Gearbox Oil Guide Channel for Lubrication Above Oil Level

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transmissions experience high power losses due to inefficient oil distribution and lubrication, particularly in areas above the oil level within the transmission housing.

Innovation Solution

The transmission is designed with a lower and upper part, partially filled with oil, featuring an oil guide mechanism that uses a channel and pipeline system to convey oil from the gearbox oil sump to lubrication points above the oil level, utilizing negative pressure and the rotating gear wheel to facilitate oil distribution and collection, ensuring effective lubrication without direct friction losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the gearbox is partially filled with oil (oil sump in lower part), then the mass of the gearbox is minimized, but the lubrication of parts above the oil level becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass of gearboxVSAvoidlubrication of parts above oil level
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating gear wheel itself serves as the oil delivery mechanism. The gear teeth pick up oil from the channel and automatically transport it to lubrication points above the oil level, eliminating the need for external pumps or complex delivery systems while maintaining minimal oil quantity in the gearbox.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The oil delivery function is extracted from the gear teeth and transferred to a dedicated oil guide with a channel. The oil guide is attached to the gear wheel, creating a separate oil transport path that prevents direct contact between the oil guide and gear teeth, eliminating friction losses while maintaining effective oil delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If an oil guide is attached to the gear wheel for oil delivery, then oil can be delivered to parts above oil level, but direct friction between the oil guide and gear wheel causes power losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil delivery to lubrication pointsVSAvoidpower losses from friction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Oil acts as an intermediary substance between the gear wheel and the oil guide. The gear teeth pick up oil from the channel and transfer it to the oil guide, which then delivers it to lubrication points. This intermediary oil transfer mechanism eliminates direct mechanical contact and friction between the rotating gear wheel and the stationary oil guide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a complex oil delivery mechanism is used to lubricate parts above oil level, then lubrication reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication of bearings and gear meshing areasVSAvoidcomplexity of oil delivery mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating gear wheel's natural motion is utilized to drive the oil delivery process. As the gear wheel rotates, its teeth automatically pick up oil from the channel and transport it to the oil guide and subsequent lubrication points, converting the gear's rotational motion directly into oil delivery without requiring additional powered mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The oil guide is attached to the gear wheel, combining the oil delivery function with the existing gear structure. This integration allows the oil guide to be positioned optimally for delivering oil to bearings and gear meshing areas while utilizing the gear wheel's rotation for oil transport, reducing the need for separate oil delivery components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces power losses by efficiently lubricating bearings and gear meshing areas above the oil level, minimizing mass in the gearbox and preventing direct friction between the oil guide and gear wheel, while allowing for easy production and assembly.

Implementation Method 1

The rotating gear's teeth then carry oil along, thus creating a flow within the channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

This creates a vacuum in the channel, allowing oil to be drawn from the sump. This relative vacuum is generated by a non-zero flow velocity within the channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

oil can be directed to lubrication points, namely bearings and/or at least one gear meshing area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3371487B1Gearbox having a housing, which is formed from a lower part and an upper part and is partially filled with oil, and having a gear
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3371487B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3371487B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3371487B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a gearbox having a housing, which is formed from a lower part (1) and an upper part (2) and is partially filled with oil, and having a gear, wherein an oil guiding means is fastened to the lower part (1), and in particular is connected by screwing. A channel into which a pipe opens is arranged between the gear (21) and the oil guiding means, wherein the channel is delimited by the oil guiding means and by the gear (21), and the oil guiding means forms and/or includes the pipe.