Gearbox Oil Line Layout With Selective Outlets for Variant Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transmission lubrication systems using pipelines face challenges with limited installation space and require separate designs for each gearbox variant, making them inefficient and space-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A transmission design featuring a rotatable component with dual outlet openings in the oil line, where one outlet can be closed oil-tight using a closure element, allowing adaptation to different lubrication points without design changes, and an annular channel oil line ensuring consistent oil supply regardless of angular position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate pipeline designs are implemented for each transmission variant, then lubrication can be adapted to specific transmission configurations, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to different transmission variantsVSAvoidmultiple pipeline designs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oil line is designed with multiple outlet openings that can selectively supply oil to different lubrication points. A single universal oil line design can serve multiple transmission variants by closing unused outlets, eliminating the need for variant-specific pipeline designs while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The oil line is divided into multiple outlet openings, each capable of being independently closed. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different transmission variants by selectively closing unused outlets, transforming a single complex design into multiple simple configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If pipelines are used for injection lubrication, then oil can be delivered to lubrication points, but installation space is consumed and limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil supply to lubrication pointsVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The oil line is integrated directly into the rotatable component, merging the lubrication function with the component structure. This eliminates separate pipeline installations and reduces the space required for lubrication system components while maintaining reliable oil delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If outlet openings are provided at different distances from the rotation axis, then oil can reach lubrication points at various positions, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereach different lubrication pointsVSAvoidoutlet opening positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet openings are positioned at different distances from the rotation axis with varying radii. By changing the radial position parameter of each outlet, the system can adapt to different lubrication point locations without requiring complex positioning mechanisms, as the rotational motion naturally delivers oil to the appropriate lubrication points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3882495B1Variant-reduced injection lubrication
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • EP3882495B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a gearbox with at least one rotatable component (101, 103) and at least one oil line (111). The gearbox has at least one closure element (121a) with which a first and a second outlet opening (119a, 119b) of the oil line (111) can be selectively closed; wherein one of the outlet openings (119a) is closed with the closure element (121a) and one of the outlet openings (119b) is open.