Gear Lubrication Layout Using Churned Oil Flow Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear systems in electric and internal combustion vehicles face challenges in effectively lubricating components without a separate oil pump, leading to inadequate oil distribution, especially for components located far from the gear or at angles, resulting in inefficient lubrication and energy waste.
Innovation Solution
A gear system design incorporating a reservoir, oil flow path, and oil guide plate that utilizes the rotational force of a gear to churn and distribute oil to components, eliminating the need for a separate oil pump by directing oil flow through a housing and guide plate to ensure proper lubrication of gears, bearings, and other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate oil pump is used to supply lubricating oil to components, then the lubrication effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gear system uses the rotational motion of the drive gear itself to churn and distribute lubricating oil through oil guide plates and flow paths, eliminating the need for a separate oil pump. The drive gear's rotation automatically generates the force needed to move oil from the reservoir to various components, making the system self-sufficient for lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil pump is completely removed from the system. Instead of using a dedicated pumping mechanism, the patent extracts the lubrication function from the drive system and integrates it directly into the gear structure itself, where oil guide plates and flow paths are built into the housing and gear assembly.
2Device complexity
If oil is delivered close to the gear using churning method, then the structure is simplified, but the oil cannot reach components located far from the gear or at difficult angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a three-dimensional oil distribution network using oil guide plates with multiple flow paths that extend in different directions and dimensions. Oil is channeled through vertical and horizontal paths, reaching components at various heights, distances, and angles from the drive gear, transforming the limited radial oil delivery into a comprehensive multi-directional lubrication system.
Solution Approach 2:
Oil guide plates serve as intermediary structures that receive churned oil from the drive gear and systematically distribute it to various components. These guide plates with integrated flow paths act as mediators between the oil source and distant components, ensuring oil reaches bearings, gears, and other components regardless of their position or angle.
3Use of energy by moving object
If an oil pump is eliminated to reduce weight, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the force to push oil is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drive gear's own rotational motion is utilized to generate the force needed for oil distribution. As the drive gear rotates, it churns the oil in the reservoir, and this same rotational energy drives the oil through the guide plates and flow paths to all components, eliminating the need for separate pumping energy while maintaining sufficient oil delivery force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic oil churning through the rotating drive gear rather than static pumping. The rotational motion continuously agitates and moves oil through the system, adapting the oil delivery force to the varying operational conditions and maintaining effective lubrication without requiring additional energy input from a pump.
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 enables efficient lubrication of gear system components without a separate oil pump, ensuring effective oil distribution and reducing energy waste, while maximizing space utilization and maintaining effective lubrication even for components distant from the gear.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes the rotational force of a gear to churn and distribute oil to components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A gear system is disclosed. The gear system has a structure in which oil churned by a gear is dispensed to at least one of a hollow space or a bearing, thereby effectively lubricating components. For example, the gear system includes a first shaft comprising a hollow space, a first gear arranged at an outer circumference of the first shaft, a second gear externally engaged with the first gear, a bearing arranged at the outer circumference of the first shaft, a housing surrounding the first gear and the second gear, and an oil guide plate disposed between the first shaft and the housing to dispense oil churned by the second gear to the hollow space of the first shaft and the bearing coupled to the first shaft.