Lubrication and / or cooling system for use in a motor vehicle

Abstract

Lubrication and / or cooling system for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a first oil reservoir (1) containing oil and a pump assembly (2) for pumping the oil from the first oil reservoir (1), wherein a first separating device (3) is arranged in the first oil reservoir (1), characterized in that the first separating device (3) is arranged in the first oil reservoir (1) with an inclination to the flow direction (X) of the oil, namely in an inclination direction towards an oil intake point (4) of the pump assembly (2), including an inclination angle (α) with respect to the flow direction (X) of the oil.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubrication and / or cooling system for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a first oil reservoir containing oil and a pumping unit for conveying the oil from the first oil reservoir, wherein a first separating device is arranged in the first oil reservoir. State of the art

[0002] In automotive engineering, lubrication and / or cooling systems using oil play a central role. Especially when rotating (transmission) components come into contact with oil, foaming typically occurs. This increases the proportion of air in the oil, which negatively impacts the oil's ability to dissipate heat from temperature-critical active components, such as those in a transmission. A high air content in the oil results in a lower specific heat capacity of the oil flow compared to the pure oil phase. This impairs heat transfer into the oil, significantly reducing its cooling capacity. Furthermore, an oil / air mixture has a lower density than a pure oil phase. Therefore, the delivery rate of a pump would need to be increased to achieve the same mass flow rate as with a pure oil phase.The pump also has a lower efficiency when pumping the oil-air mixture.

[0003] Documents DE 10 2006 014 854 A1, JP 2007 - 170 189 A, DE 10 2017 102 518 A1 and JP H06 - 185 597 A each describe, for example, a lubrication and / or cooling system for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a first oil reservoir containing oil and a pump assembly for pumping the oil from the first oil reservoir, wherein a first separating device is arranged in the first oil reservoir. Each of the documents shows that the first separating device is arranged in the first oil reservoir at an angle to the direction of oil flow, namely at an angle towards an oil intake point of the pump assembly, including an angle of inclination with respect to the direction of oil flow.

[0004] Document JP 2005 - 083 491 A also deals with the lubrication or cooling of an engine and discloses a second oil reservoir arranged above a first oil reservoir, wherein oil from the first oil reservoir can be conveyed into the second oil reservoir via the pump unit and at least one mechanical component. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved lubrication and / or cooling system for use in a motor vehicle.

[0006] This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention according to independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The lubrication and / or cooling system according to the invention is used particularly in motor vehicles. However, its application in other technical fields, outside of automotive engineering, is not excluded.

[0008] According to the present invention, the lubrication and / or cooling system comprises a first oil reservoir containing oil and a pump unit for pumping the oil from the first oil reservoir.

[0009] According to the invention, a first separating device is arranged in the first oil container, wherein the first separating device is arranged in the first oil container with an inclination to the flow direction of the oil, namely in an inclination direction towards an oil intake point of the pump unit, including an angle of inclination with respect to the flow direction of the oil.

[0010] According to the invention, the lubrication and / or cooling system has a second oil reservoir, wherein the second oil reservoir is arranged at a level above the first oil reservoir and wherein oil can be pumped from the first oil reservoir into the second oil reservoir via at least one mechanical component using the pumping unit.

[0011] Furthermore according to the invention, a second separating device is arranged in the second oil container, wherein the second separating device is arranged horizontally above all oil outlets of the second oil container.

[0012] The angle of inclination with respect to the direction of oil flow is preferably less than or equal to 60°, in particular less than or equal to 30°.

[0013] The first separation device preferably has at least one sieve and / or at least one filter.

[0014] Furthermore, the first separating device can be arranged directly, i.e. immediately, in the first oil container or indirectly, i.e. indirectly, installed in a separate assembly in the first oil container.

[0015] The second separating device has at least a sieve and / or a filter and can be arranged directly, i.e. immediately, in the second oil container, or indirectly, i.e., indirectly, in a separate assembly installed in the second oil container.

[0016] In particular, the "inclined" or inclined arrangement of the first separating device in the first oil container according to the invention pushes the air bubbles within the oil "upwards". This significantly reduces the air content in the oil, which in particular allows more heat to be dissipated from the components cooled by the oil. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a gearbox for a motor vehicle with a lubrication and / or cooling system. Fig. Figure 2 shows a variant design of a separate assembly unit with a first separating device. Detailed description of the invention

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a transmission for a motor vehicle, wherein the lubrication and / or cooling system according to the invention is an integral part of the transmission shown.

[0019] The lubrication and / or cooling system has a first oil reservoir 1, a second oil reservoir 5 and a pump unit 2.

[0020] The second oil reservoir 5 is arranged at a level above the first oil reservoir 1 in relation to its spatial arrangement, thus forming a "high reservoir".

[0021] At least in the first oil container 1, oil is present up to a maximum fill level.

[0022] The pump unit 2 serves to pump the oil from the first oil reservoir 1 via several mechanical components 6, 7 into the second oil reservoir 5. From the second oil reservoir 5, the oil can flow back into the first oil reservoir 1 via several oil outlets 9 of the second oil reservoir 5.

[0023] In the first oil container 1 a first separating device 3 is arranged and in the second oil container 5 a second separating device 8 is arranged.

[0024] The first separating device 3 and the second separating device 8 are each designed to be large and are arranged directly, i.e. immediately, in the respective oil container 1, 5.

[0025] The first separating device 3 and the second separating device 8 are both made of a metal sieve with a mesh size of approximately 0.25 millimeters. However, filters of any type or sieves made of plastic can also be used.

[0026] In Fig. The first separating device 3, i.e., the respective metal sieve, is fixedly arranged directly on a housing 10 that at least partially forms the first oil reservoir 1. The second separating device 8, i.e., the respective metal sieve, is arranged horizontally above all oil outlets 9 in the second oil reservoir 5, with respect to a spatial arrangement below an oil inlet 11 of the second oil reservoir 5.

[0027] The first separating device 3 is arranged in the first oil container 1 with an inclination towards the flow direction X of the oil, namely in an inclination direction towards an oil intake point 4 of the pump unit 2, including an inclination angle α with respect to the flow direction X of the oil.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows one to the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first separating device is shown in Figure 3 as an alternative embodiment. The first separating device is also designed as a metal sieve, but is installed in a separate assembly 17. The separate assembly 17 has a separating device housing 13 enclosing a cavity 12, with at least one oil inlet 14, one gas outlet 15, and a pump connection 16, wherein the first separating device 3 is fixedly arranged in the cavity 12 on the separating device housing 13.

[0029] The separate assembly unit 17 can, for example, be used as an alternative to the direct installation of the first separating device 3 in a gearbox, as is the case, for example, in Fig. The part shown in point 1 will be installed.

[0030] A fluid connection between the first oil reservoir 1 and the cavity 12 of the separating device housing 13 can be established via the oil inlet 14 of the separating device housing 13.

[0031] For example, air can escape from the cavity 12 of the separating device housing 13 via the gas outlet 15.

[0032] The pump connecting element 16 serves for the direct, i.e. immediate, or indirect, i.e. mediated, connection of the cavity 12 of the separating device housing 13 with the oil suction point 4 of the pump unit 2.

[0033] The first separating device 3 is fixedly arranged in the cavity 12 of the separating device housing 13 in the flow direction X of the oil between the oil inlet 11 and the pump connection 16. The first separating device 3 is arranged at an angle to the flow direction X of the oil, namely in a direction of inclination towards the pump connection 16 of the pump assembly 2 and thus towards the oil intake 4 of the pump assembly, including an angle of inclination α with respect to the flow direction X of the oil. Reference symbol list 1 First oil reservoir 2 pump units 3 First separating device 4 Oil intake point (of the pump unit) 5 Second oil reservoir 6, 7 Mechanical component 8 Second separating device A tilt angle X Flow direction of the oil

Claims

[1] Lubrication and / or cooling system for use in a motor vehicle, comprising a first oil reservoir (1) containing oil and a pump assembly (2) for pumping the oil from the first oil reservoir (1), wherein a first separating device (3) is arranged in the first oil reservoir (1), the first separating device (3) being arranged in the first oil reservoir (1) at an angle to the flow direction (X) of the oil, namely in an angle of inclination towards an oil intake point (4) of the pump assembly (2), including an angle of inclination (α) with respect to the flow direction (X) of the oil, wherein the lubrication and / or cooling system comprises a second oil reservoir (5), the second oil reservoir (5) being arranged at a level above the first oil reservoir (1) and wherein oil can be pumped from the first oil reservoir (1) into the second oil reservoir (5) via the pump assembly (2) through at least one mechanical component (6, 7), characterized by, that a second separating device (8) is arranged in the second oil container (5), wherein the second separating device (8) is arranged horizontally above all oil outlets (9) of the second oil container (5). [2] Lubrication and / or cooling system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the angle of inclination (α) with respect to the flow direction (X) of the oil is ≤ 60°. [3] Lubrication and / or cooling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the first separating device (3) has at least one sieve and / or at least one filter. [4] Lubrication and / or cooling system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by , that the first separating device (3) is arranged directly, namely immediately, in the first oil container (1) or indirectly, namely indirectly, in a separate assembly installed in the first oil container (1). [5] Lubrication and / or cooling system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the second separating device (8) has at least one sieve and / or at least one filter. [6] Lubrication and / or cooling system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second separating device (8) is arranged directly, namely immediately, in the second oil container (5) or indirectly, namely indirectly, in a separate assembly, is arranged in the second oil container.

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