GB2543638A - A vent for a transmission - Google Patents

A vent for a transmission Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2543638A
GB2543638A GB1615257.1A GB201615257A GB2543638A GB 2543638 A GB2543638 A GB 2543638A GB 201615257 A GB201615257 A GB 201615257A GB 2543638 A GB2543638 A GB 2543638A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vent
membrane
channel
transmission
interior
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1615257.1A
Other versions
GB201615257D0 (en
Inventor
Grain Christian
Wietholt Benedikt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Original Assignee
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG filed Critical Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
Publication of GB201615257D0 publication Critical patent/GB201615257D0/en
Publication of GB2543638A publication Critical patent/GB2543638A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16HGEARING
    • F16H57/00General details of gearing
    • F16H57/02Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein
    • F16H57/027Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein characterised by means for venting gearboxes, e.g. air breathers
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16HGEARING
    • F16H57/00General details of gearing
    • F16H57/04Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Details Of Gearings (AREA)

Abstract

A vent for a transmission, comprising a body 11 through which a vent channel 9, 7, 11 runs, a first oil-tight but air-permeable membrane 3, and a second water-tight but air-permeable membrane 4. A sealed channel interior 5 is defined by an encircling channel wall 6 of this vent channel and by these two membranes 3, 4. The surface of the second membrane 4, remote from the channel interior 5, is connected to the environment 13 surrounding the vent for the gas exchange. The transmission may be used in a motor vehicle. An oil discharge region 8, preferably is, in use, inclined to the horizontal between 0 and 10 degrees. The second membrane 4 is preferably covered by a protecting cover 2, which may have retaining tabs 14.

Description

A vent for a transmission
The present invention relates to a vent for a transmission. Vents of this construction are proposed in the prior art especially in DE 100 47 199 A1.
In the following, the present invention will be described on the basis of a vent for a transmission in a motor vehicle, although this is not to be understood as a restriction to the present invention.
The interior of such a transmission is filled with air and lubricant which change in volume (expand or contract) when there are changes in temperature. Therefore, in order to minimise the pressure differences between the interior of the transmission and the environment surrounding the transmission, a transmission vent is provided which allows the gas to be exchanged between the interior of the transmission and the surroundings .
Provided for this gas exchange are so-called vents which are to simultaneously prevent or reduce the penetration of foreign substances, especially water, inside the transmission. To prevent water from entering the transmission, textile membranes have previously been proposed, for example for functional clothing. Membranes of this construction are generally susceptible to contamination by transmission lubricant and, in the worst case, they lose their breathing ability when they are used with transmission lubricant. DE 100 47 199 A1 proposes a transmission vent which has a first and a second membrane, these two membranes allow an exchange of gas between the interior of the transmission and the environment surrounding the transmission. In this respect, the two membranes and a channel wall partly define an interior, thereby making it difficult for transmission lubricant to pass onto the outer membrane which is susceptible to lubricant contamination.
An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved vent for transmission. This aim is addressed by the present invention.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a vent for a transmission which is suitable for use with a motor vehicle, comprising a basic body through which a vent channel runs, a first oil-tight but air-permeable membrane, and a second water-tight but air-permeable membrane. A channel interior is defined by an encircling channel wall of this vent channel and by these two membranes, which channel interior is sealed in a water-tight manner by the second membrane and by the channel wall, in which the surface, remote from the channel interior, of the second membrane is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the environment surrounding the vent for the gas exchange. The first membrane and the channel wall seal this channel interior in an oil-tight manner.
The vent according to the present invention for a transmission for use in a motor vehicle has a basic body, through which a vent channel extends; this vent channel is configured especially to exchange gas between an interior of the transmission and the environment surrounding the transmission.
The present invention also has a first oil-tight but air-permeable membrane and a second water-tight but air-permeable membrane. In this respect, these two membranes are arranged in or on this vent channel such that an exchange of gas is only possible when a flow of gas from inside the transmission to outside the transmission, or in the reverse direction, flows through both membranes in succession. A channel interior inside the basic body is defined by the two membranes and by a channel wall of the vent channel. In this respect, this channel interior is sealed in a water-tight manner especially from the environment surrounding the transmission by the second membrane. Within the meaning of the invention, "water-tight" especially understood as meaning that the passage of water through this membrane is at least partly impeded. Furthermore however, the channel interior is preferably restricted from the environment surrounding the transmission by the second membrane such that gas can be exchanged between the interior of the channel and this environment through this membrane.
Furthermore, the surface, remote from the channel interior, of the second membrane is preferably connected in a fluidconducting manner, especially for the gas exchange, to the environment surrounding the vent.
According to the present invention, the first membrane is arranged in or on the vent channel such that said first membrane defines the channel interior in an oil-tight manner, especially with respect to the interior of the transmission.
In this respect, within the meaning of the invention, "oil-tight" especially understood as meaning that a passage of transmission lubricant through the first membrane into the channel interior can be impeded or preferably can be at least temporarily prevented. Within the meaning of the present invention, "oil-tight" especially also understood as meaning that a passage of lubricant aerosols dissolved in air, thus especially an oil mist of the transmission lubricant, through the first membrane into the channel interior can be impeded or preferably can be at least temporarily prevented.
Especially, this effectively tandem connection of two membranes can prevent lubricant from passing out of the transmission interior to the second membrane, since the characteristics of membranes of this construction can be impaired by contamination with lubricant.
In a preferred embodiment, an oil mist inlet channel is arranged on the side of the first membrane remote from the channel interior. In particular, an oil mist can be conducted out of the transmission interior to this surface of the first membrane through this oil mist inlet channel.
Advantageously, the channel interior has a cross-sectional surface of size A1 at least directly adjacent to the first membrane .
Preferably, the oil mist inlet channel has especially a cross-sectional surface of size All at least in the region of its smallest cross section. The size of cross-sectional surface AI preferably corresponds to at least twice the size of cross-sectional surface All. In a preferred embodiement, the cross-sectional surface AI is preferably significantly greater than twice the size of cross-sectional surface All.
Even though gas can be exchanged through the first membrane, said first membrane nevertheless sets a particular resistance against a flow of gas and it has proved favourable in terms of flow that the through-flowable surface of the first membrane is preferably greater than the cross-sectional surface of the channel which guides the gas flow to this first membrane.
In a preferred embodiment, a connection chamber is arranged on the side of the first membrane remote from the channel interior. This connection chamber preferably connects the surface of the first membrane in a fluid-conducting manner to the oil mist inlet channel. This connection chamber is preferably defined peripherally by a connection channel wall. Furthermore, this connection channel wall preferably extends between the end of the oil mist inlet channel facing the first membrane and the first membrane. Furthermore, this connection channel wall preferably has at least substantially, but preferably completely, a characteristic line.
Tests have shown that a discharge of transmission lubricant from the connection chamber is facilitated especially by a constant course of the connection channel wall.
In a preferred embodiment, the connection channel wall has a continuous or concave curvature, at least in a longitudinal sectional plane through the connection chamber. The connection chamber is preferably configured as a cone, preferably with a concavely curved wall and preferentially with a wall without a curvature .
Preferably, a curvature of this construction of the connection channel wall allows an especially easy discharge of lubricant from the connection chamber.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vent has an oil discharge region. This oil discharge region is preferably to be understood as a region of the connection chamber, especially of the connection channel wall. This discharge region is preferably arranged in the geodetically bottom half of the connection chamber in the planned installation position of the vent. The oil discharge region is preferably arranged in the geodetically bottommost quarter of the connection chamber in the planned installation position of the vent. The discharge region is preferably to be understood as a region of the connection chamber wall which slopes constantly from the first membrane to the end of the oil mist inlet channel in the planned installation position of the vent. Especially, the discharge region is configured such that it is possible for liquid to run off from the first membrane into the oil mist inlet channel in the planned installation position of the vent.
In a preferred embodiment, in the planned installation position of the vent, the connection chamber wall has, at least in portions, an inclination angle with respect to the geodetic horizontal of more than 0°, preferably more than 2°, preferably0 more than 4° and more preferably more than or equal to 6°. Furthermore, this inclination angle is preferably less than 90°, preferably less than 45°, preferably less than 25° and the inclination angle is most preferably less than or equal to 10°. Tests have shown that especially an inclination angle from the aforementioned range results in an especially good discharge of lubricant from the connection chamber.
In a preferred embodiment, the second membrane is covered, at least in portions, by a cover on the side remote from the interior of the channel. Furthermore, at least portions of this cover are preferably arranged at a distance from the surface of the second membrane. Furthermore, this second cover is preferably configured to hold back mechanical influences from the second membrane and to thereby protect said membrane.
Preferably, this cover can preferably be connected to the basic body, preferably in a form-locking manner, preferably integrally, more preferably in a friction-locking manner and further preferably with a combination of at least two of the aforementioned types of connection. The cover can preferably be connected to the basic body by a catch connection, preferably by a screw connection and more preferably by an adhesive connection or welded connection. The cover can be fastened especially securely to the basic body especially by a connection of the mentioned construction.
In a preferred embodiment, the cover has at least one retaining tab and the cover preferably has a plurality of retaining tabs. At least one of these retaining tabs is preferably arranged on the side of the cover facing the second membrane. At least one of these retaining tabs preferably contacts the second membrane. In this respect, this or these retaining tabs is/are configured to press the second membrane against the basic body. Furthermore, in this sense, a frame surrounding the second membrane is also preferably to be understood as a part thereof and at least one retaining tab preferably contacts a frame of this construction.
In a preferred embodiment, the cover has at least one, preferably a plurality of venting apertures or venting recesses. These venting apertures are preferably configured to connect in a fluid-conducting manner a vent chamber arranged between the cover and the second membrane to the environment surrounding the vent.
In a preferred embodiment, the venting apertures are configured such that they extend, at least substantially orthogonally to a surface normal on the second membrane, in particular to a surface normal on the surface, facing the vent chamber, of the second membrane.
In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the components of the basic body of the vent has a plastics material as a component, this plastics material preferably being polyamide. Furthermore, at least one of the components of the basic body preferably consists of such a plastics material. Furthermore, the cover preferably has polyamide as a component or it preferably consists of polyamide.
The vent according to the present invention can be arranged in a transmission for a motor vehicle such that the first membrane is arranged such that it faces the interior of the transmission and the second membrane faces the environment surrounding the transmission.
Especially, an installation position of this type of the vent in the transmission results in a flow of gas from inside the transmission firstly passing through the first membrane into the interior of the channel and flowing out of this channel interior through the second membrane. This applies accordingly in the reverse direction to a gas flow (air flow) from outside the transmission.
An example of a vent made in accordance with the present invention will now be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawing, in which:
Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view through a vent for a vehicle transmission in the planned installation position.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vent according to the present invention for a vehicle transmission. This vent has a basic body 1 produced from plastics material. Running through this basic body 1 is a vent channel 9, 7, 5 and 11 through which gas can be exchanged between the interior 12 of the transmission and the environment 13 surrounding the vent.
This gas exchange can prevent excess pressure building up in the interior of the transmission.
Arranged in the basic body is a first oil-repelling but air-permeable membrane 3 and a second water-repelling but air-permeable membrane 4. The first oil-repelling membrane 3 can prevent transmission lubricant from wetting the second water-repelling membrane 4 and thereby impairing the function thereof and the second water-repelling membrane 4 can prevent water from passing into the interior of the transmission and contaminating the lubricant therein. A cover 2 which is also produced from plastics material is fastened on the basic body 1 by the catch connection 15. The cover 2 protects the second membrane from external mechanical influences. Furthermore, the second membrane 4 is pressed against the basic body 1 by retaining tabs 14 of the cover 2. In addition, arranged between the second membrane 4 and the first membrane 3 is the support ring 17 by which the second membrane is also indirectly held via the cover 2.
The channel interior 5 is arranged between the first membrane 3 and the second membrane 4. The channel interior 5 is sealed in a liquid-tight, but gas-permeable manner by the channel interior wall 6 and by the two membranes 3 and 4.
The connection chamber 7 connects in a fluid-conducting manner the end 10 of the oil mist inlet channel 9 to the first membrane 3. In the oil mist inlet channel 9, at least an oil mist or lubricant can pass out of the transmission interior 12 into the vent. The connection chamber 7 is configured as a cone with a connection chamber wall 8. The connection chamber wall has a straight and thereby characteristic line.
In the planned installation position in which the vent is shown here, the connection chamber wall 8 is inclined, in the geodetically lower region, by the angle 21 with respect to the geodetic horizontal 20, thereby allowing lubricant to flow out of the connection chamber 7 into the oil mist inlet channel 9. The connection chamber wall 8 encircles radially, but the lubricant collects in the geodetically lower region; were this to be clearly inclined in the other direction or not inclined, a residual amount of lubricant would constantly remain in the connection chamber 7 and this could mean that small quantities of lubricant would arrive at the first membrane 3 through the second membrane and would damage the first membrane. This effect can at least be reduced by the described orientation of the transmission vent (angle 21).
The basic body 1 is configured at least substantially as a body which is rotationally symmetrical to the axis of rotation 16. The oil mist inlet channel 9 has the cross-sectional surface All and the first membrane 3 has the cross-sectional surface AI. The cross-sectional surface AI is significantly larger than the cross-sectional surface All, thereby allowing an especially effective gas exchange between the interior 12 of the transmission and the environment 13.
Arranged in the cover 2 are a number of venting apertures 11 which are indicated here by dashed lines. The vent chamber 22 is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the environment 13 by the venting apertures 11.
The oil mist inlet channel 9 is connected in a fluidconducting manner to the transmission interior 12 by the hose or connecting piece 18. The connecting piece 18 is held especially securely on the transmission vent by a series of ribs 19.

Claims (14)

Claims
1. A vent for a transmission which is suitable for use with a motor vehicle, comprising: a basic body through which a vent channel runs, a first oil-tight but air-permeable membrane, and a second water-tight but air-permeable membrane, in which a channel interior is defined by an encircling channel wall of this vent channel and by these two membranes, which channel interior is sealed in a water-tight manner by the second membrane and by the channel wall, in which the surface, remote from the channel interior, of the second membrane is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the environment surrounding the vent for the gas exchange, in which the first membrane and the channel wall seal this channel interior in an oil-tight manner.
2. A vent for a transmission according to claim 1, in which: an oil mist inlet channel is arranged on the side of the first membrane remote from the channel interior, in which the channel interior, at least directly adjacent to the first membrane, has a cross-sectional surface of size AI, in which the oil mist inlet channel, at least in the region of its smallest cross section, has a cross-sectional surface of size All, in which AI corresponds to at least twice All.
3. A vent for a transmission according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: a connection chamber is arranged on the side of the first membrane remote from the channel interior, in which the connection chamber connects in a fluid-conducting manner the first membrane to the oil mist inlet channel, in which a connection channel wall which defines this connection chamber extends between the end, facing the first membrane, of the oil mist inlet channel and the first membrane and has an at least substantially characteristic line.
4. A vent for a transmission according to claim 3, in which the connection channel wall has a continuous or concave curvature, at least in a longitudinal sectional plane through the connection chamber.
5. A vent for a transmission according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which in the planned installation position of the vent, the connection channel wall has, at least in the geodetically bottom half of the connection chamber, an oil discharge region which slopes from the first membrane to the end of the oil mist inlet channel to allow liguid to run off from the first membrane into the oil mist inlet channel.
6. A vent for a transmission according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in which in the planned installation position of the vent, the connection channel wall has, at least in portions, an inclination angle with respect to the geodetic horizontal of more than 0°, preferably more than 2°, preferably more than 4° and more preferably more than or equal to 6° and furthermore less than 90°, preferably less than 45°, preferably less than 25° and most preferably less than 10°.
7. A vent for a transmission according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least portions of the second membrane are covered by a cover on the side remote from the channel interior.
8. A vent for a transmission according to claim 7, in which the cover can be connected in a form-locking manner to the basic body.
9. A vent for a transmission according to either claim 7 or claim 8, in which: the cover has at least one retaining tab, in which this retaining tab is arranged on the side of the cover facing the second membrane, in which this retaining tab contacts the second membrane in order to press it against the basic body.
10. A vent for a transmission according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the cover has at least one, preferably a plurality of venting apertures, in which the at least one venting aperture connects in a fluid-conducting manner a vent chamber, arranged between the cover and the second membrane, to the environment surrounding the vent.
11. A vent according to claim 10, in which the venting aperture is arranged at least substantially orthogonally to a surface normal on the surface, which faces the vent chamber, of the second membrane.
12. A vent according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the basic body of the vent comprises a plastics material at least in portions as a component or consists thereof, in which the said plastics material is polyamide.
13. A transmission for a motor vehicle having a vent according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. A vent substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.
GB1615257.1A 2015-09-08 2016-09-08 A vent for a transmission Withdrawn GB2543638A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102015217112.4A DE102015217112B4 (en) 2015-09-08 2015-09-08 Ventilation for a transmission

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201615257D0 GB201615257D0 (en) 2016-10-26
GB2543638A true GB2543638A (en) 2017-04-26

Family

ID=57234498

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1615257.1A Withdrawn GB2543638A (en) 2015-09-08 2016-09-08 A vent for a transmission

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DE (1) DE102015217112B4 (en)
GB (1) GB2543638A (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102018207442A1 (en) * 2018-05-15 2019-11-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Automotive device lubricated with a hydrous lubricant
CN111720526B (en) * 2020-06-28 2021-09-14 湖北工业大学 Liquid blocking and ventilating plug for gearbox
DE102020128320B3 (en) 2020-10-28 2022-03-17 Audi Aktiengesellschaft Transmission for a drive device of a motor vehicle and corresponding drive device
DE102020007730A1 (en) 2020-12-17 2022-06-23 Mercedes-Benz Group AG Pressure compensation element for a housing of a drive unit of a motor vehicle
DE102021102444A1 (en) 2021-02-03 2022-08-04 Carl Freudenberg Kg Pressure equalization device and housing enclosing the pressure equalization device
DE102021131216B3 (en) * 2021-11-29 2023-03-09 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Housing for a drive unit, with a ventilation interface and drive unit

Citations (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3923530A1 (en) * 1988-07-21 1990-01-25 Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Pressure compensator between machine housing and ambient atmos. - includes liq.-tight, but gas permeable membrane supported on less resilient grid
DE10047199A1 (en) * 2000-09-23 2002-04-11 Daimler Chrysler Ag Transporting and venting connection has oil-tight membrane able to lie against or close venting aperture

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DE7024731U (en) * Rheinstahl Hanomag Ag Filters for venting and venting gears and the like
DE7329116U (en) * 1973-08-09 1973-11-22 Ruhrkohle Ag Use for gear venting
JPH0429168Y2 (en) * 1984-10-31 1992-07-15
US5348570A (en) * 1993-04-05 1994-09-20 Rockwell International Corporation Axle housing breather
DE102004046844A1 (en) * 2004-03-19 2005-10-06 W.L. Gore & Associates Gmbh Pressure valve for gearbox housing
DE202005001931U1 (en) * 2005-02-07 2005-04-07 Boellhoff Verbindungstechnik Plastic valve for equalization of pressures inside and outside, in particular a motor vehicle transmission housing, comprises a membrane which lets through gases but not liquids
JP4836677B2 (en) * 2005-08-24 2011-12-14 日東電工株式会社 Ventilation member
KR101889625B1 (en) * 2013-07-29 2018-08-17 더블유.엘. 고어 앤드 어소시에이트스, 인코포레이티드 Vent system

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3923530A1 (en) * 1988-07-21 1990-01-25 Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen Pressure compensator between machine housing and ambient atmos. - includes liq.-tight, but gas permeable membrane supported on less resilient grid
DE10047199A1 (en) * 2000-09-23 2002-04-11 Daimler Chrysler Ag Transporting and venting connection has oil-tight membrane able to lie against or close venting aperture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201615257D0 (en) 2016-10-26
DE102015217112A1 (en) 2017-03-09
DE102015217112B4 (en) 2021-05-12

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