Coupling arrangement and transmission device having such a coupling arrangement - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention further relates to a transmission arrangement (1) comprising a feed-through element (16, 42) which can be inserted into an opening of the housing to form a fluid connection between the exterior and the interior of the housing, and a fluid guiding element (17, 40) having a cup-shaped recess (41) into which the feed-through element (16, 42) can be inserted, the feed-through element (16, 42) having, in the vicinity of its end facing the fluid guiding element (17, 40), a first row of radially projecting projections (33) distributed in the circumferential direction for the purpose of centering the feed-through element (16, 42) on the fluid guiding element (17, 40).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling configuration comprising a feed-through element that can be inserted into an opening in a housing to form a fluid connection between the exterior and interior of the housing, and a fluid guide element having a cup-shaped recess into which the feed-through element can be inserted. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of coupling arrangement may be used in a transmission arrangement for an electric vehicle that may include a parking lock wheel, a parking lock with a parking lock actuator for blocking the parking lock wheel, a transmission housing in which the parking lock wheel and the parking lock are housed, and a pressure equalization device by which an interior of the parking lock actuator is fluidly connected to an exterior of the transmission housing.

[0003] By integrating the parking lock into the transmission housing, construction space can be saved, which is scarce especially for the use of transmission devices in electric drives of vehicles. However, this brings about certain challenges due to the presence of lubricants and due to the higher temperatures inside the transmission housing. It is important that the transmission fluid present in the transmission housing does not enter the parking lock actuator, for example as a result of a pressure difference between the inside of the parking lock actuator and the outside of the transmission housing.

[0004] DE 10 2018 133 266 A1 describes a transmission arrangement with a pressure equalizing device.

[0005] The joint arrangement forming part of the pressure equalization device must meet high demands in terms of leaktightness. The joint arrangement must be easy to install and must ensure a reliable seal. The fluid guiding element has a recess into which the feed-through element can be inserted or plugged. During insertion into the fluid guiding element, the feed-through element must be automatically centred in order to avoid tilting movements which may lead to a loss of leaktightness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] DE 102018133266 Summary of the Invention

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to make available a joint arrangement which is easy to install and ensures a reliable seal.

[0008] To achieve this objective in a joint configuration of the type mentioned at the outset, it is provided that the feed-through element, in the vicinity of its end facing the fluid guiding element, has a first row of radially projecting projections distributed in the circumferential direction for the purpose of centering the feed-through element on the fluid guiding element.

[0009] The coupling arrangement therefore comprises a feed-through element which is inserted into an opening of a housing, in particular of a transmission housing. The feed-through element comprises a first row of radially projecting projections which are distributed in the circumferential direction and which in the installed state are located in recesses of the fluid guiding element. The first row of projections prevents a "tilt" of the feed-through element. Without this first row of projections, in some cases a slight tilt of the feed-through element could occur. The first row of projections aligns the feed-through element so that it is precisely centered on insertion. At the same time, this ensures a reliable and trouble-free sealing. The first row of projections ensures a reliable sealing so that fluids, in particular lubricants, present in the transmission housing are prevented from entering the parking lock actuator.

[0010] In a preferred variant of the invention, the cup-shaped recess of the fluid guide element has radially inwardly facing centering ribs distributed on its inner circumference. Preferably, there are three such centering ribs. The centering ribs are protrusions that support and center the outer end of the feed-through element in the fluid guide element. Furthermore, the fluid guide element has a sealing element, which is formed as an O-ring and ensures the seal between the fluid guide element and the feed-through element. Thanks to the centering ribs, the feed-through element cannot tilt and therefore the sealing effect is permanently guaranteed. These centering ribs therefore have the effect that the feed-through element is inserted exactly axially and cannot tilt or can only tilt slightly, but does not cause a loss of leaktightness. The centering ribs make the feed-through element and the fluid guide element permanently maintain their relative position relative to each other.

[0011] Preferably, the joint arrangement comprises a fastening element for connecting the feed-through element and the fluid guide element to each other, the fastening element comprising a deformable clip that can pass through an opening of the cup-shaped recess and be inserted into the recess of the feed-through element.

[0012] In this context, it is also preferred that the feed-through element can be inserted along the axial direction into the fluid guiding element, the first row of protrusions in the axial direction being arranged upstream of the fastening elements, and that the feed-through element can be inserted along the axial direction into the fluid guiding element, the radially inwardly facing centering ribs distributed on the inner circumference of the cup-shaped recess in the axial direction being arranged downstream of the fastening elements. Preferably, the centering ribs can be arranged at the distal end of the cup-shaped recess.

[0013] In the coupling arrangement according to the invention, it is preferred that the first row of projections of the feed-through element has three projections distributed in the circumferential direction, which prevent the feed-through element from tilting and ensure a reliable sealing of the feed-through element against the fluid guiding element.

[0014] Preferably, the feedthrough element has two additional axially spaced rows of circumferentially distributed radially projecting projections for centering the feedthrough element in the opening of the housing.

[0015] With regard to the second and third rows of projections, it can be provided in the coupling configuration according to the invention that these each have four projections distributed in the circumferential direction, whereby in the case of four projections in each case a reliable centering of the feed-through element is ensured upon insertion into the fluid guiding element.

[0016] It may also be provided that the projections of the first and / or second and / or third row extend in the axial direction of the feed-through element and are substantially rectangular, the rectangular projections guiding and centering the feed-through element when the feed-through element is inserted into the fluid guiding element or the transmission housing.

[0017] In order to simplify the creation of a fluid connection by inserting the feed-through element into the fluid guiding element, it may also be provided that the protrusions of the first row and / or the second row and / or the third row have oblique, radially outwardly tapering sides.

[0018] A particularly reliable sealing of the joint arrangement according to the invention is achieved when the respective O-rings are present, one axially upstream and one axially downstream of the two rows of projections.

[0019] In the joint arrangement according to the invention, the feed-through element and the fluid guiding element can preferably be plugged into one another and separated manually.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, the coupling arrangement comprises a pipe or hose line which is connected to the fluid guiding element and preferably at its end the further fluid guiding element is arranged. By integrating several fluid guiding elements, the number of necessary installation processes is reduced.

[0021] The coupling arrangement according to the invention may comprise a membrane fluidly connected to the feed-through element and preferably provided with a protective cap, the membrane allowing equalization of the pressure difference present on both sides of the membrane.

[0022] The invention further relates to a transmission arrangement for an electric vehicle comprising a parking lock wheel, a parking lock with a parking lock actuator for blocking the parking lock wheel, a transmission housing in which the parking lock wheel and the parking lock are accommodated, and a pressure equalization device fluidly connecting the interior of the parking lock actuator to the exterior of the transmission housing, the pressure equalization device having a coupling arrangement of the type described, a feed-through element of which passes through the transmission housing and a fluid-guiding element of which is connected to the interior of the parking lock actuator.

[0023] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which: The drawings are schematic diagrams. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1]1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a transmission arrangement according to the invention with an open transmission housing; [Diagram 2] A perspective view of the parking lock actuator and pressure equalizer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a feedthrough element. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a feedthrough element. [Diagram 5] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a coupling arrangement having a feedthrough element and a fluid directing element. [Figure 6] 6 is a view of the joint arrangement of FIG. 5 in cross section along line VI-VI of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 7 is a view of the joint arrangement of FIG. 5 in cross section along line VII-VII of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention having a drive device according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a transmission arrangement with an open transmission housing.

[0026] The transmission device 1 comprises a transmission element 2, which is coupled to a further transmission element 3 for transforming the torque transmitted from a shaft connected to the transmission element 2 for co-rotation therewith and concealed by a bearing 4. To the transmission element 2 is also fastened a parking lock wheel 5 of a parking lock 6, by means of which the transmission element 2 can be locked. For this purpose the parking lock 6 also has a parking lock pawl 7 which can be engaged with the parking lock wheel 5 by a parking lock actuator 8 of the parking lock 6. For this purpose the parking lock wheel 5 has a corresponding recess on its outer periphery.

[0027] The transmission elements 2, 3 and the parking lock 6 are accommodated in a transmission housing 9. To lubricate the transmission elements 2, 3, the transmission device 1 has a lubricant bath, the operative conventional filling level of which is indicated by dashed-dotted line A in Figure 1. As can be seen, the parking lock 6 is partially in the lubricant bath.

[0028] For the sake of completeness, figure 1 also shows a connection device comprising a cable arrangement 11 running inside the transmission housing 9, a first plug connector 12 and a second plug connector 13. The plug connectors 12, 13 are attached to both ends of the cable arrangement 11, the second plug connector 13 being connected to a parking lock actuator 8. The parking lock actuator 8 can be electrically supplied and activated from the outside by the connection device.

[0029] The transmission arrangement 1 comprises a pressure equalizing device 14, largely hidden in FIG. 1 by the parking lock 6 and the connecting device, by means of which the interior of the parking lock actuator 8 is connected in a gas-permeable manner to the exterior of the transmission housing 9. The pressure equalizing device 14 passes through a transmission housing opening 15. This transmission housing opening 15 and the further transmission housing opening for the passage of the first plug connector 12 are formed separately.

[0030] 2 is a perspective view of the parking lock actuator 8 and the pressure equalizing device 14. Additionally shown is the connection device and a portion of the transmission housing 9 with a transmission housing opening 15 for the pressure equalizing device 14, shown in dashed lines.

[0031] The pressure equalizing device 14 comprises a feed-through element 16 passing through the transmission housing opening 15 and a tubular fluid guiding element 17, the first (lower) end of which is connected to the interior of the parking lock actuator 8 and the second (upper) end of which is connected to the feed-through element 16.

[0032] At a first, lower end of the fluid guiding element 17, the pressure equalizing device 14 has a first coupling 18 that is latchedly connected to a diametrically opposed coupling, hidden in Fig. 2, formed on a parking lock actuator housing 19. At a second, upper end of the fluid guiding element 17, the pressure equalizing device 14 has a second coupling 20 that is connected to the feed-through element 16.

[0033] The fittings 18, 20 of the pressure equalizing device 14 are each designed as a cup fitting, and the fitting on the feed-through element 16 and on the parking lock actuator housing 19 each have a latch collar 22 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0034] The fluid guiding element 17 is designed as a dimensionally stable pipe which wraps around the connecting device and is fastened to the cable arrangement 11 by means of fastening means 23 arranged on the fluid guiding element 17. Also visible is the fastening means 24 of the connecting device which is attached to the cable arrangement 11 and by means of which the connecting device is fastened in the transmission housing 9.

[0035] 3 and 4 each show the feedthrough element 16, with FIG. 3 being a cross-sectional view and FIG. 4 being a perspective view.

[0036] The feedthrough element 16 has an elongated body 25. An inner cylindrical gap 27, tapering conically towards the outer end of the body 25, extends along a longitudinal axis 26 of the body 25. The cylindrical gap 27 forms the feedthrough opening. At the lower free end of the body 25 in Figs. 3 and 4, a conical latch collar 22 is arranged on the outside. A radially outwardly facing collar 29 of the body 25 rests on the transmission housing 9 from the outside and forms a stop upon insertion of the feedthrough element 16 into the transmission housing opening 15.

[0037] The feedthrough element 16 has near its (lower) end a first row of projections 33. The first row comprises three projections 33 distributed equidistantly around the circumference.

[0038] Furthermore, the feed-through element 16 comprises two axially spaced rows of circumferentially distributed protruding projections 28. The two rows of projections 28 are referred to as the second row and the third row. Each projection 28 is approximately a rectangular parallelepiped, the long sides of which run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the feed-through element 16. The projections 28 have oblique, outwardly tapering sides. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the feed-through element 16 has four circumferentially distributed projections 28. In this exemplary embodiment, the projections 28 of the upper row are at the same circumferential position as the projections 28 of the lower row. However, other exemplary embodiments are also conceivable in which the projections of different rows are circumferentially offset relative to each other. The projections 28 guide the feed-through element 16 during insertion into the transmission housing opening 15, forming an interference fit. In this way, a precise installation of the feed-through element 16 is facilitated.

[0039] In this exemplary embodiment, the projections 28 of the second and third rows are circumferentially offset with respect to the projections 33 of the first row. However, designs in which all of the projections are arranged at the same circumferential position are also conceivable. In the installed state, the free end of the feedthrough element 16, including the first row of projections 33, is located in the cup fitting 20 of the fluid guiding element 17. The projections 33 center the feedthrough element 16 in the fitting 20 during its insertion. The free end 21 of the feedthrough element 16 is long so as to be snugly engaged and held in the fitting 20 of the fluid guiding element 17.

[0040] Furthermore, the feed-through element 16 is provided at its opposite end with a membrane 30 which, in the installed state, is located outside the transmission housing 9. A gas-permeable protective cap 31 is located at the free end of the feed-through element 16 or at the free end of the body 25.

[0041] Two O-rings 32 coaxially surrounding the body 25 are disposed between the second and third rows of projections 28 to seal the feedthrough element 16 against the transmission housing opening 15 .

[0042] In a further exemplary embodiment, the feed-through element 16 can be screwed into the housing opening 15. In a further exemplary embodiment, the feed-through element 16 and the first plug connector 12 are guided through the same through-opening of the transmission. For this purpose, a flange portion of the first plug connector can be correspondingly expanded to allow the feed-through element 16 to pass through.

[0043] Figures 5-7 are each cross-sectional views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a coupling arrangement having a feedthrough element 42 and a fluid directing element 40. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal cross-section, Figure 6 shows a cross-section along line VI-VI in Figure 5, and Figure 7 shows a cross-section along line VII-VII in Figure 5.

[0044] The fluid guide element 40 and the feed-through element 42 are shown diagrammatically and slightly simplified in FIG. 5, in particular the three rows of radially protruding projections of the feed-through element 42 are not shown in FIG. 5.

[0045] The fluid guiding element 40 has a cup-shaped recess 41 into which the feed-through element 42 is inserted. It can be seen in figure 5 that at the base of the recess 41 there is an O-ring 43 which rests on its outside against the fluid guiding element 40 and on its inside against the outer free end 44 of the feed-through element 42, thus sealing the gap. An axial through-opening 45 in the feed-through element 42 together with an axial through-opening 46 in the fluid guiding element 40 form a fluid connection between the outside and the inside of the housing, whereby pressure equalization can be achieved.

[0046] The joint arrangement comprises a fastening element for connecting the feed-through element 42 and the fluid guiding element 40 to one another, the fastening element comprising a deformable clip 10 which passes through a lateral opening of the cup-shaped recess 41 of the fluid guiding element 40 and is inserted into a lateral recess of the feed-through element 42. The clip 10 prevents the feed-through element 42 from being pulled out of the fluid guiding element 40. The fastening element is deformable for clipping / unclipping and therefore cannot provide sufficient centering of the feed-through element 42 by itself.

[0047] The feed-through element 42 may be inserted axially into the fluid guiding element 40 such that the first row of projections 33, as viewed in the axial direction, is arranged upstream of the fastening elements, i.e. above them. The feed-through element 42 may be inserted axially into the fluid guiding element 40 such that the radially inwardly facing centering ribs 47 distributed on the inner circumference of the cup-shaped recess 41, as viewed in the axial direction, are arranged downstream of the fastening elements, at the distal end 48 of the cup-shaped recess 41.

[0048] The cross section of the view shown in Fig. 6 is located in the region of the protrusions 33. There, the feed-through element 42 has three radially outwardly projecting protrusions 33 which abut on the inside of the fluid guiding element 40. These protrusions 33 guide and center the feed-through element 42 during insertion into the fluid guiding element 40.

[0049] The cross-section of the view shown in Fig. 7 is located in the region of the lower free end 44 of the feed-through element 42 and in the vicinity of the distal end 48 of the cup-shaped recess 41 of the fluid guiding element 40. The fluid guiding element 40 can then be seen to have, on its inner circumference, three distributed radially inwardly facing centering ribs 47 that abut against the outside of the free end 44 of the feed-through element 42. These centering ribs 47 limit the gap that exists between the feed-through element 42 and the fluid guiding element 40. The feed-through element 42 is supported at its lower free end 44 by the centering ribs 47, so that tilting is prevented.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 34 having a drive unit 35 .

[0051] A drive arrangement 35 configured to drive a vehicle 34 comprises an electric machine 36, a transmission arrangement 1 and a shaft configured to transmit the torque of the electric machine 36 to the transmission arrangement 1. The transmission housing 9 is part of a housing 37 that accommodates the electric machine 36, the shaft and the transmission arrangement 1.

[0052] Furthermore, the drive device 35 has an inverter 38 configured to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage which is supplied to the electric machine 36. The inverter 38 is connected by a cable 39 to the first plug connector 12 (see FIG. 1 ) of the connecting device in order to electrically supply the parking lock actuator 8 and to activate it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Transmission device 2 Transmission elements 3 Transmission elements 4 Bearings 5 Parking Lock Wheels 6 Parking Lock 7 Parking lock claw 8 Parking Lock Actuator 9 Transmission housing 10 Clips 11 Cable Configuration 12 Plug connector 13 Plug connector 14 Pressure equalizing device 15 Transmission housing opening 16 Feedthrough elements 17 Fluid Guiding Elements 18 Joints 19 Parking Lock Actuator Housing 20 Joints 21 End 22 Latch collar 23 Fastening means 24 Fastening means 25 Main Unit 26 Longitudinal Axis 27 Gap 28 Protrusion 29 Color 30 membrane 31 Protective Cap 32 O-ring 33 Protrusion 34 Vehicles 35 Drive unit 36 Electrical Machinery 37 Housing 38 Inverter 39 Cable 40 Fluid Guiding Elements 41 Recess 42 Feedthrough elements 43 O-ring 44 Free end 45 Through opening 46 Through opening 47 Centering Rib 48 Distal end

Claims

1. a feed-through element (16, 42) that can be inserted into an opening in the housing to form a fluid connection between the exterior and the interior of the housing; a fluid guide element (17, 40) having a cup-shaped recess (41) into which the feed-through element (16, 42) can be inserted; A joint configuration comprising:

1. A coupling arrangement, characterized in that the feed-through element (16, 42) has, in the vicinity of its end facing the fluid guiding element (17, 40), a first row of radially projecting projections (33) distributed in the circumferential direction for the purpose of centering the feed-through element (16, 42) on the fluid guiding element (17, 40).

2. 2. A joint arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped recess (41) of the fluid guiding element (17, 40) has radially inwardly facing centering ribs (47) distributed on its inner circumference.

3. 3. A coupling arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a fastening element for connecting the feed-through element (16, 42) and the fluid guiding element (17, 40) to each other, the fastening element comprising a deformable clip (10) which can pass through an opening of the cup-shaped recess (41) and be inserted into a recess of the feed-through element (16, 42).

4. 4. A coupling arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the feed-through element (16, 42) can be inserted along an axial direction into the fluid guiding element (17, 40), the first row of axially viewed projections (33) being arranged upstream of the fastening elements, and wherein the feed-through element (16, 42) can be inserted along an axial direction into the fluid guiding element (17, 40), the radially inwardly facing centering ribs (47) distributed on the inner circumference of the cup-shaped recess (41) in the axial direction being arranged downstream of the fastening elements, in particular at a distal end (48) of the cup-shaped recess (41).

5. 5. A joint arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first row of projections (33) of the feed-through element (16, 42) comprises three projections (33) distributed in the circumferential direction.

6. 6. A coupling arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the feedthrough element (16, 42) has two additional axially spaced rows of radially projecting projections (28) distributed around the circumferential direction for centering the feedthrough element (16, 42) in the opening of the housing.

7. 7. A joint arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second and third rows of projections (28) each have four projections (28) distributed in said circumferential direction.

8. A fitting arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, wherein respective O-rings (32) are arranged axially upstream and downstream of said two rows of projections (28).

9. 9. A joint arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the projections (28, 33) of the first row and / or the second row and / or the third row extend in the axial direction of the feed-through element (16, 42) and are substantially rectangular parallelepipeds.

10. 10. A joint arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the projections (28, 33) of the first row and / or the second row and / or the third row have oblique, radially outwardly tapering sides.

11. A transmission device (1) for an electric vehicle, comprising: Parking lock wheels (5); a parking lock (6) with a parking lock actuator (8) for blocking said parking lock wheel (5); a transmission housing (9) in which the parking lock wheel (5) and the parking lock (6) are housed; A pressure equalization device (14) for fluidly connecting the interior of the parking lock actuator (8) to the exterior of the transmission housing (9), the pressure equalization device (14) having a coupling arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the feed-through element (16, 42) of which passes through the transmission housing (9) and the fluid guide element (17, 40) of which is connected to the interior of the parking lock actuator (8); A transmission device (1).

Images