Power transmission

Abstract

To provide a power transmission device capable of shortening a time required for the temperature rise of oil.SOLUTION: A power transmission device 1 includes a case 10 including a first oil storage part 11 capable of storing oil 2, a second oil storage part 12 capable of storing the oil 2, and a partition wall 13 partitioning the first oil storage part 11 and the second oil storage part 12, the oil 2 sealed in the case 10, a rotary member 20 capable of coming into contact with the oil 2 in the first oil storage part 11, and an oil supply part 52 capable of supplying the oil 2 from the second oil storage part 12 to the first oil storage part 11, the oil supply part 52 being constructed to adjust the supply amount of the oil 2 from the second oil storage part 12 to the first oil storage part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power transmission. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, JP 2020-91001 A discloses a power transmission device including a case, oil, a rotating member, a scavenging pump, a feeding pump, and an oil cooler. The case has a first chamber, a second chamber, and a partition wall separating the first chamber and the second chamber. The rotating member is disposed in the first chamber. The oil in the first chamber is sent to the second chamber by the scavenging pump, and the oil in the second chamber is sent to the oil cooler by the feeding pump. The oil flowing out of the oil cooler is supplied to the rotating member, gears, etc., and flows into each chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-91001 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the power transmission device described in JP 2020-91001 A, for example, when the oil temperature is low, the viscosity of the oil increases, so it is desirable to increase the oil temperature early.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power transmission device capable of shortening the time required for the oil to increase in temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A power transmission device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a case including a first oil reservoir capable of storing oil, a second oil reservoir capable of storing the oil, and a partition separating the first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir, the oil sealed within the case, a rotating member capable of contacting the oil in the first oil reservoir, and an oil supply unit capable of supplying the oil in the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir, wherein the oil supply unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the oil in the second oil reservoir supplied to the first oil reservoir. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power transmission device capable of shortening the time required for the oil temperature to increase. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a power transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of the power transmission device in a state in which the amount of oil supplied from the oil supply section within the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir is increased. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a power transmission device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a power transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The power transmission device 1 is preferably applied to a transaxle mounted on a vehicle or a drive unit incorporating a motor. The power transmission device 1 transmits torque output by a power source (not shown) to an output member such as a drive shaft.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the power transmission device 1 includes a case 10, a rotating member 20, an oil cooler 40, a feed section 51, an oil supply section 52, and a control section 60. Fig. 1 shows the power transmission device 1 during normal operation or when stopped.

[0012] The case 10 forms an outer shell of the power transmission device 1. Oil 2 is sealed inside the case 10. The case 10 has a first oil reservoir 11, a second oil reservoir 12, and a partition wall 13.

[0013] The first oil reservoir 11 is capable of storing the oil 2. The first oil reservoir 11 is formed in the lower part of the case 10.

[0014] The second oil reservoir 12 is capable of storing the oil 2. The second oil reservoir 12 is formed in the lower part of the case 10. In this embodiment, the second oil reservoir 12 is adjacent to the first oil reservoir 11.

[0015] The partition wall 13 separates the first oil reservoir 11 and the second oil reservoir 12 from each other.

[0016] The rotating member 20 is disposed in the first oil reservoir 11. The rotating member 20 is a member that rotates while receiving a supply of the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11. Examples of the rotating member 20 include a motor generator, a motor, a gear, and a bearing. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating member 20 is disposed at a position higher than the oil level S11 in the first oil reservoir 11 during normal operation or when stopped. Therefore, the rotating member 20 rotates in the first oil reservoir 11 without substantially receiving the stirring resistance of the oil 2. The rotating member 20 is capable of contacting the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11.

[0017] The oil cooler 40 is provided outside the case 10. The oil cooler 40 is capable of cooling the oil by exchanging heat between the oil 2 and a cooling medium. The oil cooler 40 has an oil flow path 41 through which the oil 2 flows, and a cooling medium flow path 42 through which the cooling medium flows. The cooling medium flowing out of the cooling medium flow path 42 is supplied to a heating device, a battery, etc.

[0018] The feeding section 51 feeds the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11 to the second oil reservoir 12. In this embodiment, the feeding section 51 is configured with a scavenging pump. However, the feeding section 51 is not limited to a scavenging pump.

[0019] The oil supply unit 52 can supply the oil 2 in the second oil storage unit 12 to the first oil storage unit 11. In this embodiment, the oil supply unit 52 sends the oil 2 in the second oil storage unit 12 to the oil cooler 40. The oil supply unit 52 is configured by, for example, an oil pump. The oil 2 flowing out from the oil supply unit 52 flows into the oil flow path 41 of the oil cooler 40. The oil 2 flowing out from the oil flow path 41 is supplied to the rotating member 20 and other gears from the upper part of the case 10, and flows into each oil storage unit 11, 12. That is, the oil supply unit 52 can supply the oil 2 from the second oil storage unit 12 to the first oil storage unit 11 via the oil cooler 40. In addition, the inside of the first oil storage unit 11 is in a so-called dry sump state.

[0020] The control unit 60 controls the feed unit 51 and the oil supply unit 52. When an increase condition indicating that the amount of oil 2 in the second oil storage unit 12 supplied to the first oil storage unit 11 is increased is satisfied, the control unit 60 reduces the rotation speed of the feed unit 51 or stops the feed unit 51, and increases the rotation speed of the oil supply unit 52. The control unit 60 determines that the increase condition is satisfied, for example, when it receives a request from a device that receives the supply of the cooling medium flowing out from the oil cooler 40 (when it receives a signal output when the heating switch is turned on, a signal output when the battery warm-up is started, etc.). It is preferable that the control unit 60 increases the amount of oil 2 in the second oil storage unit 12 supplied to the first oil storage unit 11 when the rotating member 20 rotates.

[0021] When a reduction condition is met that indicates a reduction in the amount of oil 2 in the second oil reservoir 12 supplied to the first oil reservoir 11, the control unit 60 increases the rotation speed of the delivery unit 51 and reduces the rotation speed of the oil supply unit 52. The control unit 60 determines that the reduction condition is met, for example, when a request from the device is stopped (when a signal output when the heating switch is turned off or a signal output when the battery warm-up is completed is received, etc.).

[0022] Next, the operation of the power transmission device 1 will be described.

[0023] During steady operation or when the power transmission device 1 is stopped, the oil level S12 in the second oil reservoir 12 is higher than the oil level S11 in the first oil reservoir 11. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the oil level S11 in the first oil reservoir 11 is at a position where it does not contact or only slightly contacts the rotating member 20. During steady operation or when the power transmission device 1 is stopped, the rotation speed of the feed unit 51 and the rotation speed of the oil supply unit 52 are adjusted so that the oil levels S11, S12 are at the height positions shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] In the above state, when the control unit 60 receives a request from the device (for example, when it receives a signal output when the heating switch is turned on), it increases the supply amount of the oil 2 in the second oil storage unit 12 to the first oil storage unit 11, that is, it reduces the rotation speed of the feed unit 51 or stops the feed unit 51 and increases the rotation speed of the oil supply unit 52. This increases the amount of the oil 2 in the second oil storage unit 12 flowing into the first oil storage unit 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the oil level S12 in the second oil storage unit 12 drops as shown by the arrow AR2, while the oil level S11 in the first oil storage unit 11 rises as shown by the arrow AR1. In FIG. 2, the oil levels S11 and S12 in the state before the rotation speeds of the feed unit 51 and the oil supply unit 52 are adjusted are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0025] As a result, since at least a portion (lower portion) of the rotating member 20 is immersed in the oil 2, the contact area between the rotating member 20 and the oil 2 increases, and the stirring resistance of the oil 2 by the rotating member 20 increases. This causes the temperature of the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11 to rise. The oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11 is sent to the second oil reservoir 12 by the feed section 51, so that the temperature of the oil 2 in the second oil reservoir 12 also rises. Therefore, the temperature of the oil 2 sent to the oil flow passage 41 of the oil cooler 40 also rises, so that the temperature of the cooling medium flowing out of the cooling medium flow passage 42 rises quickly.

[0026] Next, when the request from the device is stopped (for example, when the control unit 60 receives a signal output when the heater is switched off), it increases the rotation speed of the feed unit 51 and decreases the rotation speed of the oil supply unit 52. Then, the oil levels S11, S12 of the first oil reservoir 11 and the second oil reservoir 12 return to positions when the power transmission device 1 is in normal operation or stopped, for example.

[0027] As described above, in the power transmission device 1 of this embodiment, the amount of oil 2 in the second oil reservoir 12 supplied by the oil supply unit 52 to the first oil reservoir 11 is adjusted so that at least the lower part of the rotating member 20 is immersed in the oil 2, and the temperature of the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11 is raised by the rotation of the rotating member 20. Then, the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11 flows into the oil cooler 40 via the second oil reservoir 12, where it exchanges heat with the cooling medium. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for the temperature of the cooling medium flowing out of the oil cooler 40 to increase.

[0028] Second embodiment Next, a power transmission device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that in the second embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same structure, action, and effect as the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0029] In this embodiment, the second oil reservoir 12 is disposed above the first oil reservoir 11. Moreover, the feed section 51 is configured with a rotating member 20. As shown by an arrow AR3 in FIG. 3, the rotating member 20 scoops up the oil 2 in the first oil reservoir 11 toward the second oil reservoir 12.

[0030] In this embodiment, the partition wall 13 defines the second oil reservoir 12. The partition wall 13 has a shape that opens upward. The partition wall 13 has a bottom portion 13a and a peripheral wall portion 13b. The bottom portion 13a is formed in a flat plate shape. The peripheral wall portion 13b stands from the edge of the bottom portion 13a and is formed in an annular shape.

[0031] The peripheral wall portion 13b includes an overlapping portion 13c. The overlapping portion 13c is located above the rotating member 20 in the vertical direction. The overlapping portion 13c has a shape that is inclined so as to gradually approach the rotating member 20 as it extends upward from the bottom portion 13a. The upper end of the overlapping portion 13c is located below the upper end of the rotating member 20.

[0032] In Figure 3, the oil levels S11, S12 after the oil supply unit 52 has increased the amount of oil 2 in the second oil reservoir 12 supplied to the first oil reservoir 11 are shown by solid lines, and the oil levels S11, S12 before the oil supply unit 52 has increased the amount of oil 2 in the second oil reservoir 12 supplied to the first oil reservoir 11 are shown by dashed dotted lines.

[0033] In this embodiment, since the rotating member 20 also serves as the feed section 51, a dedicated device (such as an oil pump) for feeding the oil 2 from the first oil reservoir 11 to the second oil reservoir 12 can be omitted.

[0034] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the aspects described below.

[0035] [Aspect 1] A case including a first oil reservoir capable of storing oil, a second oil reservoir capable of storing the oil, and a partition wall separating the first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir; The oil sealed in the case; and A rotating member capable of contacting the oil in the first oil reservoir; an oil supply unit capable of supplying the oil in the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir, A power transmission device, wherein the oil supply unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the oil in the second oil reservoir that is supplied to the first oil reservoir.

[0036] In this power transmission device, the amount of oil supplied from the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir by the oil supply unit is adjusted so that at least the lower part of the rotating member is immersed in the oil, and the temperature of the oil in the first oil reservoir is raised by the rotation of the rotating member.

[0037] [Aspect 2] The second oil reservoir is disposed above the first oil reservoir, 2. The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member scoops up the oil in the first oil reservoir toward the second oil reservoir.

[0038] In this embodiment, the oil in the first oil reservoir is sent to the second oil reservoir by the rotating member, making it possible to omit dedicated equipment (such as an oil pump) for sending oil from the first oil reservoir to the second oil reservoir.

[0039] [Aspect 3] 3. The power transmission device according to aspect 1 or 2, further comprising an oil cooler provided outside the case and capable of cooling the oil by exchanging heat between the oil and a cooling medium.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cooling medium that flows into the oil cooler exchanges heat with the oil that has been heated by the rotation of the rotating member inside the case, thereby shortening the time required for the temperature of the cooling medium that flows out of the oil cooler to increase.

[0041] [Aspect 4] A control unit for controlling the oil supply unit is further provided. 4. The power transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit increases the amount of oil supplied from the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir by the oil supply unit when a request is received from an equipment to which the cooling medium flowing out of the oil cooler is supplied.

[0042] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments above, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 power transmission device, 10 case, 11 first oil reservoir, 12 second oil reservoir, 13 partition wall, 13a bottom, 13b peripheral wall, 13c overlapping portion, 20 rotating member (feed portion), 40 oil cooler, 51 feed portion, 52 oil supply portion (pump), 60 control portion.

Claims

1. A case including a first oil reservoir capable of storing oil, a second oil reservoir capable of storing the oil, and a partition wall separating the first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir; The oil sealed in the case; and a rotating member capable of contacting the oil in the first oil reservoir; an oil supply unit capable of supplying the oil in the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir; an oil cooler provided outside the case and capable of cooling the oil by exchanging heat between the oil and a cooling medium; A control unit that controls the oil supply unit, The oil supply unit is configured to be able to adjust the amount of the oil in the second oil reservoir to be supplied to the first oil reservoir, A power transmission device, wherein the control unit increases the amount of oil supplied from the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir by the oil supply unit when a request is received from an equipment to which the cooling medium flowing out of the oil cooler is supplied.

2. The second oil reservoir is disposed above the first oil reservoir, The power transmission device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating member scoops up the oil in the first oil reservoir toward the second oil reservoir.

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