OIL PAN, IN PARTICULAR OIL FILTER MODULE, WITH A MULTI-PART HOUSING

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an oil pan configured for supplying oil to a unit (machine assembly) of a motor vehicle, for example, an electrically or fully electric vehicle, with a multi-part housing, such as a three-part housing. The oil pan can, for example, be designed as an oil filter module and form an oil filter housing, which can, for example, be an integral part of the housing or a housing part of the oil pan. The oil pan can be part of an oil supply module designed to supply at least one machine assembly with oil, in particular to supply an (electric) motor and / or a transmission of a motor vehicle with oil. The machine assembly can, for example, be a unit or a combination of an electric motor and a transmission arranged on a drive shaft and / or a housing of the electric motor. The oil serves for the lubrication and / or cooling of the machine assembly.The oil pan comprises a housing with an oil reservoir for storing the oil, which can also be referred to as fluid. The oil supply module may include, in addition to the oil pan or oil filter module, at least one pump for supplying the fluid to the engine unit.

[0002] Fluid supply systems for providing fluid to a machine assembly, in particular an engine or transmission of a motor vehicle, are known in the prior art. Such systems are based on the concept of pressure lubrication, especially wet sump lubrication, whereby fluid is pumped to the fluid consumers, i.e., the parts to be lubricated and / or cooled. In wet sump lubrication, the oil is collected as it drains from the machine assembly in a reservoir, in particular an oil pan, which is located below the machine assembly. The oil is then pumped from the oil pan and returned to the machine assembly. In this way, an oil circuit is created.

[0003] It is known to combine the oil pan with an oil filter to form an oil filter module that filters particles and contaminants from the oil supplied to the engine. The installation space below an engine is often limited. A compact design is therefore desirable for the oil filter module. However, a compact design can complicate manufacturing. EP 2 585 689 B 1 discloses such an oil pan according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an oil pan which operates reliably, has a small footprint and is easy to manufacture.

[0005] The problem is solved with an oil pan having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0006] The invention relates to an oil pan with a housing that encloses an oil receiving chamber for storing oil. The housing comprises a housing frame, a housing base, and a housing cover, which are, for example, separate parts that can be welded together in a fluid-tight manner. The housing frame is arranged between the housing cover and the housing base. The housing frame can form a circumferential wall that surrounds the oil receiving chamber. The housing cover can be arranged on the upward-facing end face of the housing frame and / or close off the oil receiving chamber from above. The housing base can be arranged on the downward-facing end face of the housing frame and / or close off the oil receiving chamber from below. For example, the housing cover can be arranged on the side of the housing frame that faces a component supplied with oil from the oil filter module.For example, the housing base can be located on the side of the housing frame facing away from a component that draws oil from the oil pan. "Top" refers to the installation position intended for the operation of the oil pan and points away from the Earth's center. "Bottom" refers to the installation position intended for the operation of the oil pan and points towards the Earth's center. The oil pan, or at least its housing, can be designed to be shallow, particularly for a vehicle with a low center of gravity, such as an electric or fully electric vehicle, as may be the case with sports cars. "Shallow" means that the height of the oil pan or housing, extending from the housing base over the housing frame to the housing cover, is significantly less than its length and width extending transversely to it.

[0007] The housing lid and base can be arranged parallel or at an angle to each other. The surrounding wall of the housing frame can, for example, have several side wall sections that together form an approximately rectangular shape. Two opposite side wall sections can be the same height for a parallel arrangement of the housing lid and base, or different heights for an angled arrangement. Two further side wall sections can connect the two opposite side wall sections. These two further side wall sections can be wedge-shaped for an angled arrangement of the housing base and lid.

[0008] The housing cover can be joined to the housing frame by means of a connection such as a screw connection or, preferably, a material-bonded connection, in particular by gluing or welding. Alternatively or additionally, the housing base can be joined to the housing frame by means of a connection such as a screw connection or, preferably, a material-bonded connection, in particular by gluing or welding. In principle, the housing components can be made of metal. Preferably, the housing components are made of plastic or at least predominantly of plastic. That is to say, at least one housing component—the housing frame, the housing base, and the housing cover—is made of plastic or predominantly of plastic.In one embodiment, the housing base, the housing cover and the housing frame can be separate components which, in the assembled or joined state, are joined together in a fluid- or oil-tight manner, in particular welded, in order to, for example, seal the oil receiving chamber to the outside.

[0009] The housing frame itself, i.e., on its own, can form one or more oil channels. Alternatively or additionally, the housing frame, together with the housing base and / or the housing cover, can form one or more oil channels. The oil channel(s) can be used or configured to supply oil to the unit via the oil pan and / or to discharge it from the unit. In embodiments where the housing frame, together with the housing cover or the housing base, forms one or more oil channels, the housing frame can be joined to the housing cover and / or the housing base, for example by bonding or welding (i.e., metallurgical bonding), such that the oil channel(s) are sealed to the outside and / or to the oil receiving chamber by the weld or bond seam, in particular to prevent oil or fluid leakage.

[0010] This eliminates the need for separate seals, such as flat gaskets, located between the housing frame and the housing cover or between the housing frame and the housing base. However, designs with such separate seals are also possible.

[0011] The oil pan, in particular the housing or housing frame, can have or integrally form an oil filter receptacle configured to receive an oil filter, thus creating an oil filter module. The oil filter receptacle, which may be cup-shaped, for example, can have a circumferential wall and an end wall. The oil filter or an oil filter element (i.e., an oil filter cartridge) can be inserted into or be part of the oil filter receptacle, with the receptacle potentially forming the housing for the oil filter element. Therefore, designs are possible in which the oil filter comprises an oil filter housing and an oil filter element arranged within it, and is inserted into the oil filter receptacle, or alternatively, in which the oil filter essentially consists only of the oil filter element, and the oil filter housing forms the oil filter housing. The latter design has the advantage of eliminating the need for a separate housing for the oil filter element, thereby saving weight, installation space, and costs.The oil filter housing can be a separate component from the housing, which is, for example, attached to the housing or housing frame, or at least fluidically connected to the oil pan or an oil channel of the oil pan. Preferably, one of the housing parts, in particular the housing frame, forms the oil filter housing integrally.

[0012] The oil pan further comprises a suction channel that extends into the oil receiving chamber, which is enclosed, in particular, by the housing, and has an opening through which oil can be drawn from the oil receiving chamber through the suction channel. The suction channel can be located entirely or completely within the housing or within the oil receiving chamber. For example, the suction channel can be connected to the suction side of a pump, so that oil can be drawn from the oil receiving chamber through the suction channel to the pump. The opening is positioned so that it extends into the oil sump stored in the oil receiving chamber.

[0013] The oil pan, in particular the housing or its frame, may have a pump inlet port that is or can be connected to the inlet of a pump. The suction channel is connected to the pump inlet port. This allows oil to be drawn from the oil sump through the opening of the suction channel, the suction channel, and the pump inlet port, and in particular, drawn in by the pump.

[0014] The intake channel can be formed by the oil pan housing or as a separate part. For example, the intake channel—which in some embodiments may be located entirely or completely within the housing or in the oil receiving chamber—can be formed by a tubular body, i.e., an intake pipe, inserted into a channel receptacle formed by the housing, particularly the housing frame. The channel receptacle can be formed integrally with the housing, particularly the housing frame. The housing, particularly the housing frame, can form a channel or passage connecting the channel receptacle and the pump inlet port. A seal can be arranged, for example, between the intake pipe forming the intake channel and the channel receptacle to seal any gap or sealing gap formed between the intake pipe and the channel receptacle.

[0015] For example, the housing frame can form the intake duct or at least a part of the intake duct, particularly integrally. Specifically, the intake duct can have a section open in the longitudinal direction, formed by the housing or the housing frame. The open section can be closed by the housing cover or a separate cover to form a closed cross-section of the intake duct. In contrast to an embodiment in which the intake duct is formed by an intake pipe separate from the housing, particularly the housing frame, the intake duct having a section open in the longitudinal direction can be an integral part of the housing, particularly one of the housing parts, such as the housing frame or the housing base. In alternative embodiments, the intake duct can be formed entirely by the housing frame, i.e., be an integral part of the housing frame.

[0016] The oil channel, or one of the oil channels, can be fluidically connected to the oil filter housing or open into the oil filter housing. This allows the oil, which has been filtered from contaminants by an oil filter installed in the oil filter housing, to be conveyed through the oil channel, particularly to a fluid consumer or the unit to which the oil is to be supplied.

[0017] In particular, the oil pan, such as its housing, for example the housing frame and / or preferably the housing cover, can have at least one supply outlet designed for supplying oil to the unit. The oil channel or one of the oil channels can connect the oil filter housing and the at least one supply outlet via a fluid communication system, so that oil can be pumped from the oil filter housing to the at least one supply outlet through the oil channel. The supply outlet can point upwards or towards the unit. In particular, the supply outlet can be located on the top of the housing, especially the housing cover. For example, the oil pan can have one, two, three, or even more such supply outlets. In some embodiments, one supply outlet can be provided for supplying oil to the electric motor and an additional supply outlet for supplying oil to the transmission.

[0018] The oil pan may alternatively or additionally have one or more return inlets for returning oil from the engine to the oil pan. Oil dripping or flowing from the engine, for example, can be returned to the oil pan by gravity via the at least one return inlet. For instance, the oil from the engine can be routed directly from the return inlet into the oil pan or oil receiving chamber, particularly by gravity and without the need for a pump, or via the oil channel or one of the several oil channels formed by the housing frame or by the housing frame together with the housing cover.

[0019] For example, the oil pan can have one or more return inlets for returning oil from the engine to the oil pan and one, in particular an additional or second, pump inlet connection for conveying fluid from the return inlet or one of the return inlets to a pump. The oil channel or one of the oil channels can connect the return inlet or one of the return inlets to the pump inlet connection, so that oil can be conveyed through the oil channel from the return inlet or one of the return inlets to the pump inlet connection. The pump can then convey the oil conveyed from the return inlet via the oil channel and the pump inlet connection back into the oil pan, in particular into the oil receiving chamber. The advantage here is that the oil channel through which the pump conveys the oil into the oil receiving chamber can be designed to convey the oil to a desired location within the oil receiving chamber, such as...into the area of ​​the intake channel opening or into a section of the oil receiving chamber, which may be divided into several sections, such as the section in which the intake channel opening is located or into which the intake channel opens. For example, the oil channel connecting the pump outlet port to the oil receiving chamber may open into the oil receiving chamber or the aforementioned section of the oil receiving chamber. The oil channel, or one of the oil channels, may connect the pump outlet port, which is or can be connected to a pump outlet, to the oil receiving chamber, so that oil can be pumped through the oil channel from the pump outlet port into the oil receiving chamber, in particular the aforementioned section.

[0020] The oil pan may alternatively or additionally have one or more return inlets for the direct return of oil from the engine to the oil pan. In particular, the housing, such as the housing cover, may have one or more return inlets. The return inlet, or one of the return inlets, may open, in particular directly, into the oil receiving chamber, so that oil can flow from the return inlet directly into the oil receiving chamber, in particular into a first section or a second section of the oil receiving chamber. The first section may be the section into which the intake port opens or in which the opening of the intake port is located. The second section may be a section of the oil receiving chamber separated from the first section, for example, by a partition.For example, a return inlet may be provided through which oil from the unit can be pumped directly into the first section and / or a return inlet may be provided through which oil from the unit can be pumped directly into the second section.

[0021] The partition separating the two sections can have a passage that connects them fluidically. This passage creates a constriction, allowing oil to flow from one section to the other at a controlled rate. This advantageously ensures that while oil can still flow from the first section to the second, this flow is restricted, thus reducing the risk of a sudden oil shortage at the intake port opening during cornering. Due to the restricted flow of oil from the first to the second section, it takes longer for the oil to reach the second section compared to designs without a partition, where the oil can flow freely. This also prevents overfilling of the first section, as excess oil can drain away through the passage into the second section.The passage also allows oil from the second section to flow into the first section, so that oil from the second section is also available in the first section if there is a shortage of oil there.

[0022] In further developments, the oil pan or housing cover can have a return inlet for returning oil from the engine to the receiving chamber or the first section of the receiving chamber, with the opening of the intake channel being located below or in a projection of the return inlet. This allows the oil from the engine to be routed directly into the first section. Alternatively or additionally, a deflector can be arranged between the return inlet and the opening, configured so that oil flowing from the return inlet into the oil pan flows against the deflector. The deflector thus prevents direct flow of oil from the return inlet into the receiving chamber from the opening. The deflector can be designed, for example, as a collar, dome, or plate. Other shapes are also possible as long as direct flow of oil to the opening is prevented.The advantage of preventing direct oil flow through the opening is that the oil flowing back from the unit is calmed by passing through the deflector. This reduces the effect of backflowing oil introducing excessive air and turbulence into the oil in the first section. As a result, the oil intake into the intake manifold can be improved, or the air content in the drawn-in oil can be reduced.

[0023] In advantageous embodiments, a strainer can be arranged in one or at least one or each of the return inlets for returning oil from the unit to the oil pan. This strainer is configured so that the oil returning from the unit to the oil pan flows through it. On the one hand, the strainer prevents any contaminants that may detach from the unit from entering the oil pan. On the other hand, the strainer can also reduce foam or turbulence in the returning oil, particularly as an alternative or additional measure to an optional deflector.

[0024] The one or more oil channels formed by the housing frame together with the housing cover and / or the housing base can, for example, be located between the housing frame and the housing cover or the housing frame and the housing base.

[0025] For example, at least one housing frame and housing cover can have at least one channel section on its side facing the housing cover or housing frame, which can be, for example, channel-shaped. This at least one channel section can be covered by the other housing cover and housing frame, in particular by at least one corresponding channel section, for example, channel-shaped, to form a closed channel cross-section of one or more channels. The housing frame and the housing cover can together form the at least one oil channel.

[0026] For example, alternatively or additionally, at least one housing frame and housing base can have at least one channel section on its side facing the housing base or housing frame, which can, for example, be designed in a trough shape. This at least one channel section can be covered by the other housing base and housing frame, in particular by at least one corresponding channel section, for example, a trough-shaped one, to form a closed channel cross-section of the one or more channels. The housing frame and the housing base can together form the at least one oil channel.

[0027] Because the oil channel is formed by the housing frame and the housing cover and / or the housing base, the housing manufacturing process is simplified. The channel-shaped section can be incorporated during the forming process, particularly primary forming such as injection molding, of the housing frame, housing cover, or housing base. The oil channel(s) can be completed by joining the housing frame with the housing cover and housing base. This eliminates the need for machining or post-processing of the oil channels, or at least reduces the amount of such post-processing required.

[0028] For example, one or more oil channels may be provided, which fluidly connect the at least one supply outlet or multiple supply outlets to the oil filter housing. Alternatively or additionally, one or more oil channels may be provided for connecting the return inlet or multiple return inlets to the pump inlet connection. In such embodiments, it may be advantageous to additionally provide one or more oil channels that fluidly connect the pump outlet connection to the oil receiving chamber, in particular the first section of the oil receiving chamber. The aforementioned oil channels can be formed in the manner described herein by covering a channel-shaped section.

[0029] In further developments, the housing, for example the housing frame, can have or form an integral sensor receptacle to which a peripheral device, in particular a temperature sensor, is attached. Specifically, the temperature sensor can be inserted or snapped into the sensor receptacle. The sensor receptacle or the peripheral device can be configured such that a parameter, in particular the temperature, of the oil in the oil channel or in one of the oil channels can be detected by the peripheral device. For example, the peripheral device can extend into the oil channel or one of the oil channels. Preferably, the temperature sensor extends into the oil channel connecting the oil filter receptacle and a supply outlet, in particular between the oil filter receptacle and the supply outlet.

[0030] In further developments, the invention relates to an oil supply module comprising an oil pan or oil filter module as described herein and at least one pump. The at least one pump can be designed with two channels, one channel serving to pump oil from the oil pan and supply it to the engine unit, and a second channel serving to pump oil returned from the engine unit to a specific location in the oil receiving chamber. A pump inlet, in particular a first pump inlet, can be fluid-communicating with the intake channel, in particular the (first) pump inlet port of the oil pan housing, so that oil can be pumped from the oil pan into the pump via the intake channel. A (first) pump outlet of the pump can be fluid-communicating with the oil pan or its (first) oil channel, so that oil can be pumped from the pump into the oil channel of the oil pan.In particular, oil can be pumped from the (first) pump outlet of the pump, via the oil channel, to at least one supply outlet for supplying the unit with oil. The oil filter housing and the oil filter itself can be located, for example, between the (first) pump outlet and the oil channel of the oil filter module. Accordingly, the (first) pump outlet of the pump is fluidly connected to the oil filter housing. To dissipate the heat released from the unit into the returned oil, a heat exchanger can be provided. The heat exchanger can be located between the (first) pump outlet and the oil pan or the oil filter housing of the oil pan. The heat exchanger is configured so that the oil pumped from the first pump outlet to the oil filter module can flow through it. Thermal energy can be extracted from the oil flowing through the heat exchanger.

[0031] In designs with a (second) oil channel for conveying fluid from the return opening to a (second) pump inlet port and / or a (third) oil channel for conveying fluid from the (second) pump outlet port into the oil receiving chamber, in particular the first section of the oil receiving chamber, a pump may be provided with which the oil can be conveyed from one (second) oil channel into the other (third) oil channel, in particular from the return inlet into the oil receiving chamber.

[0032] In general, a pump inlet can be fluid-communicating with one oil channel of the oil channels, and a pump outlet can be fluid-communicating with another oil channel of the oil channels, so that oil can be pumped from one oil channel to another. The pump can be a second pump, which, in addition to the pump, is provided for pumping the oil from the intake channel to the at least one supply outlet. That is, two pumps can be provided. In advantageous embodiments, a dual-flow pump can be provided, which has a first pump inlet and a first pump outlet for pumping fluid from the oil pan to the at least one supply outlet, and a second pump inlet and a second pump outlet for pumping fluid from the at least one return inlet into the oil receiving chamber or the third oil channel. Preferably, the at least one pump can have a pump drive, such as a motor.have an electric motor.

[0033] In embodiments with two opposing side wall sections of the housing frame of different heights and / or a base and cover that slope towards each other, at least one, preferably several, or each of the first and second pump inlet ports and the pump outlet port can be arranged on the taller of the opposing side wall sections. Alternatively or additionally, the channel recess into which the intake channel is inserted or can be inserted can be formed by the taller of the opposing side wall sections.

[0034] The invention has been described with reference to several preferred embodiments and examples. One embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the figures. The features disclosed therein advantageously further define the subject matter of the invention, both individually and in any combination of features. The figures show: Figure 1 shows an oil delivery module with an oil pan, a pump and a heat exchanger for mounting on a machine unit; Figure 2 shows the oil delivery module made of Figure 1 , whose components are shown in an exploded view, Figure 3 an assembled oil pan in perspective view, Figure 4 the oil pan made of Figure 3 , parts of which are shown individually, Figure 5 a top view of a housing frame of the oil pan with an intake channel, Figure 6 a perspective view of the parts made of Figure 5 , and Figure 7, a perspective view of a pump.

[0035] The Figure 1 and 2Figure 1 shows an oil delivery module 100 comprising an oil pan 1, a pump 3 with a drive 2, an oil filter housing 11 with an oil filter 5, and a heat exchanger 4. In this embodiment, the oil pan 1, designed as an oil filter module, forms the oil filter housing 11 into which the oil filter 5 is inserted. In alternative embodiments, the oil delivery module 100 can have a separate oil filter housing 11, i.e., not integrally formed with a housing 10, 20, 30 of the oil pan 1, into which the oil filter 5 is inserted or can be inserted. In such embodiments, however, it is preferred that the oil filter housing 11 is fluidly connected, in particular via a line or channel, to the oil channel 15 shown in the figures. For this purpose, the oil pan 1 or its housing 10, 20, 30 or housing frame 10 can have a connection for linking to the oil filter housing 11.

[0036] The oil supply module 100 serves to supply oil to a machine assembly, such as an electric motor-gearbox unit, particularly for a motor vehicle, for cooling and / or lubrication, and to collect the returning oil and make it available for re-supply to the assembly. For this purpose, the oil supply module 100 is attached to the assembly by means of the upper surface of the oil pan 1, on which supply outlets 31, 32 are located. In the example shown, the supply outlets 31, 32 are formed by a housing cover 30. Oil is supplied to the assembly via the supply outlets 31, 32. For example, oil can be supplied to the electric motor via one of the supply outlets 31, 32 and to the gearbox via the other. Furthermore, return inlets 33, 34 are arranged on the upper side of the oil pan 1, through which oil flowing back from the unit is supplied to the oil pan 1.In the example shown, the return inlets 33, 34 are formed by the housing cover 30. For example, oil from the electric motor can be returned to the oil pan 1 or the oil supply module via one of the return inlets 33, 34, and oil from the transmission via the other return inlets 33, 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the oil pan 1, and thus the components of the oil supply module 100 attached to it, are secured by several bolts 22 ( Figure 1 ) attached to the unit. The housing 10, 20, 30 of the oil pan 1 is clamped between a head of the bolt 22 and the unit.

[0037] For example, in the Figures 3 and 4As shown, the oil pan 1 has a housing 10, 20, 30, which comprises a housing frame 10, a housing base 20, and a housing cover 30. The housing frame 10 is arranged between the housing cover 30 and the housing base 20. The housing frame 10 forms a circumferential side wall, to the downward-facing end face of which the housing base 20 is attached and to the upward-facing end face of which the housing cover 30 is attached. The circumferential side wall has four side wall sections, which together enclose an oil receiving chamber 18, for example, in a rectangular shape. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing cover 30 and the housing base 20 are arranged parallel to each other, and the four side wall sections are of the same height.In one variant of the embodiment shown in the figures, opposing side wall sections can have different heights, and the two side wall sections connecting them can be wedge-shaped, resulting in the housing cover 30 and housing base 20 being arranged at an angle, particularly an acute angle, to each other. This variant allows for a particularly compact design of the oil pan, which nevertheless provides sufficient space on the taller of the opposing side wall sections for, for example, an oil filter housing 11, optionally a sensor housing 6a, and the pump connections 12, 13, 14, which are explained below. The side wall shown in the exemplary embodiment also has a small footprint but is not quite as compact as the variant, although its design is somewhat simpler.

[0038] In this embodiment, the housing base 20 is simpler than the housing frame 10 and housing cover 30. The housing base 20 closes off an oil receiving chamber 18 from below and is essentially plate-shaped. The more complex housing frame 10 and housing cover 30 together form oil channels 15, 16, 17. The housing cover 30 closes off the oil receiving chamber 18 from above. The housing frame 10 is open at the top and bottom and is fluid-tightly sealed by the housing base 20 and housing cover 30 mounted thereon. The housing frame 10 integrally forms an oil filter receptacle 11, a sensor receptacle 6a, and the pump connections 12, 13, 14.

[0039] For example, the housing frame 10, the housing base 20, and the housing cover 30 can be made of plastic. Specifically, the housing base 20 can be connected to the housing frame 10, and the housing cover 30 can be connected to the housing frame 10, each by gluing or welding. Optionally, the housing frame 10, housing base 20, and housing cover 30 can be screwed together.

[0040] The housing base 20 has an oil drain device in the form of an oil drain plug 21. The oil drain plug 21 is screwed into an internal thread of the housing base 20 and can be removed to drain the oil.

[0041] The housing 10, 20, 30, together with the enclosed oil receiving chamber 18, forms an oil pan. The oil flowing back from the unit is stored in the oil receiving chamber 18, and oil can be drawn from the oil receiving chamber 18 by means of the pump 3 and supplied back to the unit.

[0042] The oil pan 1 further comprises a suction channel 12a that extends into the oil receiving chamber 18 and has an opening 12b through which oil can be drawn from the oil receiving chamber 18 by the pump 3 via the suction channel 12a. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction channel 12a is designed as a suction pipe, one end of which is inserted into a channel receptacle 12c of the housing frame 10. A gap between an inner circumference of the channel receptacle 12c and an outer circumference of the tubular suction channel 12a is sealed by means of a gasket 12e ( Figure 6 ) sealed. The housing frame 10 forms a passage connecting a first pump inlet port 12 formed on the outside of the housing frame 10 and the channel receptacle 12c formed on the inside of the housing frame 10, allowing oil to be pumped from the oil pan 18 via the intake channel 12a and the passage to the first pump inlet port 12. This passage intersects the oil channels 15 and 17 ( Figure 5). A first pump inlet 3c is connected to the first pump inlet port 12 ( Figure 7 ) can be connected to or is connected to pump 3. This allows pump 3 to draw oil from oil intake chamber 18.

[0043] The housing 10, 20, 30, in particular the housing frame 10, has a partition 19 that divides the oil receiving chamber 18 into a first section 18a and a second section 18b. The second section 18b has a smaller volume than the first section 18a. The intake channel 12a extends from the channel opening 12c through the second section 18b and the partition 19 into the first section 18a. The intake opening 12b is located in the first section 18a. This draws oil from the first section 18a.

[0044] The partition 19 also has a passage 19a that connects the first and second sections 18a and 18b via fluid communication. The passage 19a allows a throttled fluid exchange between sections 18a and 18b. On the one hand, the passage 19a allows oil to flow from the second section 18b into the first section 18a. On the other hand, the passage 19a allows oil to flow from the first section 18a into the second section 18b, for example, if so much oil is pumped into the first section 18a that it would otherwise become overfilled.

[0045] An oil filter housing 11 is arranged on the housing frame 10, into which the oil filter 5 or an oil filter element can be inserted. The oil filter housing 11 is fluidly connected via a first oil channel 15 to a first supply outlet 31 and a second supply outlet 32. The unit is fluidly connected to the first and second supply outlets 31 and 32, so that oil can be pumped from the oil filter housing 11 via the first oil channel 15 to the supply outlets 31 and 32 and thus into the unit. For clarity, the first oil channel 15 can optionally be referred to as the unit supply channel. The first oil channel 15 is formed between the housing frame 10 and the housing cover 30 attached to it. In the embodiment shown, the housing frame 10 and the housing cover 30 together form the first oil channel 15.The housing frame 10 has, on its end face facing the housing cover 30, a channel section of the first oil channel 15 that is shaped in a channel-like manner, either longitudinally or in the direction of channel flow. The housing cover 30 covers the channel-shaped section of the first oil channel 15 to form a closed channel cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing cover 30 also has a channel-shaped section that is identical to and covers the channel-shaped section of the housing frame 10. However, embodiments are also possible in which the housing cover is flat in the section that covers the channel-shaped section of the housing frame 10, i.e., without a channel-shaped design.

[0046] The first oil channel 15 branches out from the oil filter inlet 11 or a filter outlet 15a, where the oil from the oil filter 5 enters the first oil channel 15, with a first branch to the first supply outlet 31 and with a second branch to a second supply outlet 32. The first supply outlet 31 is located at or above a transfer point, the position of which is indicated by reference numeral 31a in Figure 5 This is shown as an example. The second supply outlet 32 ​​is located at or above a transfer point, the position of which is indicated by reference numeral 32a in Figure 5This is shown as an example. The fluid drawn in by pump 3 via intake channel 12a is conveyed through a first pump outlet 3a, which is fluid-communicating with the oil filter housing 11, into the oil filter housing 11, where it is filtered of impurities by the oil filter 5. The filtered oil is conveyed via the first oil channel 15 to the supply outlets 31, 32 and fed to the unit.

[0047] A heat exchanger 4, which serves as an oil cooler, is arranged between the first pump outlet 3a and the oil filter 5 or the oil filter housing 11. The oil pumped by the pump 3 via the first pump outlet 3a to the oil filter housing 11 flows through the heat exchanger 4 and transfers thermal energy to a cooling medium. The cooling medium is supplied to the heat exchanger 4 via a coolant inlet 4a and discharged from the heat exchanger 4 via a coolant outlet 4b. The thermal energy released by the oil is transferred to the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger 4 and carried away from the heat exchanger with the coolant. The mass flow rate of the coolant through the heat exchanger 4 can be controlled, for example, by means of a valve, in order to adjust the temperature of the oil in the oil filter system 100.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 10, 20, 30, in particular the housing frame 10, has a sensor receptacle 6a into which a temperature sensor 6 can be inserted ( Figure 2), which is configured to measure the temperature of the oil flowing through the first oil channel 15, specifically the second branch of the first oil channel 15. A signal output by the temperature sensor 6, containing information regarding the oil temperature, can be output to a control unit or a regulating unit, which, depending on the measured temperature, actuates the valve that controls the mass flow of the coolant through the heat exchanger 4. In particular, the valve can be actuated to reduce or block the mass flow through the heat exchanger 4 if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6 is lower than a setpoint temperature. For example, the valve can be actuated to initiate or increase the mass flow of the coolant flowing through the heat exchanger 4 if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6 is higher than the setpoint temperature of the oil.

[0049] The oil pan 1, in particular the housing cover 30 and / or the housing frame 10, has a first return inlet 33 through which oil from the engine can be fed into the oil pan 1. The first return inlet 33 is located on the top of the oil pan 1 or on the side of the oil filter module 1 facing the engine. A second oil channel 16 is arranged or formed between the housing frame 10 and the housing cover 30, which connects the first return inlet 33 fluidically to a second pump inlet port 13 formed on the outside of the housing frame 10. A passage formed by the housing frame 10, which fluidly connects the second pump inlet port 13 to the second oil channel 16, crosses the first oil channel 15 and a third oil channel 17 in the example shown and opens into the second oil channel 16 at a through-opening 13a. Figure 5 ). A second pump inlet 3d formed at pump 3 ( Figure 7) is connectable to or connected to the second pump inlet port 13. This allows oil returned from the unit to the first return inlet 33 to be drawn in by the pump 3 via the second oil channel 16 and the second pump inlet port 13. For clarity, the second oil channel 16 can optionally be referred to as the return suction channel. The first return inlet 33 is located at a transfer point, the position of which is indicated by reference numeral 33b in Figure 5 This is exemplified by oil channel 16.

[0050] The oil drawn in by pump 3 via the second pump inlet 3d is discharged via a second pump outlet 3b of pump 3 through a third oil channel 17, which, for example, is equipped with a Figure 5The oil is conveyed through the opening 17a shown, into the oil receiving chamber 18, in particular its first section 18a. For conceptual clarity, the third oil channel 17 can optionally be referred to as the return supply channel. A passage formed by the housing frame 10, which fluidly connects the second pump outlet port 14 with the third oil channel 17, crosses the first oil channel 15 in the example shown and opens into the third oil channel at a passage opening 14a. Figure 5 ). The passage connecting the second pump outlet port 14 and the third oil channel 17 is located between the first oil channel 15 and the passage connecting the second pump inlet port 13 and the second oil channel 16.

[0051] The housing frame 10 has a pump outlet port 14 on its outer side, which can be connected to or is connected to the second pump outlet 3b of the pump 3. The pump outlet port 14 is fluidly connected to the first section 18a via the third oil channel 17.

[0052] The housing frame 10 and the housing cover 30 together form the second oil channel 16 and the third oil channel 17, respectively. The housing frame 10 has, on its end face facing the housing cover 30, a channel-shaped section open along the direction of flow towards the housing cover 30. This channel is covered by the housing cover 30, in particular by a flat or channel-shaped section, to form a closed channel cross-section. The same applies analogously to the third oil channel 17. That is, the housing frame 10 has, on its end face facing the housing cover 30, a channel-shaped section open towards the housing cover 30 in the direction of flow, which is covered by the housing cover 30 to form a closed channel cross-section.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the oil channels 15, 16, 17 are each formed by a channel-shaped section formed on the housing frame 10 and the housing cover 30, which covers the channel-shaped sections. This design allows for a space-saving construction and simple manufacturing of the oil channels 15, 16, 17.

[0054] During the Figure 7The pump 3 shown is a dual-flow pump with two separate fluid circuits. Pump 3 can pump the first fluid circuit from pump inlet 3c to pump outlet 3a. Additionally, pump 3 can pump the second fluid circuit, which is separate from the first and designed, for example, for dewatering, from the second pump inlet 3d to the second pump outlet 3b. Pump 3 can, in particular, have two pumping elements, one for the first fluid circuit and one for the second fluid circuit. Alternatively, two separate pumps can be provided instead of one dual-flow pump. The in Figure 7 The pump 3 shown is driven by a drive 2 attached to it. The drive 2 is an electric motor. The drive 2 can have a plug socket 2a to which a power supply for driving the pump 3 can be connected.

[0055] The oil pan 1, in particular the housing frame 10 and / or the housing cover 30, has a second return inlet 34 on its upper side or on the side facing the unit, which opens directly into the first section 18a of the oil pan 18. This allows oil from the unit to flow back directly and / or by gravity into the first section 18a without having to be pumped into the first section 18a by the pump 3 or having to pass through the pump 3. A deflector 12d, for example a plate, is arranged between the second return inlet 34 and the intake opening 12b of the intake channel 12a. This deflector is configured to prevent the fluid flowing back into the first section 18a via the second return inlet 34 from flowing directly towards the intake opening 12b. This allows the flowing oil to settle on the one hand and reduces the introduction of air into the oil already located in the first section 18a on the other.The deflector 12d, formed in particular by or on the intake duct 12a, can, for example, be plate-shaped and / or located above the intake opening 12b, or – as in the embodiment shown in the figures – collar-shaped and extending around the intake-side end of the intake pipe 12a. The deflector 12d can extend parallel or approximately parallel to the housing base 20.

[0056] In the first return inlet 33, a screen 33a is arranged such that it is permeated by the oil flowing back from the unit into the first return inlet 33. In particular, the screen 33a can span the entire flow cross-section of the first return inlet 33.

[0057] In the second return inlet 34, a screen 34a is arranged such that it is permeated by the oil flowing from the unit into the second return inlet 34. In particular, the screen 34a can span the entire flow cross-section of the second return inlet 34.

[0058] The pump inlet port 13 can be inserted into the second pump inlet 3d. The gap formed between the outer circumference of the pump inlet port 13 and the inner circumference of the pump inlet 3d can be sealed by means of a seal 3e. The pump outlet port 14 can be inserted into the pump outlet 3b. The gap formed between an outer circumference of the pump outlet port 14 and an inner circumference of the pump outlet 3b can be sealed by means of a seal 3e.

[0059] The pump inlet port 12 can be inserted into the pump inlet 3c. The gap formed between an outer circumference of the pump inlet port 12 and an inner circumference of the pump inlet 3c can be sealed by means of a seal 3e. The seals 3e can, for example, be a sealing ring or an O-ring.

[0060] The flow cross-section of the second recirculation inlet 34 is larger than the flow cross-section of the first recirculation inlet 33. Reference symbol list

[0061] 1 sump 15a Filter output 2 drive 16 (second) oil channel / return intake channel 2a Plug socket 3 pump 17 (third) oil channel / return supply channel 3a (first) pump outlet 3b (second) pump outlet 17a opening 3c (first) pump inlet 18 Oil intake chamber 3d (second) pump inlet 18a first section 3e Seals 18b second section 4 Heat exchanger 19 partition 4a Coolant inlet 19a passage 4b Coolant outlet 5 Oil filter 20 Case bottom 6 temperature sensor 21 Oil drain device / oil drain plug 6a Sensor recording 22 Screw bolt 10 Housing frame 11 Oil filter housing 30 Housing cover 12 (first) pump inlet connection 31 first supply outlet 12a Intake manifold / intake port / intake pipe 31a handover point 32 second supply outlet 12b Opening / Intake opening 32a handover point 12c Channel recording 33 (first) return entrance 12d Deflectors 33a Sieve 12e seal 33b handover point 13 (second) pump inlet connection 34 (second) return entrance 13a Passage opening 34a Sieve 14 Pump outlet connection 14a Passage opening 100 Oil pumping module 15 (first) oil channel / generator supply channel

Claims

1. An oil sump (1) for supplying an assembly of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a housing comprising a housing frame (10), a housing base (20) and a housing cover (30), wherein the housing frame (10) is arranged between the housing cover (30) and the housing base (20); and - an oil accommodating space (18) enclosed by the housing, and a suction channel (12a) which extends into the oil accommodating space (18) and comprises an opening (12b) via which oil can be delivered or suctioned from the oil accommodating space (18) through the suction channel (12a), characterised in that ∘ the housing cover (30) is joined to the housing frame (10) by means of a joining connection, in particular a material-fit joining connection, and the housing base (20) is joined to the housing frame (10) by means of a joining connection, in particular a material-fit joining connection, and ∘ the housing frame (10) together with the housing base (20) and / or the housing cover (30) forms one or more oil channels (15, 16, 17).

2. The oil sump (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the oil sump (1), in particular the housing or the housing frame (10), comprises or integrally forms an oil filter receptacle (11) for accommodating an oil filter (5), wherein preferably the oil channel (15) or one of the oil channels (15, 16, 17) is connected in fluid communication with the oil filter receptacle (11) and in particular emerges into the oil filter receptacle (11).

3. The oil sump (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the oil sump (1) comprises at least one supply outlet (31, 32) which is embodied to supply oil to an assembly, and the oil channel (15) or one of the oil channels (15, 16, 17) connects the oil filter receptacle (11) and the at least one supply outlet (31, 32) in fluid communication, such that oil can be delivered from the oil filter receptacle (11) to the at least one supply outlet (31, 32) through the oil channel (15).

4. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the oil sump (1) or the housing cover (30) comprises a feedback inlet (33) or multiple feedback inlets (33, 34) for feeding oil from the assembly back into the oil sump (1) and a pump inlet port (13) for delivering fluid from the oil sump (1) into a pump (3), wherein the oil channel (16) or one of the oil channels (15, 16, 17) connects the feedback inlet (33) or one of the feedback inlets (33, 34) to the pump inlet port (13), such that oil can be delivered from the feedback inlet (33) to the pump inlet port (13) through the oil channel (16).

5. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the oil sump (1) comprises at least one pump outlet port (14) for delivering fluid from the pump (3) into the oil sump (1), wherein the oil channel (17) or one of the oil channels (15, 16, 17) connects the pump outlet port (14) to the oil accommodating space (18), such that oil can be delivered from the pump outlet port (14) into the oil accommodating space (18) through the oil channel (17).

6. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the oil sump (1) or the housing cover (30) comprises a feedback inlet (34) or multiple feedback inlets (33, 34) for feeding oil from the assembly back into the oil sump (1), wherein the feedback inlet (34) or one of the feedback inlets (33, 34) emerges into the oil accommodating space (18), such that oil can be delivered from the feedback inlet (34) directly into the oil accommodating space (18), in particular into a first section (18a) or second section (18b) of the oil accommodating space (18).

7. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the oil sump (1) or the housing cover (30) comprises a feedback inlet (34) for feeding oil from the assembly back into the oil sump (1), wherein the opening (12b) of the suction channel (12a) is arranged below or in a projection of the feedback inlet (34), and / or a deflector (12d) which is for example plate-shaped and is arranged between the feedback inlet (34) and the opening (12b) is configured such that oil which flows from the feedback inlet (34) into the oil sump (1) flows against the deflector (12d) which prevents oil which flows from the feedback inlet (34) into the oil sump (1) from flowing directly onto the opening (12b).

8. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the housing frame (10) and the housing cover (30) comprises at least one channel portion, which is for example a groove-shaped channel portion, on its side pointing towards the housing cover (30) or housing frame (10), respectively, wherein said at least one channel portion is covered by the other of the housing cover (30) and the housing frame (10), in particular by at least one corresponding and for example groove-shaped channel portion, in order to form a closed cross-section of the one or more oil channels (15, 16, 17).

9. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the suction channel (12a) is embodied as a suction pipe which is inserted into a channel receptacle (12c) integrally formed by the housing, in particular the housing frame (10), wherein a gasket (12e) is preferably arranged between the suction pipe and the channel receptacle (12c) for sealing off a gap formed between the suction pipe and the channel receptacle (12c).

10. The oil sump (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the housing frame (10) forms a passage which connects the channel receptacle (12c) and a pump inlet port (12) in fluid communication, such that oil can be delivered from the suction channel (12a) to the pump (3) via the pump inlet port (12).

11. The oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing, in particular the housing frame (10), comprises or integrally forms a sensor receptacle (6a) to which a peripheral, in particular a temperature sensor (6), can be fastened, wherein said peripheral is configured such that it can ascertain a measurement value, in particular a temperature, in the oil channel (15) or in one of the oil channels (15, 16, 17).

12. An oil delivery module (100) which comprises an oil sump (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a pump (3), wherein a first pump inlet (3c) of the pump (3) is connected in fluid communication with the suction channel (12a), such that oil can be delivered from the oil accommodating space (18) into the pump (3) via the suction channel (12a), and a first pump outlet (3a) of the pump (3) is connected in fluid communication with the oil sump (1) or the oil channel (15), such that oil can be delivered from the pump (3) into the oil sump (1) or into the oil channel (15), wherein the oil sump (1) preferably comprises an oil filter receptacle (11), wherein the first pump outlet (3a) is connected in fluid communication with the oil filter receptacle (11).

13. The oil delivery module (100) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that a heat exchanger (4) which is arranged between the first pump outlet (3a) and the oil sump (1) or an oil filter receptacle (11) of the oil sump (1) is configured such that oil delivered from the first pump outlet (3a) to the oil sump (1) can flow through the heat exchanger (4).

14. An oil delivery module (100) which comprises an oil sump (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a pump inlet which is for example a second pump inlet (3d) of a pump (3) is connected in fluid communication with one (16) of the oil channels (15, 16, 17), and a pump outlet which is for example a second pump outlet (3b) of the pump (3) is connected in fluid communication with another (17) of the oil channels (15, 16, 17), such that oil can be delivered from the one oil channel (16) into the other oil channel (17) by means of the pump (3).