Continuously Variable Transmission Lubricant Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing continuously variable transmissions are limited by low torque capacity and have a short service life, particularly when operating at high torques, necessitating an enhancement for long-term operation and increased durability.

Innovation Solution

A continuously variable transmission design featuring an outer and inner rotary part with adjustable eccentricity, equipped with multiple coupling mechanisms and a lubricant guide system that directs lubricant to radial areas of the coupling mechanisms, ensuring effective lubrication and reducing wear, thereby enhancing operational reliability and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If high torque transmission is implemented in continuously variable transmission, then torque capacity increases to several mega-Nm, but service life and reliability deteriorate due to increased wear and operational stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque capacityVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A lubricant guide device is introduced as an intermediary component to direct lubricant from the cylindrical surface of the inner rotating part to the coupling mechanisms. This mediator ensures proper lubrication of high-stress areas, reducing wear and enabling the system to handle high torques while maintaining reliability and extended service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional lubrication methods are used, then device complexity remains low, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient lubrication of radially outward regions of coupling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication effectivenessVSAvoidlubrication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricant guide device utilizes the radial dimension to transport lubricant from the cylindrical surface of the inner rotating part outward to the coupling mechanisms. By leveraging the rotational motion and radial flow path, the system achieves comprehensive lubrication coverage without requiring complex multi-point delivery systems, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The design allows for high torque transmission of up to several mega Newton-meters in long-term operation, ensuring smooth operation at high speeds, improving service life, and reducing production costs through a lightweight and cost-effective structure.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first lubricant guide device for guiding at least a portion of a lubricant from the cylindrical surface of the inner rotating part to a region of a coupling mechanism that is located radially further outwards with respect to the axis of rotation of the inner rotating part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the continuously variable transmission has a pump for conveying a lubricant into the transmission along a cylindrical surface of the inner rotating part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3064806B1Continuously variable transmission
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 UMS MASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP3064806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3064806B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3064806B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a continuously variable transmission (10). The continuously variable transmission (10) comprises an outer rotating part (14), an inner rotating part (13) which is arranged in the outer rotating part (14) such that the inner and/or the outer rotating part (13, 14) are rotatable relative to each other, several coupling mechanisms (18) for coupling the inner and outer rotating parts (13, 14) to each other, an adjusting device for eccentric adjustment of the inner and outer rotating parts (13, 14) relative to each other, and at least one first lubricant guide device (220) for guiding at least a portion of the lubricant from the cylindrical surface of the inner rotating part (13) to a region of a coupling mechanism (18) that is radially further outwards with respect to the axis of rotation of the inner rotating part (13).