Vehicle Drive System Lubricating-Cooling Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle drive systems face challenges in efficiently supplying lubricating-cooling fluid to both the rotor support bearing and dynamo electric machine while minimizing case size and manufacturing costs, as previous configurations lack a clear method for forming flow passages that effectively distribute fluid to both components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle drive system design featuring a case with a wall portion overlapping the dynamo electric machine, incorporating a supply flow passage with a throttle portion for the bearing and a higher second supply portion for the dynamo electric machine, allowing for efficient lubricating-cooling fluid distribution without increasing case size or manufacturing costs, utilizing a common flow passage and leveraging gravity for fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common lubricating-cooling fluid supply source is used for both the rotor support bearing and dynamo electric machine, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but it becomes difficult to efficiently distribute fluid to both components
Solution Approach 1:
The supply flow passage is segmented into multiple portions (first supply portion for the bearing, second supply portion for the dynamo electric machine) with different flow passage cross-sectional areas, allowing differentiated fluid distribution from a single common source without requiring separate supply systems
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the supply flow passage are designed with different cross-sectional areas to match the specific fluid flow requirements of each component - the first supply portion has a smaller cross-sectional area for the bearing while the second supply portion has a larger cross-sectional area for the dynamo electric machine
2Productivity
If separate flow passages are provided for the rotor support bearing and dynamo electric machine, then fluid distribution efficiency is improved, but case size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow passage functions are merged into a single supply flow passage by varying the cross-sectional area at different portions, eliminating the need for separate flow passages while maintaining efficient fluid distribution to both components
Solution Approach 2:
The supply flow passage serves multiple functions - it supplies lubricating-cooling fluid to both the rotor support bearing and the dynamo electric machine - by strategically designing different cross-sectional areas at different portions of the same passage
3Quantity of substance
If the flow passage cross-sectional area is increased to supply sufficient lubricating-cooling fluid, then fluid supply capability is improved, but manufacturing costs and case size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage cross-sectional area is optimized locally at each portion based on the specific fluid flow requirements - the first supply portion has a smaller area sufficient for the bearing while the second supply portion has a larger area for the dynamo electric machine, avoiding unnecessary material usage throughout the entire passage
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 enables effective lubrication and cooling of both the rotor support bearing and dynamo electric machine, optimizing fluid supply states based on flow tolerance, reducing drag loss, and minimizing waste energy, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective system.
Implementation Method 1
a throttle portion whose flow passage cross-sectional area is small compared to an upstream-side flow passage cross-sectional area in the flow direction of lubricating-cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
a second supply portion that is a portion supplying lubricating-cooling fluid to the dynamo electric machine and higher than the first supply portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive system configured with a dynamo within a case. The case is disposed on at least one axial side of the dynamo, and includes a wall portion overlapping the dynamo, which has a section that overlaps with the dynamo as viewed from the axial direction. The wall portion overlapping the dynamo includes a supply flow passage through which lubricating-cooling fluid flows, and which is formed with a first supply portion that supplies lubricating-cooling fluid to a rotor support bearing for the dynamo electric. The first supply portion includes a throttle portion whose flow passage cross-sectional area is small when compared to an upstream-side flow passage cross-sectional area in the flow direction of lubricating-cooling fluid. The supply flow passage includes a second supply portion that is a portion supplying lubricating-cooling fluid to the dynamo and higher than the first supply portion.