Vehicle, axle arrangement and method for modulating the temperature of lubricant in a vehicle axle arrangement

Abstract

An axle assembly comprises an axle configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from the power source, and an axle housing containing the axle. The axle assembly further comprises a brake disc arranged in the axle housing, coupled to the axle, and configured to rotate when the axle rotates; a lubrication circuit extending from a lubrication circuit inlet axially aligned with the brake disc to a lubrication circuit outlet in the axle housing; and a heat exchanger arranged for heat exchange between lubricant in the lubrication circuit and coolant circulating through the heat exchanger in the lubrication circuit.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] A vehicle, such as a road or off-road dump truck or other work vehicle, may include one or more axle assemblies at a rear end of the vehicle for transmitting motive power from a power source to the wheels or other ground-engaging components. The vehicle may include one or more brake assemblies, and lubricant may be used in the axle assembly to lubricate moving parts within the axle assembly. The temperature of the lubricant may increase as a result of actions of the axle assembly and / or operations performed by a brake assembly. SUMMARY

[0002] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising a front end and a rear end includes a power source configured to provide motive power for the vehicle, an axle configured to rotate by receiving rotational force from the power source, an axle housing containing the axle, a brake disc arranged in the axle housing, coupled to the axle and configured to rotate when the axle rotates, a lubrication circuit extending from a lubrication circuit inlet axially aligned with the brake disc to a lubrication circuit outlet in the axle housing, and a heat exchanger arranged for heat exchange between lubricant in the lubrication circuit and coolant circulating through the heat exchanger in the lubrication circuit.

[0003] The vehicle may further include a coolant circuit extending from the power source and through the heat exchanger. The axle housing may be located at the rear of the vehicle, and the power source may be positioned at the front of the vehicle. The power source may be an internal combustion engine, and the coolant circulating through the heat exchanger may be an internal combustion engine coolant configured to cool the internal combustion engine.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an axle assembly receiving rotational force from a power source in a vehicle comprises an axle configured for rotation, an axle housing containing the axle, a brake disc arranged in the axle housing, coupled to the axle and configured to rotate when the axle rotates, a lubrication circuit extending from a lubrication circuit inlet axially aligned with the brake disc to a lubrication circuit outlet in the axle housing, and a heat exchanger arranged for heat exchange between lubricant in the lubrication circuit and coolant circulating through the heat exchanger in the lubrication circuit.

[0005] The heat exchanger can be attached to the axle housing. The heat exchanger can include a heat exchanger core that is spaced apart from the axle housing. The lubrication circuit outlet can be spaced axially from the brake disc. The arrangement can further include a second brake disc located in the axle housing, coupled to the axle, and configured to rotate when the axle rotates. The lubrication circuit can include a second lubrication circuit inlet that is axially aligned with the second brake disc. The arrangement can further include a second lubrication circuit outlet in the axle housing that is axially spaced from the second brake disc. The arrangement can further include a coolant circuit that extends from the power source and through the heat exchanger.The axle housing can be located at the rear of the vehicle, and the power source can be positioned at the front of the vehicle, opposite the rear. The power source can be an internal combustion engine, and the coolant circulating through the heat exchanger can be an internal combustion engine coolant configured to cool the engine.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for modulating the temperature of a lubricant in an axle assembly comprising an axle housing containing an axle of a vehicle with a power source that supplies rotational force to the axle, sending the lubricant in a radially outward direction in the axle housing to a lubrication circuit inlet by means of a rotation of a brake disc coupled to the axle and configured to rotate when the axle rotates, circulating the lubricant from a lubrication circuit inlet to a lubrication circuit outlet in the axle housing, and circulating the lubricant through a heat exchanger arranged in the lubrication circuit to modulate the temperature of the lubricant by heat exchange between the lubricant and a coolant in the heat exchanger.

[0007] The method may include circulating the lubricant from the brake disc in the axle housing to the heat exchanger located outside the axle housing. The method may include allowing airflow around a heat exchanger core by spacing the heat exchanger core from the axle housing. The method may include circulating the coolant from the power source and through the heat exchanger. The method may include cooling the power source with the coolant and cooling the lubricant with the coolant using the heat exchanger. The method may include cooling the lubricant with the coolant using the heat exchanger when a lubricant temperature is higher than a coolant temperature. The method may further include heating the lubricant with the coolant using the heat exchanger during an initial rotation of the axle.

[0008] Further features and aspects become apparent when considering the detailed description, the claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The detailed description of the drawings refers to the enclosed figures. Fig. Figure 1 represents a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 represents an axle arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 represents an axle arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 represents an axle arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 represents an axle arrangement according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Section 6 describes a method for modulating the temperature of a lubricant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Matching reference symbols are used across different figures to indicate matching elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] With reference to Fig. 1. A vehicle 10 is provided with a front end 12 and a rear end 14, which is positioned at an end of the vehicle 10 opposite the front end 12. In non-limiting examples, the vehicle 10 includes a power source 16, such as a diesel or gasoline internal combustion engine, an electric or hydraulic motor or machine, or any combination thereof, configured to provide propulsion power to the vehicle 10.

[0012] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in more detail in Figure 5, the vehicle 10 further comprises at least one axle arrangement 22 with an axle 18 configured for rotation by receiving rotational force from the power source 16. The vehicle 10 in the Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises two axle assemblies 22 positioned at the rear end 14 of the vehicle 10. However, in further embodiments of this disclosure, the vehicle 10 may comprise any number of axle assemblies 22 positioned at the front end 12 and / or the rear end 14. The vehicle 10 and the axle assembly 22 further comprise an axle housing 20 containing the axle 18. In this disclosure, the axle assembly 22 and the axle 18 may be used and designated interchangeably. In the illustrated embodiment, the axle housing 20 is arranged at the rear end 14 of the vehicle 10, and the power source 16 is positioned at the front end 12 of the vehicle 10.

[0013] Vehicle 10 of Fig. In the illustrated embodiment, 1 comprises one or more drive axles extending from the power source 16 to the axle assemblies 22 for transmitting torque from the power source 16 to the axle(s) 18. The vehicle 10 may further comprise one or more transmissions, gear drives, or other drivetrain components for transmitting power from the power source 16 to the axle assemblies 22.

[0014] With reference to the following Fig. 2 with continued reference to Fig. 1 The vehicle 10 and the axle arrangement 22 comprise a heat exchanger 36. In the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 2 The heat exchanger 36 is attached to the axle housing 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger 36 comprises a heat exchanger core 44, which is spaced apart from the axle housing 20. As shown in Fig. As shown in more detail in Figure 4, in one embodiment there is an air gap 46 between the core 44 and the axle housing 20 to allow an airflow over and / or around the core 44. Fig. Figure 1 shows that in one embodiment the heat exchanger 36 is positioned at an upper end 88 and / or rear end 90 of the axle housing 20.

[0015] With reference to the following Fig. Figure 3 comprises the vehicle 10 and the axle assembly 22, further comprising a brake assembly 24. The brake assembly 24 includes a brake disc 26. Although the illustrated embodiment includes a single brake disc 26 on each side of the axle assembly 22, in additional embodiments not shown, the brake assembly 24 may include multiple brake discs 26 and may further include multiple separating plates that separate adjacent brake discs 26 from one another. The brake disc 26 is arranged in the axle housing 20, coupled to the axle 18, and configured to rotate when the axle 18 rotates. The brake assembly 24 further includes a piston 28 configured to move axially to engage the brake disc 26 and to counteract, slow down, or stop any movement of the brake disc 26 in order to enable braking of the vehicle 10.

[0016] The vehicle 10 and the axle arrangement 22 further comprise a lubrication circuit 30 extending from a lubrication circuit inlet 32, which is axially aligned with the brake disc 26, as shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 is shown, leading to a lubricant circuit outlet 34 in the axle housing 20, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in 5, it extends. Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the lubrication circuit 30 comprises two lubrication circuit inlets 32 and an upstream lubrication circuit branch 60 upstream of the heat exchanger 36. The lubrication circuit 30 further comprises a lubrication inlet 74 on an inlet side 78 of the heat exchanger 36 and a lubrication outlet 76 on an outlet side 80 of the heat exchanger 36. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the lubrication circuit 30 comprises two lubrication circuit outlets 34 and a downstream lubrication circuit branch 62 downstream of the heat exchanger 36. In the illustrated embodiment of Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 the lubricant circuit outlet 34 is axially spaced from the brake disc 26 or axially arranged outside of it.

[0017] According to the representation in Fig. In the axle housing 20, a second brake disc 50 is arranged, coupled to the axle 18, and configured to rotate when the axle 18 rotates. In one embodiment, the lubrication circuit 30 includes a second lubrication circuit inlet 52, which is axially aligned with the second brake disc 50. In the illustrated embodiment, a second lubrication circuit outlet 54 in the axle housing 20 is axially spaced from or located outside the second brake disc 50. The lubrication circuit outlet 34 and / or the second lubrication circuit outlet 54 of Fig. 5 is / are arranged at one or both outer end(s) 58 of the axle housing 20. In additional embodiments not shown, the lubricant circuit outlet 34 and / or the second lubricant circuit outlet 54 is / are located internally from the brake disc 26 and / or the second brake disc 50 and / or positioned at a different location within the axle housing 20 or other component of the vehicle 10. The brake disc 26 and / or the second brake disc 50 of the illustrated embodiments act to pump the lubricant 38 through the lubricant circuit 30.

[0018] With reference to Fig. 4 The heat exchanger 36 is arranged in the lubrication circuit 30 for heat exchange between the lubricant 38 in the lubrication circuit 30 and the coolant 40, which circulates through the heat exchanger 36. According to the illustration in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The heat exchanger 36 comprises two brackets 56 for attaching the heat exchanger 36 to the axle housing 20 and positioning the heat exchanger core 44 spaced apart from the axle housing 20. The heat exchanger 36 is attached to the axle housing 20 such that the core 44 is parallel or substantially parallel to the axis 18 and / or perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle 10, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​the core 44 exposed to air and improving the airflow over or around the heat exchanger 36, thus improving the cooling of both the lubricant 38 and the coolant 40. In further embodiments, the heat exchanger 36 comprises a single bracket 56 or any other number of brackets 56 and / or another structure for attaching the heat exchanger 36 to the axle housing 20.In additional embodiments not shown, the heat exchanger 36 is integrated into or contained within the axle assembly 22 and / or the axle housing 20.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. The vehicle 10 and the axle assembly 22 further comprise a coolant circuit 42 extending from the power source 16 and through the heat exchanger 36. The coolant circuit 42 includes a coolant inlet 70 and a coolant outlet 72 on an outlet side 80 of the heat exchanger 36, which is opposite the inlet side 78 of the heat exchanger 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the power source 16 is an internal combustion engine, and the coolant 40 circulating through the heat exchanger 36 is an internal combustion engine coolant configured to cool the internal combustion engine. The vehicle 10 of one embodiment includes a coolant pump (not shown) configured to pump the coolant 40 between an engine radiator or heat exchanger (not shown) and the internal combustion engine, and may also be configured to pump the coolant 40 between the engine heat exchanger and the heat exchanger 36.In one embodiment, the axle housing 20 is arranged at the rear end 14 of the vehicle 10, and the power source 16 is positioned at the front end 12 of the vehicle 10 opposite the rear end 14 of the vehicle 10. In one or more embodiments not shown, the power source 16 and / or the axle assembly 22 and / or the heat exchanger 36 is / are positioned at a different location on the vehicle 10.

[0020] With reference to the following Fig.Section 6 provides a method 100 for modulating the temperature of the lubricant 38 in the axle assembly 22 and / or the vehicle 10. The method 100 comprises sending, in step 110, the lubricant 38 in a radially outward direction within the axle housing 20 to the lubrication circuit inlet 32 ​​by means of a rotation of the brake disc 26, which is coupled to the axle 18 and configured to rotate when the axle 18 rotates. Method 100 further comprises circulating, in step 112, the lubricant 38 from the lubrication circuit inlet 32 ​​to the lubrication circuit outlet 34 in the axle housing 20. Method 100 further comprises circulating, in step 114, the lubricant 38 through the heat exchanger 36 arranged in the lubrication circuit 30 to modulate the temperature of the lubricant 38 by heat exchange between the lubricant 38 and the coolant 40 in the heat exchanger 36.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the method 100 comprises circulating the lubricant 38 from the brake disc 26 in the axle housing 20 to the heat exchanger 36 located outside the axle housing 20. The method 100 may further comprise enabling airflow around the heat exchanger core 44 of the heat exchanger 36 by spacing the heat exchanger core 44 from the axle housing 20. The method 100 may further comprise circulating the coolant 40 from the power source 16 and through the heat exchanger 36. The method 100 may further comprise cooling the power source 16 with the coolant and cooling the lubricant 38 with the coolant 40 using the heat exchanger 36. Method 100 may further include cooling the lubricant 38 with the coolant 40 using the heat exchanger 36 if the lubricant temperature is higher than the coolant temperature.

[0022] Method 100 may further include heating the lubricant 38 with the coolant 40 using the heat exchanger 36, such as during an initial rotation of the axle 18. In non-limiting examples, the heating of the lubricant 38 with the coolant 40 may occur after the vehicle 10 has been stationary for a period sufficient to reduce the temperature of the lubricant 38 and / or after the axle 18 has not rotated during this period. Heating the lubricant 38 with the coolant 40 in such cases is advantageous for increasing the flow of the relatively viscous, cool lubricant 38, thus enabling faster circulation of the lubricant 38 to parts requiring lubrication, reducing wear, improving durability, and enhancing efficiency.

[0023] Without any limitation of the scope of protection, interpretation, or application of the following claims, a technical effect of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is to cool or modulate the temperature of the lubricant 38 to reduce deterioration of the lubricant 38 and improve the durability and efficiency of the axle assembly 22 and / or the vehicle 10. A further technical effect of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is to cool or heat the lubricant 38 without the need for a separate pump, valves, long lubricant or coolant lines, and / or other components for circulating the lubricant 38, thereby reducing costs and complexity and improving the efficiency and packaging of the axle assembly 22 and the vehicle 10.Furthermore, the lubricant 38 is circulated to and / or allowed to flow directly to the heat exchanger 36 via the brake disc(s), which is a considerable heat source in the axle assembly 22, in order to improve heat dissipation from the axle assembly 22. Additionally, since maximum heat is generated when braking or decelerating from a relatively high vehicle speed 10, and the lubricant-pumping brake disc(s) rotate at a relatively high speed under such conditions, improved lubricant cooling is achieved when there is a higher cooling requirement for the lubricant 38.Another technical effect of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is to rapidly cool or heat the lubricant 38 so that the lubricant 38 can reach and maintain a target temperature range for maximum benefit of lubrication and cooling of the components of the axle assembly 22 and the vehicle 10.

[0024] As used here, "e.g." is used to provide non-exhaustive examples and has the same meaning as alternative illustrative phrases such as "including," "including but not limited to," and "including without limitation." Enumerations with items separated by conjunctions (e.g., "and") and further preceded by the phrase "one or more of" or "at least one of" indicate, unless otherwise restricted or modified, configurations or arrangements that may include individual items in the enumeration or any combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" or "one or more of A, B, and C" each indicate the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or any combination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A and C; or A, B, and C).

[0025] To the average person skilled in the art, it is obvious that terms such as "above," "below," "upwards," "downwards," "upper," "lower," etc., are used descriptively for the figures and do not represent any limitations on the scope of protection of the disclosure as defined by the pending claims. Furthermore, the teachings can be described here with respect to functional and / or logical block components and / or various processing steps. It is understood that such block components can include any number of hardware, software, and / or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.

[0026] Terms relating to a degree, such as "general", "essentially" or "approximately", refer, according to the understanding of the person skilled in the art, to reasonable ranges outside of a specified value or orientation, e.g. general tolerances or positional relationships associated with the manufacture, assembly and use of the described embodiments.

[0027] Although the foregoing describes exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, these descriptions are not to be construed as a limitation. Rather, other variations and modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of protection and nature of the present disclosure, as defined in the pending claims.

Claims

[1] An axle assembly that receives rotational power from a power source in a vehicle, the axle assembly comprising: an axis configured for rotation; an axle housing containing the axle; a brake disc arranged in the axle housing, coupled to the axle and configured to rotate when the axis rotates; a lubricant circuit extending from a lubricant circuit inlet axially aligned with the brake disc to a lubricant circuit outlet in the axle housing; and a heat exchanger arranged for heat exchange between lubricant in the lubricant circuit and coolant circulating through the heat exchanger in the lubricant circuit. [2] The axle assembly of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is attached to the axle housing. [3] The axle assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a heat exchanger core spaced from the axle housing. [4] Axle assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lubricant circuit outlet is axially spaced from the brake disc. [5] An axle assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a second brake disc disposed within the axle housing, coupled to the axle, and configured to rotate upon rotation of the axle, wherein the lubricant circuit includes a second lubricant circuit inlet axially aligned with the second brake disc. [6] The axle assembly of claim 5, further comprising a second lubricant circuit outlet in the axle housing axially spaced from the second brake disc. [7] An axle assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a coolant circuit extending from the power source and through the heat exchanger. [8] The axle assembly of claim 7, wherein the axle housing is disposed at a rear end of the vehicle and the power source is positioned at a front end of the vehicle opposite the rear end of the vehicle. [9] The axle assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein the power source is an internal combustion engine and the coolant circulating through the heat exchanger is an internal combustion engine coolant configured to cool the internal combustion engine.

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