Integrated Oil Spray Pipe Layout for Lightweight Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil lubrication and cooling systems for motor vehicle engines and transmissions are complex, requiring multiple individual parts and metal-plastic connections, which complicates manufacturing and increases weight.

Innovation Solution

A lubricant or oil distributor pipe system with spray pipes formed from integrally connected half-shells, either welded or overmolded with a joining material, simplifying production and using primarily plastic components, allowing for automated manufacturing and reduced weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional metal-plastic pipe systems with multiple individual parts are used, then reliable lubrication can be achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication reliabilityVSAvoidpipe system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual pipe components into a single integrated plastic pipe system with injection-molded spray outlets. Instead of assembling multiple metal and plastic parts, the entire distribution manifold is manufactured as one piece, eliminating joints and reducing complexity while maintaining lubrication reliability through precise molded spray geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plastic pipe system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the lubrication distribution manifold, contains integrated spray outlets for oil delivery, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate metal fittings and plastic receptacles, reducing the number of components while achieving the same lubrication effect

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual pipe components are assembled, then flexible routing is possible, but the manufacturing time and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe routing flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray outlets are pre-formed during the injection molding process itself, with the gate positions and spray geometries determined in advance. This preliminary action during molding eliminates subsequent assembly steps, allowing the complex multi-branch pipe system to be manufactured as a single piece in one production cycle, significantly improving productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If metal tubes with molded nozzles are used, then precise oil spray can be achieved, but the weight and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray precisionVSAvoidpipe system weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, achieving comparable spray precision through injection-molded spray outlets. The plastic material allows for precise geometric control of the spray channels and outlet shapes during molding, maintaining spray accuracy while dramatically reducing the weight of the pipe system and distributed oil rail components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Weight of moving object

If plastic components are used, then weight is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but connection reliability and precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe system weightVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By merging all pipe components and spray outlets into a single integrated plastic part, the patent eliminates connection joints entirely. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with plastic-metal connections and assembly tolerances, while the injection molding process ensures precise formation of spray channels and outlets, maintaining both weight reduction and connection reliability

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

The solution results in a simpler, lighter, and more precise oil distribution system with reduced construction effort, minimizing splashing and squeezing losses, and enabling efficient lubrication of only the necessary gear stages, thus optimizing oil usage and reducing production complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the spray tube 2a, 2b, 2c comprises two half-shells which in the area of the contact surfaces of the joint seam between the half-shells 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f are integrally connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

either welded or overmolded with a joining material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOvermolding:

Data Source

PatentEP3583332B1Lubricating/oil-cooling device
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 POLYTEC PLASTICS GERMANY
  • EP3583332B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3583332B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3583332B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The subject matter of the invention is a device for providing a transmission with a lubricant or for oil-cooling a piston in the engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a lubricant- or oil-distribution pipe having at least one injection pipe branching off therefrom for delivering the lubricant or the oil to the respective components of the transmission or the engine, and a method for producing same.