JP2011112207A - Liquid level adjusting device of lubricating oil in transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust well the liquid level of a lubricating oil which stays in a transmission, and to maintain excellently the lubricating ability of a lubricated part even when used for a long period of time. <P>SOLUTION: An external tank 11 is fixed to a gear case 2 while covering a case opening 10 of the gear case 2, and divides an internal space 17. The upper region 18 of the internal space 17 allows the entry and drop of the lubricating oil 8 which passes through the case opening 10 being scraped upward by a gear 6. A lower region 19 stores the lubricating oil 8 and communicates with the bottom of a gear accommodating space 7 through a connection pipe passage 13. A filter 12 arranged in the upper region 18 removes impurities from the lubricating oil 8. A temperature sensor 15 detects an oil temperature of the lubricating oil 8 which stays in the gear accommodating space 7. A control unit 16 opens a valve 14 of the connection pipe passage 13 when an oil temperature detected by the temperature sensor 15 is higher than a predetermined temperature setting and closes the valve 14 when a temperature is lower than the setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricating oil level adjusting device for a transmission.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-275163, an oil catcher that stores lubricating oil scraped up by a final gear is provided in a torque converter case, and a drain hole at the bottom of the oil catcher is provided with a temperature of lubricating oil in a control valve. A lubricating oil level adjusting device is described that adjusts the liquid level of the lubricating oil in the torque converter case by opening when the oil temperature is higher than the set oil temperature and shielding when it is lower.

JP 2006-275163 A

  In the above apparatus, since the oil catcher is provided inside the torque converter case, the size and shape of the oil catcher are limited, and the amount of lubricating oil stored for adjustment is naturally limited. For this reason, when the above device is applied to a structure having a large amount of lubricating oil circulation such as a transmission, the amount of lubricating oil stored for adjustment cannot be sufficiently secured, and the oil level is well adjusted. May not be executed.

  In addition, when impurities such as metal powder are mixed in the lubricating oil due to long-term circulation use, there is a possibility that a portion to be lubricated such as a meshing portion of the gear is not well lubricated.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a lubricant that can satisfactorily adjust the liquid level of the lubricating oil staying in the transmission and can maintain the lubrication performance of the lubricated part well even when used for a long period of time. The object is to provide an oil level adjustment device.

  The transmission to which the present invention is applied has a gear case that defines a gear housing space, and a gear that rotates in a state where at least the lower part is immersed in lubricating oil that is housed in the gear housing space and stays at the bottom of the gear housing space, The rotating gear scoops up lubricating oil to lubricate the lubricated portion in the gear housing space. The present invention is an apparatus for adjusting the level of the lubricating oil staying at the bottom of the gear housing space of the gear case, the case opening, the external tank, the filter, the connecting pipe, the valve, the oil temperature detecting means and the control. Means.

  The case opening is provided in the gear case and opens the gear housing space above the liquid level of the lubricating oil staying at the bottom of the gear housing space. The external tank is fixed to the gear case in a state in which the case opening is covered from the outside, and defines an internal space. The upper region of the internal space allows the lubricant to enter and fall through the case opening by being scraped up by the rotating gear. The lower region of the internal space stores lubricating oil that falls in the upper region. The filter is disposed in at least one of the upper region of the internal space of the external tank or the case opening, and allows the lubricating oil that is scraped and moved to pass therethrough and removes impurities from the lubricating oil. The connecting pipe communicates the lower region of the internal space of the external tank and the bottom of the gear housing space, and the valve opens and closes the connecting pipe. The oil temperature detecting means detects the oil temperature of the lubricating oil staying at the bottom of the gear housing space. The control means opens the valve when the oil temperature detected by the oil temperature detection means is higher than a predetermined set temperature, and closes the valve when the oil temperature detected by the temperature detection means is equal to or lower than the predetermined set temperature.

  In the above-described configuration, the lubricated portion in the transmission is lubricated and cooled by the lubricating oil picked up by the gear. Further, at least a part of the lubricating oil scooped up by the gear passes through the case opening, falls in the upper area of the internal space of the external tank, and is stored in the lower area. At this time, while the oil temperature detected by the oil temperature detecting means (the oil temperature of the lubricating oil staying at the bottom of the gear housing space) is equal to or lower than the set temperature, the control means continues to close the valve. For this reason, the lubricating oil staying and circulating in the transmission is gradually reduced, and the liquid level of the staying lubricating oil is also gradually lowered. When the lubricating oil in the transmission decreases and the oil temperature rises and the oil temperature detected by the oil temperature detecting means becomes higher than the set temperature, the control means opens the valve. This set temperature is set in advance to an upper limit temperature at which the lubrication effect and cooling effect of the lubricated part can be satisfactorily maintained without replenishing lubricating oil in the transmission. When the control means opens the valve, the lubricating oil stored in the external tank is supplied to the bottom of the gear housing space, the liquid level of the lubricating oil staying in the transmission increases instantaneously, and the liquid temperature decreases. Thus, the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part are maintained well. As described above, in the above configuration, the level of the lubricating oil staying in the transmission is adjusted by a simple structure and control, and the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part are well maintained.

  In addition, the adjustment of the liquid level height of the lubricating oil staying in the transmission is performed by replenishing the lubricating oil stored in the external tank fixed outside the gear case, so that the amount of lubricating oil stored for adjustment is sufficient. Thus, the external tank can be set to a size that can be ensured in a satisfactory manner, and the level of the lubricating oil can be adjusted satisfactorily.

  In addition, a filter that allows the lubricating oil that is scraped and moved to pass through and that removes impurities from the lubricating oil is disposed in at least one of the upper region of the internal space of the external tank or the case opening of the gear case. Even when impurities such as metal powder are mixed into the lubricating oil by cyclic use for a period, the impurities are removed by the filter, so that the lubrication effect of the lubricated part can be maintained well.

  The transmission includes an upper first shaft, a second shaft disposed below the first shaft, an upper center of the second shaft, and the axial centers of the first and second shafts. You may provide the 3rd shaft which has an axial center which deviated from the connecting straight line to the side. The gear housing space houses the upper gear supported by the first shaft and the lower gear supported by the second shaft, and at least the lower portion of the lower gear is lubricated to stay at the bottom of the gear housing space. Rotates while immersed in oil. The case opening is provided at a position that avoids interference between the side gear supported by the third shaft and the gear case. The external tank is an external cover for covering a portion of the side gear exposed from the case opening.

  For example, the first shaft is a main shaft, the second shaft is a counter shaft, and the side gear is an idle reverse gear. The external tank is an external cover that covers a portion of the idle reverse gear that is exposed from the case opening, or an external cover that covers a portion of the idle reverse gear that is exposed from the case opening and the PTO gear that can mesh with the idle reverse gear.

  In the above configuration, the external cover for covering the portion of the side gear exposed from the case opening is made to function as an external tank for storing lubricating oil. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide an external tank separately, the structure of the liquid level adjusting device can be simplified, and the space around the outside of the transmission can be used effectively for other purposes.

  Further, the lubricating oil level adjustment device may include an oil amount detecting means for detecting a storage amount of the lubricating oil in the internal space of the external tank. The control means opens the valve when the storage amount detected by the oil amount detection means is larger than a predetermined set amount. This set amount is set in advance to an upper limit storage amount of the lubricating oil that can satisfactorily maintain the lubrication effect and cooling effect of the lubricated portion in the transmission.

  In the above configuration, the lubricating oil is supplied to the gear case in accordance with the amount of the lubricating oil stored in the external tank, so that the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part can be maintained better.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily adjust the liquid level height of the lubricating oil staying in the transmission, and it is possible to maintain the lubrication performance of the lubricated portion favorably even when used for a long time.

It is a sectional side view which shows typically the inside of the transmission with which the liquid level adjustment apparatus of 1st Embodiment is applied. It is a figure which shows typically the cross section and liquid level adjustment apparatus of the transmission of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control unit of FIG. 2 performs. It is a figure which shows typically the cross section and liquid level adjustment apparatus of a transmission of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the cross section of the transmission and liquid level adjustment apparatus of the modification of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the cross section of the transmission of 3rd Embodiment, and a liquid level adjustment apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process which the control unit of FIG. 6 performs.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transmission 1 includes a gear case 2, a main shaft (first shaft) 3, a plurality of gears (upper gears) 4 supported on the main shaft 3, and a counter shaft ( (Second shaft) 5 and a plurality of gears (lower gears) 6 supported on the counter shaft 5. The transmission 1 rotatably supports the main shaft 3 and the counter shaft 5. The transmission 1 is a synchronous mesh type, and the gear 4 on the main shaft 3 and the gear 6 on the counter shaft 5 corresponding thereto are always meshed, and each gear 4 on the main shaft 3 is a synchromesh mechanism (illustrated). Is omitted). When the main shaft 3 rotates, the counter shaft 5 always rotates, and the reduction ratio is determined by selecting the gear 4 connected to the main shaft 3 (selecting a combination of gears 4 and 6). The power of the engine (not shown) is input to one end side of the main shaft 3, decelerated according to the combination of the selected gears 4 and 6 (the number of rotations is reduced), and output from the other end side of the main shaft 3. To do.

  The gear case 2 defines a sealed gear housing space 7. The main shaft 3 and the counter shaft 5 extend substantially parallel to each other in the gear housing space 7, and the axis of the counter shaft 5 is set substantially vertically below the axis of the main shaft 3.

  The plurality of gears 4 and 6 are housed in the gear housing space 7, and the lubricating oil 8 stays at the bottom of the gear housing space 7. At least the lower part of the gear 6 supported by the countershaft 5 among the plurality of gears 4 and 6 rotates while being immersed in the staying lubricating oil 8. The rotating gear 6 rakes up the lubricating oil 8 to be lubricated in the gear receiving space 7 (for example, the meshing portion of the gear 4 on the main shaft 3 and the gear 6 on the counter shaft 5 or the synchromesh mechanism). ) Is lubricated and cooled.

  If the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the gear housing space 7 is too low, the gear 6 will not sufficiently scoop up the lubricating oil 8, and the desired lubrication effect and cooling effect on the lubricated part cannot be obtained. . On the other hand, if the level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the gear housing space 7 is too high, the resistance received by the gear 6 from the lubricating oil 8 when the countershaft 5 rotates becomes excessive, resulting in energy agitation loss. Accordingly, the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the gear housing space 7 is not less than a height at which a desired lubrication effect and cooling effect can be obtained and less than the height at which the stirring loss is excessive. Preferably it is. For this reason, in this embodiment, the total amount of the lubricating oil 8 accommodated in the gear accommodating space 7 and in an external tank described later is the level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the gear accommodating space 7 described above. The displacement is set within a suitable range.

  The liquid level adjusting device 9 is for adjusting the liquid level height of the lubricating oil 8 staying at the bottom of the gear housing space 7 of the gear case 2, and includes a case opening 10, an external tank 11, a filter 12, and a connection pipe line. 13, a valve (for example, an electromagnetic valve) 14, a temperature sensor (oil temperature detecting means) 15, and a control unit (control means) 16.

  The case opening 10 is formed on the side wall of the gear case 2 and opens the gear housing space 7 above the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the gear housing space 7. The external tank 11 is fixed to the gear case 2 in a state where the case opening 10 is covered from the outside, and defines the internal space 17. The upper region 18 of the internal space 17 allows the lubricant 8 that has been scraped up by the rotating gear 6 and passed through the case opening 10 to enter and drop. The lower region 19 of the internal space 17 stores the lubricating oil 8 that falls in the upper region 18. The bottom surface of the external tank 11 that defines the lowermost portion of the lower region 19 is set above the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 that stays in the gear housing space 7.

  The filter 12 is disposed to be inclined in the upper region 18 of the internal space 17 of the outer tank 11 so as to cover the entire upper region of the lower region 19, and allows the lubricating oil 8 that is scraped and moved by the gear 6 to pass therethrough. Impurities are captured and removed from the lubricating oil 8. The filter 12 may be disposed in the case opening 10 or may be disposed across both the case opening 10 and the upper region 18.

The connection pipe line 13 communicates the lower region 19 of the internal space 17 of the external tank 11 and the bottom of the gear housing space 7. The valve 14 is provided at an intermediate portion of the connection pipeline 13 and opens and closes the connection pipeline 13. The temperature sensor 15 is disposed at the bottom of the gear housing space 7 and detects the oil temperature T _OIL of the lubricating oil 8 staying at the bottom of the gear housing space 7. The control unit 16 compares the predetermined set point temperature T ₀ of the temperature sensor 15 is set in advance and the detected oil temperature T _OIL, when the oil temperature T _OIL is higher than the set temperature T ₀ opens the valve 14 When the hot water temperature T _OIL is lower than the set temperature, the valve 14 is closed. This set temperature T ₀ is set in advance to an upper limit temperature at which the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part can be satisfactorily maintained without replenishing the lubricating oil 8 in the transmission 1.

  Next, processing executed by the control unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG.

This process is repeatedly executed every predetermined time when the engine is driven. When this process is started, it is determined whether or not the oil temperature T _OIL detected by the temperature sensor 15 exceeds the set temperature T ₀ (step S1), and the oil temperature T _OIL exceeds the set temperature T ₀ . If so (step S1: Yes), the valve 14 is opened (step S2), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the hot water temperature T _OIL is equal to or lower than the set temperature (step S1: No), the valve 14 is closed (step S3), and the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lubricated portion in the transmission 1 is lubricated and cooled by the lubricating oil 8 scraped up by the gear 6. Further, at least a part of the lubricating oil 8 scraped up by the gear 6 passes through the case opening 10, falls in the upper region 18 of the internal space 17 of the external tank 11, and is stored in the lower region 19. At this time, while the oil temperature T _OIL detected by the temperature sensor 15 (the oil temperature of the lubricating oil 8 staying at the bottom of the gear housing space 7) is equal to or lower than the set temperature T ₀ , the control unit 16 continues the valve 14. Close. For this reason, the lubricating oil 8 staying and circulating in the transmission 1 gradually decreases, and the liquid level of the remaining lubricating oil 8 gradually decreases. When the lubricating oil 8 in the transmission 1 decreases and the oil temperature rises and the oil temperature T _OIL detected by the temperature sensor 15 becomes higher than the set temperature T ₀ , the control unit 16 opens the valve 14. When the control unit 16 opens the valve 14, the lubricating oil 8 stored in the external tank 11 is supplied to the bottom of the gear housing space 7, and the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the transmission 1 increases instantaneously. The liquid temperature (oil temperature) is lowered, and the lubrication effect and cooling effect of the lubricated part are well maintained. In this way, the level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the transmission 1 is adjusted by a simple structure and control, and the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part are well maintained.

  Further, since the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 staying in the transmission 1 is adjusted by replenishing the lubricating oil 8 stored in the external tank 11 fixed to the outside of the gear case 2, the lubricating oil stored for adjustment is stored. The external tank 11 can be set to a size that can sufficiently secure the amount of the oil 8, and the liquid level height of the lubricating oil 8 can be adjusted satisfactorily.

  Furthermore, since the filter 12 that allows the lubricating oil 8 that is scraped and moved to pass through and removes impurities from the lubricating oil 8 is disposed in the upper region 18 of the internal space 17 of the external tank 11, Even when impurities such as metal powder are mixed in the lubricating oil 8 by circulation, the impurities are removed by the filter 12, so that the lubrication effect of the lubricated portion can be maintained well.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission 20 of the present embodiment includes an idle reverse shaft (third shaft) 21 and an idle reverse gear (side gear) 22. The axis of the idle reverse shaft 21 is set at a position deviated laterally from the straight line connecting the axes of the main shaft 3 and the counter shaft 5, and the idle reverse gear 22 is supported on the idle reverse shaft 21. . The gear accommodating space 7 accommodates most of the gear 4 supported on the main shaft 3, the gear 6 supported on the counter shaft 5, and the idle reverse gear 22 supported on the idle reverse shaft 21. The case opening 10 is provided at a position that avoids interference between the idle reverse gear 22 and the gear case 2, and an external cover 23 that is fixed to the gear case 1 to cover a portion of the idle reverse gear 22 that is exposed from the case opening 10. Functions as an external tank.

  According to the present embodiment, the external cover 23 for covering the portion of the idle reverse gear 22 exposed from the case opening 10 is made to function as the external tank 11 for storing the lubricating oil 8, so that an external tank is provided separately. This eliminates the need for simplification of the structure of the liquid level adjusting device 9 and allows the space around the outside of the transmission 20 to be used effectively for other purposes.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer cover 23 may be a cover that covers a PTO gear 24 that meshes with the idle reverse gear 22 outside the gear case 2. The PTO gear 24 is a gear that constitutes a PTO (Power Take Off), and the engine power is used for applications other than the direct driving of the vehicle via the PTO gear 24 (for example, for the bodywork in a specially equipped vehicle). Used for driving and driving motor generators in hybrid vehicles).

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid level adjusting device 30 of the present embodiment is disposed in the upper region 18 of the internal space 17 of the external tank 11 and is a distance to the liquid level of the lubricating oil 8 stored in the lower region 19. Is provided with a level sensor 31. The level sensor 31 indirectly detects the amount of lubricating oil stored in the internal space 17 and constitutes an oil amount detecting means. As the oil amount detection means, other sensors such as a pressure sensor that detects the pressure on the bottom surface of the external tank 11 may be used. When the distance L _OIL detected by the level sensor 31 is less than the predetermined set distance L ₀ , the control unit 16 opens the valve 14. The predetermined distance L ₀ is set in advance as a value corresponding to the upper limit storage amount of the lubricating oil 8 that can satisfactorily maintain the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part in the transmission 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the oil temperature T _OIL detected by the temperature sensor 15 exceeds the set temperature T ₀ (step S1), and the oil temperature T _OIL is set to the set temperature T _0. Is exceeded (step S1: Yes), the valve 14 is opened (step S2), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the hot water temperature T _OIL is equal to or lower than the set temperature (step S1: No), it is determined whether or not the distance L _OIL detected by the level sensor 31 is less than the predetermined set distance L ₀ (step S4). When the distance L _OIL is less than the predetermined set distance L ₀ (step S4: Yes), the valve 14 is opened (step S2), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the distance L _OIL is equal to or greater than the predetermined set distance L ₀ (step S4: No), the valve 14 is closed (step S3), and the process is terminated.

  According to the present embodiment, when the amount of lubricating oil stored in the external tank 11 exceeds a predetermined amount, it is determined that the amount of lubricating oil in the gear case 2 is too small, and the lubricating oil in the gear case 2 is determined. Therefore, the lubrication effect and the cooling effect of the lubricated part can be maintained more satisfactorily.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes other various embodiments.

  The present invention can be widely applied to a transmission that lubricates a lubricated portion by scooping up lubricating oil with a gear.

1, 20: Transmission 2: Gear case 3: Main shaft (first shaft)
4: Gear (upper gear)
5: Counter shaft (second shaft)
6: Gear (lower gear)
7: Gear housing space 8: Lubricating oil 9, 30: Liquid level adjusting device 10: Case opening 11: External tank 12: Filter 13: Connection pipe 14: Valve 15: Temperature sensor (oil temperature detecting means)
16: Control unit (control means)
17: Internal space 18: Upper region 19: Lower region 21: Idle reverse shaft (third shaft)
22: Idle reverse gear (side gear)
23: External cover 24: PTO gear 31: Level sensor (oil amount detection means)

Claims (3)

A gear case that divides the gear housing space, and a gear that is housed in the gear housing space and rotates in a state where at least a lower part is immersed in the lubricating oil that stays at the bottom of the gear housing space. In the transmission that rubs up and lubricates the lubricated part in the gear housing space, the device adjusts the liquid level height of the staying lubricating oil,
A case opening provided in the gear case and opening the gear housing space above the liquid level of the staying lubricating oil;
The inner space is defined by being fixed to the gear case with the case opening covered from the outside, and the upper region of the inner space is scraped up by the rotating gear and passes through the case opening. Allowing the entry and fall, the lower region of the internal space is an external tank for storing lubricating oil falling in the upper region;
A filter that is disposed in at least one of the upper space of the internal space of the external tank or the case opening, allows the passage of the lubricating oil that is scraped and moved, and removes impurities from the lubricating oil;
A connecting conduit that communicates the lower region of the internal space of the external tank and the bottom of the gear housing space;
A valve for opening and closing the connection pipe line;
Oil temperature detecting means for detecting the oil temperature of the lubricating oil staying at the bottom of the gear housing space;
Control that opens the valve when the oil temperature detected by the oil temperature detecting means is higher than a predetermined set temperature, and closes the valve when the oil temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the predetermined set temperature. Means,
An apparatus for adjusting the lubricating oil level of a transmission, comprising: The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
The transmission includes an upper first shaft, a second shaft disposed below the first shaft, and an axis above the second shaft and between the axes of the first and second shafts. A third shaft having an axial center that deviates laterally from a straight line connecting
The gear accommodating space accommodates an upper gear supported by the first shaft and a lower gear supported by the second shaft,
At least the lower part of the lower gear rotates in a state of being immersed in the lubricating oil staying at the bottom of the gear housing space,
The case opening is provided at a position that avoids interference between a side gear supported by the third shaft and the gear case,
The external tank is an external cover for covering a portion of the side gear exposed from the case opening. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
Oil amount detection means for detecting the amount of lubricating oil stored in the internal space of the external tank,
The control means opens the valve when the amount of storage detected by the oil amount detection means is greater than a predetermined set amount.

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