Vehicle Drive-Force Transmission Oil Guide for Splash Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatuses, high flow velocities of oil discharged from mechanical oil pumps can lead to splashing and reduced oil supply to lubrication-required elements due to space limitations, resulting in insufficient lubrication.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a guide portion and block portion within the casing, where the oil from the pipe collides with an inside wall surface, reducing flow velocity and directing oil effectively to the supply hole, utilizing ribs and a step to guide and block splashing oil, ensuring consistent lubrication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the mechanical oil pump operates at high rotational speed, then the oil pumping efficiency is improved, but the oil flow velocity becomes excessively high causing splashing and reduced oil supply to the lubrication-required element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil pumping efficiencyVSAvoidoil supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the guide portion with collision surface and block portion) between the pipe and the supply hole. The oil first collides with the collision surface, then flows along the guide portion, and finally enters the supply hole. This intermediary mechanism controls the oil flow, preventing direct splashing while maintaining high pumping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful high-velocity splashing into a beneficial controlled flow. The collision surface intentionally causes the oil to collide and change direction, transforming the harmful kinetic energy into useful flow control. The block portion then guides this controlled flow into the supply hole, ensuring reliable lubrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If a guide portion is provided to direct oil toward the supply hole, then the oil flow direction is improved, but the oil splashing and deviation from target direction increase at high flow velocities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil flow direction controlVSAvoidamount of oil supplied

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by providing the collision surface before the oil enters the guide portion. The oil collides with the collision surface first, reducing its forward velocity and changing its direction toward the guide portion. This preliminary velocity reduction prevents the oil from splashing out of the guide portion and ensures it enters the supply hole reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of moving object

If the pipe discharge port is directed toward the supply hole, then the oil delivery path is shortened, but space limitations prevent proper alignment and cause oil supply insufficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil delivery path lengthVSAvoidoil supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent solves the spatial alignment problem by using another dimension. Instead of directly aligning the pipe with the supply hole in a straight line, the oil is directed toward the collision surface on the casing wall, then guided along the guide portion (which extends in a different spatial dimension) into the supply hole. This dimensional change allows proper oil delivery despite space constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration effectively reduces oil flow deviations and maintains adequate lubrication to lubrication-required elements, even at high rotational speeds, ensuring efficient oil supply and preventing insufficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the oil discharged from the pipe is caused to collide with an oil collision portion which is a portion of the inside wall surface of the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollision: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the guide portion is located on a lower side of the oil collision portion, and is configured to guide the oil discharged from the pipe, toward the oil supply hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

the block portion is located to surround the oil collision portion, and is configured to block the oil splashing from the oil collision portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11549581B2Drive-force transmitting apparatus for vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including: a casing provided with an oil supply hole; a pump for pumping out an oil stored in the casing; and a pipe for delivering the oil pumped out by the pump, such that the oil discharged from the pipe is supplied to the oil supply hole. The oil is to be discharged from the pipe collides with an oil collision portion which is a portion of the casing and which is located on an upper side of the oil supply hole. The casing includes a guide portion and a block portion. The guide portion is located on a lower side of the oil collision portion, so as to guide the oil discharged from the pipe toward the oil supply hole. The block portion is located to surround the oil collision portion, so as to block the oil splashing from the oil collision portion.