Drive Device Catch Tank Oil Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive devices experience reduced oil immersion in gears due to stirring losses, leading to inefficient lubrication and potential lubrication-related issues during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
The drive device incorporates a housing with multiple catch tanks and strategically positioned bent portions to efficiently store and distribute oil, reducing stirring losses and ensuring proper lubrication of bearings and gears through a network of catch tanks and oil storage compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a single catch tank is used to store oil during driving, then the structure is simple, but the oil storage capacity is insufficient and stirring losses are not adequately reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The single catch tank is divided into four separate catch tanks (first, second, third, and fourth catch tanks) positioned at different locations around the gear assembly. Each catch tank captures oil from specific gear meshing zones, thereby increasing total oil storage capacity and reducing stirring losses more effectively than a single tank could achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch tanks are arranged in multiple spatial dimensions around the gear assembly, with bent portions extending in different directions (first direction between gears, second direction perpendicular to first direction). This multi-dimensional arrangement maximizes oil collection from all gear contact points while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple catch tanks are added to increase oil storage capacity, then stirring losses are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The four catch tanks are integrated into a single housing structure, with their bent portions forming a unified oil collection system. The housing combines multiple functional elements (multiple catch tanks, bent portions, oil storage portion) into one cohesive structure, achieving high oil storage capacity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it contains the motor and power transmission components, provides structural support, and integrates four catch tanks for oil collection. The bent portions of the catch tanks serve dual purposes as both structural elements and oil guidance channels, reducing the need for additional separate components.
3Reliability
If the bent portions are positioned to maximize oil collection, then lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each bent portion is strategically positioned to collect oil from specific gear meshing zones, with the first bent portion between the first and second gears, the second bent portion in the radial direction, the third bent portion between the second and third gears, and the fourth bent portion in the radial direction. This localized positioning ensures optimal lubrication for each gear contact point while maintaining efficient space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device includes a first catch tank above a first gear and including a first bent portion bent between the first gear and a second gear, and a second catch tank below the first catch tank and including a second bent portion that is bent downward. A space above the second bent portion communicates with a space above the first bent portion. A third catch tank is above the second gear, and includes a third bent portion that is bent toward between the first gear and the second gear. A space above the third bent portion communicates with the space above the first bent portion. A fourth catch tank is in front of the second gear and above the third gear, and includes a fourth bent portion that is bent downward.