Vehicle Drive-Force Transmission Catch Tank Oil Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drive-force transmitting apparatuses face challenges in lubricating bearings without extending oil supply pipes, which complicates the pipe shape and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a mechanical pump driven by a differential ring gear, with a pipe connected to a catch tank and guide way within the casing, allowing oil to be supplied to the bearing without extending the pipe, and a second-axis gear to introduce oil into the catch tank, ensuring lubrication and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe is extended to reach the bearing, then the bearing can be lubricated, but the pipe shape becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a catch tank as an intermediary component between the pump and the bearing. Oil is pumped to the catch tank, which then supplies oil to the bearing through gravity and pressure differential, eliminating the need for a complex extended pipe while ensuring reliable lubrication
Solution Approach 2:
The oil supply system is segmented into distinct functional components: the pump, the catch tank, and the bearing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without requiring complex interconnections, simplifying the overall system structure
2Reliability
If the pipe is extended to reach the bearing, then the bearing can be lubricated, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catch tank serves as a cost-effective intermediary that replaces expensive custom-shaped extended pipes. By using a simple tank structure with standard connections, the system achieves reliable bearing lubrication at lower manufacturing cost
3Reliability
If oil is supplied directly to the bearing, then lubrication is effective, but oil loss through stirring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The catch tank is positioned to receive and store oil before it is supplied to the bearing. This preliminary storage allows the system to control oil flow more precisely, reducing excessive oil supply that would otherwise be lost to stirring while ensuring the bearing receives sufficient lubrication
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 solution allows for effective lubrication of bearings without pipe extension, maintaining manufacturability and controlling costs, while ensuring sufficient oil supply to prevent bearing galling and minimizing stirring loss.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical pump that is to be driven when the differential ring gear is rotated
Implementation Method 2
a guide way that is provided by a second rib provided in the casing, the guide way being configured to guide the oil discharged from the discharge hole, to the catch tank
Implementation Method 3
a bearing through which the rotary member is held by the casing
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus (10) including: a differential ring gear (38) that is to be rotated about a first axis (CL1); a pump (P2) that is to be driven when the differential ring gear (38) is rotated; a casing (40) that stores therein the differential ring gear (38) and the pump (P2); a pipe (95) that is connected to the pump (P2) so as to supply oil sucked by the pump (P2), to lubrication-required elements of the drive-force transmitting apparatus (10); a catch tank (90) that is provided by a rib (91) provided in the casing (40); and a guide way (110) that is provided by a rib (111) provided in the casing (40). The guide way (110) is configured to guide the oil discharged from the pipe (95), to the catch tank (90).