EV Transmission Housing for Pump-Free Oil Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric vehicle transmissions require larger pumps to distribute oil, occupying space and increasing costs due to the need for active oil circulation, which is inefficient and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle transmission design that utilizes a housing with an inlet, outlet, and passageway configured to allow oil to flow radially inward without centrifugal forces, eliminating the need for a separate pump in the gear reduction side by using gravity and passive flow control mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump is used to distribute oil throughout the transmission, then oil circulation is achieved, but the pump occupies space and increases assembly cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump component from the transmission system by utilizing the housing structure itself to create passive oil circulation pathways. The housing defines inlet and outlet openings with a radially inwardly extending surface that creates a low-pressure zone, eliminating the need for a separate pump mechanism while maintaining oil distribution functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment, defines oil circulation pathways through its internal geometry, creates pressure differentials via the radially inwardly extending surface, and eliminates the need for dedicated pump components. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the housing itself responsible for oil circulation.
2Reliability
If a pump is used to distribute oil throughout the transmission, then oil circulation is achieved, but the assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump component is extracted from the system entirely, replacing it with a passive housing structure that performs the same oil circulation function. This reduction in component count directly lowers assembly costs while maintaining reliable oil distribution through the housing-defined pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure performs oil circulation autonomously through its geometric design, creating pressure differentials and defining flow pathways without requiring external power sources or additional actuating mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates pump-related costs while ensuring continuous oil circulation.
3Speed
If centrifugal forces act on oil in a rotating housing, then oil flow is maintained, but radially inward flow toward the axis is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on centrifugal forces that push oil radially outward, the invention inverts the approach by creating a low-pressure zone that actively draws oil radially inward. The radially inwardly extending surface geometry creates this inverse pressure gradient, enabling oil to flow toward the rotation axis rather than being thrown outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter distribution within the housing by introducing the radially inwardly extending surface. This geometric modification creates a localized low-pressure zone that alters the oil flow parameters, enabling radially inward flow despite the presence of centrifugal forces during rotation.
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 design ensures efficient lubrication of components without the need for a separate pump, reducing space and cost while maintaining effective lubrication, thus optimizing the transmission's efficiency and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet defined by the housing being spaced radially inward from the inlet defined by the housing allows the oil to flow from the inlet, through the passageway, and out of the outlet so that the oil is expelled at a radially inward location relative to the inlet. Because the inlet, the passageway, and the outlet are defined by the housing and the housing is stationary relative to the axis, there are no centrifugal forces on the oil which would prevent the oil from flowing radially inward toward the axis.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle transmission for a vehicle and lubricated by an oil includes a housing extending along an axis. The housing defines a housing interior, an inlet for receiving the oil from the housing interior, an inlet for receiving the oil from the housing interior, an outlet for expelling the oil, and a passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The outlet is spaced radially inward from the inlet.