Additively manufactured coolant nozzle for transmissions

Abstract

The invention relates to a coolant application device (1) for applying coolant (2) over a surface area to a gear (3) of a transmission (4), wherein the coolant application device (1) comprises an inlet opening (5), at least one coolant line (8) and at least two application nozzles (6), wherein the application nozzles (6) comprise the flat area having a width (10) of 2 mm to 8 mm and wherein the inlet opening (5) has a cross-sectional area of ​​2 mm² 2 up to 20 mm 2 exhibits.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coolant application device for the surface application of coolant to a gear wheel of a transmission.

[0002] Cooling of transmission components and gears is known from DE102021200276 B4. This document shows how gears are also cooled via the lubricant supply to bearings. However, the targeted application of coolant to tooth flanks is not described. The prior art also clearly shows that the installation space in transmission housings is often limited by internal components. A corresponding adaptation of the cooling system to the geometric conditions is not described in the prior art.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a particularly effective cooling of gears in a transmission, which effectively achieves cooling of the gears in a limited installation space.

[0004] The object is achieved according to the invention by an embodiment according to the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a coolant application device which comprises an inlet opening, at least one coolant line and at least two application nozzles, wherein the width of the coolant application device in the area of ​​the application nozzles is 2 mm to 8 mm flat and wherein the inlet opening has a cross-sectional area of ​​2 mm 2 up to 20 mm 2 has.

[0006] The coolant line is advantageously designed to ensure even distribution of the coolant to all application nozzles. Branches in the coolant line can be adapted to the flow properties of the coolant, for example by changing the diameters and designing branches without flow edges. Surprisingly, it has been shown that gear cooling can be achieved effectively via the gear flanks. An adapted geometry is necessary here in order to introduce coolant evenly into the space between the gear and the housing. A partially flat design of the coolant application device is particularly advantageous here, as it enables stable installation on the one hand and a large-area application of coolant on the other. Large-area contact between the coolant and the gear flank promotes heat transfer from the gear to the coolant.Particularly effective cooling is achieved when coolant is applied to both sides of the gear flanks via a plurality of nozzles.

[0007] Also advantageous is a coolant application device, wherein the application nozzles are designed as fan nozzles or flat jet nozzles, wherein all application nozzles are connected to the inlet opening.

[0008] Fan nozzles and flat jet nozzles can apply coolant across a gear flank over a wide area and at a wide exit angle. The application nozzles have an exit opening that deviates from a circular shape. The exit cone of the application nozzle is characterized by an oval or elongated shape. An even wider distribution of the coolant can be achieved by arranging several application nozzles side by side.

[0009] Further advantageous is a coolant application device which is additively manufactured from a metal material, wherein the at least one coolant line is integrated into the coolant application device.

[0010] Additive manufacturing in a metal material is advantageous because it allows for the integration of the coolant lines into the coolant application device. This makes it particularly advantageous to integrate a branching of coolant lines from an inlet opening to a plurality of application nozzles into the coolant application device. When branching coolant lines, internal edges can be advantageously avoided. Furthermore, radii and line flow rates can be adjusted to ensure a uniform pressure distribution across all application nozzles.

[0011] Additive manufacturing can involve 3D printing, deposition welding, or 3D sintering. Additive manufacturing is characterized by the fact that the processed material is applied to the cooling device in multiple layers. Manufacturing from metal materials also allows for the high mechanical and thermal strength required in a transmission cooling system.

[0012] Also advantageous is a coolant application device, wherein the coolant application device comprises a centering device in the region of the inlet opening.

[0013] A centering device is used to precisely position the coolant application device in the cooling system, ensuring that the distance between the application nozzles and gears and the gearbox housing is at a defined, fixed position. The centering device can determine the position of the coolant application device using three flat surfaces and has corresponding connection surfaces that enable easy welding. A screw-in or round centering device has disadvantages compared to a flat centering device, as these are less rotationally stable and / or more susceptible to vibration.

[0014] Further advantageous is a coolant application device, wherein the centering device or the outer side of the coolant application device comprises a connection surface, designed to enable welding of the coolant application device into a cooling device.

[0015] The inlet opening of the centering device and the connecting surfaces may comprise a machined flat surface or a groove or marking which advantageously facilitates welding into a cooling device.

[0016] A coolant application device is also advantageous, wherein a filter device is integrated into the coolant line and thus into the base body of the coolant application device.

[0017] A filter device is formed by enlarging the surface area that comes into contact with the coolant. The filter device can comprise metallic material in a sponge structure or in a branching of lines, wherein metal particles or contaminants are deposited on the enlarged surface. The filter device can advantageously prevent or reduce clogging of the application nozzles. In particular, smaller metal particles contained in the coolant or lubricant can thus be collected on the way to the application nozzle. The filter device can thus advantageously extend the operating time between replacement / servicing of the coolant application device. The filter device can comprise internal cavities that reduce the flow velocity of the coolant and thus allow contaminants to deposit on the surface.

[0018] Further advantageous is a coolant application device, wherein a support structure is formed in the interior of the coolant application device.

[0019] Additive manufacturing enables a complex design of the coolant application device. For example, internal support structures can advantageously improve the stability of the coolant application device. Vibrations can be reduced, for example, by a honeycomb structure inside the coolant application device. A support structure can also stabilize the coolant lines and reduce heat conduction from the surface of the coolant application device into the coolant. For example, a corresponding internal structure can include cavities that reduce heat conduction into the coolant.

[0020] Also advantageous is a coolant application device, wherein the two application nozzles are designed as an extended, continuously connected flat jet nozzle, which is supplied with coolant by at least two coolant lines.

[0021] A flat jet nozzle, also called a fan nozzle, can be supplied with coolant evenly via a branched coolant line. This ensures that a wide area of ​​the gear is evenly sprayed with coolant. Flat jet nozzles advantageously have a slot-shaped nozzle opening with a length of 5 mm - 25 mm and a width of 0.1 - 1 mm.

[0022] Also advantageous is a coolant application device which comprises a flat region comprising a plurality of application nozzles, in particular a number of 2 to 12 application nozzles.

[0023] To ensure a uniform application of coolant to the gears, it is advantageous to include a plurality of application nozzles. Four to six application nozzles arranged at the end of the coolant application device were particularly advantageous. The coolant application device advantageously includes a flat area that can protrude into a gap between the housing and the gear flank. The coolant application device can thus cool the gears particularly advantageously. The application nozzles can be manufactured directly from the same material using an additive process and therefore do not need to be inserted or screwed into the coolant device. Application nozzles can advantageously have a reduced cross-sectional area / opening area compared to the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the coolant line.

[0024] Further advantageous is a coolant application device which comprises a flat region, wherein the flat region has a length in the range of 20 mm - 200 mm, and wherein the flat region has a width in a range of 1 mm - 11 mm.

[0025] A flat area of ​​the coolant application device can advantageously enable coolant to be distributed over the surface of the gears of a transmission. The heat conduction in the gears from the gear surfaces to the side of the gears is high when metal gears are used, so cooling of a transmission can also take place outside of the meshing area. Cooling via the gear flanks is particularly effective. Here, it is particularly advantageous if coolant is sprayed radially onto the tooth flanks into the space between the gear and the housing. The coolant is then carried away from the gear flank by centrifugal forces, whereby temperature is transferred from the gear to the coolant. The coolant nozzle advantageously has a flat area that protrudes into the gap between the gear and the housing.The flat area is particularly important when the gap between the gear and the housing is narrow to reduce turbulence. This is especially the case when the gearbox has an inner housing. In this case, the flat area of ​​the coolant application device protrudes into the gap between the gear flank and the inner housing.

[0026] The invention is explained below with reference to the figures. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1: Isometric view of coolant application device Fig. 2: Schematic side view of a coolant application device Fig. 3: Schematic view of a coolant application device Fig. 4: Coolant application device with filter device

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, not-to-scale, isometric view of a coolant application device 1 according to the invention, comprising an inlet opening 5 and two application nozzles 6. The coolant application device 1 is flat in the area of ​​the application nozzles 6, so that the coolant can be introduced into a gap. In the area of ​​the inlet opening 5, the coolant application device 1 is rectangular and includes a centering device 8. The centering device advantageously comprises flat surfaces with which the coolant application device 1 can be mounted. The flat surfaces are suitable for welding the coolant device 1 into a cooling device (not shown). The centering device 8 advantageously comprises flat surfaces and a rectangular or octagonal basic shape.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a schematic, not to scale, side view of a coolant application device 1, comprising a coolant line 7 which has an inlet opening 5 and an application nozzle 6. The coolant line 7 is symbolically represented as a dashed line inside the coolant application device 1. The coolant application device 1 is narrow in width 10 over a length 11, starting from the end with the application nozzles 6, so that the application of coolant 2 is possible in a space (not shown) between a gear 3 (not shown) and a gear housing 4. The coolant line 7 can follow the geometry. Furthermore, the coolant line 7 can also comprise branches in order to supply several application nozzles 6 with coolant 2 via an inlet opening 5. The application nozzles are flattened and designed as fan nozzles, so that coolant 2 is applied evenly over a larger area.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a schematic, not-to-scale plan view of the coolant application device 1, comprising a coolant line 7, an inlet opening 5, and two application nozzles 6. The coolant line 7 is symbolically represented as a dashed line inside the coolant application device 1. The coolant line is branched and can thus supply both application nozzles 6 with coolant 2 from the inlet opening 5. The application nozzles 6 are, for example and optionally, designed as slot nozzles, wherein the width 10 (not shown) in the region of the length 11 is co-determined by the diameter of the coolant lines 7. Between the application nozzles 6, the coolant device 1 is also flat.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows similar to Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view, not to scale, of the coolant application device 1, comprising a coolant line 7, an inlet opening 5 and two application nozzles 6. In contrast to Fig. 3, an interior space is formed in the area downstream of the inlet opening 5, in which space a support structure and / or a filter device 9 is optionally located. A support structure can contribute to the stability of the coolant application device 1 and can be produced directly using additive manufacturing processes. The interior space can advantageously contribute to reducing the flow of the coolant. The support structure can increase the surface area in the coolant line 7, thus the support structure can also act as a filter device 9. Contaminants and / or metal particles carried in the coolant can adhere to the surface of the filter device and prevent the application nozzles 6 from becoming clogged. List of reference symbols 1 coolant application device 2 coolant 3 gear 4 gearboxes 5 Inlet opening 6 application nozzles 7 Coolant line 8 Centering device 9 Filter device or support structure 10 Flat area, width 11 Flat area, length QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102021200276 B4

[0002]

Claims

[1] Coolant application device (1) for the surface application of coolant (2) to a gear (3) of a transmission (4), characterized by that the coolant application device (1) comprises an inlet opening (5), at least one coolant line (8) and at least two application nozzles (6), wherein the application nozzles (6) are arranged in a flat region (10, 11), wherein the width (10) of the coolant application device (1) in the region of the application nozzles (6) is 2 mm to 8 mm flat and wherein the inlet opening (5) has a cross-sectional area of ​​2 mm 2 up to 20 mm 2 has. [2] Coolant application device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the application nozzles (6) are designed as fan nozzles or flat jet nozzles, whereby all application nozzles (6) are connected to the inlet opening (5). [3] Coolant application device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the coolant application device (1) is additively manufactured from a metal material, wherein the at least one coolant line (7) is integrated into the coolant application device (1). [4] Coolant application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coolant application device (1) comprises a centering device (8) in the region of the inlet opening (5). [5] Coolant application device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that the centering device (8) or the outside of the coolant application device (1) comprises a connection surface designed to enable welding of the coolant application device (1) into a cooling device. [6] Coolant application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a filter device (9) is integrated into the coolant line (7) and thus into the base body of the coolant application device (1). [7] Coolant application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a support structure is formed in the interior of the coolant application device (1). [8] Coolant application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two application nozzles (6) are designed as an extended, continuously connected flat jet nozzle which is supplied with coolant (2) by at least two coolant lines (7). [9] Coolant application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coolant application device (1) comprises a flat region (10, 11) which comprises a plurality of application nozzles (6), in particular a number of 2 to 12 application nozzles (6). [10] Coolant application device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the coolant application device (1) comprises a flat region (10, 11), wherein the flat region (10, 11) has a length (11) in the range of 20 mm - 200 mm, and a width (10) in a range of 1 mm - 11 mm.

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