Lubrication device for a vehicle power transmission device

Abstract

To provide a lubrication device of a vehicle power transmission device which can supply a proper amount of oil to a portion needing lubrication even if an oil surface of a catch tank inclines when a vehicle travels.SOLUTION: In a lubrication device of a vehicle power transmission device, a catch tank 20 is formed with a partition wall 34 which extends along a vehicle fore and aft direction when the lubrication device is mounted on a vehicle and partitions the catch tank 20 in a vehicle width direction. Thus, for example, even if an oil surface of an oil in the catch tank 20 inclines when a vehicle turns, the oil is prevented from being unevenly placed in one of a first space 36 and a second space 38. Consequently, a proper amount of the oil needed for lubrication is supplied from a second lubrication hole 32b regardless of whether the vehicle inclines and turns.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubricating device provided in a vehicle power transmission device.

Background Art

[0002] As a lubricating device for lubricating lubrication-required parts such as gears and bearings housed inside a vehicle power transmission device, many structures have been proposed so far. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which oil scraped up by a gear is temporarily stored in a catch tank, and the oil in the catch tank is supplied to the lubrication-required parts via lubrication holes.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a lubricating device provided with a catch tank as in Patent Document 1, when the oil level in the catch tank is inclined due to the inclination of the vehicle or the centrifugal force applied during vehicle turning, it may be difficult to supply the required amount of oil to the lubrication-required parts.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a structure capable of supplying an appropriate amount of oil to lubrication-required parts even when the oil level in the catch tank is inclined during vehicle travel in a lubricating device for a vehicle power transmission device provided with a catch tank.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gist of the present invention is as follows: (a) a lubricating device for a vehicle power transmission device, which includes a predetermined gear housed in a case and a catch tank provided above the predetermined gear in the case when mounted on the vehicle, and has a structure for capturing oil scraped up by the rotation of the predetermined gear with the catch tank; (b) the catch tank is longitudinally formed in the vehicle front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle; (c) a partition wall extending along the vehicle front-rear direction in the vehicle-mounted state and partitioning the catch tank in the vehicle width direction is formed in the catch tank; (d) the interior of the catch tank is partitioned by the partition wall, thereby forming a first space and a second space partitioned in the vehicle width direction; (e) on the side opposite to the side where the oil scraped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in, a first lubrication hole communicating with the first space and a second lubrication hole communicating with the second space are formed; (f) on the side opposite to the side where the oil scraped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in, at least one of the part forming the first space and the part forming the second space has an inclined portion inclined downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall in the vehicle width direction and (g) a twist angle is formed in the predetermined gear; (h) the first space is located on the side where oil scraped up by the predetermined gear in the vehicle width direction scatters, while the second space is located on the side opposite to the side where oil scatters in the vehicle width direction; (i) the inclined portion is formed at a portion of the catch tank that forms the second space; (j) the partition wall located on the side where oil scraped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in is eccentric toward the first space side with respect to the center of the walls located at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the catch tank is characterized by the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, since the catch tank is formed with a partition wall that extends along the vehicle front-rear direction in the vehicle-mounted state and partitions the catch tank in the vehicle width direction, even when the oil level in the catch tank inclines, for example, when the vehicle turns, the oil is prevented from being biased to one of the first space and the second space. Further, since at least one of the part forming the first space and the part forming the second space in the catch tank has an inclined portion inclined downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall in the vehicle width direction, even when the oil level in the catch tank inclines, for example, when the vehicle turns, the oil stays in at least the space on the side where the inclined portion is formed. As a result, even when the oil level in the catch tank inclines during running, oil can be supplied from the first lubrication hole and the second lubrication hole to the lubrication required parts. In addition, since the partition wall located on the side where oil scraped up by the defringing gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in is eccentric toward the first space side with respect to the center of a pair of first longitudinal walls located at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the catch tank, an appropriate amount of oil also flows into the second space side, and the amounts of oil flowing into the first space and the second space are equalized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the drawings are appropriately simplified or deformed, and the dimensional ratios, shapes, etc. of each part are not necessarily drawn accurately.

Embodiment

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of a vehicle power transmission device 10 (hereinafter, power transmission device 10) to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, the upper side of the paper corresponds to the vertically upward direction in the vehicle-mounted state. Also, the right side of the paper in FIG. 1 corresponds to the front of the vehicle in the vehicle-mounted state. Also, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 corresponds to the vehicle width direction in the vehicle-mounted state. Note that the vehicle-mounted state in this specification is a state where the vehicle is on a flat road.

[0011] The power transmission device 10 is applied to, for example, an electric vehicle having an electric motor (not shown) as a power source. Inside the case 12 of the power transmission device 10, an output gear 14, a counter gear 16, and a differential ring gear 18 are accommodated. Note that the differential ring gear 18 corresponds to a predetermined gear of the present invention.

[0012] The output gear 14 is connected to a motor (not shown) so as to be power-transmittable and is rotatably arranged about the rotation axis CL1. The counter gear 16 is rotatably arranged about the rotation axis CL2. The differential ring gear 18 is rotatably arranged about the rotation axis CL3. The counter gear 16 and the differential ring gear 18 are meshed with each other. The differential ring gear 18 is integrally formed with a differential case 22a of a well-known differential device 22 (see FIG. 2).

[0013] A catch tank 20 is provided vertically above the counter gear 16 and the differential ring gear 18 in the vehicle-mounted state. The catch tank 20 is arranged along a part of the outer periphery of the counter gear 16 and a part of the outer periphery of the differential ring gear 18 and is formed longitudinally in the vehicle front-rear direction in the vehicle-mounted state.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a simplified view of the differential ring gear 18 as viewed from the rear side in the vehicle traveling direction in the vehicle-mounted state. As shown in FIG. 2, the catch tank 20 is arranged vertically above the differential ring gear 18 in the vehicle-mounted state. In this embodiment, the dimension of the differential ring gear 18 in the vehicle width direction and the dimension of the catch tank 20 in the vehicle width direction are substantially the same.

[0015] Returning to FIG. 1, oil is stored at the lower vertical part of the case 12. As the defringing gear 18 rotates clockwise during forward travel, as indicated by the black arrow, the oil stored in the lower part of the case 12 is scraped upward by the defringing gear 18. The white arrow indicates the flow of the scraped-up oil. When the oil scraped up from the gap between the inner wall surface of the case 12 and the catch tank 20 is discharged, the oil is captured by the catch tank 20. The oil captured by the catch tank 20 moves toward the front side of the vehicle. Next, oil is discharged from the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b, indicated by the dashed line. Also, the discharged oil is supplied to lubrication-required parts such as gears and bearings. The first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b are respectively formed in a wall (the second vertical wall 30, to be described later) that forms both ends in the vehicle width direction and are through holes that penetrate the wall. Also, the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b are formed at the lower vertical part of the catch tank 20 in the vehicle-mounted state.

[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the catch tank 20, respectively. Note that the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front-rear direction shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 both indicate the directions in the vehicle-mounted state.

[0017] The catch tank 20 is composed of a guide part 20a that extends longitudinally in the vehicle front-rear direction in the vehicle-mounted state, and a tank part 20b connected to one longitudinal end of the guide part 20a. The tank part 20b extends toward both sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] The guide part 20a is formed by a first bottom wall 24 that forms the lower vertical part in the vehicle-mounted state, and a pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b that are erected vertically upward from both edges of the first bottom wall 24 in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] The first bottom wall 24 is disposed vertically above the counter gear 16 and the defringing gear 18 in the vehicle-mounted state and has a shape along the outer peripheral shape of the counter gear 16 and the outer peripheral shape of the defringing gear 18. Also, the first bottom wall 24 has a predetermined dimension in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] A pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b are erected vertically upward from both edges of the first bottom wall 24 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b extend longitudinally in the vehicle front-rear direction along the edges of the first bottom wall 24, respectively. Further, the pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b are formed to face each other. By forming the pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b, the oil scraped up by the rotation of the differential ring gear 18 flows into the catch tank 20 from the tip of the guide portion 20a. That is, the scraped-up oil is captured by the catch tank 20.

[0021] On the side opposite to the side into which the scraped-up oil flows in the longitudinal direction of the guide portion 20a, a tank portion 20b is connected. The tank portion 20b extends toward both sides in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle-mounted state. The tank portion 20b includes a second bottom wall 28 that forms the lower part in the vertical direction in the vehicle-mounted state, and a second vertical wall 30 that is erected vertically upward so as to surround the outer edge of the second bottom wall 28. Note that the second bottom wall 28 corresponds to the bottom wall of the present invention.

[0022] The second bottom wall 28 has a rectangular shape that extends along the vehicle width direction in the vehicle-mounted state. Further, the central portion of the second bottom wall 28 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the end portion of the first bottom wall 24.

[0023] The second vertical wall 30 surrounds the periphery of the outer edge of the second bottom wall 28 except for the portion where the first bottom wall 24 and the second bottom wall 28 are connected. Further, in the second vertical wall 30, one end of the two ends in the direction along the enclosure is connected to the first vertical wall 26a, and the other end is connected to the first vertical wall 26b. As a result, a T-shaped space is formed inside the catch tank 20 by the guide portion 20a and the tank portion 20b. The first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b shown in FIG. 1 are formed in the walls that form both ends in the vehicle width direction of the second vertical wall 30, respectively.

[0024] On the second vertical wall 30, a first protrusion 35a covering the opening of the first lubrication hole 32a and a second protrusion 35b covering the opening of the second lubrication hole 32b are formed. The oil flowing into the catch tank 20 is discharged outside the catch tank 20 through the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b after passing through the guide portion 20a and the tank portion 20b, and is supplied to lubrication-required parts such as gears and bearings housed in the case 12. Therefore, the lubrication device 42 that supplies oil to the lubrication-required parts is configured to include the catch tank and the defringing gear 18.

[0025] Incidentally, for example, when the vehicle turns, the oil in the catch tank 20 may be biased toward one side in the vehicle width direction, and there is a possibility that oil may not be supplied from one of the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b. In contrast, a partition wall 34 that partitions the inside of the catch tank 20 in the vehicle width direction is formed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the guide portion 20a and the tank portion 20b of the catch tank 20.

[0026] The partition wall 34 is erected vertically upward from the first bottom wall 24 and the second bottom wall 28 in the vehicle-mounted state. Further, the partition wall 34 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction in the vehicle-mounted state and is formed so as to partition the inside of the catch tank 20 in the vehicle width direction. By partitioning the inside of the catch tank 20 by the partition wall 34, a first space 36 and a second space 38 partitioned in the vehicle width direction are formed inside the catch tank 20. Both the first space 36 and the second space 38 are L-shaped spaces. In this regard, the first space 36 communicates with the first lubrication hole 32a, and the second space 38 communicates with the second lubrication hole 32b. Further, the first lubrication hole 32a is formed in the wall of the second vertical wall 30 on the first space 36 side and facing the partition wall 34, and the second lubrication hole 32b is formed in the wall of the second vertical wall 30 on the second space 38 side and facing the partition wall 34.

[0027] By forming the partition wall 34, even if the oil level in the catch tank 20 inclines during, for example, a turning operation of the vehicle, the oil is prevented from being biased to one side in the vehicle width direction of the tank portion 20b. That is, it is possible to prevent the oil supply from stopping from one of the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b.

[0028] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a twist angle α is formed in the defringing gear 18. Along with this, when the oil is scraped up by the defringing gear 18, since the oil is scraped up along the tooth surface of the defringing gear 18, it scatters in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2. As a result, the amount of oil flowing into the first space 36 located on the side where the oil scraped up by the defringing gear 18 scatters in the vehicle width direction becomes larger than the amount of oil flowing into the second space 38 located on the side opposite to the side where the oil scatters in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] On the other hand, in order to equalize the amount of oil flowing into the first space 36 and the second space 38, a portion of the partition wall 34 located on the side where the oil scraped up in the longitudinal direction flows in is eccentric (offset) toward the first space 36 (or the first longitudinal wall 26a) with respect to the center of a pair of first longitudinal walls 26a and 26b located at both ends of the catch tank 20 in the vehicle width direction. Also, in the present embodiment, a portion of the partition wall 34 located on the side where the oil scraped up in the longitudinal direction flows in is eccentric toward the first space 36 (or the first longitudinal wall 26a) with respect to the center line CLG in the vehicle width direction of the defringing gear 18. Note that the first longitudinal walls 26a and 26b correspond to the walls located at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the catch tank of the present invention.

[0030] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, on the side where oil flows in the longitudinal direction of the guide portion 20a, the oil inflow width w1 in the first space 36 is narrower than the oil inflow width w2 in the second space 38. As a result, among the oil scraped up by the defringing gear 18, the amount of oil flowing into the second space 38 increases. In connection with this, it is also possible to equalize the ratio of the oil flowing into the first space 36 and the second space 38. Incidentally, the eccentricity of the partition wall 34 is obtained experimentally or design-wise in advance. For example, the eccentricity is set to a value such that the ratio of the oil flowing into the first space 36 and the second space 38 becomes substantially equal.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, on the side opposite to the side where oil flows in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank 20, at the portion forming the second space 38, that is, at the portion of the tank portion 20b of the catch tank 20 forming the second space 38, an inclined portion 40 is formed which inclines downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall 34 in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, in the catch tank 20, an inclined portion 40 is formed on the second bottom wall 28 extending in the vehicle width direction from the partition wall 34 toward the second lubrication hole 32b, which inclines downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall 34 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the second bottom wall 28 extending in the vehicle width direction from the partition wall 34 toward the second lubrication hole 32b is positioned on the vertically lower side as it moves away from the partition wall 34.

[0032] With the above configuration, even when the amount of oil flowing into the second space 38 side decreases, oil remains in the tank portion 20b of the second space 38, and the oil discharged from the second lubrication hole 32b is ensured. As a result, even in the second space 38 where the amount of oil flowing in is likely to be less than that in the first space 36, the oil staying in the second space 38 can be ensured. In this regard, the lubrication performance of the lubrication device 42 can be ensured, and the catch tank 20 can be miniaturized. In addition, in the vehicle-mounted state, the inclination angle θ (see FIG. 4) formed by the intersection of the inclined portion 40 and the horizontal plane is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined angle β (θ≧β) obtained experimentally or design-wise in advance. The predetermined angle β is set, for example, as the lower limit threshold of the angle range in which a predetermined amount or more of oil remains in the tank portion 20b on the second space 38 side even when the oil is biased due to vehicle turning or vehicle inclination.

[0033] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the catch tank 20, since the partition wall 34 that extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction in the vehicle-mounted state and partitions the catch tank 20 in the vehicle width direction is formed, for example, even when the oil level of the oil in the catch tank 20 tilts during vehicle turning, the oil is prevented from being biased to one of the first space 36 and the second space 38. Further, in the portion forming the second space 38 of the catch tank 20, since the inclined portion 40 that inclines downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall 34 in the vehicle width direction is formed, for example, even when the oil level of the oil in the catch tank 20 tilts during vehicle turning, the oil stays in the second space 38 on the side where the inclined portion 40 is formed. As a result, even when the oil level of the catch tank 20 tilts during traveling, the oil can be supplied from the second lubrication hole 32b to the lubrication required portion.

[0034] Further, the partition wall 34 located on the side where the oil scraped up by the defringing gear 18 flows in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank 20 is eccentric toward the first space 36 with respect to the centers of the pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b located at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the catch tank 20. Therefore, an appropriate amount of oil also flows into the second space 38 side, and the amounts of oil flowing into the first space 36 and the second space 38 are equalized. Further, since the inclination angle θ formed by the intersection of the inclined portion 40 and the horizontal plane in the vehicle-mounted state is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined angle β set in advance, an appropriate amount of oil is ensured in the second space 38 regardless of vehicle turning or vehicle inclination.

[0035] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is also applicable in other aspects.

[0036] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the inclined portion 40 that inclines downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall 34 in the vehicle width direction is formed at the portion of the catch tank 20 that forms the second space 38. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described aspect. For example, the inclined portion 40 that inclines downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall 34 in the vehicle width direction may be formed at the portion of the catch tank 20 that forms the first space 36, or the inclined portion 40 may be formed at both the portion of the catch tank 20 that forms the first space 36 and the portion that forms the second space 38.

[0037] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the twist angle α is formed in the defringing gear 18, but the twist angle α does not necessarily have to be formed. In this case, it is not necessarily required to eccentrically displace the partition wall 34 located on the side where the oil scraped up by the defringing gear 18 flows in, and the partition wall 34 may be formed between the pair of first vertical walls 26a and 26b in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b are formed in the second vertical wall 30 that forms the tank portion 20b, but the first lubrication hole 32a and the second lubrication hole 32b may be formed in the second bottom wall 28.

[0039] Note that the above is merely one embodiment, and the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 10: Vehicle power transmission device 12: Case 18: Differential ring gear (predetermined gear) 20: Catch tank 32a: First lubrication hole 32b: Second lubrication hole 34: Partition wall 36: First space 38: Second space 40: Inclined portion 42: Lubrication device α: Twist angle θ: Inclination angle β: Predetermined angle

Claims

1. A lubricating device for a vehicle power transmission device, comprising a predetermined gear housed in a case and a catch tank provided above the predetermined gear in the case in a vehicle-mounted state, and having a structure for capturing oil scooped up by the rotation of the predetermined gear with the catch tank, wherein the catch tank is formed longitudinally in the vehicle front-rear direction in a vehicle-mounted state, a partition wall extending along the vehicle front-rear direction and partitioning the catch tank in the vehicle width direction is formed in the catch tank, by partitioning the inside of the catch tank with the partition wall, a first space and a second space partitioned in the vehicle width direction are formed, on the side opposite to the side where the oil scooped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in, a first lubrication hole communicating with the first space and a second lubrication hole communicating with the second space are formed, on the side opposite to the side where the oil scooped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in, at least one of the part forming the first space and the part forming the second space is formed with an inclined portion inclined vertically downward so as to move away from the partition wall in the vehicle width direction, a twist angle is formed in the predetermined gear, the first space is located on the side where the oil scooped up by the predetermined gear scatters in the vehicle width direction, while the second space is located on the side opposite to the side where the oil scatters in the vehicle width direction, the inclined portion is formed in the part of the catch tank forming the second space, the partition wall located on the side where the oil scooped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in is eccentric to the first space side with respect to the center of the walls located at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the catch tank A lubricating device for a vehicle power transmission device, characterized in that.

2. A lubricating device for a vehicle power transmission device, comprising a predetermined gear housed in a case and a catch tank provided above the predetermined gear in the case in a vehicle-mounted state, and having a structure for capturing oil scooped up by the rotation of the predetermined gear with the catch tank, wherein the catch tank is formed longitudinally in the vehicle front-rear direction in a vehicle-mounted state, In the catch tank, a partition wall is formed that extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and partitions the catch tank in the vehicle width direction in a vehicle-mounted state. By partitioning the interior of the catch tank with the partition wall, a first space and a second space partitioned in the vehicle width direction are formed. On the side opposite to the side where the oil scraped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in, a first lubrication hole communicating with the first space and a second lubrication hole communicating with the second space are formed. On the side opposite to the side where the oil scraped up by the predetermined gear in the longitudinal direction of the catch tank flows in, on at least one of the part forming the first space and the part forming the second space, an inclined portion that inclines downward vertically as it moves away from the partition wall in the vehicle width direction is formed. In a vehicle-mounted state, the inclination angle formed by the intersection of the inclined portion and the horizontal plane is set to be equal to or greater than a predetermined angle set in advance. A lubrication device for a vehicle power transmission device, characterized in that.

3. The catch tank is arranged vertically above the predetermined gear in a vehicle-mounted state. A lubrication device for a vehicle power transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

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