Transmission device for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A transmission device (1), in particular a differential device, for a motor vehicle, comprising a transmission housing (2) and a reservoir (3) arranged in the transmission housing (2) and separated on several sides from the transmission housing (2) by means of a wall (4), and a transmission outlet (10) through which a fluid, in particular oil, received or absorbable in the transmission housing (2) can be drained from the transmission housing (2), wherein the reservoir (3) is positioned within the transmission housing (2) by means of at least two positioning elements, wherein one positioning element is designed as a nozzle (6) on the reservoir (3) which has a drain channel (12) which connects an interior space (5) of the reservoir (3) with the transmission outlet (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transmission device, in particular a differential device, for a motor vehicle, comprising a transmission housing and a reservoir arranged in the transmission housing and separated from the transmission housing on several sides by means of a wall, and a transmission outlet through which a fluid, in particular oil, received or absorbable in the transmission housing can be drained from the transmission housing, wherein the reservoir is positioned within the transmission housing by means of at least two positioning elements.

[0002] Transmission devices for motor vehicles of the type mentioned above are generally known from the prior art. These devices have a transmission housing in which various components of the transmission device, such as shafts, gears, and a reservoir separated within the transmission housing, are arranged. The reservoir is used, in particular, to provide a fluid at a specific level within the transmission housing without the transmission housing having to be completely filled to that level. In other words, the reservoir can provide the fluid at the required level, whereas a low level is sufficient in the transmission housing itself, or it may contain almost no fluid at all. Advantageously, this means that the various elements of the differential device do not have to "run in oil," thus reducing drag losses.Instead, the separate reservoir located inside the gearbox housing is used to supply the fluid, especially oil.

[0003] For such transmission devices, when, for example, changing the fluid contained in the transmission housing (e.g., oil), it is necessary first to open an opening in the transmission housing to drain the fluid and then to open an outlet on the reservoir to remove the fluid. This results in a complex design, as the arrangement of the reservoir opening and the outlet in the transmission housing must be chosen so that, ideally, the reservoir opening is accessible through the outlet in the transmission housing. Providing a separate, closable opening for the reservoir places various demands on the reservoir itself, such as its material thickness, material selection, and other characteristics.It is particularly important to ensure that during a service procedure, such as a fluid change, the employee performing the procedure can subsequently close the outlet and opening without risking damage to the reservoir or the gearbox housing. Furthermore, positioning elements are required to ensure the defined orientation of the reservoir within the gearbox housing.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved transmission device for a motor vehicle.

[0005] The problem is solved by a transmission device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] As described, the invention relates to a transmission device, for example a differential device, for a motor vehicle. The transmission device comprises a transmission housing and a reservoir arranged in the transmission housing, which is separated from the rest of the interior of the transmission housing on several sides by at least one wall. Furthermore, the transmission device has a transmission outlet through which fluid contained in the transmission housing, for example oil, can be drained from the transmission housing. As described, this makes it possible to provide a significantly higher fluid level in the reservoir compared to the rest of the transmission housing, without this level being present throughout the entire transmission housing. For example, fluid can be drawn into an opening of the reservoir, for example in the upward direction.In the upward direction, a machine element of the transmission device engages to extract oil so that the oil can be used for lubrication and / or cooling.

[0007] As previously described, the reservoir is positioned within the gearbox housing by means of at least two positioning elements. These positioning elements ensure that the reservoir occupies a defined position within the gearbox housing. During installation, the positioning elements thus guarantee that the reservoir is installed in the desired location.

[0008] The invention is based on the finding that a positioning element is designed as a nozzle on the reservoir, which has a drain channel connecting an interior of the reservoir to the transmission outlet. The invention thus proposes that the nozzle fulfills a dual function: namely, the positioning function and providing a drain channel through which fluid from the reservoir can be supplied to the transmission outlet. When the transmission outlet is opened, the fluid from the reservoir can flow out of the transmission outlet through the drain channel. As a second function, the nozzle, in its configuration as a positioning element, ensures the positioning of the reservoir. For example, the nozzle configured as a positioning element, together with at least one other positioning element, can ensure the positioning of the reservoir within the transmission housing.

[0009] Advantageously, two functions are thus integrated into the same component, eliminating the need for a separate positioning element in addition to a nozzle that provides a drain channel. Instead, the invention proposes integrating the functions into the nozzle, allowing it to function as both a drain channel and a positioning element. Through communication with the transmission outlet, the drain channel, through which the reservoir is connected to the transmission outlet, can also be opened simultaneously with the transmission outlet. In other words, opening the transmission outlet simultaneously drains fluid from the reservoir through the drain channel provided by the nozzle. The nozzle can therefore also be understood as a positioning element with an integrated drain channel.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the transmission device, a sealing element can be arranged between an outer surface of the nozzle, which acts particularly as a positioning surface, and an inner surface of a receptacle in the transmission housing in which the nozzle is received. This sealing element is specifically located in a sealing receptacle provided in the housing wall or on the outer surface of the nozzle. The embodiment proposes providing a sealing element between the outer surface of the nozzle and the inner surface of the transmission housing. The sealing element ensures that the reservoir remains sealed against the rest of the interior of the transmission housing, i.e., that the level of the fluid in the reservoir does not equalize with the fluid level in the rest of the transmission housing via the drain channel.Although the fluid can flow from the drain channel into the receptacle of the gearbox housing, it is trapped there by the sealing element, preventing the fluid from flowing from the reservoir into the interior of the gearbox housing. Furthermore, the sealing element allows for a certain degree of tolerance compensation between the fitting, which acts as a positioning element as described, and the gearbox housing, by enabling the sealing element to deform if necessary.

[0011] The described sealing element can be designed to compensate for tolerances between the gearbox housing and the reservoir, particularly by having a defined Shore hardness, preferably below a defined limit. As described, compensation can be achieved via the sealing element, depending on the prevailing tolerances or dimensions of the individual components, since this element, for example designed as an O-ring, can be deformed to position the nozzle within the receptacle while still allowing for tolerance compensation, for example by placing the nozzle off-center in the receptacle. Tolerance compensation is achieved in particular by a comparatively soft design of the sealing element, for example by having a defined Shore hardness. A defined limit can be specified, whereby the sealing element has a defined Shore hardness below the defined limit.Because the sealing element is designed to be relatively soft, tolerance compensation is improved, as the sealing element can be deformed more easily.

[0012] As previously described, the sealing element can be designed to seal one interior compartment of the reservoir against the rest of the interior of the gearbox housing. This sealing element ensures that different fluid levels develop in the interior of the gearbox housing and in the interior of the reservoir. The higher fluid level within the reservoir is achieved because the sealing element retains the fluid, thus preventing it from leaking out.

[0013] The drain channel provided by the nozzle can, according to a further embodiment, be in fluid communication with the transmission outlet of the transmission device; in particular, a central axis of the drain channel can lie on a central axis of the transmission outlet. This achieves particularly efficient drainage of the fluid, for example, during an oil change. To drain the fluid from the transmission housing, the transmission outlet is opened. Since, according to the described embodiment, the drain channel is in fluid communication with the transmission outlet, the fluid from the interior of the reservoir is emptied through the transmission outlet. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide separate closure elements, such as plugs or screws, for the reservoir and the transmission housing. Consequently, these do not need to be opened and closed separately.In particular, this offers the advantage for the design of the reservoir that no closure element needs to be attached, so that the wall thicknesses or the choice of material for the reservoir are not restricted.

[0014] The described nozzle can advantageously be located in a bottom area of ​​the reservoir, particularly less than 5 cm from a bottom surface. For example, the nozzle can be positioned 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm, or 1 cm from the bottom surface of the reservoir. This makes emptying the reservoir's interior particularly efficient, as the low placement of the nozzle also results in a correspondingly low drain channel within the nozzle, allowing for effective liquid removal from the interior.

[0015] The transmission device can be further developed by a closure device, in particular a sealing screw, which is designed to close the transmission outlet, whereby the reservoir is also closed when the closure device is closed. As already described, the nozzle provides a drain channel that can be in fluid communication with the transmission outlet. This ensures that fluid from the interior of the reservoir can be fed to the transmission outlet via the drain channel and can be drawn from the transmission device through it.

[0016] The sealing device closes the transmission outlet, simultaneously sealing the reservoir. As described, the drain channel opens into the receptacle in the transmission housing, which is located near the transmission outlet and / or is in fluid communication with it. When the sealing device is closed, fluid from the reservoir can flow through the drain channel into the receptacle, but is retained by the closed sealing device and the sealing element. When the sealing device is opened, the fluid can flow out. Therefore, it is advantageous to use a single sealing device, such as a single plug, to drain fluid from the transmission housing.

[0017] As described at the beginning, the nozzle, in addition to its function as a drain channel, also acts as a positioning element. In one embodiment, at least one or exactly one further positioning element may be provided. This at least one or exactly one further positioning element may be designed as a positioning pin, a positioning surface, or a positioning edge. The positioning of the reservoir within the gearbox housing is ensured by the at least two positioning elements, namely the nozzle and the at least one further positioning element. The positioning elements may, for example, be designed as a positioning pin that engages in a corresponding recess. It is also possible to provide a positioning edge that may, if necessary, abut another edge or surface of the gearbox assembly to achieve positioning. The same applies to a design as a positioning surface.

[0018] In addition to the transmission device, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a transmission device as described above. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a transmission device, in particular a differential device, for a motor vehicle, comprising a transmission housing and a reservoir arranged in the transmission housing and separated from the transmission housing on several sides by a wall, and a transmission outlet through which a fluid, in particular oil, received or capable of being received in the transmission housing can be drained from the transmission housing, wherein the reservoir is positioned within the transmission housing by means of at least two positioning elements, wherein the reservoir is positioned in the transmission housing by means of a positioning element designed as a nozzle on the reservoir, which has a drain channel that connects an interior space of the reservoir to the transmission outlet.

[0019] All the advantages, details and features described in relation to the transmission device are fully transferable to the motor vehicle and the process.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures. The figures are schematic representations and show: Fig. 1 a cross-sectional view of a section of a gear device; Fig. 2. A perspective view of a section of a gear mechanism; and Fig. 3 an axial representation of a section of a gear device.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of a transmission device 1, for example, a transmission device 1 for a motor vehicle. The transmission device 1 has a transmission housing 2, in the interior of which a reservoir 3 is arranged. The reservoir 3 is enclosed by several walls 4, which define an interior space 5. In this embodiment, the reservoir 3 is open upwards (in the vertical direction) in its mounted position, i.e., in its installed position, so that a gear (not shown) can engage in the interior space 5 to draw fluid from the reservoir 3.

[0022] The interior space 5 of reservoir 3 can contain fluid, with the fluid level in interior space 5 being higher than in the rest of the interior space of the gearbox housing 2. The cutout in Fig. Figure 1 shows the gearbox device 1 in the area of ​​a nozzle 6 in a base region of the reservoir 3. The nozzle 6 is received in a receptacle 7 in the gearbox housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle 6 has a groove 8 on its outer circumference in which a sealing element 9 is received. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the groove 8 in the inner surface of the receptacle 7.

[0023] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 1 shows a gearbox outlet 10 through which fluid can be drained from the gearbox housing 2. The gearbox outlet 10 is closed by a closure device 11, for example, a plug screw. To drain the fluid from the gearbox housing 2, the closure device 11 is opened. A drain channel 12, located in the nozzle 6, is visibly in fluid communication with the receptacle 7. When the closure device 11 is closed, the fluid is retained by the closure device 11 and the sealing element 9. The fluid can therefore only enter the receptacle 7, but not the rest of the interior space within the gearbox housing 2. This ensures that a higher fluid level can be maintained within the reservoir 3 than in the rest of the gearbox housing 2.When the closure device 11 is opened, the fluid can be extracted from the interior 5 of the reservoir 3 via the fluid communication between the drain channel 12 and the gearbox outlet 10.

[0024] In addition to the drain channel 12, the nozzle 6 has a positioning function. The reservoir 3 is positioned by inserting the nozzle 6 into the receptacle 7 inside the gearbox housing 2. The nozzle 6 thus fulfills a dual function: providing the drain channel 12 and positioning the reservoir 3. This eliminates the need for an additional positioning element, as this task is performed by the nozzle 6.

[0025] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view in which additional positioning elements 13, 14 are provided on the reservoir 3. The surface of the reservoir 3 facing the gearbox housing 2 or the gearbox outlet 10 is completely positioned via the positioning element 13 and the nozzle 6, which also acts as a positioning element. The additional positioning element 14 positions the opposite side surface of the reservoir 3. Fig.Figure 3 schematically shows the arrangement of the positioning element 13 and the nozzle 6 in the receptacle 7. Tolerances can be compensated for by the design of the sealing element 9, particularly with a suitable, comparatively soft Shore hardness. The sealing element 9 can deform accordingly without impairing its sealing function. Thus, in addition to positioning and providing the drain channel 12, the nozzle 6 can also be used to compensate for tolerances during positioning.

[0026] In other words, during assembly, the reservoir 3 is inserted into the gearbox housing 2, positioned via the positioning element 13 and the nozzle 6. The nozzle 6 is inserted into the receptacle 7. Depending on the prevailing tolerances or dimensions of the individual components, tolerance compensation can be achieved by appropriately deforming the sealing element 9 between the outer surface of the nozzle 6 (or the positioning surface) and the inner surface of the receptacle 7. The reservoir 3 can be positioned relative to the surface facing the gearbox outlet 10 by means of exactly two positioning elements: the positioning element 13 and the nozzle 6. Reference sign 1 Gearbox device 2 gearbox housings 3 Reservoir 4 Wall 5 Interior 6 nozzles 7th recording 8 Nut 9 Sealing element 10 Gearbox outlet 11 Locking device 12 Drainage channel 13, 14 Positioning element

Claims

[1] Transmission device (1), in particular a differential device, for a motor vehicle, comprising a transmission housing (2) and a reservoir (3) arranged in the transmission housing (2) and separated from the transmission housing (2) on several sides by means of a wall (4), and a transmission outlet (10) through which a liquid, in particular oil, held or receivable in the transmission housing (2) can be drained from the transmission housing (2), wherein the reservoir (3) is positioned within the transmission housing (2) by means of at least two positioning elements, characterized by that a positioning element is designed as a nozzle (6) on the reservoir (3) which has a drain channel (12) which connects an interior space (5) of the reservoir (3) to the transmission outlet (10). [2] Transmission device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat a sealing element (9) is arranged between an outer surface of the connecting piece (6), which acts in particular as a positioning surface, and an inner surface of a receptacle (7) of the gear housing (2) in which the connecting piece (6) is received, in particular in a receptacle (7) provided in the housing wall or the outer surface of the connecting piece (6). [3] Transmission device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the sealing element (9), in particular by a defined Shore hardness, preferably below a defined limit value, is designed to compensate for tolerances between the gear housing (2) and the reservoir (3). [4] Transmission device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the sealing element (9) seals an interior of the reservoir (3) from a remaining interior of the transmission housing (2). [5] Transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the drain channel (12) is in fluid communication with the transmission outlet (10) of the transmission device (1), in particular a central axis of the drain channel (12) lies on a central axis of the transmission outlet (10). [6] Transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the nozzle (6) is arranged in a bottom region of the reservoir (3), in particular less than 5 cm away from a bottom surface. [7] Transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a closure device (11), in particular a closure screw, which is designed to close the transmission outlet (10), wherein in the closed state of the closure device (11) the reservoir (3) is also closed. [8] Transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one further or exactly one further positioning element (13, 14) is designed as a positioning pin or positioning surface or positioning edge. [9] Motor vehicle comprising a transmission device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Method for producing a transmission device (1), in particular a differential device, for a motor vehicle, comprising a transmission housing (2) and a reservoir (3) arranged in the transmission housing (2) and separated from the transmission housing (2) on several sides by means of a wall (4), and a transmission outlet (10) through which a liquid, in particular oil, held or receivable in the transmission housing (2) can be drained from the transmission housing (2), wherein the reservoir (3) is positioned within the transmission housing (2) by means of at least two positioning elements, characterized bythat the reservoir (3) is positioned in the transmission housing (2) by means of a positioning element designed as a nozzle (6) on the reservoir (3), which has a discharge channel (12) which connects an interior space (5) of the reservoir (3) to the transmission outlet (10).

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