Vehicle Drive Unit Ring Pocket Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units for motor vehicles face issues with power-to-weight ratio, transmission acoustics, and driving dynamics, particularly in electric and hybrid vehicles, where the integration of efficient lubrication and cooling systems is inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit design featuring a wheel set with a first gear wheel and a second gear wheel that is narrower axially, incorporating a ring pocket for lubricating or cooling fluid, with radial lubricating channels and a fluid guide element to enhance lubrication and cooling efficiency, while maintaining a compact and integral design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a compact drive unit design is used, then the power-to-weight ratio is improved, but the lubrication and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the ring pocket for lubricating or cooling fluid directly within the axial recess of the gear wheel, and positioning the fluid guide element to protrude into this recess. This nested arrangement allows the lubrication and cooling system to be integrated within the compact gear wheel structure, achieving efficient fluid delivery without increasing the overall drive unit size or weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid guide element acts as an intermediary component that channels lubricating or cooling fluid from the housing into the axial recess of the gear wheel. This mediator ensures proper fluid distribution to the gear toothing while maintaining the compact design, as the fluid guide element is integrated into the existing housing structure rather than requiring separate external systems.
2Reliability
If integrated lubrication and cooling systems are added, then the lubrication efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lubrication and cooling functions into a single integrated system using the ring pocket and fluid guide element. The ring pocket serves as a common reservoir for both lubricating and cooling fluid, while the fluid guide element provides a unified entry point for fluid delivery. This merging approach achieves reliable lubrication and cooling without requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear wheel's own axial recess is utilized as the ring pocket for fluid accommodation, meaning the gear wheel structure itself serves the dual purpose of mechanical transmission and fluid storage. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate external reservoirs or complex delivery mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective lubrication.
3Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece housing is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the assembly flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The one-piece housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the fluid guide element, and serves as the mounting structure for the wheel set. This multi-functional design allows the single housing component to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate parts, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while still accommodating the necessary assembly requirements through integrated feature design.
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 design achieves efficient lubrication and cooling of the drive unit, improving power-to-weight ratio, acoustics, and driving dynamics, while allowing for a cost-effective and easy assembly with a one-piece housing and integrated components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lubricating channel extends radially outwards from the ring pocket, through which lubricating or cooling fluid flows onto a toothing of the gear wheel during operation
Implementation Method 2
the fluid guide element being arranged below a shaft on which the second gear wheel is mounted and protruding into the axial recess, the fluid guide element being formed, from above collect fluid flowing down and guide it in the axial direction into the axial recess
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The drive unit (12) comprises an electric drive motor (14) and a variable gear (16) with at least two gears (1,2) whereby the drive motor and the variable gear are located in a common housing (24). The housing further has differential gearbox (18), which has an input member (58) which is connected with the variable gear. An independent claim is also included for the wheel set.