have sidewalls that project radially outward relative to its outer peripheral surface, these radially outward projecting sidewalls restrict the torsion of the lubricant guide ring within its internal space. This allows for self-centering of the lubricant guide ring on the one hand, and prevents unwanted torsion of the lubricant guide ring on the other.

[0025] As an alternative or supplement to the aforementioned variant, the area to be supplied exists in the form of a toothed meshing portion between driving teeth, which are respectively arranged on two shafts connected to each other via the toothed meshing portion to resist relative rotation. Here, one shaft is designed as a hollow shaft at least at its shaft end where the toothed meshing portion is formed, and the corresponding driving teeth are designed on the inner circumference of the hollow shaft. The other shaft is axially inserted into it using its shaft end and the corresponding driving teeth formed therein. In this case, the supply of the toothed meshing portion between the driving teeth of the shaft is thus achieved, thereby ensuring sufficient lubrication of these toothed meshing portions. In particular, this prevents the formation of mating corrosion at the toothed meshing portion.

[0026] In an improved version of the aforementioned variant, one of the shafts has at least one notch at its end, which communicates, on the one hand, with an intermediate space connected to the channel space of the lubricant guide ring, and on the other hand, with the inner circumference of the hollow shaft. This further improves the delivery of lubricant to the meshing portion by allowing the lubricant, after being guided through the channel of the lubricant guide ring, to flow into the interior of the hollow shaft through at least one notch. Particularly preferably, a plurality of such notches are designed, which are equidistant from each other. In particular, at least one notch is designed as a hole. Alternatively, but preferably additionally, at least one notch extends purely radially at the end of one of the shafts.

[0027] As a further alternative or supplement, a bearing is arranged axially adjacent to the lubricant guide ring, with two shafts rotatably supported via the bearing, wherein the radially inner region of the lubricant guide ring is spatially connected to the bearing. This has the advantage that lubricant can also be delivered to the axially adjacent bearing, and consequently, lubrication of the bearing can be achieved. Particularly preferably, the lubricant guide ring according to the invention is designed with a flange on its inner circumference, thereby further improving delivery to the adjacent bearing through lubricant accumulation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Advantageous embodiments of the invention described below are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the supply system; and

[0031] Figure 3 This illustrates a preferred design feasible scheme according to the present invention. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective view of the lubricant guide ring of the supply system. Detailed Implementation

[0032] from Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of the supply system 1, lubricant can be supplied to the anti-relative-rotation connection of the two shafts 2 and 3, as well as the bearings 4 that rotatably support the shafts 2 and 3. Here, shafts 2 and 3 are half-shafts, through which a transmission connection is established between the lateral differential and the wheel ends of the vehicle drive axle, especially in electrically driven vehicle drive axles. Here, shaft 2 is connected to the lateral differential side, while the connection to the wheel ends of the vehicle drive axle is achieved on shaft 3.

[0033] Two shafts 2 and 3 are connected to each other in an anti-rotational manner via meshing teeth, which are respectively established between the driving teeth 5 and 6 of the two shafts 2 and 3. Here, the driving teeth 6 are arranged on the outer periphery of the shaft 3 in the region of the shaft end 7, through which the shaft 3 is inserted into the shaft end 8 of the shaft 2. For this purpose, the shaft 2 is designed as a hollow shaft at the shaft end 8. On the shaft 2 side, the driving teeth 5 are constructed on the inner periphery of the shaft 2 in the region of the shaft end 8.

[0034] The supply of lubricant to the meshing portions of the driving teeth 5 and 6 and the bearing 4 is carried out from a lubricant collection space 9 in a supply system 1 designed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. This lubricant collection space is defined by a housing 10, and the lubricant is preferably fed within the supply system 1 by a supply line. Here, the lubricant is preferably present as oil. The housing 10 is, in particular, the axle body of a motor vehicle drive axle. The housing 10 also forms an internal space 11, which is vertically located below the lubricant collection space 9 in the mounting position of the motor vehicle drive axle. Here, the internal space 11 is preferably defined in the housing 10 by a hole.

[0035] The lubricant collection space 9 and the internal space 11 are interconnected via a transition section 12 to facilitate the transfer of lubricant from the lubricant collection space 9 to the internal space 11. This transition section is designed within the housing 10 in the region of the meshing portion of the driving teeth 5 and 6 and is axially adjacent to the bearing 4. To ensure a reliable supply, particularly to the meshing portion of the driving teeth 5 and 6, a lubricant guide ring 13 is provided in the supply system 1. This lubricant guide ring is constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and... Figure 3 It is shown separately in perspective.

[0036] Such as combination Figures 1 to 3 It can be seen that the lubricant guide ring 13 has a body 14, which is designed to be annular in cross-section. Especially in combination Figure 3 It can also be seen that the body 14 has dimensions along the axial direction, which gives the body 14 a shape similar to a hollow cylinder or a tube. The body 14 is also interrupted by a slit 15, thereby defining free ends 16 and 17 in the body 14 and a channel 18 located between these ends 16 and 17. The body 14 is also integrally made of thermoplastic and is designed to be elastic, so that the body 14 can change radially elastically through the relative movement of the ends 16 and 17 relative to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0037] Currently, the radial dimension of the main body 14 is reduced by moving the ends 16 and 17 closer together. For this purpose, there is... Figure 3The installation force 19, indicated by the arrow, is introduced into the working surfaces 20 and 21, which are defined in the body 14 at the ends 16 and 17, respectively, away from the channel 18. Here, the installation force 19 can be introduced via a tool, wherein the body 14 of the lubricant guide ring 13 is radially elastically reduced to such that the lubricant guide ring 13 can be (similar to an inner retainer) inserted into the hole forming the internal space 11 of the housing 10 and axially positioned at the height of the transition portion 12. After positioning, based on the elastic design of its body 14, the lubricant guide ring 13 elastically snaps into place, in which the lubricant guide ring 13 is positioned in the transition portion using its ends 16 and 17 and, consequently, also using the channel 18 defined in the middle.

[0038] At the ends 16 and 17, the body 14 is also provided with lubricant guiding surfaces 22 and 23 radially outward, especially in... Figure 2 As can be seen in the image. Here, lubricant guiding surfaces 22 and 23 are formed by a bottom 24 or 25 of each corresponding inlet groove 26 or 27, and the body 14 is designed with the inlet groove at the corresponding end 16 or 17. Here, the corresponding inlet groove 26 or 27 is defined by an arched portion that is introduced into the body 14 from the radial outside, as shown in the image. Figure 3 As you can roughly see in the middle.

[0039] The inlet grooves 26 and 27 extend radially inward at an angle relative to the outer peripheral side 28 of the body 14 toward the channel 18, which correspondingly results in the radially inward inclination of the lubricant guide surfaces 22 and 23. This is particularly evident here. Figure 2 As can be seen, the inclined sections here have curved directions. The inlet channels 26 and 27 are respectively opposite to the channel 18 and continue to the outer peripheral side 28.

[0040] Inlet grooves 26 and 27 are axially defined on both sides of the main body 14 by their respective sidewalls 29 and 30 or 31 and 32, wherein corresponding working surfaces 20 or 21 are also defined on both sides of the respective inlet grooves 26 or 27. Here, the sidewalls 29 to 32 protrude radially outward relative to the outer peripheral surface 28 of the main body 14, and thereby, in addition to defining the axial sides of the respective inlet grooves 26 or 27, these sidewalls also serve to center the lubricant guide ring 13 in the transition portion 12 using the ends 16 and 17 and to prevent the lubricant guide ring 13 from twisting in the hole forming the internal space 11.

[0041] In addition, such as especially from Figure 3As can be seen, the main body 14 has a flange 33 on its inner circumference, which protrudes radially inward and is centrally located on the main body 14 in this axial direction. Here, the flange 33 extends along the inner circumference in the circumferential direction, wherein the flange 33 has a maximum radial extension relative to the diameter of the channel 18. From this maximum extension, the flange 33 decreases in the circumferential direction from both sides toward the inner circumferential side surface 34 of the main body 14, thereby causing the radial extension of the flange 33 to decrease progressively in the circumferential direction, i.e., toward the ends 16 and 17.

[0042] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the diagram, the paths of the lubricant are indicated by arrows 35. As can be seen, the lubricant flows from the lubricant collection space 9 into the inlet grooves 26 and 27 of the lubricant guide ring 13, and from there, based on the inclination of the inlet grooves 26 and 27 and the resulting lubricant guiding surfaces 22 and 23, it is guided towards the channel 18 of the lubricant guide ring 13. The lubricant then flows through the channel 18 to the outer periphery of the shaft 2, from where it can, on the one hand, proceed radially inward through notches 36 and further reach the meshing portion of the driving teeth 5 and 6. This correspondingly lubricates the meshing portion and thus prevents corrosion of the mating parts. The notches 36 are designed as radially extending holes, communicating on the one hand with the intermediate space formed between the shaft 2 and the lubricant guide ring 13, and on the other hand with the inner periphery of the shaft 2.

[0043] On the other hand, the lubricant reaches the area vertically below the lubricant guide ring 13 in such a way that it is both radially thrown outward via the rotating shaft 2 and vertically downward flowing down the outer periphery of the shaft 2. The lubricant then accumulates in the area vertically below the lubricant guide ring 13, where this accumulation is also supported by the flange 33. Specifically, the bearing 4 is then supplied with lubricant from this accumulation area.

[0044] With the design of the present invention, a lubricant guide ring can be provided, which achieves proper radial flow of lubricant while simultaneously being reliably and self-lockingly fastened in the corresponding area of ​​the supply system.

[0045] List of reference numerals

[0046] 1. Supply System

[0047] 2-axis

[0048] 3-axis

[0049] 4 bearings

[0050] 5. Drive the teeth

[0051] 6 drives the teeth

[0052] 7-axis end

[0053] 8-axis end

[0054] 9. Lubricant collection space

[0055] 10 housing

[0056] 11 Interior Space

[0057] 12 Transition Section

[0058] 13 Lubricant guide ring

[0059] 14 main bodies

[0060] 15 gaps

[0061] 16 end

[0062] 17 end

[0063] 18 channels

[0064] 19 Installation force

[0065] 20 action surfaces

[0066] 21 Action Surface

[0067] 22 Lubricant Guide Surface

[0068] 23 Lubricant Guide Surface

[0069] 24 bottom

[0070] 25 bottom

[0071] 26 inlet slots

[0072] 27 Inlet Slot

[0073] 28 peripheral side

[0074] 29 sidewalls

[0075] 30 sidewalls

[0076] 31 sidewalls

[0077] 32 sidewalls

[0078] 33 flange

[0079] 34 Inner Peripheral Side

[0080] 35 arrow

[0081] 36 gaps

Claims

1. A lubricant guide ring (13) for guiding liquid lubricant, the lubricant guide ring comprising an annular body (14) defining a channel (18), wherein, The channel (18) extends radially and is used to guide lubricant from the radial outside to the radial inside. The channel (18) is formed by a slit (15), and the body (14) is interrupted in the circumferential direction by the slit to form free ends (16, 17). The body (14) is designed at least in sections to be elastic and capable of radial elastic variation by the relative movement of its free ends (16, 17) in the circumferential direction. The body (14) is provided with a lubricant guiding surface (22, 23) at its free ends (16, 17) respectively, which extends radially inward toward the channel (18) relative to the outer peripheral side (28) of the body (14) and is respectively configured to guide lubricant toward the channel (18).

2. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each lubricant guide surface (22, 23) is formed by a bottom (24, 25) of a corresponding inlet groove (26, 27), which is designed to extend radially outward at the respective free ends (16, 17) of the body (14) in the circumferential direction and radially inward toward the channel (18) and communicate with the channel (18).

3. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each inlet channel (26, 27) is axially bounded on both sides by its respective sidewall (29, 30, 31, 32).

4. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The respective sidewalls (29, 30, 31, 32) at least segmentally project radially outward relative to the outer peripheral side surface (28) of the body (14).

5. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, Each inlet groove (26, 27) is defined by an arched entry portion that is introduced into the body (14) from the radial outside.

6. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At the free ends (16, 17) of the main body (14), respectively, there are corresponding action surfaces (20, 21) that are circumferentially away from the channel (18). The action surfaces are respectively set to introduce an installation force (19) acting in the circumferential direction to realize the relative movement of the free ends (16, 17).

7. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The body (14) has a flange (33) on its inner periphery, which is designed to project radially inward and extend in the circumferential direction.

8. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The flange (33) has a maximum radially inward extension relative to the diameter of the channel (18), and decreases radially toward the inner circumferential side surface (34) of the body (14) on both sides of the maximum extension in the circumferential direction.

9. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The flange (33) is axially centered on the inner periphery of the body (14).

10. The lubricant guide ring (13) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that... It has a one-piece construction, especially when made of thermoplastic.

11. A supply system (1) for providing lubricant, the supply system comprising stationary components, particularly a housing, wherein a lubricant collection space (9) is designed within the housing, wherein, An internal space (11) is designed vertically below the lubricant collection space (9), the internal space being connected to the lubricant collection space (9) via a transition portion (12), and the area to be supplied from the lubricant collection space (9) is located in the internal space, wherein a lubricant guide ring (13) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 10 is accommodated in the internal space (11) and at the transition portion (12) in such a way that the lubricant guide ring (13) is introduced into the internal space by radial elastic reduction of its body (14). In 11), and there is held there by the expansion of its body (14) after shrinkage, and wherein the lubricant guide ring (13) is located in the transition portion (12) by means of the free ends (16, 17) of its body (14), and thereby through the lubricant guide surfaces (22, 23) provided at the free ends (16, 17), the lubricant can be guided from the lubricant collection space (9) through the channel (18) of the lubricant guide ring (13) to the radial inner region of the lubricant guide ring (13) and further to the inner space (11).

12. The supply system (1) according to claim 11, and said supply system comprising at least a lubricant guide ring (13) designed according to claim 4, characterized in that, The radially outward-projecting sidewalls (29, 30, 31, 32) restrict the torsion of the lubricant guide ring (13) in the internal space (11).

13. The supply system (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The area to be supplied exists in the form of a toothed engagement between drive teeth (5, 6), which are respectively arranged on two shafts (2, 3) connected to each other in a way that resists relative rotation via the toothed engagement. One of the shafts (2) is designed as a hollow shaft at least at its shaft end (8) where the toothed engagement is established, and the corresponding drive teeth (5) are designed on the inner circumference of the hollow shaft. The other shaft (3) is axially inserted into the hollow shaft using its shaft end (7) and the corresponding drive teeth (6) formed therein.

14. The supply system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The shaft (2) has at least one notch (36) at its shaft end (8), which communicates on one hand with an intermediate space connected in space to the channel (18) of the lubricant guide ring (13), and on the other hand with the inner circumference of the shaft (2) which is designed as a hollow shaft.

15. The supply system (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, A bearing (4) is arranged axially adjacent to the lubricant guide ring (13), and the two shafts (2, 3) are rotatably supported by the bearing, wherein the radially inner region of the lubricant guide ring (13) is spatially connected to the bearing (4).

Images