Drive Unit Lubricant Passage Layout for Lower Motor Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units experience increased drive loss due to excess lubricant in the electric motor chamber, which hinders rotor rotation and is not effectively managed by existing lubricant flow mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A through hole is positioned to facilitate smooth lubricant flow from the electric motor chamber to the gear chamber, with the opening on the gear chamber side facing the gear's lower rear region, causing a diagonal downward flow that suppresses backflow and reduces turbulence, thereby minimizing lubricant retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubricant is stored in the electric motor chamber, then the gear chamber receives sufficient lubricant, but the excess lubricant increases drive loss of the electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into two separate chambers: an electric motor chamber and a gear chamber. This segmentation allows independent management of lubricant in each chamber, enabling the gear chamber to receive sufficient lubricant while preventing excess lubricant from increasing drive loss in the electric motor chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
A through hole acts as an intermediary channel connecting the electric motor chamber and the gear chamber. This controlled passage allows lubricant to flow from the electric motor chamber to the gear chamber while preventing uncontrolled mixing, thus balancing lubricant supply needs with motor efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If a through hole connects the electric motor chamber and gear chamber, then lubricant flows from electric motor chamber to gear chamber, but turbulence and backflow reduce flow efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The opening of the through hole on the gear chamber side is positioned at a specific location facing the lower rear region of the gear. This localized positioning creates a diagonal downward flow pattern that reduces turbulence and prevents backflow, thereby improving lubricant flow efficiency from the electric motor chamber to the gear chamber.
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 lubricant flows efficiently from the electric motor chamber to the gear chamber, reducing drive loss and enabling smoother rotor operation with minimal backflow, thus enhancing the efficiency of the drive unit.
Implementation Method 1
A region below a center of the specific gear is defined as a lower region... the opening may be in the lower rear region... a diagonally downward flow of the lubricant is caused
Implementation Method 2
When the rotor rotates, the lubricant flows from the electric motor chamber to the gear chamber through the through hole
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit may include a case comprising an electric motor chamber and a gear chamber; an electric motor comprising a rotor housed in the electric motor chamber; a specific gear housed in the gear chamber; lubricant stored in the electric motor chamber and the gear chamber; and a through hole connecting the electric motor chamber and the gear chamber. An opening of the through hole on a gear chamber side may be positioned so as to face a side surface of the specific gear. A region below a center of the specific gear is defined as a lower region, a part of the lower region that is located rearward of a vertical plane passing through a center axis of the specific gear in a rotation direction of the specific gear is defined as a lower rear region, and the opening may be in the lower rear region.