Hydrostatic Transaxle Oil Filter Assembly for Easy Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrostatic transaxles face difficulties in oil filter exchange due to the need to reassemble the charge pump after filter removal, and the integration of the filter installation portion and suction oil reservoir complicates manufacturing and requires all components to be changed when either is modified.
Innovation Solution
The hydrostatic transaxle design includes a separable filter installation portion and suction oil reservoir, with a concave or convex cylindrical intercoupling portion and engaging portions, allowing easy filter exchange and independent component changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the filter installation portion and suction oil reservoir are integrally formed, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and component flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integral structure into separable components: the filter installation portion and the suction oil reservoir are formed as separate parts that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be produced separately with simpler processes while maintaining the functional integrity of the overall system through designed coupling mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the filter installation portion and suction oil reservoir are integrally formed, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability decreases when component changes are needed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the structure into separable portions, the patent enables independent modification, replacement, or upgrade of the filter installation portion or suction oil reservoir without affecting the other components. This allows for greater adaptability and versatility in responding to different operational requirements or technological advancements.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable design allows the suction oil reservoir to serve multiple functions: it can be configured for different capacities, shapes, or materials depending on specific application needs, while the filter installation portion can be independently optimized for different filter types or maintenance requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the lid for filter attachment is removed, then the filter exchange is enabled, but the charge pump falls off by its own weight requiring reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the charge pump mounting function from the filter lid assembly. The charge pump is mounted on a separate portion of the casing that remains in place when the filter lid is removed. This segmentation allows the filter to be accessed and exchanged without disturbing the charge pump installation, eliminating the need for reassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump mounting structure is extracted from the filter lid assembly and integrated into the main casing body. This extraction ensures that operations on the filter lid do not affect the charge pump position or require its reassembly, improving ease of repair and maintenance.
4Ease of manufacture
If the filter installation portion and suction oil reservoir are separable, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs segmentation to create separable components with standardized coupling interfaces. Each component can be manufactured using simpler, more cost-effective processes independently. The coupling mechanism between separable portions uses straightforward mechanical features that minimize assembly complexity despite the increased number of parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrostatic transaxle includes: a casing; a hydraulic continuously variable transmission; and an oil filter that includes a filter body for filtering the hydraulic oil and a filter holding member configured to guide clean oil filtered in the filter body to a suction oil reservoir, in which the filter holding member includes a filter installation portion for installing the filter body, and a suction oil reservoir provided at a position different from the filter installation portion, and the filter installation portion and the suction oil reservoir are configured to be separable from each other and be couplable to each other to freely flow.