Transmission Oil Return Layout for Stable Lubrication Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transmission systems for motor vehicles lack an efficient mechanism for self-regulating oil levels, leading to inadequate lubrication and cooling, especially under varying operational conditions, and are prone to churning losses and oil leakage.
Innovation Solution
A transmission system incorporating a compensating tank and a return mechanism that adjusts oil flow based on power throughput, rotational speed, and viscosity, allowing for self-regulating oil levels and minimizing churning losses, with optional valve control for precise oil management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a compensating tank is added to collect excess oil, then oil level stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil reservoir is divided into two functional areas: a first area that is essentially cylindrical and accommodates rotating transmission components, and a second area that is entirely or partially partitioned off from the first area and is open toward an oil pan. This segmentation allows the system to maintain oil level stability without requiring an external compensating tank, as the housing itself provides the compensation function.
2Measurement precision
If additional oil pumps are added to control oil flow, then oil flow control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the centrifugal force effect generated by the rotating transmission components to automatically deliver lube oil from the first area to the oil reservoir. The membrane permeability automatically adjusts based on temperature-dependent viscosity, allowing cold oil to stick to the membrane and warm oil to flow through. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for additional oil pumps or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical oil pumping systems with a membrane-based flow control mechanism that relies on temperature-dependent viscosity changes and centrifugal force. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while achieving precise oil flow control through the permeability characteristics of the membrane.
3Productivity
If the oil reservoir is fluidically connected to both the first area and oil pan, then oil circulation is improved, but oil leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane acts as an intermediary between the first area and the oil reservoir, controlling oil flow based on temperature-dependent viscosity. This intermediary mechanism allows oil circulation while preventing uncontrolled leakage, as the membrane selectively permits oil passage only when viscosity conditions are appropriate.
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 system ensures optimal lubrication and cooling by maintaining a stable oil level, reducing churning losses, and maintaining an oil reserve, even in case of leakage, while simplifying configuration and reducing component count by eliminating additional oil pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one outlet opening is provided with a membrane, the permeability of which depends on the temperature-dependent viscosity of the lube oil, such that cold, viscous lube oil sticks to the membrane and warm lube oil flows through the membrane into the oil reservoir.
Implementation Method 2
lube oil from the first area is deliverable to the oil reservoir by utilizing the centrifugal force effect due to the rotating transmission components
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission (1) for a motor vehicle (2) includes a transmission housing (3) with an interior space (4) and an oil sump (6). At least one rotating transmission component (5a) is arranged in the interior space (4) of the transmission housing (3). At least one compensating tank (7) is configured for collecting oil from the interior space (4). The compensating tank (7) is fluidically connected to the oil sump (6) via at least one return (8). The particular return (8) delivers a predefined flow back into the oil sump (6) as a function of a power throughput of the transmission (1).