Wheel Loader Transmission Lubrication via Gravity and Kinetic Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional natural lubrication methods in wheel loaders fail to sufficiently supply lubricating oil to components, especially at low speeds, leading to increased stirring resistance and power loss, and are costly due to the need for additional circuits and pumps.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication method that utilizes a V-shape work pattern to generate kinetic energy, allowing lubricating oil to be accumulated and directed via gravity to hard-to-reach areas, including the spline engaged part of the parking brake, using a predetermined rotational speed to ensure effective lubrication without external piping or additional circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If natural lubrication is used by upwardly stirring lubricating oil through gear rotation, then cost is reduced by eliminating additional pumps and circuits, but lubrication is insufficient at low speeds leading to increased stirring resistance and power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lubrication method adaptive to operating conditions. The system automatically switches between natural convection lubrication (at high speeds) and pressure-driven lubrication (at low speeds) based on the rotational speed of the gear. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable lubrication across all operating conditions while avoiding the need for continuous operation of expensive pumping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the lubricating oil to supply itself to the lubrication points through the pressure generating mechanism. The kinetic energy from gear rotation is converted to pressure to drive oil through the lubrication passages, eliminating the need for external pumps or complex control systems. The system uses its own operational energy to achieve lubrication.
2Reliability
If the oil surface level is raised to lubricate the parking brake spline engaged part by conventional natural lubrication, then lubrication is improved, but stirring resistance and power loss are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pressure generating mechanism as an intermediary that converts the kinetic energy of rotating gears into hydraulic pressure. This pressure acts as a mediator to transport lubricating oil to the parking brake spline engaged part without requiring the oil surface to be physically raised. The pressure-driven flow delivers lubrication precisely where needed while avoiding the energy penalties of increased stirring resistance.
3Reliability
If additional lubrication circuits and pumps are added to ensure sufficient lubrication, then lubrication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the pressure generating mechanism to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same mechanism that drives the lubrication system also utilizes the existing kinetic energy from gear rotation, which is otherwise wasted. This multi-functionality ensures reliable lubrication without adding independent pumping systems or complex control circuits, thereby maintaining system simplicity.
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 method ensures sufficient lubrication of transmission components, including the parking brake, by leveraging gravity and the V-shape work pattern, reducing power loss and cost by eliminating the need for additional lubrication circuits and pumps.
Implementation Method 1
it has been found that the lubricating oil can be supplied to the parking brake and spline engaged part by utilizing the pressure generated from the kinetic energy during the vehicle travel
Implementation Method 2
the lubricating oil can be supplied to the parking brake and spline engaged part by utilizing the pressure generated from the kinetic energy
Implementation Method 3
the first oil accumulating part is located above the second oil accumulating part, and the lubricating oil in the first oil accumulating part is directed to the second oil accumulating part through the communication oil path by the action of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a transmission for a wheel loader, lubricating oil is sufficiently supplied to respective parts by means of natural lubrication. The transmission (20) for a wheel loader includes a first oil accumulating part (P1), a second oil accumulating part (P2), a communication oil path (OP1), a horizontal hole (84) and a vertical hole (85a, 85b). The first oil accumulating part (P1) is mounted above a lubricated part and accumulates scattered lubricating oil. The second oil accumulating part (P2) is mounted to an end of an output shaft (41) while being disposed below the first oil accumulating part (P1), and accumulates the lubricating oil from the first oil accumulating part (P1). The communication oil path (OP1) makes the first oil accumulating part (P1) and the second oil accumulating part (P2) communicate with each other. The horizontal hole (84) is formed in the rotary shaft while being axially extended, and communicates with the second oil accumulating part (P2). The vertical hole (85a, 85b) is formed in the output shaft (41) while communicating with the horizontal hole (84), and directs the lubricating oil accumulated in the second oil accumulating part (P2) to the lubricated part when the output shaft (41) is rotated at a rotational speed lower than a predetermined rotational speed.