Differential Lubrication Structure Tapered Oil Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lubrication structures for differential devices have limited flow rates of lubricating oil into the spiral groove, leading to ineffective lubrication of gears and shafts within the differential device.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication structure with a tapered section and guide groove at the opening end of the inboard section, where the tapered section slopes inwardly and the guide groove deepens toward the spiral oil groove, enhancing the flow of lubricating oil from the lubricating oil guide groove into the spiral oil groove, and a chamfered contour to prevent oil leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an intake port composed of a notched part at the opening end is used, then the structure is simple, but the flow rate of lubricating oil into the spiral groove is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The opening end structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a notched intake port for oil entry, a tapered section with increasing cross-sectional area to accelerate and direct oil flow, and a guide groove to channel oil into the spiral groove. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, significantly improving oil flow rate while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The tapered section extends the opening end structure in the radial dimension, creating a gradual expansion from the notched intake port to the guide groove entrance. This dimensional extension provides a flow path that increases cross-sectional area progressively, enabling higher oil flow rates without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
2Productivity
If the opening end structure is enlarged to increase oil flow, then the flow rate improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered section and guide groove are nested within the existing opening end structure of the differential case. The notched intake port is formed as a notch in the opening end, and the tapered section is integrated into the same structural component. This nesting approach allows the oil flow enhancement features to be incorporated without adding external volume or increasing overall device size
Solution Approach 2:
The structural modifications (notched intake port, tapered section, guide groove) are localized to the opening end region where oil flow is needed. The rest of the differential case and inboard section maintain their original dimensions and design. This localized approach improves oil flow rate without increasing the overall device volume
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
This configuration significantly increases the flow rate of lubricating oil into the spiral oil groove, improving lubrication performance within the differential device without increasing the device's size or compromising design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered section (45) in a slope shape formed continuing to the ledge (44) on the inner diameter side thereof at the opening end (42a), slanting toward the inner diameter side of the opening end (42a) and approaching the center. Lubricating oil supplied to the opening end (42a) of the inboard section (42) from the lubricating oil guide groove (15) flows into the tapered section (45) via the ledge (44) and then into the spiral oil groove (80) from the tapered section (45)
Implementation Method 2
lubricating oil which has been pumped up by the final driven gear (12) within the transmission case (10) and then flowed from the lubricating oil guide groove (15) in between the bearing (22) and the oil seal (74)
Implementation Method 3
a spiral groove installed on an inner wall of the inboard section of the differential case leads such lubricating oil that has been guided into the space between the oil seal and the bearing into the differential case, using rotating power of the differential case, thereby lubricating a pinion gear, a pinion shaft, a side gear, etc.
Implementation Method 4
a bearing (22) rotatably supporting the differential case (30) to the transmission case (10)
Data Source
AI summary
An opening end of an inboard section includes: an end surface composed of a plane positioned farthest from the center of a differential device in the axial direction and perpendicular to the axial direction; a ledge positioned adjacent to the end surface in the circumferential direction of the opening end and closer to the center than the end surface in the axial direction; and a tapered section in a slope shape formed continuing to the inner diameter side of the ledge at the opening end, slanting toward the inner diameter side of the opening end and approaching the center. Lubricating oil supplied to the opening end of the inboard section flows to the tapered section via the ledge and flows from the tapered section into a spiral groove formed on an inner periphery of the inboard section.