Integrated Drive Lubrication and Cooling Flow Path Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive devices with both mechanical and electric oil pumps increase in size due to the need for separate lubricating and cooling circuits, leading to space and efficiency concerns.
Innovation Solution
A drive device design incorporating a motor portion, gear portion, housing, pump, and cooler with a fluid flow path that integrates lubrication and cooling functions using a single fluid flow path, reducing the need for multiple pumps and circuits, and optimizing the placement of components to minimize size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both mechanical oil pump and electric oil pump are mounted on the drive device, then lubrication and cooling functions are provided, but the size of the entire drive device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lubrication circuit and cooling circuit into a single integrated fluid circulation system. The mechanical pump and electric pump share common fluid passages, allowing one pump to serve both lubrication and cooling functions depending on operational mode, thereby reducing the overall drive device size while maintaining both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circulation system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same pump and fluid passages can perform both lubrication and cooling tasks. The system can switch between modes or operate in combination, making the pump assembly universal rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function
2Reliability
If separate lubricating circuit and cooling circuit are used, then lubrication and cooling are optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate lubricating and cooling circuits into a unified fluid circulation system with shared passages and components. This integration reduces the number of separate circuits while maintaining optimized performance for both functions through strategic placement of fluid delivery points and flow control mechanisms
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 integrated design reduces the overall size of the drive device, enhances efficiency by sharing fluid flow paths for lubrication and cooling, and simplifies manufacturing processes, thereby improving productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The pump delivers a fluid within the housing
Implementation Method 2
The cooler cools the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
In a drive device, a first flow path of a fluid connects a gear accommodation portion and an inlet of a pump. A second flow path connects an outlet of the pump and one end of a third flow path via a cooler. The third flow path is inside a partition wall of a housing and intersects a rotation axis of a first shaft. A fourth flow path connects another end of the third flow path and one end of a fifth flow path. The fifth flow path is inside a gear side lid of the housing. Another end of the fifth flow path is connected to one end of a second shaft in an axial direction. One end of a sixth flow path is connected to another end of the third flow path. Another end of the sixth flow path is inside a housing tubular portion.