JP2013212453A - Oil filter device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an oil filter device configured to remove small contaminant mixed in oil in a hydraulic circuit of a transmission.SOLUTION: An oil filter device is interposed in a hydraulic circuit such as a transmission, and comprises: a cylindrical oil passage 52; an inlet 11 provided on a side surface at one end of the cylindrical oil passage 52 and causing oil to enter the cylindrical oil passage 52 in a spiral form; a mixed matter outlet 12 provided on an intermediate part of the cylindrical oil passage 52 or an outer circumferential part at the other end side therefrom and discharging mixed matter such as contaminant centrifugally separated to an outer circumferential side by a spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage 52; and an oil outlet 13 provided in communication with an inner circumferential part at the other end of the cylindrical oil passage 52 and discharging oil from which the mixed matter is centrifugally separated by the spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage 52.

Description

  The present invention relates to an oil filter device for separating contaminants (contamination, hereinafter referred to as “contamination”) such as small metal pieces and wear powder contained in oil interposed in a hydraulic circuit, and in particular, a vehicle. The present invention relates to an oil filter device suitable for a hydraulic control circuit of an automatic transmission for a vehicle.

  Contamination and air are unavoidably mixed in the oil circulating in the transmission hydraulic circuit. If contamination is mixed into the oil, there is a case where a so-called “cheerful” malfunction occurs in the movement of the valve in the hydraulic circuit, and this is to be avoided. When air is mixed into the oil, pressure regulation varies, which may cause oil vibration (hydraulic vibration). Therefore, it is required to remove the contamination and air mixed in the oil to reduce the mixing rate.

Usually, in order to remove contamination mixed in oil, it is common to use a so-called “strainer” mesh filter, and the strainer is installed in an oil passage through which the oil pump sucks oil from the oil tank. In some cases (for example, Patent Document 1).
There is also a technique for filtering out contaminants mixed in oil used in a transmission with a filter element using a nonwoven fabric, filter paper or the like (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-221325 A JP 2006-118643 A

However, the technique using the strainer type filter or filter element described above is provided upstream of the oil pump and does not directly remove contaminants from the oil discharged from the oil pump in the hydraulic circuit. Accordingly, it is not possible to remove contamination and the like mixed in the oil pump or immediately upstream thereof.
In the case of an automatic transmission, the hydraulic circuit is equipped with a control valve unit having a valve body incorporating various valves. However, a filter that removes contaminants and air mixed in the oil inside the valve body is provided. If equipped directly, it is possible to remove the contamination and air mixed in the oil immediately before supplying to each valve, the oil can be managed reliably, and the filter can be attached compactly.

  However, in the technique using the strainer type described above, it is necessary to reduce (finely) the mesh size (mesh size) in order to remove small contaminants. This also has a limit because it increases resistance and increases pressure loss. Therefore, the strainer type filter is effective for removing relatively large contaminants such as initially mixed processing residual burrs, but is not suitable for removing relatively small contaminants.

  In addition, with the technique using the filter element such as the filter paper described above, small contamination can be removed. However, since the flow resistance is increased and the pressure loss is increased, it is difficult to provide it downstream of the oil pump. In addition, this type of filter is not suitable for miniaturization, is difficult to be incorporated in a hydraulic circuit, and is extremely difficult to be incorporated in a valve body. In addition, as the size is reduced, it is necessary to frequently replace the elements, and there are many practical problems.

  In particular, in recent years, the clearance of each part of the hydraulic circuit tends to be reduced in order to reduce oil leakage from the hydraulic circuit of the transmission, and there is little discharge of relatively small contaminants due to oil leakage. Valve solenoids are also becoming smaller, and in this case, the thrust cannot be increased. Therefore, there is a concern that the solenoid valve may become astringent due to relatively small contamination remaining in the oil. Removal of contamination is required.

In the case of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), air is structurally easy to mix into the oil, and when the mixing ratio of air in the oil increases, the pressure regulation varies and causes oil vibration (hydraulic vibration). In the case of a continuously variable transmission, it is required to remove air mixed in oil.
The present invention has been devised in view of such a problem, and provides an oil filter device that can remove small contaminants mixed in oil in a hydraulic circuit of a transmission, and also provides a valve body. An object of the present invention is to provide an oil filter device that can be incorporated, and further to provide an oil filter device that can remove air mixed in oil within a hydraulic circuit of a transmission.

  (1) In order to achieve the above object, an oil filter device of the present invention is interposed in a hydraulic circuit, and is provided on a cylindrical oil passage and a side surface of one end of the cylindrical oil passage. And a mass that is centrifugally separated to the outer peripheral side by a spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage, provided at an inlet for spirally entering the oil and an intermediate portion of the cylindrical oil passage or an outer peripheral portion on the other end side of the cylindrical oil passage. A contaminant outlet that discharges contaminants larger than oil and an inner peripheral portion of the other end of the cylindrical oil passage are provided in communication with each other, and the contaminant is centrifuged by a spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage. And an oil outlet for discharging the oil.

(2) The flow path area of the cylindrical oil passage is preferably reduced from the one end to the other end.
(3) Further, a case having a cylindrical space inside, and an outer surface having a tapered inner peripheral surface that is movably housed in the axial direction in the cylindrical space and that decreases in diameter from the one end to the other end. The cylindrical member is fixed to the case and is coaxially inserted inside the outer cylindrical member with a gap therebetween, facing the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member and going from the one end to the other end. And an elastic member that urges the outer cylinder member toward the one end, and the cylindrical oil passage includes the outer cylinder. It is preferable that the inner peripheral surface of the member and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member are partitioned and formed.

  (4) Furthermore, a first end wall portion formed on the one end side of the inner cylinder member, a second end wall portion formed on the other end side of the outer cylinder member, and the first end wall portion And a first space formed between the one end side of the outer cylinder member and the second end wall part and the other end side of the inner cylinder member. A first opening formed by orienting (the inflow direction is set) so that oil flows into the circumferential direction of the cylindrical oil passage on the side wall of the case facing the first space; A through hole formed in the axially intermediate portion of the outer cylinder member so as to communicate the inside and outside of the outer cylinder member; a second opening formed in a side wall of the case so as to communicate with the through hole; An oil passage formed inside the inner cylinder member so as to extend from the other end side to the one end side, and the oil on the side wall of the case A third opening formed so as to communicate with a path, the inlet is configured by the first opening, the contaminant outlet is configured by the through hole and the second opening, and the oil outlet is The oil passage and the third opening are preferably used.

  (5) Furthermore, a tubular portion that is provided on the second end wall portion of the outer cylinder member so as to extend toward the one end side and is disposed inside the oil flow path, and an inner circumference of the inner cylinder member A second cylindrical oil which is formed by being partitioned by a surface and an outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and in which a spiral flow of oil in the cylindrical oil passage flows from the other end side to the one end side while maintaining a spiral shape A passage, an air outlet that discharges air that has been centrifuged to the inner peripheral side by a spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage and the second cylindrical oil passage, and oil that has been subjected to centrifugation of the contaminants and the air It is preferable that the oil outlet for discharging the oil is provided.

(6) Furthermore, the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter as it goes from the other end to the one end, and the second cylindrical oil passage goes from the other end to the one end. Accordingly, the flow path area is preferably reduced.
(7) In addition, a valve unit provided in a hydraulic circuit of a vehicle automatic transmission is internally provided, an oil passage having a line pressure is connected to the inlet, and a solenoid provided in the valve unit is connected to the oil outlet. It is preferable that an oil passage of the original pressure of the valve is connected, and an oil passage of a spool valve provided in the valve unit is connected to the contaminant outlet.

  (1) According to the oil filter device of the present invention, the oil that has entered the cylindrical oil passage from the inlet provided on one side surface of the cylindrical oil passage flows spirally in the cylindrical oil passage. If the oil contains contaminants such as contaminants heavier than the oil, the contaminants are centrifuged to the outer peripheral side by the spiral flow and discharged from the contaminant outlet together with some oil. On the other hand, the oil obtained by centrifuging the contaminants is discharged from the oil outlet. As a result, unlike a filter element using a strainer type mesh filter or filter paper, a relatively small contaminant can be separated from the oil without causing a large pressure loss. In addition, since it has a simple structure in which the cylindrical oil passage and the oil enter the cylindrical oil passage with a swirling component, the size can be easily reduced, and the oil can be incorporated in the valve body.

(2) If the flow path area of the cylindrical oil passage is reduced from one end to the other end, the speed increases as the swirling flow of oil proceeds downstream, and the centrifugal separation action is strengthened. Can do.
(3) An outer cylinder member having a tapered inner peripheral surface that is movably housed in an axial direction in a case having a columnar space and has a diameter reduced from one end to the other end, and fixed to the case and the outer cylinder An inner cylinder member having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface that is coaxially inserted with a gap inwardly of the member, faces the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member, and approaches from the one end to the other end, and the outer cylindrical member If the cylindrical oil passage is partitioned by the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member, the amount of oil entering from the inlet is reduced. If it increases, the oil pressure in the cylindrical oil passage rises, and the outer cylinder member is moved to the other end side against the biasing force of the elastic member. Accordingly, the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member formed in a tapered cylindrical shape whose diameter decreases from one end to the other end increases the hydraulic pressure while increasing the distance from the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member.

  As a result, the outer cylinder member becomes a movable direction position in which the force that moves the outer cylinder member by the hydraulic pressure in the cylindrical oil passage to the other end side is balanced with the urging force of the elastic member, and the flow according to the amount of oil flowing in. Since the road area is secured, if the amount of oil fed into the cylindrical oil passage is small, the flow passage area of the cylindrical oil passage is reduced, and the centrifugal flow is obtained by securing the flow velocity of the oil swirl flow. If the amount of oil fed into the cylindrical oil passage is large, the flow passage area of the cylindrical oil passage is increased by a corresponding amount, and the flow rate of the swirling flow of oil in the cylindrical oil passage is ensured. The generation of a large pressure loss can be avoided while obtaining a separating action.

  (4) A first opening is formed in the side wall of the case facing the first space formed between the first end wall portion formed on one end side of the inner cylinder member and the tip portion on one end side of the outer cylinder member. If the inlet is constituted by the first opening, the oil first enters the first space from the first opening of the case, but the first opening is oriented so that the oil flows in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical oil passage. Therefore, the oil travels in the cylindrical oil passage as a spiral flow.

  A second space is formed between the second end wall portion and the distal end portion on the other end side of the inner cylinder member, and a through hole is formed in an axially intermediate portion of the outer cylinder member so as to communicate with the through hole. When the second opening is formed in the side wall of the case, and the contaminant outlet is formed by the through hole and the second opening, a part of the oil is passed through the through hole and the second on the outer peripheral side of the swirl flow that has advanced in the cylindrical oil passage. It is discharged from the contaminant outlet consisting of an opening. The swirling flow traveling in the cylindrical oil passage centrifuges the contaminants in the oil to the outer peripheral side, so that the centrifuged contaminants are discharged from the contaminant outlet together with some oil.

Further, an oil flow path is formed inside the inner cylinder member so as to extend from the other end side to the one end side, and a third opening is formed on the side surface of the case so as to communicate with the oil flow path. If the oil outlet is configured by the opening, the oil from which contaminants have been removed by centrifugation is discharged from the oil outlet including the oil flow path and the third opening.
In this way, the oil that has advanced from the first opening of the case into the internal cylindrical oil passage is centrifuged, and the contaminants are discharged from the second opening of the case together with some oil to remove the contaminants. Since the oil is discharged from the third opening of the case, for example, by arranging the first to third openings side by side on the side of the case, the apparatus can be easily incorporated into the valve body.

  (5) A tubular portion projecting from the second end wall portion of the outer cylinder member so as to extend toward the one end side is disposed inside the oil flow path, and an inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder member and an outer circumferential surface of the tubular portion are arranged. The second cylindrical oil passage that circulates from the other end side to the one end side is formed by the above, and the air centrifugally separated to the inner peripheral side by the spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage and the second cylindrical oil passage is discharged. If an air outlet is provided, and the oil that has been subjected to centrifugal separation of contaminants and air is discharged from the oil outlet, the air that has been centrifuged to the inner peripheral side is discharged from the air outlet together with some oil, and the air mixed into the oil is removed. Can be removed.

(6) The inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter as it goes from the other end to one end, and the flow path area of the second cylindrical oil passage is reduced as it goes from the other end to one end. Then, even in the second cylindrical oil passage, the speed increases as the swirling flow of oil proceeds downstream, and the centrifugal separation action can be strengthened.
(7) This device can be assembled compactly if it is installed in the valve unit interposed in the hydraulic circuit of the automatic transmission for vehicles, and if a line pressure oil passage is connected to the inlet, a high line pressure can be obtained. Can be used to obtain a centrifugal separation effect. Also, if the oil outlet is connected to the oil passage of the original pressure of the solenoid valve installed in the valve unit, the oil from which relatively small contaminants (or contaminants and air) have been removed by centrifugal separation is the source of the solenoid valve. Since it is introduced into the oil passage of pressure, the possibility that the solenoid valve may become astringent is eliminated. In addition, if the oil passage of the spool valve installed in the valve unit is connected to the contaminant outlet, the spool valve is less affected by contaminants, so that oil can be used effectively without causing malfunction of the valve. it can.

It is a longitudinal section showing an oil filter device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part cross-sectional view which shows the oil filter apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the flow of the oil in the oil filter apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a perspective view of a cylindrical oil path (1st cylindrical oil path), (b) is 2nd. It is a perspective view of a cylindrical oil passage. It is a figure explaining the centrifugation effect | action by the oil filter apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the state where the oil pressure of the oil supplied to the oil filter device concerning one embodiment of the present invention is a low pressure, (a) is a longitudinal section of an oil filter device, (b) is the key of an oil filter device. FIG. It is a figure explaining the transient state from which the oil pressure of the oil supplied to the oil filter apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention changes from low pressure to high pressure, (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an oil filter apparatus, (b) is It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of an oil filter apparatus. It is a figure explaining the state where the oil pressure of the oil supplied to the oil filter device concerning one embodiment of the present invention is high pressure, (a) is a longitudinal section of an oil filter device, and (b) is the key of an oil filter device. FIG. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the state of oil pressure of each part in the oil filter device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A corresponds to a state where the oil pressure of oil shown in FIG. 5 is low, and FIG. 7 corresponds to a transient state where the oil pressure of oil changes from low pressure to high pressure, and FIG. 7C corresponds to a state where the oil pressure of oil shown in FIG. 7 is high.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, the oil filter device is illustrated as being incorporated in a valve body equipped in a control valve unit of an automatic transmission. However, the oil filter device according to the present invention is not limited to a transmission. The hydraulic circuit is effective and is not limited to this.

〔Device configuration〕
First, the configuration of the oil filter device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a case portion (case) 10 having a cylindrical space 10 a therein is formed in a part of the valve body main body (upper body) 1, and the cylindrical space of the case portion 10 is formed. In 10a, an outer cylinder member 20 is mounted so as to be movable in the axial direction, and an inner cylinder member 30 is fixedly mounted in the axial direction, and one end (in the figure, between the outer cylinder member 20 and the inner cylinder member 30). A cylindrical oil passage (first cylindrical oil passage) 52 through which oil flows is formed from the left end to the other end (right end in the figure).

A valve body cover (lower body) 2 is coupled to the bottom surface (lower surface in the drawing) of the valve body main body 1 with a separate plate 3 interposed therebetween.
A first opening 11, a second opening 12, a third opening 13, and a fourth opening 14 are formed in the side wall and the separate plate 3 constituting the bottom surface (the lower surface in the drawing) of the case portion 10 to which the valve body cover 2 is coupled. ing. The valve body cover 2 has a first oil passage 41, a second oil passage 42, a third oil passage 43, corresponding to the first opening 11, the second opening 12, the third opening 13, and the fourth opening 14. A fourth oil passage 44 is defined.

The outer cylinder member 20 has a distal end side by a spring (elastic member) 5 interposed between an end wall portion (second end wall portion) 21 at the base end and an end wall portion 10c of the cylindrical space 10a. It is biased toward (one end side of the cylindrical oil passage 52). In addition, although a coil spring is illustrated here as the spring 5, the kind of spring (elastic member) is not limited to this.
In addition, the inner cylinder member 30 has a flange-like outer peripheral portion 31b of a base end wall portion (first end wall portion) 31 at an end portion of the columnar space 10a (one end side of the cylindrical oil passage 52). It is locked by the snap ring 8 in contact with the formed step portion 10d.

  The columnar space 10a is opened at one end (left end in the figure) of the valve body main body 1, and the spring 5, the outer cylinder member 20 and the inner cylinder member 30 are inserted into the columnar space 10a from this opening. Thereafter, the opening is closed by the lid member 4. Here, the spring 6 is interposed in a compressed state between the lid member 4 and the end wall portion 31 of the inner cylinder member 30, so that the valve body main body 1 and the separate body are separated. By inserting the retaining plate 7 into the slit 7 a formed in the plate 3 and the valve body cover 2, the lid member 4 is fixed using the elastic reaction force of the spring 6.

  The outer cylinder member 20 is configured by forming an end wall portion 21 at the proximal end of the outer cylinder main body 22, and the outer cylinder main body 22 has a cylindrical outer periphery that is in sliding contact with a cylindrical inner wall surface 10 b that defines and forms the columnar space 10 a. The surface 22a and a tapered cylindrical inner peripheral surface (tapered inner peripheral surface) that decreases in diameter from the distal end (one end side of the cylindrical oil passage 52) to the base end (the other end side of the cylindrical oil passage 52). 22b. A tubular portion 25 projects from the end wall portion 21 at the axial center portion of the outer tube member 20 (inside the outer tube main body 22). The tubular portion 25 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 25a and a cylindrical inner peripheral surface 25b. The cylindrical inner wall surface 10b, the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 22a, the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 25a, and the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 25b are all true cylinders.

  The inner cylinder member 30 is configured by projecting an inner cylinder main body 32 from an end wall portion 31, and the inner cylinder main body 32 is separated from the tapered inner peripheral surface 22 b of the outer cylinder main body 22 and is opposed to a cylindrical shape (true A cylindrical outer peripheral surface 32a and a tapered cylindrical inner peripheral surface (tapered shape) that decreases in diameter from the distal end (the other end side of the cylindrical oil passage 52) to the base end (one end side of the cylindrical oil passage). (Inner peripheral surface) 32b. The tubular portion 25 of the outer cylinder member 20 is disposed coaxially with the axis of the inner cylinder member 30.

A cylindrical oil passage 52 is formed between the tapered inner peripheral surface 22 b of the outer cylinder main body 22 and the outer peripheral surface 32 a of the inner cylinder main body 32.
A second cylindrical oil passage 54 is formed between the tapered inner peripheral surface 32 b of the inner cylinder main body 32 and the outer peripheral surface 25 a of the tubular portion 25.
The distal end portion 23 of the outer tubular body 22 of the outer tubular member 20 and the inner wall surface 31a of the end wall portion 31 of the inner tubular member 30 are spaced apart by a certain distance or more, and the end wall portion 31 and the distal end portion of the outer tubular member 20 A space (first space) 51 is formed between the two. The space 51 expands and contracts in the axial direction according to the axial movement of the outer cylinder member 20. The first oil passage 41 and the first opening 11 face this space (first space) 51, and the oil in the first oil passage 41 can enter the space 51 from the first opening 11. The first opening 11 and the space 51 constitute an inlet through which oil enters the cylindrical oil passage 52.

The distal end portion 33 of the inner cylinder main body 32 of the inner cylinder member 30 and the inner wall surface 21a of the end wall portion 21 of the outer cylinder member 20 are also spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. A space (second space) 53 is also formed between them. The space 53 also expands and contracts in the axial direction according to the axial movement of the outer cylinder member 20.
A groove portion 24a communicating with the second opening 12 is formed on the outer periphery of the portion corresponding to the second opening 12 and the second oil passage 42 near the end wall portion 21 of the outer cylinder body 22 of the outer cylinder member 20, A through hole 24 that communicates with the groove 24 a is formed in an intermediate portion of the outer cylinder main body 22 of the cylindrical member 20 so as to penetrate the inside and outside of the outer cylinder main body 22. An annular groove 10e that communicates the groove 24a and the second opening 12 is formed in the cylindrical space 10a. Accordingly, a part of the oil in the space 53 can be discharged from the through hole 24 to the second oil passage 42 through the groove 24 a, the annular groove 10 e and the second opening 12.

The distal end portion 26 of the tubular portion 25 is configured at an axial position that coincides with the distal end portion 23 of the outer cylindrical member 20, and in the hollow portion of the end wall portion 31 of the inner cylindrical member 30, the end wall portion 31 of the inner cylindrical member 30 A space (third space) 55 is formed at a certain distance from the outer wall surface 31b. The space 55 also expands and contracts in the axial direction according to the axial movement of the outer cylinder member 20.
The space 55 communicates with a space 56 that houses the spring 6 between the inner cylinder member 30 and the lid member 4, and an internal space 57 (a space in the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 25 b) 57 of the tubular portion 25. Yes. Furthermore, the internal space 57 of the tubular portion 25 communicates with a space 58 that houses the spring 5 between the end wall portion 21 of the outer cylindrical member 20 and the end wall portion 10c of the cylindrical space 10a.

The third opening 13 and the third oil passage 43 face the space 56, and a part of the oil in the space 55 can be discharged to the third oil passage 43 through the space 56 and the third opening 13. .
Further, the fourth opening 14 and the fourth oil passage 44 face the space 58, and part of the oil in the space 55 passes through the inner space 57, the space 58, and the fourth opening 14 of the tubular portion 25, and the fourth oil passage. 44 can be discharged.

  Incidentally, the first opening 11 provided between the first oil passage 41 and the space 51 is, as shown in FIG. 2, the axial center line of the cylindrical oil passage 52, that is, the outer cylinder member 20 and the inner cylinder member 30. The oil is oriented so that the oil flows in the direction eccentric with respect to the axial center line, particularly the circumferential direction of the space 51 and the cylindrical oil passage 52. Therefore, the oil that has entered the space 51 proceeds spirally from one end to the other in the cylindrical oil passage 52 as shown in FIG.

At this time, the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b of the outer cylinder main body 22 that defines the outer periphery of the cylindrical oil passage 52 extends from the space 51 at one end of the cylindrical oil passage 52 to an intermediate portion of the cylindrical oil passage 52 or more than that. Since the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases toward the space 53 on the other end side, the oil spiral flow SF1 is gradually accelerated.
Due to the swirl component of the spiral flow, contaminants such as contamination that is heavier than the oil mixed in the oil (hereinafter referred to as contamination) is centrifuged to the outer peripheral side of the spiral flow SF1 of the oil. A part of the oil is discharged from the hole 24 to the second oil passage 42 through the groove 24a, the annular groove 10e, and the second opening 12. The space 53, the through hole 24, the groove 24a, the annular groove 10e, and the second opening 12 constitute a contamination outlet (contaminant outlet) that discharges oil containing contamination.

The remaining portion of the accelerated spiral flow SF1 of oil enters the second cylindrical oil passage 54 from the space 53, but may be accelerated in the cylindrical oil passage 52. The entering oil has a swirling component and advances in the second cylindrical oil passage 54 in a spiral shape as shown in FIG.
Also at this time, from the space 53 at one end of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 toward the space 55 at the other end by the tapered inner peripheral surface 32 b of the inner cylinder main body 32 that defines the outer periphery of the second cylindrical oil passage 54. Since the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually decreases, the spiral flow SF2 of oil gradually accelerates.

  By the swirl component of the spiral flow SF2, air that is lighter than the oil mixed in the oil is centrifuged to the inner peripheral side of the spiral flow SF2 of oil as shown in FIG. A part of the oil is discharged from the internal space 57 of the tubular portion 25 communicating with the inner peripheral side of 55 to the fourth oil passage 44 through the space 58 and the fourth opening 14. The space 57, the space 58, and the fourth opening 14 constitute an air outlet that discharges oil containing air.

The oil from which much contamination and air have been removed is discharged from the space 55 to the third oil passage 43 through the space 56 and the third opening 13. The space 56 and the third opening 13 constitute an oil outlet that discharges oil from which contamination and air have been removed by centrifugation.
The first oil passage 41 is connected to an oil passage that supplies oil of a line pressure that is pressurized and regulated by an oil pump (not shown), and the second oil passage 42 has a great influence on contamination and contamination of the oil. The third oil passage 43 is connected to an oil passage for supplying oil to a solenoid valve having a large influence of contamination in the oil, and the fourth oil passage 44 is It is connected to an air & drain circuit or a lubricating oil passage that discharges air and excess oil.

[Action and effect]
Since the oil filter device according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
First, when line pressure oil pressurized and regulated by the oil pump is introduced into the first oil passage 41, the oil enters the space 51 through the first opening 11. Since the oil from the first opening 11 flows in the circumferential direction of the space 51 and the cylindrical oil passage 52, the oil that has entered the cylindrical oil passage 52 from the space 51 has a cylindrical oil passage as shown in FIG. 3. The inside of 52 is spirally advanced from one end to the other end.

Due to the swirl component of the spiral flow, contamination that is heavier than the oil mixed in the oil is centrifuged to the outer peripheral side of the spiral flow SF1 of the oil, and the contamination including the small one from the through hole 24 to the groove 24a, The oil is discharged together with a part of oil into the second oil passage 42 through the annular groove 10 e and the second opening 12.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b of the outer cylinder main body 22 that defines the outer periphery of the cylindrical oil passage 52 flows from the space 51 at one end of the cylindrical oil passage 52 toward the space 53 at the other end. Since the road cross-sectional area is gradually reduced, the oil spiral flow SF1 is gradually accelerated, so that the centrifugal separation action by the swirl component of the spiral flow can be obtained more reliably.

The remaining portion of the spiral flow SF1 of oil enters the second cylindrical oil passage 54 from the space 53, but the oil that enters the second cylindrical oil passage 54 also has a swirl component, and FIG. As shown in (2), the gas travels in the second cylindrical oil passage 54 spirally.
By the swirl component of the spiral flow SF2, air lighter than oil mixed in the oil is centrifuged to the inner peripheral side of the spiral flow SF2 of oil, and the air communicates with the inner peripheral side of the space 55. 25 from the internal space 57 to the fourth oil passage 44 through the space 58 and the fourth opening 14 together with some oil.

Also at this time, from the space 53 at one end of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 toward the space 55 at the other end by the tapered inner peripheral surface 32 b of the inner cylinder main body 32 that defines the outer periphery of the second cylindrical oil passage 54. Since the flow path cross-sectional area is gradually reduced, the oil spiral flow SF2 is gradually accelerated, so that the centrifugal separation action by the swirl component of the spiral flow can be obtained more reliably.
Then, the oil from which most of the contamination and air have been removed is discharged from the space 55 to the third oil passage 43 through the space 56 and the third opening 13.

  In this way, the oil from which most of the contaminants and air, including small ones, have been removed, is supplied to the oil passage that supplies oil to the solenoid valve connected to the third oil passage 43. The solenoid valve having a large influence of contamination is supplied with oil from which much of the contamination and air have been removed, and the possibility of astringency occurring in the solenoid valve can be eliminated. Further, when the mixing ratio of air in the oil increases, pressure regulation varies and causes oil vibration (hydraulic vibration), but such a risk can also be avoided. Therefore, it is particularly effective for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in which air is likely to be mixed into the oil because of its structure.

In addition, the oil containing contamination is supplied from the second oil passage 42 to a spool system valve that is not significantly affected by contamination in the oil, so that the oil can be used effectively without causing a malfunction of the valve. Can do.
Furthermore, since the oil containing air is sent from the fourth oil passage 44 to the lubricating oil passage in addition to the air and drain circuit, the oil can also be used effectively in this respect.

  By the way, in the apparatus according to the present embodiment, the outer cylinder member 20 is movable, and the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b of the outer cylinder main body 22 defining the outer periphery of the cylindrical oil passage 52 is reduced in diameter toward the downstream side. Therefore, when the flow rate of the oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 increases, the oil pushes the outer cylinder member 20 to the downstream side (right side in FIGS. 1 and 3) through the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b. As the cross-sectional area of the oil passage 52 increases and the oil pressure in the cylindrical oil passage 52 decreases, the oil pressure and the biasing force of the spring 5 are balanced.

On the contrary, when the flow rate of the oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 decreases, the force with which the oil pushes the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b to the downstream side is weakened, and the biased force of the spring 5 causes the tapered inner periphery of the outer cylinder member 20. The surface 22b is returned to the upstream side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 3), the flow passage cross-sectional area of the cylindrical oil passage 52 decreases, the oil pressure in the cylindrical oil passage 52 rises, and the oil pressure and spring The urging force of 5 is balanced.
Therefore, in the cylindrical oil passage 52, the oil is always in a certain range of pressure, the flow velocity of the swirling flow SF1 is not excessively reduced, and a centrifugal action can always be obtained.

Since the tapered inner peripheral surface 32b of the inner cylinder main body 32 that defines the outer periphery of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 is also reduced in diameter toward the downstream side, the outer cylinder member 20 has the cylindrical oil passage 52 as described above. If the inner pressure balance is moved, the cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 also changes. That is, when the flow rate of the oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 is increased and the outer cylinder member 20 is pushed downstream (right side in FIGS. 1 and 3), the flow path cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 is increased. Conversely, when the flow rate of the oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 decreases and the outer cylinder member 20 is returned to the upstream side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 3), the flow of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 is increased. Road cross-sectional area decreases.
Therefore, in the cylindrical oil passage 52 and the second cylindrical oil passage 54, the oil is always in a pressure range within a certain range, the flow velocity of the swirling flows SF1 and SF2 is not excessively reduced, and the centrifugal action is always performed. Can be obtained.

For example, FIGS. 5 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the operation according to the flow rate of oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 around the cylindrical oil passage 52.
FIG. 5 shows a case where the flow rate of the oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 is relatively small. The outer cylinder member 20 is located on the upstream side of the cylindrical oil passage 52, and one end inner wall of the outer cylinder member 20 and the case portion 10. The distance S1 is relatively large. The radial distance d11 corresponding to the flow passage cross-sectional area of the cylindrical oil passage 52 and the radial distance d21 corresponding to the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 are relatively small.

  When the hydraulic pressure levels of the spaces 51, 53, 55, and 58 at this time are indicated by P1, P2, P3, and P4, the hydraulic pressure P1 in the space 51 is cylindrical oil as shown by a solid line in FIG. Due to the pressure loss in the passage 52, the oil pressure P2 in the space 53 decreases to the oil pressure P2, and then the oil pressure P2 in the space 53 decreases to the oil pressure P3 in the space 55 due to the pressure loss in the second cylindrical oil passage 54. Thereafter, the drained oil is reduced to the hydraulic pressure P4 in the space 58 due to pressure loss in the internal space 57 of the tubular portion 25 and the like when traveling from the space 55 to the space 58.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the flow rate of oil entering the cylindrical oil passage 52 has increased from the state shown in FIG. 5, and the outer cylinder member 20 moves slightly downstream of the cylindrical oil passage 52 when the oil flow rate increases. The distance S2 between the outer cylinder member 20 and the inner wall at one end of the case portion 10 is reduced (S1> S2). The pressure P1, P2, P3, P4 of each part rises from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 8B as shown by the two-dot chain line (see shaded area). For this reason, the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b of the outer cylinder main body 22 is pushed downstream, and the radial distance d12 corresponding to the flow passage cross-sectional area of the cylindrical oil passage 52 and the flow passage break of the second cylindrical oil passage 54 are obtained. The radial distance d22 corresponding to the area starts to increase.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the tapered inner peripheral surface 22b of the outer cylinder main body 22 is pushed downstream from the state shown in FIG. 6 and the oil pressure and the urging force of the spring 5 are balanced. In this state, the outer cylinder member 20 further moves to the downstream side of the cylindrical oil passage 52, and the distance S3 between the outer cylinder member 20 and one end inner wall of the case portion 10 is further reduced (S2> S3). Both the radial distance d13 corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of the cylindrical oil passage 52 and the radial distance d23 corresponding to the flow path cross-sectional area of the second cylindrical oil path 54 increase, and the pressures P1, P2, and P2 of each part increase. P3 and P4 settle into a state indicated by a two-dot chain line through a state indicated by a solid line in FIG.

Therefore, even for an oil pump whose flow rate varies greatly, such as an engine-driven oil pump, it is possible to obtain a filter effect by centrifugation without causing excessive pressure loss in a wide operating range of the oil pump.
In addition, unlike the filter element using a strainer type mesh filter or filter paper, this device does not incur a large pressure loss, and even a relatively small contamination can be separated from the oil. Since the passage 52 and the simple structure in which the oil enters the cylindrical oil passage 52 with a swirling component, the size can be easily reduced, and the oil can be easily incorporated into the valve body 1.

[Others]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, this embodiment is changed suitably or one part is employ | adopted. Can be implemented.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, a unique effect is obtained by adopting the tapered inner peripheral surfaces 22b and 32b. However, the tapered inner peripheral surfaces 22b and 32b are partly adopted or not adopted, but a true cylindrical surface. Etc. may be used.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the outer cylinder member 20 was made movable, this is not essential.
Furthermore, although the tubular part 25 is provided in the outer cylinder member 20 to enable air bleeding, this is not essential, and only contamination removal may be employed.

  It is effective for use in a hydraulic circuit of an automobile transmission, particularly an automatic transmission.

1 Valve body (upper body)
2 Valve body cover (lower body)
3 Separate plate 5 Spring (elastic member)
10 Case part (case)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10a Cylindrical space 10b Cylindrical inner wall surface 10c which divides and forms columnar space 10a End wall part 11-14 of cylindrical space 10a Opening 20 Outer cylinder member 21 End wall part (2nd end wall part) of outer cylinder member 20
22a Cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 20 22b Inner peripheral surface (tapered inner peripheral surface) of the outer cylindrical member 20
24 Through-hole 25 Tubular part 30 Inner cylinder member 31 End wall part (first end wall part) of inner cylinder member 30
32a Cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 30 32b Inner peripheral surface (tapered inner peripheral surface) of the inner cylindrical member 30
41 to 44 Oil passage 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58 Space 52 Cylindrical oil passage (first cylindrical oil passage)
54 Second cylindrical oil passage

Claims (7)

Interposed in the hydraulic circuit,
A cylindrical oil passage;
An inlet that is provided on a side surface of one end of the cylindrical oil passage and spirally enters oil into the cylindrical oil passage;
Mixing that discharges contaminants whose mass is centrifugally separated to the outer peripheral side by the spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage provided at the intermediate portion of the cylindrical oil passage or the outer peripheral portion on the other end side of the cylindrical oil passage. The outlet,
An oil outlet that is provided in communication with an inner peripheral portion of the other end of the cylindrical oil passage and that discharges oil obtained by centrifuging the contaminants by a spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage. An oil filter device that is characterized. 2. The oil filter device according to claim 1, wherein a flow passage area of the cylindrical oil passage is reduced from the one end to the other end. A case having a cylindrical space inside;
An outer cylinder member having a tapered inner peripheral surface that is movably housed in the cylindrical space in the axial direction and has a diameter that decreases from the one end to the other end;
It is fixed to the case and is coaxially inserted inside the outer cylinder member with a gap therebetween, facing the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member, and going from the one end to the other end. An inner cylinder member having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface approaching the surface;
An elastic member that urges the outer cylinder member toward the one end,
The oil filter device according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical oil passage is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder member and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member. A first end wall portion formed on the one end side of the inner cylinder member;
A second end wall formed on the other end side of the outer cylinder member;
A first space formed between the first end wall portion and a tip portion on the one end side of the outer cylinder member;
A second space formed between the second end wall portion and a tip portion on the other end side of the inner cylinder member;
A first opening formed by being oriented so that oil flows in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical oil passage on a side wall of the case facing the first space;
A through hole formed in the axial intermediate portion of the outer cylinder member so as to communicate the inside and outside of the outer cylinder member;
A second opening formed in the side wall of the case so as to communicate with the through hole;
An oil passage formed inside the inner cylinder member so as to extend from the other end side to the one end side;
A third opening formed on the side wall of the case so as to communicate with the oil flow path;
The inlet is constituted by the first opening;
The contaminant outlet is constituted by the through hole and the second opening,
The oil filter device according to claim 3, wherein the oil outlet is constituted by the oil passage and the third opening. A tubular portion that protrudes from the second end wall portion of the outer cylinder member so as to extend toward the one end, and is disposed inside the oil flow path;
The inner cylinder member is partitioned and formed by an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion, and the spiral flow of the oil in the cylindrical oil passage is kept spiral from the other end side to the one end side. A second cylindrical oil passage that circulates;
An air outlet that discharges air that has been centrifuged to the inner peripheral side by a spiral flow in the cylindrical oil passage and in the second cylindrical oil passage;
The oil filter device according to claim 4, further comprising: the oil outlet that discharges oil obtained by centrifuging the contaminants and the air. The inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member is formed in a tapered shape that decreases in diameter as it goes from the other end to the one end,
The oil filter device according to claim 5, wherein the second cylindrical oil passage has a flow passage area that is reduced from the other end to the one end. Built in a valve unit interposed in the hydraulic circuit of an automatic transmission for vehicles,
A line pressure oil passage is connected to the inlet,
The oil outlet is connected to an oil passage of the original pressure of a solenoid valve equipped in the valve unit,
The oil filter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an oil passage of a spool valve provided in the valve unit is connected to the contaminant outlet.

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