Cooling Oil Guide Ring for Selective Drivetrain Flow Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling oil distribution systems for rotating component parts in powertrains suffer from uncontrolled swirling and distribution issues, leading to inefficient and unselective oil routing.

Innovation Solution

A cooling oil guiding device with an annular oil channel and sealing area featuring blocking elements and outlet elements, which includes passages and inlets to control oil flow, prevents swirling by using air to equalize negative pressure and maintains a laminar flow through progressively narrowing channels and tear-off edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cooling oil is distributed by rotating component parts running through an oil sump, then cooling oil can be supplied to rotating components, but uncontrolled swirling and uncontrolled distribution of cooling oil occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling oil distributionVSAvoidcooling oil flow control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the continuous oil channel into discrete sections with blocking elements that create individual passages. These passages are distributed along the circumference at specific radial positions, dividing the cooling oil flow into controlled segments rather than allowing uncontrolled swirling through a continuous channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by providing blocking elements with passages at specific radial positions and circumferential distributions. This allows different regions of the rotating component to receive cooling oil selectively based on local cooling needs, rather than uniform distribution throughout the entire component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If cooling oil is supplied centrally by centrifugal force, then cooling oil can reach rotating components, but selective routing of cooling oil is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling oil deliveryVSAvoidcooling oil routing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning blocking elements with passages at specific radial positions and circumferential locations before the cooling oil is supplied. This pre-arranged structure guides the centrifugally supplied oil into specific pathways, enabling selective routing without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the dynamic rotation of the component to enable selective routing. The blocking elements and passages are arranged such that during rotation, cooling oil is delivered to different circumferential positions at different times, providing adaptability in routing while maintaining a simple static structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If an annular oil channel is used to route cooling oil radially outward, then cooling oil can be supplied to surrounding component parts, but uncontrolled swirling and atomization occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling oil coverage areaVSAvoidcooling oil flow stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the flow parameters by introducing blocking elements that create narrow passages with specific cross-sections. These passages control the velocity and pressure of the cooling oil flow, preventing the high-velocity conditions that lead to atomization while still enabling radial distribution over a wide area through the annular channel configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures selective and defined distribution of cooling oil, reducing swirling and atomization, and providing a reliable cooling solution for powertrain components, including hybrid modules and clutches.

Implementation Method 1

Because of the cooling oil exiting from the outlet channels, a negative pressure is formed radially inwardly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

inlets are provided via which an atmosphere such as air surrounding the rotating component part can flow in so as to equalize the negative pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmosphere flow: Convection

Implementation Method 3

distributing by rotating component parts, where the component parts run through an oil sump and/or distribute cooling oil which is supplied centrally by centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11852202B2Cooling oil conducting element and drivetrain comprising same

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG

AI summary

A cooling oil guiding device for rotating component parts. An annular oil channel extends in radial direction and cooling oil can be supplied from radially inward. The oil channel is partially open radially outwardly. A sealing area is provided in a radially outer area of the oil channel having blocking elements and outlet elements. The blocking elements are arranged radially inwardly of the outlet elements and have at least two passages in radial direction which are distributed along the circumference. Outlet channels aligned with the passages and inlets which are disposed between the outlet channels in circumferential direction are formed by the outlet elements. An annular channel is provided between the blocking elements and the outlet elements to connect the inlets with the outlet channels and passages, respectively.