US20110000332A1 - Transmission system - Google Patents
Transmission system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110000332A1 US20110000332A1 US12/824,449 US82444910A US2011000332A1 US 20110000332 A1 US20110000332 A1 US 20110000332A1 US 82444910 A US82444910 A US 82444910A US 2011000332 A1 US2011000332 A1 US 2011000332A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pump
- reservoir
- sump
- transmission system
- crown wheel
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 45
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010687 lubricating oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H57/00—General details of gearing
- F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
- F16H57/0434—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating relating to lubrication supply, e.g. pumps ; Pressure control
- F16H57/0436—Pumps
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H57/00—General details of gearing
- F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
- F16H57/0447—Control of lubricant levels, e.g. lubricant level control dependent on temperature
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H57/00—General details of gearing
- F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
- F16H57/0409—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating characterised by the problem to increase efficiency, e.g. by reducing splash losses
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H57/00—General details of gearing
- F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
- F16H57/045—Lubricant storage reservoirs, e.g. reservoirs in addition to a gear sump for collecting lubricant in the upper part of a gear case
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H57/00—General details of gearing
- F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
- F16H57/048—Type of gearings to be lubricated, cooled or heated
- F16H57/0482—Gearings with gears having orbital motion
- F16H57/0483—Axle or inter-axle differentials
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/21—Elements
- Y10T74/2186—Gear casings
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/21—Elements
- Y10T74/2186—Gear casings
- Y10T74/2188—Axle and torque tubes
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a transmission system, in particular to a transmission system including a crown wheel and a pinion, especially a transmission system including a crown wheel and a pinion in an axle housing.
- a driven axle for automotive vehicles whereby a drive shaft aligned generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle drives a pinion which is in meshing engagement with a crown wheel in an axle housing.
- the crown wheel drives a right hand drive shaft connected to a right hand wheel and also drives a left hand drive shaft connected to a left hand wheel, thereby propelling the vehicle.
- the crown wheel will drive the right and left hand drive shafts via a differential assembly.
- Oil is provided in the axle housing for lubricating and cooling the crown wheel, a pinion, differential gears and associated bearings.
- the rotation of the crown wheel, the pinion and a differential housing in the oil leads to power losses, thereby increasing the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,561 shows a crown wheel which, as it rotates, splashes oil over a wall of the associated housing.
- a hole in a lower portion of the wall allows oil to drain back to an area where it can again lubricate the crown wheel.
- the hole may be replaced by a selectively operable valve.
- Both embodiments rely on the region surrounding the crown wheel to be emptied by the action of the crown wheel turning. Such a system is not always reliable under certain operating conditions, especially when the crown wheel is turning slowly. It also relies on the various internal surfaces of the housing being arranged to ensure that oil lifted by the crown wheel goes over the wall into the adjacent compartment, rather than simply falling back down into the compartment within which the crown wheel sits.
- EP1918613 shows a prefabricated shield fitted around at least a potion of the crown wheel. Oil is splashed out of the region around the crown wheel into another part of the axle housing, and the shield prevents the oil returning to a region where it can lubricate the crown wheel. A valve can be selectively opened to allow oil back into the region around the crown wheel under certain circumstances. Thus, EP1918613 also relies on the crown wheel splashing oil out, in a manner similar to U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,561, and therefore under certain driving conditions will not reliably causes the oil level in the region of the crown wheel to fall.
- a transmission system including a housing having a sump.
- the housing contains a crown wheel and a pinion, and part of the crown wheel is received in part of the sump.
- the transmission system further includes a reservoir and a pump system selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump to increase the oil level in the sump.
- the pump system also is selectively operable to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir to decrease the oil level in the sump.
- a system which is capable of pumping fluid from the reservoir to the sump and is also capable of pumping fluid from the sump to the reservoir no longer relies on the rotational speed of the crown wheel, internal geometry of the housing, or the temperature and viscosity of fluid to lower the level of fluid in the region of the crown wheel.
- Such a system can vary the fluid level in the sump from a relatively low level where the fluid is at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel to a relatively high level where the fluid is at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel.
- the crown wheel will be continuously lubricated, because the fluid level is higher than the bottom of the crown wheel under normal circumstances, but more fluid will be present when the fluid level is relatively high, and less fluid will be present when the fluid level is relatively low.
- the pump system may include a pump which is driven in a first direction to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump, and the pump is driven in a second direction to selectively pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir.
- a pump which is driven in a first direction to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump, and the pump is driven in a second direction to selectively pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir.
- the pump system may include a pump and a first flow diverter valve upstream from the pump selectively operable to connect the pump to one of the reservoir and the sump and a second flow diverter valve downstream from the pump selectively operable to connect the pump to the other of the reservoir and the sump.
- the pump system may include a first pump selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump and a second pump being selectively operable to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir.
- a first pump selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump
- a second pump being selectively operable to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir.
- an inlet for the pump system may be positioned in the sump at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel.
- the sump can only be emptied down to the level of the inlet for the pump.
- the inlet for the pump is positioned at a level above the bottom of the sump, and at a level above the bottom of the crown wheel.
- the inlet positioned in the sump is one of two dedicated inlets for the pump, the other inlet being positioned in the reservoir.
- the pump system includes a first pump selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump and the second pump being selectively operable to pump the fluid from the sump to the reservoir, the inlet positioned in the sump at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel is an inlet for the second pump.
- a method of operating a transmission system includes the steps of providing the transmission system including a housing having a sump, the housing containing a crown wheel and pinion. Part of the crown wheel is received in part of the sump.
- the transmission system further includes a reservoir and a pump system.
- the method further including the steps of selectively operating the pump system to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump to increase the oil level in the sump and selectively operating the pump system to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir.
- the pump system is selectively operated to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir to decrease the oil level in the sump, the oil level in the sump is only decreased to a level above the bottom of the crown wheel.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in an alternate position
- FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic rear section view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention.
- a transmission system 10 having an axle housing 12 with a sump 14 .
- Rotatable in the axle housing 12 is a crown wheel 16 , which is driven by a pinion 28 .
- the transmission system 10 also includes a fluid reservoir 18 , a first valve 22 , a second valve 24 and a control system including a controller 26 .
- the transmission system 10 also includes a pump system 19 including a pump 20 .
- the first valve 22 and the second valve 24 are flow diverter valves and operate as will be further described below.
- An inlet 22 A of the first valve 22 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 18 via a pipe 30 .
- An inlet 22 B of the first valve 22 is in fluid communication with the sump 14 via a pipe 32 .
- An outlet 22 C of the first valve 22 is in fluid communication with an inlet 20 A of the pump 20 .
- An outlet 20 B of the pump 20 is in fluid communication with an inlet 24 C of the second valve 24 .
- An outlet 24 A of the second valve 24 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 18 via a pipe 34 .
- An outlet 24 B of the second valve 24 is in fluid communication with the sump 14 via a pipe 36 .
- the transmission system 10 includes a controller 26 which operates to control the pump 20 , the first valve 22 and the second valve 24 , as further described below.
- oil 38 can be transferred between the sump 14 and the reservoir 18 depending upon the working conditions of the vehicle.
- the system can transfer oil 38 from the reservoir 18 to the sump 14 to ensure proper cooling and lubrication.
- oil 38 can be transferred from the sump 14 to the reservoir 18 , thereby reducing the oil churning power losses caused by the crown wheel 16 rotating in the oil 38 in the sump 14 .
- crown wheel 16 transmitting high power and torque would be when the associated vehicle is a lorry, or truck, which is fully laden and is ascending a hill.
- An example of when the crown wheel 16 is transferring medium power and medium torque would be when the lorry was unladen and was driving along a flat road having a good surface (e.g., tarmac) at or below the legal speed limit.
- the controller 26 receives signals from sensors 40 , 42 and 44 and/or other sensors (not shown).
- the sensors 40 , 42 and 44 measure parameters which are indicative of the power and/or torque being transferred via the crown wheel 16 .
- the sensors 40 , 42 and 44 could measure pinion speed, engine speed, fuel consumption, throttle opening, or any other appropriate parameter.
- the sensor may measure the temperature of the oil 38 , in particular the temperature of the oil 38 which is in the sump 14 .
- a valve flap 22 D is positioned so as to ensure the inlet 22 A is in fluid communication with the outlet 22 C, and that both the inlet 22 A and the outlet 22 C are fluidly isolated from the inlet 22 B.
- a valve flap 24 D is positioned so as to ensure the inlet 24 C is in fluid communication with the outlet 24 B and both the inlet 24 C and the outlet 24 B are fluidly isolated from the outlet 24 A.
- FIG. 1 shows the level of oil 38 in the sump 14 at a level S 1 and the level of oil 38 in the reservoir 18 at a level R 2 .
- the controller 26 will stop the pump 20 at an appropriate time.
- the pump 20 could be stopped after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from starting the pump 20 (e.g., one minute).
- the pump 20 could be stopped when the oil 38 level in the sump 14 has reached a predetermined level (e.g., the level S 1 ).
- the pump 20 could be stopped when the oil level in the reservoir 18 has dropped to a predetermined level (e.g., the level R 2 ).
- the valve flaps 22 D and 24 D can be moved to the FIG. 2 position, and the pump 20 can be started. Under these circumstances, the pump 20 will draw fluid from the sump 14 , through the pipe 32 , through the first valve 22 , and through the pump 20 where the fluid is then pumped through the second valve 24 , through the pipe 34 , and into the reservoir 18 .
- the level of oil 38 in the sump 14 is at a level S 2 , which is below the level 51 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the level of oil 38 in the reservoir 18 is at a level R 1 , which is above the level R 2 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the controller 26 will stop the pump 20 at an appropriate time.
- the pump 20 could be stopped after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from starting the pump 20 (e.g., one minute).
- the pump 20 could be stopped when the oil level in the sump 14 has reached a predetermined level (e.g., the level S 2 ).
- the pump 20 could be stopped when the oil level in the reservoir 18 has reached a predetermined level (e.g., the level R 1 ).
- the pipes 30 and 32 are suction pipes, and the open ends of the pipes 30 and 32 are relatively low within the reservoir 18 and the sump 14 , respectively.
- the pipes 34 and 36 are pressure feed pipes, and the open ends of the pipes 34 and 36 need only direct the oil 38 towards the reservoir 18 and the sump 14 , respectively, and the height of the ends of the pipes 34 and 36 is not important.
- the end 32 A of the pipe 32 is above the bottom 16 A of the crown wheel 16 .
- the end 32 A of the pipe 32 is situated by a distance D above the bottom 16 A of the crown wheel 16 .
- FIGS. 3 , 4 and 5 show certain components of FIGS. 1 and 2 in their correct spatial relationship with each other.
- an axle housing 12 has two axle housing arms 12 A and 12 B which receive drive shafts (not shown).
- the pinion 28 is driven by a central drive shaft (not shown) and has teeth which engage teeth 16 C on the crown wheel 16 .
- the crown wheel 16 is attached to a differential assembly 46 .
- the crown wheel 16 is positioned on one side of the differential assembly 46 , and the teeth 16 C face towards the pinion 28 and the axle housing arm 12 A and therefore face away from the axle housing arm 12 B.
- the axle housing 12 includes a circular aperture 48 on a front face.
- a carrier 50 includes a flange 52 which, when bolted to the axle housing 12 , substantially closes the circular aperture 48 .
- the axle housing 12 and the carrier 50 so thus define the housing 13 .
- Mounted on the carrier 50 is the pinion 28 , the crown wheel 16 , the differential assembly 46 together with associated bearings in a manner known in the art.
- a right hand drive shaft extends from the differential assembly 46 through the axle housing arm 12 A, and a left hand drive shaft (not shown) extends from the differential assembly 46 through the axle housing arm 12 B.
- the reservoir 18 is C-shaped and faces the teeth of the crown wheel 16 .
- the reservoir 18 is mounted on the carrier 50 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the lower portion of the reservoir 18 is positioned below the level S 2 .
- the bottom of the reservoir 18 is also positioned below the level S 1 .
- the C-shape of the reservoir 18 surrounds the right hand side of the differential assembly 46 .
- the C-shape surrounds the right hand side of the differential assembly 46 by more than 180 degrees.
- the C-shape surrounds the drive shaft, again by more than 180 degrees.
- the pump 20 and the first valve 22 and the second valve 24 can be positioned at any convenient location.
- the valve is mounted on or in the reservoir 18 .
- the first valve 22 is mounted on or in the reservoir 18 .
- the second valve 24 is mounted on or in the reservoir 18 .
- one or more of the pipes 30 , 32 , 34 and 36 may not be required.
- the pipe 32 is not required.
- the pipe 30 is not required.
- FIG. 3 shows the relative levels R 1 , R 2 , S 1 and S 2 .
- the reservoir 18 is pumped dry, since the level R 2 is at the bottom of the reservoir 18 .
- the fluid level around the crown wheel 16 is at the level S 1 .
- the level Si would fall since no oil 38 is being displaced by the empty reservoir 18 .
- FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a transmission system 110 according to the present invention.
- the pump 20 (operated in a single direction), the first valve 22 and the second valve 24 of FIG. 1 have been replaced by a pump system 119 having a pump 120 (operated in a reversible manner).
- a pipe 160 connects the pump 120 to the reservoir 118 , and the pipe 162 connects the pump 120 to the sump 114 .
- the components of the transmission system 110 which fulfil the same function as those of the transmission system 10 are labelled 100 greater.
- the pump 120 is operated in a first direction to transfer fluid from the reservoir 118 to the sump 114 .
- the controller 126 determines that less oil 138 is required in the sump 114 , then the pump 120 is operated in an opposite, reverse direction to transfer fluid from the sump 114 to the reservoir 118 .
- An end 162 A is positioned at height D above a bottom of the crown wheel 116 .
- the sump 114 can only be emptied to the level S 2 , coincident with the level at which the end 162 A of the pipe 162 is positioned in the sump 114 .
- the controller 126 stops the pump 120 as described above in relation to the controller 126 .
- the reservoir 118 is shaped and positioned similarly to the reservoir 18 .
- the reservoir 118 may be mounted on a carrier equivalent to the carrier 50 .
- reservoirs 18 and 118 are both contained within the axle housing 12 and 112 , respectively, and they are also contained within the housing 13 and 113 , respectively.
- FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a transmission system 210 with components which fulfil the same function as those of the transmission system 110 labelled 100 greater.
- the reservoir 218 surrounds the axle housing arm 212 A of the axle housing 212 .
- the pump 220 is a reversible pump similar to the pump 120 .
- FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a transmission system 310 according to the present invention in which components which fulfil substantially the same function as those of transmission system 10 are labelled 300 greater.
- the system includes two pumps 380 and 382 .
- the controller 326 determines that more fluid is required in the sump 314 , then the pump 380 is operated.
- the controller 326 determines that less oil 338 is required in the sump 314 , then the pump 382 is operated.
- the inlet end 336 A of the pipe 336 is positioned at a distance D above the bottom of the crown wheel 316 .
- the sump 314 can only be emptied down to a level S 2 coincident with the height of the bottom of the pipe 336 .
- This level is positioned at a distance D above the bottom of the crown wheel 316 . In this manner, a portion of the crown wheel 316 will always be submersed in lubricating oil 338 .
- the controller 326 stops the pump 382 as described above in relation to controller 26 .
- the reservoir 318 can be shaped and positioned similar to the reservoir 18 .
- the reservoir 318 can be shaped and positioned similarly to the reservoir 218 .
- the position of the reservoir is independent of the type of pumping system used.
- the single pump and twin valves of FIG. 1 , or the reversible pump of FIG. 7 , or the twin pumps of FIG. 8 can be used with a reservoir positioned as shown in FIG. 3 , or as shown in FIG. 6 , or as positioned in any other suitable location.
- the pumps 20 , 120 , 220 , 380 , 382 can be any type of suitable pump. Furthermore, they can be driven by any suitable type of motor. In one example, the pumps are electrically powered pumps.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. GB 0911281.4 filed Jun. 30, 2009.
- The present invention relates to a transmission system, in particular to a transmission system including a crown wheel and a pinion, especially a transmission system including a crown wheel and a pinion in an axle housing.
- A driven axle for automotive vehicles are known whereby a drive shaft aligned generally longitudinally relative to the vehicle drives a pinion which is in meshing engagement with a crown wheel in an axle housing. The crown wheel drives a right hand drive shaft connected to a right hand wheel and also drives a left hand drive shaft connected to a left hand wheel, thereby propelling the vehicle. Typically, the crown wheel will drive the right and left hand drive shafts via a differential assembly.
- Oil is provided in the axle housing for lubricating and cooling the crown wheel, a pinion, differential gears and associated bearings. However, the rotation of the crown wheel, the pinion and a differential housing in the oil leads to power losses, thereby increasing the overall fuel consumption of the vehicle.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,561 shows a crown wheel which, as it rotates, splashes oil over a wall of the associated housing. A hole in a lower portion of the wall allows oil to drain back to an area where it can again lubricate the crown wheel. In an alternative embodiment, the hole may be replaced by a selectively operable valve. Both embodiments rely on the region surrounding the crown wheel to be emptied by the action of the crown wheel turning. Such a system is not always reliable under certain operating conditions, especially when the crown wheel is turning slowly. It also relies on the various internal surfaces of the housing being arranged to ensure that oil lifted by the crown wheel goes over the wall into the adjacent compartment, rather than simply falling back down into the compartment within which the crown wheel sits.
- EP1918613 shows a prefabricated shield fitted around at least a potion of the crown wheel. Oil is splashed out of the region around the crown wheel into another part of the axle housing, and the shield prevents the oil returning to a region where it can lubricate the crown wheel. A valve can be selectively opened to allow oil back into the region around the crown wheel under certain circumstances. Thus, EP1918613 also relies on the crown wheel splashing oil out, in a manner similar to U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,561, and therefore under certain driving conditions will not reliably causes the oil level in the region of the crown wheel to fall.
- There is therefore a requirement for an improved transmission assembly.
- Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a transmission system including a housing having a sump. The housing contains a crown wheel and a pinion, and part of the crown wheel is received in part of the sump. The transmission system further includes a reservoir and a pump system selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump to increase the oil level in the sump. The pump system also is selectively operable to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir to decrease the oil level in the sump.
- Advantageously, a system which is capable of pumping fluid from the reservoir to the sump and is also capable of pumping fluid from the sump to the reservoir no longer relies on the rotational speed of the crown wheel, internal geometry of the housing, or the temperature and viscosity of fluid to lower the level of fluid in the region of the crown wheel. Such a system can vary the fluid level in the sump from a relatively low level where the fluid is at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel to a relatively high level where the fluid is at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel. In this way, the crown wheel will be continuously lubricated, because the fluid level is higher than the bottom of the crown wheel under normal circumstances, but more fluid will be present when the fluid level is relatively high, and less fluid will be present when the fluid level is relatively low.
- In one embodiment, the pump system may include a pump which is driven in a first direction to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump, and the pump is driven in a second direction to selectively pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir. Advantageously, such a system only requires a single pump.
- In another embodiment, the pump system may include a pump and a first flow diverter valve upstream from the pump selectively operable to connect the pump to one of the reservoir and the sump and a second flow diverter valve downstream from the pump selectively operable to connect the pump to the other of the reservoir and the sump. Advantageously, such a system only required a single pump, and the pump is only required to be driven in one direction.
- In another embodiment, the pump system may include a first pump selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump and a second pump being selectively operable to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir. Advantageously, such a system does not require fluid diverter valves, nor does it require any of the pumps to be operated in a forward and reverse direction.
- In one embodiment, an inlet for the pump system may be positioned in the sump at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel. Advantageously, when the pump system is being operated to selectively pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir to decrease the fluid level in the sump, the sump can only be emptied down to the level of the inlet for the pump. Significantly, it is not possible to pump the sump dry of fluid because the inlet for the pump is positioned at a level above the bottom of the sump, and at a level above the bottom of the crown wheel. Where a single pump is driven in opposite directions, the inlet for the pump when it is being used to selectively pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir acts as a pump outlet when the pump selectively operates to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump. Where a single pump is operated in conjunction with fluid diverter valves, the inlet positioned in the sump is one of two dedicated inlets for the pump, the other inlet being positioned in the reservoir. Where the pump system includes a first pump selectively operable to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump and the second pump being selectively operable to pump the fluid from the sump to the reservoir, the inlet positioned in the sump at a level higher than the bottom of the crown wheel is an inlet for the second pump.
- According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a transmission system includes the steps of providing the transmission system including a housing having a sump, the housing containing a crown wheel and pinion. Part of the crown wheel is received in part of the sump. The transmission system further includes a reservoir and a pump system. The method further including the steps of selectively operating the pump system to pump fluid from the reservoir to the sump to increase the oil level in the sump and selectively operating the pump system to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir. In one example, when the pump system is selectively operated to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir to decrease the oil level in the sump, the oil level in the sump is only decreased to a level above the bottom of the crown wheel.
- The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 shown in an alternate position; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic rear section view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention; and -
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a transmission system according to the present invention. - With reference to
FIG. 1 , there is shown atransmission system 10 having anaxle housing 12 with asump 14. Rotatable in theaxle housing 12 is acrown wheel 16, which is driven by apinion 28. - The
transmission system 10 also includes afluid reservoir 18, afirst valve 22, asecond valve 24 and a control system including acontroller 26. Thetransmission system 10 also includes a pump system 19 including apump 20. Thefirst valve 22 and thesecond valve 24 are flow diverter valves and operate as will be further described below. - An
inlet 22A of thefirst valve 22 is in fluid communication with thereservoir 18 via apipe 30. Aninlet 22B of thefirst valve 22 is in fluid communication with thesump 14 via apipe 32. Anoutlet 22C of thefirst valve 22 is in fluid communication with aninlet 20A of thepump 20. - An
outlet 20B of thepump 20 is in fluid communication with aninlet 24C of thesecond valve 24. Anoutlet 24A of thesecond valve 24 is in fluid communication with thereservoir 18 via apipe 34. Anoutlet 24B of thesecond valve 24 is in fluid communication with thesump 14 via apipe 36. - The
transmission system 10 includes acontroller 26 which operates to control thepump 20, thefirst valve 22 and thesecond valve 24, as further described below. - In summary,
oil 38 can be transferred between thesump 14 and thereservoir 18 depending upon the working conditions of the vehicle. Thus, when thecrown wheel 16 is transferring high power and/or high torque, the system can transferoil 38 from thereservoir 18 to thesump 14 to ensure proper cooling and lubrication. However, when thecrown wheel 16 is only transmitting low or medium power and/or low or medium torque,oil 38 can be transferred from thesump 14 to thereservoir 18, thereby reducing the oil churning power losses caused by thecrown wheel 16 rotating in theoil 38 in thesump 14. - An example of the
crown wheel 16 transmitting high power and torque would be when the associated vehicle is a lorry, or truck, which is fully laden and is ascending a hill. An example of when thecrown wheel 16 is transferring medium power and medium torque would be when the lorry was unladen and was driving along a flat road having a good surface (e.g., tarmac) at or below the legal speed limit. - Operation of the system is as follows. The
controller 26 receives signals fromsensors sensors crown wheel 16. Thus, thesensors oil 38, in particular the temperature of theoil 38 which is in thesump 14. When thecontroller 26 determines thatmore oil 38 is required for cooling/lubrication of thecrown wheel 16, thepinion 28, differential gears and/or any associated bearings, then thepump 20 is started, the firstflow diverter valve 22 is set to the position shown inFIG. 1 , and the secondflow diverter valve 24 is set to the position shown inFIG. 1 . Under such circumstances,oil 38 is drawn from thereservoir 18 through thepipe 30 through theinlet 22A, through theoutlet 22C, through theinlet 20A and through thepump 20, where theoil 38 is then pumped through theoutlet 20B, through theinlet 24C, through theoutlet 24B, through thepipe 36 and into thesump 14. - As can be seen in
FIG. 1 , avalve flap 22D is positioned so as to ensure theinlet 22A is in fluid communication with theoutlet 22C, and that both theinlet 22A and theoutlet 22C are fluidly isolated from theinlet 22B. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 1 , avalve flap 24D is positioned so as to ensure theinlet 24C is in fluid communication with theoutlet 24B and both theinlet 24C and theoutlet 24B are fluidly isolated from theoutlet 24A. -
FIG. 1 shows the level ofoil 38 in thesump 14 at a level S1 and the level ofoil 38 in thereservoir 18 at a level R2. Thecontroller 26 will stop thepump 20 at an appropriate time. Thepump 20 could be stopped after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from starting the pump 20 (e.g., one minute). Alternatively, thepump 20 could be stopped when theoil 38 level in thesump 14 has reached a predetermined level (e.g., the level S1). Alternatively, thepump 20 could be stopped when the oil level in thereservoir 18 has dropped to a predetermined level (e.g., the level R2). - When driving conditions change, and the
controller 26 determines that less fluid is required in thesump 14, then the valve flaps 22D and 24D can be moved to theFIG. 2 position, and thepump 20 can be started. Under these circumstances, thepump 20 will draw fluid from thesump 14, through thepipe 32, through thefirst valve 22, and through thepump 20 where the fluid is then pumped through thesecond valve 24, through thepipe 34, and into thereservoir 18. As shown inFIG. 2 , the level ofoil 38 in thesump 14 is at a level S2, which is below the level 51 shown inFIG. 1 . The level ofoil 38 in thereservoir 18 is at a level R1, which is above the level R2 shown inFIG. 1 . - The
controller 26 will stop thepump 20 at an appropriate time. Thepump 20 could be stopped after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from starting the pump 20 (e.g., one minute). Alternatively, thepump 20 could be stopped when the oil level in thesump 14 has reached a predetermined level (e.g., the level S2). Alternatively, thepump 20 could be stopped when the oil level in thereservoir 18 has reached a predetermined level (e.g., the level R1). - The
pipes pipes reservoir 18 and thesump 14, respectively. Thepipes pipes oil 38 towards thereservoir 18 and thesump 14, respectively, and the height of the ends of thepipes - Advantageously, the
end 32A of thepipe 32 is above the bottom 16A of thecrown wheel 16. As shown inFIG. 2 , theend 32A of thepipe 32 is situated by a distance D above the bottom 16A of thecrown wheel 16. Such an arrangement ensures that when theoil 38 is being transferred to thereservoir 18, the oil level in thesump 14 cannot fall below the level of theend 32A of thepipe 32, and therefore this ensures that the bottom of thecrown wheel 16 will always dip into theoil 38. -
FIGS. 3 , 4 and 5 show certain components ofFIGS. 1 and 2 in their correct spatial relationship with each other. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , anaxle housing 12 has twoaxle housing arms pinion 28 is driven by a central drive shaft (not shown) and has teeth which engageteeth 16C on thecrown wheel 16. Thecrown wheel 16 is attached to adifferential assembly 46. Thecrown wheel 16 is positioned on one side of thedifferential assembly 46, and theteeth 16C face towards thepinion 28 and theaxle housing arm 12A and therefore face away from theaxle housing arm 12B. - The
axle housing 12 includes acircular aperture 48 on a front face. Acarrier 50 includes aflange 52 which, when bolted to theaxle housing 12, substantially closes thecircular aperture 48. Theaxle housing 12 and thecarrier 50 so thus define thehousing 13. Mounted on thecarrier 50 is thepinion 28, thecrown wheel 16, thedifferential assembly 46 together with associated bearings in a manner known in the art. - A right hand drive shaft (not shown) extends from the
differential assembly 46 through theaxle housing arm 12A, and a left hand drive shaft (not shown) extends from thedifferential assembly 46 through theaxle housing arm 12B. - As is best seen in
FIGS. 3 and 5 , thereservoir 18 is C-shaped and faces the teeth of thecrown wheel 16. Thereservoir 18 is mounted on thecarrier 50 as shown inFIG. 3 . As shown inFIG. 3 , the lower portion of thereservoir 18 is positioned below the level S2. It will also be appreciated fromFIG. 3 that the bottom of thereservoir 18 is also positioned below the level S1. The C-shape of thereservoir 18 surrounds the right hand side of thedifferential assembly 46. In this case, the C-shape surrounds the right hand side of thedifferential assembly 46 by more than 180 degrees. Similarly, the C-shape surrounds the drive shaft, again by more than 180 degrees. - The
pump 20 and thefirst valve 22 and thesecond valve 24 can be positioned at any convenient location. However, in one example, the valve is mounted on or in thereservoir 18. In one example, thefirst valve 22 is mounted on or in thereservoir 18. In one example, thesecond valve 24 is mounted on or in thereservoir 18. It will be appreciated that, depending upon the installation, one or more of thepipes inlet 22B of thefirst valve 22 is positioned at the level S2, then thepipe 32 is not required. Under such circumstances, when the height of theinlet 22B is the same as the height of theinlet 22A and the level S2 is the same as the level R2, then thepipe 30 is not required. - When the
outlet 24B of thesecond valve 24 is positioned within thehousing 13, thenpipe 36 is not required. When thesecond valve 24 is positioned with theoutlet 24A facing thereservoir 18, then thepipe 34 is not required. - When the bottom of the
reservoir 18 is positioned in theaxle housing 12 below either the level S1 or the level S2, then advantageouslyless oil 38 is required. This is because thereservoir 18 itself displaces theoil 38. By way of example,FIG. 3 shows the relative levels R1, R2, S1 and S2. In this case, thereservoir 18 is pumped dry, since the level R2 is at the bottom of thereservoir 18. When thereservoir 18 is pumped dry, the fluid level around thecrown wheel 16 is at the level S1. By way of example, if the dry reservoir was removed, with the same amount ofoil 38, the level Si would fall since nooil 38 is being displaced by theempty reservoir 18. -
FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of atransmission system 110 according to the present invention. In this case, the pump 20 (operated in a single direction), thefirst valve 22 and thesecond valve 24 ofFIG. 1 have been replaced by apump system 119 having a pump 120 (operated in a reversible manner). Apipe 160 connects thepump 120 to thereservoir 118, and thepipe 162 connects thepump 120 to thesump 114. - The components of the
transmission system 110 which fulfil the same function as those of thetransmission system 10 are labelled 100 greater. In this case, when thesensor 126 determines more fluid is required in thesump 114, then thepump 120 is operated in a first direction to transfer fluid from thereservoir 118 to thesump 114. When thecontroller 126 determines thatless oil 138 is required in thesump 114, then thepump 120 is operated in an opposite, reverse direction to transfer fluid from thesump 114 to thereservoir 118. - An
end 162A is positioned at height D above a bottom of thecrown wheel 116. In this manner, thesump 114 can only be emptied to the level S2, coincident with the level at which theend 162A of thepipe 162 is positioned in thesump 114. Whensufficient oil 138 has been transferred either to thesump 114 or to thereservoir 118, thecontroller 126 stops thepump 120 as described above in relation to thecontroller 126. In one example, thereservoir 118 is shaped and positioned similarly to thereservoir 18. In particular, thereservoir 118 may be mounted on a carrier equivalent to thecarrier 50. As described above,reservoirs axle housing housing - Alternatively, the reservoir could be positioned externally relative to the axle housing. Thus,
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of atransmission system 210 with components which fulfil the same function as those of thetransmission system 110 labelled 100 greater. In this case, thereservoir 218 surrounds theaxle housing arm 212A of theaxle housing 212. Thepump 220 is a reversible pump similar to thepump 120. -
FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of atransmission system 310 according to the present invention in which components which fulfil substantially the same function as those oftransmission system 10 are labelled 300 greater. In this case, rather than having a single pump and two valves as shown inFIG. 1 , the system includes twopumps - In this case, when the
controller 326 determines that more fluid is required in thesump 314, then thepump 380 is operated. When thecontroller 326 determines thatless oil 338 is required in thesump 314, then thepump 382 is operated. - The
inlet end 336A of thepipe 336 is positioned at a distance D above the bottom of thecrown wheel 316. In this way, when thepump 382 is operated, thesump 314 can only be emptied down to a level S2 coincident with the height of the bottom of thepipe 336. This level is positioned at a distance D above the bottom of thecrown wheel 316. In this manner, a portion of thecrown wheel 316 will always be submersed in lubricatingoil 338. - When
sufficient oil 338 has been transferred either tosump 314 or to thereservoir 318, thecontroller 326 stops thepump 382 as described above in relation tocontroller 26. Thereservoir 318 can be shaped and positioned similar to thereservoir 18. Alternatively, thereservoir 318 can be shaped and positioned similarly to thereservoir 218. - As will be appreciated, the position of the reservoir is independent of the type of pumping system used. Thus, the single pump and twin valves of
FIG. 1 , or the reversible pump ofFIG. 7 , or the twin pumps ofFIG. 8 can be used with a reservoir positioned as shown inFIG. 3 , or as shown inFIG. 6 , or as positioned in any other suitable location. - The
pumps - The foregoing description is only exemplary of the principles of the invention. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than using the example embodiments which have been specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims (14)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/039,447 US9377099B2 (en) | 2009-06-30 | 2013-09-27 | Transmission system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0911281.4 | 2009-06-30 | ||
GB0911281A GB2471652A (en) | 2009-06-30 | 2009-06-30 | Transmission system with a reservoir and a sump for crown wheel lubricating oil |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/039,447 Continuation US9377099B2 (en) | 2009-06-30 | 2013-09-27 | Transmission system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110000332A1 true US20110000332A1 (en) | 2011-01-06 |
Family
ID=41008472
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/824,449 Abandoned US20110000332A1 (en) | 2009-06-30 | 2010-06-28 | Transmission system |
US14/039,447 Active 2031-01-07 US9377099B2 (en) | 2009-06-30 | 2013-09-27 | Transmission system |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/039,447 Active 2031-01-07 US9377099B2 (en) | 2009-06-30 | 2013-09-27 | Transmission system |
Country Status (5)
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US (2) | US20110000332A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2278191B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101936383B (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI1001941B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2471652A (en) |
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DE102020207252A1 (en) * | 2020-06-10 | 2021-12-30 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Transmission for a motor vehicle |
DE102020123621A1 (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2022-03-10 | Deere & Company | oil management system |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US9377099B2 (en) | 2016-06-28 |
BRPI1001941B1 (en) | 2019-10-29 |
EP2278191B1 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
BRPI1001941A2 (en) | 2014-03-25 |
CN101936383B (en) | 2015-11-25 |
US20140020984A1 (en) | 2014-01-23 |
GB0911281D0 (en) | 2009-08-12 |
GB2471652A (en) | 2011-01-12 |
EP2278191A3 (en) | 2011-02-16 |
CN101936383A (en) | 2011-01-05 |
EP2278191A2 (en) | 2011-01-26 |
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