Lubricant guide device

Abstract

Lubricant guide device comprising a rotating component (202), at least one lubricant driver (200) projecting from the rotating component (202), which can be at least partially immersed in a lubricant during a rotational movement of the rotating component (202), a surface (203) parallel to a rotational axis (201) and a surface (100, 204, 306) perpendicular to this rotational axis (201), wherein the parallel surface (203) surrounds the rotating component (202) in the radial direction of the rotational axis (201) and the perpendicular surface (100, 204, 306) surrounds the rotating component (202) in the axial direction of the rotational axis (201), wherein the perpendicular surface (100, 204, 306) has at least one opening for discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) of the lubricant carried along by the lubricant carrier (200) and at least one opening for supply (101, 205, 305, 505, 606) for the return of the carried lubricant,wherein the vertical surface (100, 204, 306) has a catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) for catching the lubricant carried along by the lubricant carrier (200), and the vertical surface (100, 204, 306) has, on a side facing away from the rotating component (202), in the region of the opening for the feed (101, 205, 305, 505, 606), a retaining rib (102, 206, 500, 600), which terminates with a horizontal upper edge (103, 207, 502, 602), characterized in that the retaining rib (102, 206, 500, 600) has a bore (601) below the upper edge (103, 207, 502, 602).

Description

The present invention relates to a lubricant guide device as is used in particular for providing a balanced lubricant supply between the differential housing and the axle bridge in a vehicle axle.A balanced lubricant supply is understood to mean that each of the two axle bridges of an axle and the differential housing located therebetween are supplied with lubricant to a sufficient extent and no one-sided oversupply or lack of lubrication occurs.DE 101 62 864 A1 discloses a steered drive axle, in particular a tractor steering axle, having an axle drive housing which surrounds a differential gear which has a ring gear which is coupled to wheel heads via a shaft. An axle bridge comprising axle tubes connects to the axle transmission housing, wherein a cooling and lubricating medium circulates in the axle drive housing and the axle bridge. The medium is displaced from the axle drive housing into the axle bridge for cooling and lubrication by means of catching elements embedded in a ring gear cover and channels or pipelines adjoining the same, wherein the ring gear cover at least partially surrounds the ring gear.US 2004 / 0 224 809 A1 discloses an axle system with an axle lubrication level within an axle housing which is lower than a wheel end lubrication level within the wheel end assemblies. An opening through the wheel end assembly housing provides a fluid communication path between the wheel end assembly and the axle housing. A differential assembly rotates adjacent an opening such that lubricant is rotated into the opening at the wheel end lubrication plane. The lubricant in the wheel end assemblies is maintained at the wheel end lubrication level. A shaft enters the wheel end assembly housing through a shaft opening that provides a communication path for the lubricant from the wheel end assembly back into the axle housing.DE 102 17 483 A1 discloses a vehicle transmission with a planetary transmission, the drive of which forms the inner central wheel and the output of which forms the planetary carrier. The vehicle transmission also has a multi-disk brake, the inner disks of which are connected to the planetary carrier and the outer disks of which are held fixed against rotation. In order to sufficiently supply the disk brake with coolant, the planetary carrier has a feed line through which coolant is conveyed from a coolant chamber to the disk brake.DE 195 42 424 A1 discloses a housing which can be rotated about an axis. It has a window opening for the passage of lubricating oil. A pair of sun gears are rotatably and coaxially disposed in the housing. They are each coupled to an end portion of two coaxial output shafts. At least one pair of planet gears is provided which are rotatably mounted in the housing parallel to its axis of rotation and are in engagement with the sun gears and with each other. On the case outer surface at the rear side of the window opening in the rotational direction of the case, a rib is fixed.DE 100 20 079 C1 discloses an axle transmission for a motor vehicle having a housing which has two housing parts which each have at least one fastening point for mounting the housing on a body of the motor vehicle and are connected to one another along a parting plane. The final drive also has an input shaft which can be connected to a drive shaft of the motor vehicle, two output shafts which are aligned approximately perpendicularly to the input shaft and which can each be connected to a wheel of the motor vehicle, and a differential gear mounted in the housing.DE 825 359 B discloses a lubricating device for transmissions of motor vehicles, in particular for motorcycle and small motor vehicles, with a chain drive and a transmission accommodated in a divided housing. The necessary amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the higher-lying transmission in a continuous cycle from the lower-lying chain housing only by the conveying action of the chain drive in such a way that the lubricating oil spun up by the chain drive is conveyed into the shift housing by means of an oil trap mounted substantially above the axis of the large sprocket. For the return of the oil which is conveyed too much, an overflow is provided in the partition between the two housing parts, which overflow is so high that, when the transmission is running, the oil level in the shift housing is kept at a substantially greater height than in the chain housing.The present invention is intended to provide an improved lubricant guide device, in particular for providing a balanced lubricant supply between a differential housing and an axle bridge. The lubricant guide device should be of simple construction without additional components for lubricant delivery and cooling being able to be realized and ensuring a constant supply of lubricant during forward and rearward travel.The object is achieved with a lubricant guide device according to claim 1, wherein at least one lubricant driver mounted parallel to a rotational axis protrudes at least partially from the rotating component from a rotating component and is arranged such that it can be immersed in a lubricant. The space surrounding the rotating component is bounded radially by a surface parallel to a rotational axis, e.g. a housing, and axially by a surface perpendicular to this rotational axis, preferably in the form of a separating wall. The vertical surface has at least one opening for the discharge and one opening for the supply of the lubricant carried along by the lubricant carrier. This allows lubricant to circulate. In a further preferred embodiment, the aperture for supplying the lubricant can receive bearings for supporting, for example, an axle shaft.The circulation of the lubricant on the one hand provides lubrication of this bearing, on the other hand heat which arises here is dissipated.The lubricant driver can preferably be formed as a fastening element for fastening the rotating component, but any other configuration, for example in the form of a simple metal sheet, is conceivable. Any other arbitrary number of lubricant take-ups is also conceivable. In particular, it should be ensured that no imbalance occurs on the rotating component due to the arrangement. This can be achieved, for example, by compensating weights or by increasing the number of lubricant drivers and by arranging these lubricant drivers in a correspondingly distributed manner on the rotating component.The aforementioned lubricant guide device is preferably used in an axle differential, wherein the rotating component can be designed, for example, in the form of a differential cage.According to the invention, the lubricant device has a catching device for catching the lubricant carried along by the lubricant drivers, as a result of which the lubricant is conducted particularly effectively into the intended opening for discharge.In a further preferred embodiment, the catching device is arranged above the opening for discharge in the form of an elevation on the side of the vertical surface facing the rotating component. By the representation of the catching device in the form of an elevation, simple production steps or production methods are particularly suitable for implementation. At the same time, the development and production costs for the provision of an additional component are dispensed with, and the steps of a possible mounting thereof are omitted.Further preferably, the catching device is designed in the form of a catching rib. A capture rib is to be understood as meaning, for example, a continuous sprue in the form of an elevation on the vertical surface.According to a further preferred embodiment, the catching device protrudes laterally beyond the opening for the discharge and has a sickle-shaped contour. In this case, the catching device is concavely curved in the direction of the aperture for the purpose of discharging. This particularly promotes the lubricant which is agitated by the rotational movement of the lubricant drivers being caught and guided to the opening for discharge. Further preferably, the catch device reaches at its free, outer end as far as the outer edge of the vertical surface, so that the lubricant can be substantially completely caught.In a further preferred embodiment, the catching device has a Y-shaped contour. This is produced by mirroring the sickle-shaped contour described at the beginning along a horizontally running auxiliary line. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the catching device is arranged vertically centrally with respect to the opening for discharge. In principle, however, any further positioning of the capturing device is also conceivable with respect to the vertical orientation, as long as a part of the aperture remains accessible for discharge above and below the capturing device.Further preferably, the vertical surface has, in addition to the opening for the discharge and the catch device, a further opening for the discharge of the lubricant and a further catch device. The opening for the discharge and the further opening for the discharge or the catching device and the further catching device are each arranged mirror-symmetrically to a line of symmetry running perpendicular to the axis of rotation.This embodiment causes a constant lubricant circulation for the forward and rearward driving operation, which is independent of the direction of travel, since a change in the direction of travel causes a change in the direction of rotation of the rotating component, whereby the lubricant is now entrained in the new direction of rotation. To maintain the lubricant circulation, the further opening for the discharge line and the further catch device are thus required in a mirror-image arrangement with respect to the opening for the discharge line and the catch device.At the same time, this symmetrical arrangement reduces the diversity of variants.According to the invention, the vertical surface has, on a side facing away from the rotating component, in the region of the opening for feeding, a retaining rib which terminates with a horizontally extending upper edge. This retaining rib can be formed particularly preferably in the form of an extension of the vertical surface.The baffle rib is arranged in such a way that its upper edge is positioned lower than a lower edge of the opening for the discharge. This prevents the circulation of the lubricant from being interrupted by a lubricant build-up on the build-up rib and a lack of lubrication occurring in the region of the rotating component. Rather, it is ensured that in the case of an imminent lack of supply, the lubricant can flow back through the opening for discharge.According to the invention, the retaining rib has a bore below the upper edge. This too can be arranged particularly preferably centered on the vertical line of symmetry, but any further positioning, geometric configuration and number of holes in the retaining rib deviating therefrom is also conceivable.By providing this bore, it is no longer necessary for the upper edge of the retaining rib to be positioned below the lower edge of the opening for discharge purposes. However, it is decisive here that at least a part of the cross-sectional area of the bore is arranged below the lower edge of the opening for discharge, in order here also to effectively prevent an interruption of the circulation and thus a lack of supply of lubricant in some regions.Further preferably, the upper edge of the baffle rib is arranged higher than the lower edge of the opening for discharge or of the further opening for discharge.According to a further embodiment, the catching device is designed in such a way that it has a straight contour and is arranged horizontally in the vertical center of the opening for the purpose of diversion. The catch device projects in its horizontal form beyond the opening for the discharge and in the direction of the axis of rotation into the opening for the discharge. The vertically centered arrangement ensures that both the lubricant which is agitated by the fastening means and also the lubricant which runs down are captured and conducted into the aperture for discharge.Further preferably, the catching device has a curved contour in the form of a triple arc. In each case, an arc element is located above the opening for the discharge, the further opening for the discharge and the opening for the feed line. At each of the locations of the arc transitions, there is a channel for discharging the lubricant into the closest opening for discharging. With this arrangement, the lubricant is also conducted into the opening for discharge or into the further opening for discharge, which has been spun past the catch device and now flows downward again.Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, on the basis of the figures and from the patent claims. The individual features can each be realized individually or severally in any combination in a variant of the invention.Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the lubricant guide device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lubricant guide device; FIG. 3 is a line drawing of a further possible embodiment of the safety catch; FIG. 4 shows a detail of a perspective view of a further embodiment of the catch device; FIG. 5 shows a detail of a perspective view of an embodiment of the storage rib; FIG. 6 shows a detail of a perspective view of a further embodiment of the storage rib.FIG. 1 shows a vertical surface 100, as is found, for example, in an axle bridge. This vertical surface 100 has a circular opening in the center for the feed 101. The circular section of the opening for the supply 101 is partially covered by a retaining rib 102, wherein the retaining rib 102 is bounded by an upper edge 103. Centered on a horizontal line of symmetry 104, in addition to the opening for the feed 101, in each case an opening for the discharge line 105 and a further opening for the discharge line 106 are arranged in mirror image form with respect to a vertical line of symmetry 107. Above the opening for the discharge line 105 or the further opening for the discharge line 106, a catch device 108 and a further catch device 109 extend in the form of elevations, wherein these are likewise arranged mirror-symmetrically to the perpendicular line of symmetry 107. The catching device 108 and the further catching device 109 have a sickle-shaped, downwardly curved contour and extend approximately as far as the outer edge of the vertical surface 100.The opening for the supply 101 is also surrounded circumferentially by an elevation, wherein this merges in the region of the opening for the discharge line 105 and the further opening for the discharge line 106 into the catching device 108 or further catching device 109.A lower edge 110 of the opening for discharge 105 or a lower edge 111 of the further opening for discharge 106 are arranged lower than the upper edge 103 of the retaining rib 102.The opening for the discharge line 105 is arranged in a horizontal orientation in such a way that the distance between the outer edge of the vertical surface 100 and the opening for the discharge line 105 is greater than the distance between the opening for the discharge line 105 and the opening for the feed line 101. The same applies in mirror-image fashion to the further breakthrough for the discharge line 106.FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the lubricant guide device in a differential. Lubricant drivers 200 are mounted in a rotating component 202 parallel to a rotational axis 201, the lubricant drivers 200 projecting partially from the rotating component 202. A space surrounding the rotating member 202 is radially defined by a horizontal surface 203 parallel to the rotation axis 201 and axially defined by a vertical surface 204. In the region of the opening to the feed 205, a retaining rib 206 can be seen as an extension of the vertical surface 204.The lubricant drivers 200 are immersed in a lubricant during their rotational movement, as a result of which the lubricant is agitated or carried along. The catching device 108 or further catching device 109 shown in FIG. 1 represents a barrier in the direction of movement of the lubricant and conducts it into the opening for discharge 105 or further opening for discharge 106 shown there. The lubricant accumulates behind the retaining rib 206 until the fill level exceeds an upper edge 207 of the retaining rib 206 or, if present, the depression 503 shown in FIG. 5 or the bore 601 shown in FIG. 6. The lubricant which is additionally conveyed flows through the opening to the feed 205 or a bearing 208 shown here back into the space bounded by the horizontal surface 203 and the vertical surface 204.FIG. 3 shows, with a catching device 300 or a further catching device 301, a further embodiment of the catching device 108 or further catching device 109 shown and described in FIG. 1, wherein these here extend in an arcuate manner in each case over an aperture for the discharge 302 or a further aperture for the discharge 303 in the form of elevations on a vertical surface 306. In addition, an additional sheet 304 is arranged centrally above the opening for feeding 305. At locations of the arc transitions between the catching device 300 and the additional arc 304 or the further catching device 301 and the additional arc 304, there is in each case a channel 307 and 308 which guides the lubricant not caught by the catching device 300 or the further catching device 301 into the opening for the discharge line 302 or the further opening for the discharge line 303.FIG. 4 shows a perspective detail of a further embodiment of a catch device 400. The catching device 400 projects here into an opening for the discharge line 401, as a result of which the latter is divided. The part of the catching device 400 protruding from the opening for the discharge line 401 has a straight contour and extends in a horizontal extension along a horizontal line of symmetry 402 on both sides beyond the opening of the opening for the discharge line 401.FIG. 5 shows a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a baffle rib 500 in addition to an opening for the feed 505. This is bounded at its free end by an upper edge 502 running parallel to a horizontal line of symmetry 501 and has a depression 503 in the middle. This depression 503 is embodied in mirror image form with respect to a vertical line of symmetry 504.Furthermore, the breakthrough for discharge 506 described in the preceding figures and a part of a catch device 507 are shown.FIG. 6 shows, with a baffle rib 600, an embodiment of the baffle rib 500 described in FIG. 5 which is not according to the invention, wherein the latter here has a bore 601 below an upper edge 602 of the baffle rib 600 which is arranged mirror-symmetrically to a vertical line of symmetry 603.Furthermore, an opening for discharge 604, a part of a catching device 605 and an opening for supply 606 are shown.Reference numerals denote reference numerals100 Vertical surface 101 Opening for feeding 102 Baffle rib 103 Upper edge 104 Horizontal line of symmetry 105 Opening for discharging 106 Further opening for discharging 107 Vertical line of symmetry 108 Catching device 109 Further catching device 110 Lower edge 111 Lower edge 200 Lubricant driver 201 Rotational axis 202 Rotating component 203 Parallel surface 204 Vertical surface 205 Opening for feeding 206 Baffle rib 207 Upper edge 208 Bearing 209 Differential 300 Catching device 301 Further catching device 302 Opening for discharging 303 Further opening for discharging 304 Additional arc 305 Opening for feeding 306 Vertical surface 307 Channel 308 Channel 400 Catching device 401 Opening for discharging 402 Horizontal line of symmetry 500 Baffle rib 501 Horizontal line of symmetry 502 Upper edge 503 Recess 504 Vertical line of symmetry 505 Opening for feeding 506 Opening for the discharge line 507 catch device 600 baffle rib 601 bore 602 upper edge 603 vertical line of symmetry 604 opening to the discharge line 605 catch device 606 opening to the feed line

Claims

Lubricant guide device comprising a rotating component (202), at least one lubricant driver (200) protruding from the rotating component (202), which can be at least partially immersed in a lubricant during a rotational movement of the rotating component (202), a surface (203) parallel to an axis of rotation (201) and a surface (100, 204, 306) perpendicular to this axis of rotation (201), wherein the parallel surface (203) surrounds the rotating component (202) in the radial direction of the axis of rotation (201) and the perpendicular surface (100, 204, 306) surrounds the rotating component (202) in the axial direction of the axis of rotation (201), wherein the perpendicular surface (100, 204, 306) surrounds at least one aperture for discharging (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) the lubricant carried along by the lubricant driver (200) and at least one aperture for feeding (101, 205, 305, 505, 606) for the return line of the entrained lubricant, wherein the vertical surface (100, 204, 306) has a catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) for catching the lubricant entrained by the lubricant entrainment means (200), and the vertical surface (100, 204, 306) has, on a side facing away from the rotating component (202), in the region of the opening for the feed (101, 205, 305, 505, 606), a baffle rib (102, 206, 500, 600) which terminates with a horizontal upper edge (103, 207, 502, 602), characterized in that the baffle rib (102, 206, 500, 600) has a bore (601) below the upper edge (103, 207, 502, 602).Lubricant guide device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) is arranged above the opening for the discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) in the form of an elevation on the side of the vertical surface (100, 204, 306) facing the rotating component (202).Lubricant guide device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) is designed in the form of a catching rib.Lubricant guide device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) projects laterally beyond the opening for the discharge line (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) and has a sickle-shaped contour which is shaped concavely in the direction of the opening for the discharge line (105, 302, 401, 506, 604).Lubricant guide device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) is arranged in the middle of the passage for discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) and has a Y-shaped contour which is produced by mirroring the original catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) along a horizontal auxiliary line.Lubricant guide device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vertical surface (100, 204, 306) has a further opening for the discharge (106, 303) and a further catch device (109, 301), wherein the opening for the discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) and the further opening for the discharge (106, 303) or the catch device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) and the further catch device (109, 301) are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a line of symmetry (107, 504, 603) perpendicular with respect to the axis of rotation (201).Lubricant guide device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper edge (103, 207, 502, 602) of the storage rib (102, 206, 500, 600) is arranged higher than a lower edge (110) of the passage for discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) or as a lower edge (111) of the further passage for discharge (106, 303).Lubricant guide device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) has a straight contour and is arranged horizontally in the vertical centre of the opening for discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604), the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) protruding beyond the opening for discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) in terms of its balance-like form and protruding into the opening for discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604) in the direction of the axis of rotation (201).Lubricant guide device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the catching device (108, 300, 400, 507, 605) has a curved contour in the form of a triple arc, wherein in each case one arc element is arranged above the opening for the discharge (105, 302, 401, 506, 604), above a further opening for the discharge (106, 303) and above the opening for the supply (101, 205, 305, 505, 606) and in each case have a channel (307, 308) for discharging the lubricant into the closest opening (101, 105, 205, 302, 305, 401, 505, 506, 604, 606) for discharge at locations of the arc transitions.

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