JP2021116911A - Lubrication structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent an oil strainer from suctioning air without deteriorating fluidity of a lubrication oil in a state that the lubrication oil is unevenly distributed, such as when a vehicle starts rapidly.SOLUTION: A lubrication structure is used in a vehicle power transmission mechanism and includes: a rotating body formed with a storage recessed part opening on an outer peripheral surface; and a buoyancy member which is attached to the rotating body and changes buoyancy according to a state that the buoyancy member is immersed in a lubrication oil. The rotating body can rotate between a storage position, in which the lubrication oil is stored in the storage recessed part, and a discharge position, in which the lubrication oil is discharged from the storage recessed part, in response to change of the buoyancy occurring in the buoyancy member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a lubrication structure used in a vehicle power transmission mechanism.

As a power transmission mechanism provided with a lubrication structure, for example, there is a speed change mechanism of a vehicle.
In the lubricating structure for the speed change mechanism of a vehicle, the lubricating oil stored in the space as an oil storage part where the lubricating oil is temporarily stored is sucked up by the oil strainer and flowed toward each part constituting the speed change mechanism. NS.
In the lubricating structure in which the oil strainer is arranged, the suction port for sucking the lubricating oil provided in the oil strainer is in a state of being submerged in the lubricating oil, so that the lubricating oil can be circulated appropriately. can.
However, when the vehicle suddenly starts or brakes, or when traveling on a steep slope, the stored oil is fluidized by a sudden speed change and is biased toward the front or rear side of the vehicle, and the suction port is larger than the oil. It is located above and there is a risk that air will flow in from the suction port. The inflow of air from the suction port causes insufficient lubrication of each part and may cause a so-called judder phenomenon such as abnormal vibration.

Therefore, in order to quickly eliminate the bias of the lubricating oil, for example, a structure as in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

JP-A-2009-127667

In Patent Document 1, the first opening and the second opening that communicate both spaces with an adapter plate (partition wall) provided between the first space (gear chamber) and the second space (extension chamber) are separated vertically. A technique is described in which the lubricating oil can be quickly returned to the first space through both openings when most of the lubricating oil has moved to the second space.

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the adapter plate hinders the fluidity of the lubricating oil, making it difficult for the lubricating oil to flow.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to prevent air suction of the oil strainer without hindering the fluidity of the lubricating oil in a state where the lubricating oil is biased, such as when the vehicle suddenly starts.

The lubrication structure according to the present invention is a lubrication structure used for a vehicle power transmission mechanism, in which a rotating body having a storage recess formed on the outer peripheral surface and a rotating body attached to the rotating body are submerged in lubricating oil. The rotating body includes a buoyancy member whose buoyancy changes accordingly, and the rotating body has a buoyancy member between a storage position where lubricating oil is stored in the storage recess and a discharge position where lubricating oil is discharged from the storage recess. It is said that it can rotate according to the change in buoyancy that occurs in.
When the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position, the lubricating oil stored in the storage recess is discharged to the outside of the rotating body, and the amount of lubricating oil flowing outside the rotating body increases.

The lubrication structure described above may include a regulating unit that regulates rotation of the rotating body at the storage position and the discharge position.
The rotation of the rotating body is regulated by the regulation unit, and the rotating body is held in the storage position and the discharge position.

In the lubrication structure described above, the shaft portion on which the rotating body is supported may be provided, and the regulation portion may be provided on the shaft portion.
As a result, the shaft portion has a function of restricting the rotation of the rotating body in addition to the function of supporting the rotating body.

The lubrication structure described above may include a return portion that rotates the rotating body from the discharge position to the storage position.
As a result, when the buoyancy generated in the buoyancy member decreases, the rotating body is rotated toward the storage position by the return portion.

In the above-mentioned lubrication structure, a return recess for storing lubricating oil is formed as the return portion in a state where the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position, and the return recess and the storage recess are in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. It may be formed at a distance from each other.
As a result, the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position, the lubricating oil is discharged from the storage recess, and then the rotating body is rotated toward the storage position again.

In the above-mentioned lubrication structure, when the rotating body is rotated to the storage position, at least a part of the return recess may be located below the bottom of the return recess.
As a result, all the lubricating oil that has flowed into the return recess at the storage position is discharged to the outside of the rotating body.

In the above-mentioned lubrication structure, at least a part of the opening edge of the storage recess may be located below the bottom of the storage recess in a state where the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position.
As a result, all the lubricating oil that has flowed into the storage recess at the discharge position is discharged to the outside of the rotating body.

According to the present invention, when the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position, the lubricating oil stored in the storage recess is discharged to the outside of the rotating body, and the amount of lubricating oil flowing outside the rotating body increases. It is possible to prevent air suction from the oil strainer without hindering the fluidity of the lubricating oil in a state where the lubricating oil is biased, such as when the vehicle suddenly starts.

It is the schematic which shows the vehicle which applied the lubrication structure of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of an oil circulation mechanism. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part was rotated to the storage position. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part was rotated to the discharge position. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part is rotated to the storage position, and the state which oil is not stored in the storage recess. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part was rotated to the storage position, and the state which oil was stored in the storage recess. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of the oil circulation mechanism in the state where the oil is biased to the rear of a vehicle. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of the oil circulation mechanism in a state where the oil is further biased to the rear of a vehicle. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part is rotated to the discharge position, and the oil stored in a storage recess is discharged. It is a schematic side view which shows a part of the oil circulation mechanism in the state where the oil level is raised by discharging the oil stored in the storage recess. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part was rotated to the discharge position in the state where the oil level was lowered. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part was rotated to the discharge position, and the state which oil was stored in the return recess. It is a front view which shows the state which the rotating body of the oil amount adjustment part is rotated to the storage position, and the oil stored in the return recess is discharged.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the lubrication structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The lubrication structure of the present invention is used in the following oil circulation mechanism.

<1. Structure of oil circulation mechanism>
The configuration of the oil circulation mechanism in the embodiment will be described.
In the following description, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are described with the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 as the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 enables smooth operation of the engine 2, the transmission mechanism 1 for making the gear ratio variable when transmitting the power obtained from the engine 2 to the wheels, and the transmission mechanism 1. It is provided with an oil circulation mechanism 3 for supplying lubricating oil (ATF: Automatic Transmission Fluid) for the operation, and a control unit 4 which is composed of, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and controls each part.
In the following description, the lubricating oil is simply referred to as "oil".

A hydraulic pressure is used to change the gear ratio of the transmission mechanism 1, and the oil pressure is supplied by the oil circulation mechanism 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the oil circulation mechanism 3 is composed of a transmission case 5 in which the transmission mechanism 1 is arranged, an oil amount adjusting unit 6 arranged in the internal space of the transmission case 5, and an oil amount adjusting unit 6. An oil pan 7 that is arranged below and stores oil OL dripping from each part, an oil pump (not shown) that sucks oil OL from the oil pan 7, and an oil filter that removes impurities contained in oil OL when sucking oil OL. The oil strainer 8 is provided inside, and a valve unit (not shown) for selectively supplying oil to each part for operating the speed change mechanism 1.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the positional relationship between the transmission case 5, the oil amount adjusting unit 6, the oil pan 7, and the oil strainer 8 in the oil circulation mechanism 3. Illustration of other members arranged around the oil amount adjusting unit 6 and the oil strainer 8 is omitted.

When the vehicle 100 suddenly starts or climbs a slope, the oil OL is biased to the rear side as shown by the broken line A in FIG. Further, when the vehicle 100 is suddenly braked or descends a slope, the oil OL is biased to the front side as shown by the broken line B in FIG. The broken line A and the broken line B are lines that conceptually indicate the oil level.

The oil strainer 8 has a suction port 8a opened downward at the lower end portion.

The oil amount adjusting unit 6 may have a function as a volume filling member arranged in the gap between the members arranged in the internal space of the transmission case 5. The volume packing member is a member provided to reduce the empty space in order to reduce the amount of oil of the oil OL flowing inside the transmission case 5.

Since the oil amount adjusting unit 6 is arranged in the internal space of the transmission case 5 as a volume filling member to reduce the empty space, the amount of oil in the oil OL circulating inside the transmission case 5 can be reduced. In this case, by adopting a hollow structure or the like for the oil amount adjusting unit 6 and making the specific gravity of the oil amount adjusting unit 6 smaller than the specific gravity of the oil OL, the weight of the entire transmission can be reduced, and the fuel consumption of the vehicle 100 can be reduced. Improvement is planned.

The oil amount adjusting unit 6 is arranged behind the oil strainer 8.

The front view of the oil amount adjusting unit 6 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
The oil amount adjusting unit 6 is attached to, for example, a shaft-shaped member (not shown) such as a primary shaft or a secondary shaft arranged inside the transmission case 5.
The oil amount adjusting unit 6 includes a rotating body 9, a shaft portion 10, and a buoyancy member 11.

The rotating body 9 is formed in a flat shape in which the front-rear direction is the thickness direction (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4).
The rotation direction in which the rotating body 9 rotates clockwise when viewed from the front is defined as the first direction DR1 (see FIG. 3). Further, the rotation direction in which the rotating body 9 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front is defined as the second direction DR2 (see FIG. 4).

The outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 9 has an arcuate surface 9a formed in an arc shape and a flat surface 9b that is continuous with the arcuate surface 9a and faces downward at a storage position described later.
A supported hole 12 penetrated in the front-rear direction is formed in a substantially central portion of the rotating body 9.
The rotating body 9 is formed with a storage recess 13 and a return recess 14 opened in the arcuate surface 9a, respectively. The storage recess 13 and the return recess 14 are formed so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating body 9.
Further, a regulated portion 15 projecting forward is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the front surface 9c of the rotating body 9.

The storage recess 13 is a space for storing oil OL, and is formed by a bottom portion 13b located on the outer peripheral side of the supported hole 12 and a peripheral surface portion 13c located from the opening edge 13a to the bottom portion 13b.

The peripheral surface portion 13c has a first surface portion 16 and a second surface portion 17 that are separated from each other in the rotation direction of the rotating body 9.

The return recess 14 is provided as a return portion for returning the rotating body 9 to a predetermined position.
The return recess 14 is a space for storing oil OL, and is formed by a bottom portion 14b located on the outer peripheral side of the supported hole 12 and a peripheral surface portion 14c located from the opening edge 14a to the bottom portion 14b.

The peripheral surface portion 14c has a third surface portion 18 and a fourth surface portion 19 that are separated from each other in the rotation direction of the rotating body 9.

Of the first surface portion 16 and the second surface portion 17 of the storage recess 13, the one farther from the return recess 14 is the first surface portion 16, and the one closer to the return recess 14 is the second surface portion 17.
Of the third surface portion 18 and the fourth surface portion 19 of the return recess 14, the one closer to the storage recess 13 is the third surface portion 18, and the one farther from the storage recess 13 is the fourth surface portion 19.

The rotating body 9 is rotatable between the storage position and the discharge position.
The rotating body 9 has a “storage position” in which the center line of the storage recess 13 in the circumferential direction substantially coincides with the vertical line V passing through the center of the rotating body 9 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the storage recess 13 is opened directly above.
Further, the rotating body 9 is defined as a "discharge position" in a state in which the second surface portion 17 of the storage recess 13 is substantially aligned with the vertical line V passing through the center of the rotating body 9 or is located in the vicinity of the vertical line V. (See Fig. 4).

The shaft portion 10 includes a support portion 20, a regulation portion 21, and a mounting portion 22.
The support portion 20 has a cylindrical shape with the axial direction in the front-rear direction and substantially the same diameter as the supported hole 12 of the rotating body 9. The support portion 20 is inserted into the supported hole 12 to support the rotating body 9.
The support portion 20 may be formed in a tubular shape having a hollow structure, whereby the weight of the oil amount adjusting portion 6 can be reduced.

The regulating portion 21 has a substantially disk shape that faces in the front-rear direction and has a diameter larger than that of the support portion 20, and is formed in a substantially flange shape that projects outward from the front end portion of the support portion 20. The regulating portion 21 is formed with a notch that is partially opened outward in the circumferential direction. The notch is formed, for example, in a region of approximately 45 degrees in the circumferential direction of the regulating portion 21. The pair of surfaces that form the notch and are separated in the circumferential direction are a first regulation surface 23 and a second regulation surface 24 that regulate the rotation of the rotating body 9, respectively.

The first regulation surface 23 restricts the rotation of the rotating body 9 in the second direction DR2 by abutting the regulated portion 15, and holds the rotating body 9 in the storage position.

The second regulation surface 24 regulates the rotation of the rotating body 9 in the first direction DR1 by abutting the regulated portion 15, and holds the rotating body 9 at the discharge position.

The mounting portion 22 of the shaft portion 10 is formed in a flange shape protruding outward from the rear end portion of the support portion 20, and has a diameter larger than that of the rotating body 9.
The mounting portion 22 is fixed to another member arranged inside the transmission case 5.

As described above, the oil amount adjusting portion 6 includes the shaft portion 10 on which the rotating body 9 is supported, and the regulating portion 21 is provided on the shaft portion 10, so that the shaft portion 10 supports the rotating body 9. In addition to the function, it has a function of restricting the rotation of the rotating body 9.
Therefore, the support function of the rotating body 9 and the function of restricting the rotation of the rotating body 9 can be integrated in the shaft portion 10, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to secure a stable operating state of the rotating body 9 while reducing costs and assembling man-hours.

The buoyancy member 11 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape whose axial direction is the front-rear direction, is near the connecting portion between the arcuate surface 9a and the plane 9b of the rotating body 9, and is attached to the lower left portion of the front surface 9c in front view. The buoyancy changes according to the oil submerged state with respect to the oil OL.

The buoyancy member 11 is, for example, NBR (acrylonitrile / butadiene rubber), a synthetic resin such as phenol resin, polyurethane, polyester or polyamide, or a fiber reinforcing resin obtained by adding fibers such as glass fiber or ceramic fiber to the synthetic resin. It is possible to form.

The buoyancy member 11 is preferably made of a member having oil resistance and a specific gravity smaller than that of the oil OL.

Even if the specific gravity of the material forming the buoyancy member 11 is larger than that of the oil OL, the specific gravity of the buoyancy member 11 can be made smaller than that of the oil OL by making the buoyancy member 11 a hollow structure.

In the above configuration, the rotating body 9 is positioned at the storage position in a situation where the vehicle 100 is traveling on a flat or gently inclined road at a constant speed or a speed without large acceleration / deceleration. It is desirable that the state is maintained. For example, when the buoyancy member 11 is not submerged in oil, gravity acting on the buoyancy member 11 generates a force to rotate the rotating body 9 in the second direction DR2, and the state of being positioned at the storage position is maintained. You may. Alternatively, the center of gravity of the rotating body 9 may be located on the left side of the center of the rotating body 9 in the front view while the rotating body 9 is located at the storage position. As a result, the rotating body 9 is held in the storage position.

<2. Operation of oil amount adjustment unit>
The operation of the oil amount adjusting unit 6 will be described with reference to each figure.
FIG. 5 is an example of a rotating body 9 in a vehicle 100 traveling on a flat or gently inclined road at a constant speed or a speed not accompanied by a large acceleration / deceleration or a stopped vehicle 100. Indicates that is being held in the storage position. Further, FIG. 5 shows a state in which oil OL is not stored in the storage recess 13 and the return recess 14 of the rotating body 9.

At the storage position, as described above, the restricted portion 15 is in contact with the first regulated surface 23 of the regulated portion 21, so that the rotation of the rotating body 9 in the second direction DR2 is restricted.
At this time, the oil level S of the oil OL is located below the buoyancy member 11, and there is a gap 30 between the buoyancy member 11 and the oil level S.

During the operation of the oil circulation mechanism 3, the oil OL stored in the oil pan 7 is supplied to each part via the oil strainer 8, the oil pump and the valve unit.
The oil OL supplied to each part is used for lubrication and cooling, and then drops from each part and reduced to the oil pan 7. In this process, a part of the oil OL flows into the storage recess 13 of the rotating body 9 and is stored (see FIG. 6).

In the state where the rotating body 9 is present at the storage position, a part of the dropped oil OL also flows into the return recess 14 of the rotating body 9, but a part of the opening edge 14a of the return recess 14 is at the bottom. Since the position is lower than 14b, the oil OL that has flowed into the return recess 14 is quickly discharged from the return recess 14 and is not stored in the return recess 14.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the oil OL is stored only in the storage recess 13 when the vehicle 100 is traveling on a gentle slope or traveling without abrupt acceleration / deceleration.

When the vehicle 100 makes a sudden start or when the vehicle 100 is in a climbing state, the oil OL inside the transmission case 5 starts to be biased toward the rear side as shown in FIG. 7.
Along with this, the oil level S near the oil amount adjusting unit 6 rises. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is maintained in an oil-submerged state unless the oil OL is excessively biased toward the rear side.

As described above, when the vehicle 100 suddenly starts, the oil OL is biased toward the rear side and the oil level S in the vicinity of the rotating body 9 rises, but there is a gap 30 between the buoyancy member 11 and the oil level S. Therefore, when the bias of the oil OL is not excessive, the oil level S is positioned below the buoyancy member 11.
Therefore, the rotating body 9 is configured not to rotate when the suction port 8a is kept in the oil-submerged state even when the vehicle 100 suddenly starts due to the existence of the gap 30, and the rotating body 9 is unnecessary. It is possible to prevent rotation and ensure an appropriate storage state of oil OL in the storage recess 13.

On the other hand, when a large acceleration / deceleration occurs due to a sudden start or when traveling on a steep uphill, the oil level S of the oil OL near the oil amount adjusting unit 6 may rise further from the state shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the buoyancy member 11 is immersed in the oil OL to change the oil submerged state of the buoyancy member 11, and the rotating body 9 moves from the storage position to the discharge position first. It is rotated in the direction DR1. When the rotating body 9 is rotated in the first direction DR1, the regulated portion 15 is brought into contact with the second regulating surface 24 of the regulating portion 21, the rotation of the rotating body 9 is restricted, and the rotating body 9 is held at the discharge position. ..

When the rotating body 9 is rotated to the discharge position, the oil OL stored in the storage recess 13 is discharged to the outside from the storage recess 13 as shown by the arrow D1 in FIG.
When the oil OL is discharged from the storage recess 13, the oil level S of the oil OL rises as shown by the arrow D2 in FIG. 10, and the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is made difficult to be exposed from the oil OL.

When the acceleration of the vehicle 100 and the climbing run are completed, the oil OL flows forward and the oil level S becomes substantially horizontal (see FIG. 11).
The buoyancy member 11 is in a state of being separated upward from the oil level S, but the rotating body 9 is in a state of being held at the discharge position.

At this time, since the vehicle 100 is running, the oil OL is continuously circulated by the oil circulation mechanism 3, the oil OL supplied to each part is dropped from each part, and a part is a return recess 14 of the rotating body 9. And is stored in the return recess 14 (see FIG. 12).

On the other hand, in a state where the rotating body 9 is rotated to the discharge position, the first surface portion 16 of the storage recess 13 is formed so as to be displaced downward from the bottom portion 13b toward the opening edge 13a.
In other words, in the state where the rotating body 9 is rotated to the discharge position, at least a part of the opening edge 13a of the storage recess 13 is located below the bottom 13b of the storage recess 13.

As a result, all the oil OL that has flowed into the storage recess 13 at the discharge position is discharged to the outside of the rotating body 9.
Therefore, the oil OL stored in the storage recess 13 can be effectively used to ensure that the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is not exposed from the oil surface S. Further, since the oil OL stored in the storage recess 13 is effectively used, the amount of oil OL used in the oil circulation mechanism 3 can be reduced. As a result, the weight of the oil circulation mechanism 3 can be reduced, and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 100 can be improved.

When a predetermined amount or more of oil OL is stored in the return recess 14, the rotating body 9 rotates from the discharge position to the storage position due to the weight of the stored oil OL.
In the process of rotating the rotating body 9 from the discharge position to the storage position, the oil OL stored in the return recess 14 is discharged to the outside from the return recess 14, as shown by the arrow D3 in FIG.

When the rotating body 9 is rotated toward the storage position and the regulated portion 15 comes into contact with the first regulating surface 23 of the regulating portion 21, the rotation of the rotating body 9 in the second direction DR2 is restricted, and the rotating body 9 is restricted. Is held again in the storage position (see FIG. 13).

The fourth surface portion 19 of the return recess 14 is formed so as to be displaced downward from the bottom portion 14b toward the opening edge 14a in a state where the rotating body 9 is rotated to the storage position.
In other words, in a state where the rotating body 9 is rotated to the storage position (see FIG. 13), at least a part of the return recess 14 at the opening edge 14a is located below the bottom 14b of the return recess 14.

As a result, all the oil OL that has flowed into the return recess 14 at the storage position is discharged to the outside of the rotating body 9.
Therefore, the oil OL stored in the return recess 14 is effectively used for lubrication of each part arranged inside the transmission case 5, and a good lubrication state for each part arranged inside the transmission case 5 is ensured. Can be done.
Further, since the oil OL is not stored in the return recess 14, the rotating body 9 can be properly rotated from the storage position to the discharge position.

The oil OL stored in the return recess 14 is discharged to the outside in a state where the rotating body 9 is rotated to the storage position, so that the oil OL is stored in both the storage recess 13 and the return recess 14 shown in FIG. Return to no state. Therefore, the oil OL is ready to be stored in the storage recess 13 again.

As described above, the rotating body 9 has a "storage position" (see FIG. 3) whose rotation is regulated by the first regulation surface 23 and a "discharge position" (see FIG. 4) whose rotation is regulated by the second regulation surface 24. It is said that it can rotate between and.
That is, by providing the regulation unit 21 (first regulation surface 23 and second regulation surface 24) that regulates the rotation of the rotating body 9 at the storage position and the discharge position, the rotation of the rotating body 9 is regulated by the regulation unit 21. The rotating body 9 is held at the storage position and the discharge position.
Therefore, by holding the rotating body 9 in the storage position or the discharge position, the oil OL can be appropriately stored in the storage recess 13 and the oil OL can be appropriately discharged from the storage recess 13.

Further, the rotating body 9 is formed with a return recess 14 in which the oil OL is stored in a state of being rotated to the discharge position, and the return recess 14 and the storage recess 13 are formed so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating body 9. ..
As a result, the rotating body 9 is rotated to the discharge position, the oil OL is discharged from the storage recess 13, and then the rotating body 9 is rotated toward the storage position again.
Therefore, it is possible to repeatedly store and discharge the oil OL in the storage recess 13, and it is possible to repeatedly prevent the inflow of air into the oil strainer 8 each time the vehicle 100 is suddenly started or the like.

The means for rotating the rotating body 9 from the discharge position to the storage position does not have to be the return recess 14. For example, it may be realized by using a spring member or the like.
Specifically, by providing the rotating body 9 with a spring member having an urging force to rotate the rotating body 9 in the second direction DR2, the rotating body 9 can be rotated from the discharge position to the storage position. .. The spring constant of the spring member may be set so that the rotating body 9 can rotate from the storage position to the discharge position according to the change in the buoyancy generated in the buoyancy member 11.

In this way, the return recess 14 and the spring member are provided as a return portion for returning the rotating body 9 from the discharge position to the storage position.
That is, the oil amount adjusting unit 6 is provided with a return unit that rotates the rotating body 9 from the discharge position to the storage position, so that when the buoyancy generated in the buoyancy member 11 decreases, the rotating body 9 is moved to the storage position by the return unit. Rotated towards.
Therefore, when the rotating body 9 is not suddenly started or the like, the rotating body 9 can be reliably rotated to the storage position to store the oil OL, and the inflow of air into the oil strainer 8 can be prevented.

<3. Summary>
As described with reference to each figure, the oil amount adjusting unit 6 is a lubrication structure used for the power transmission mechanism (transmission mechanism 1) of the vehicle 100, and is a storage that opens on the outer peripheral surface (arc surface 9a). The rotating body 9 includes a rotating body 9 having a recess 13 formed therein, and a buoyancy member 11 attached to the rotating body 9 and whose buoyancy changes according to a state of being submerged in lubricating oil. It is made rotatable between the storage position where the oil is stored and the discharge position where the lubricating oil is discharged from the storage recess 13 according to the change in the buoyancy generated in the buoyancy member 11.
When the rotating body 9 is rotated to the discharge position, the oil OL stored in the storage recess 13 is discharged to the outside of the rotating body 9, and the amount of oil OL flowing outside the rotating body 9 increases.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the oil strainer 8 from sucking air without hindering the fluidity of the oil OL in a state where the oil OL is biased, such as when the vehicle 100 suddenly starts.

Further, according to the above-described configuration, when the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is unlikely to be exposed from the oil OL, such as when the vehicle 100 is traveling on a gentle slope or when traveling without abrupt acceleration / deceleration. Is maintained in a state in which the oil OL is stored in the storage recess 13.
As a result, the amount of oil OL circulating outside the rotating body 9 is reduced, and the oil level S of the oil OL stored below the rotating body 9 is lowered. Therefore, it is prevented that the lower end portion of the rotating member other than the rotating body 9 arranged in the internal space of the transmission case 5 is unnecessarily submerged in oil, and the stirring resistance of the rotating member with respect to the oil OL is prevented from increasing. be able to. As a result, the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 100 can be improved.

In the above example, when the vehicle 100 is suddenly started or the like and the oil OL is biased to the rear side, the rotating body 9 operates and the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is exposed from the oil OL. The configuration to prevent it from being stowed was explained.
Unlike the above example, when the oil OL is biased to the front side during sudden braking of the vehicle 100 or when descending a slope, the rotating body 9 operates and the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is exposed from the oil OL. You may prevent this.

Specifically, the rotating body 9 is arranged on the front side of the suction port 8a. When the oil OL is biased forward, the oil level S of the oil OL near the rotating body 9 rises, and a part of the buoyancy member 11 is submerged, so that the buoyancy acting on the buoyancy member 11 changes, and the rotating body 9 changes. Is rotated from the storage position to the discharge position, and the oil OL stored in the storage recess 13 is discharged.
As a result, the amount of oil OL flowing outside the rotating body 9 increases, the suction port 8a of the oil strainer 8 is made difficult to be exposed from the oil OL, and the judder phenomenon occurs due to the inflow of air into the oil strainer 8. It can be suppressed.

Further, in each of the above configurations, the rotating body 9 and the shaft portion 10 may have a hollow structure. As a result, the weight of each part can be reduced, which can contribute to the improvement of the fuel efficiency of the vehicle 100.

1 ... Speed change mechanism (power transmission mechanism)
6 ... Oil amount adjusting unit 9 ... Rotating body 9a ... Arc surface (outer peripheral surface)
10 ... Shaft portion 11 ... Buoyancy member 13 ... Storage recess 13a ... Opening edge 13b ... Bottom 14 ... Return recess (return portion)
14a ... Opening edge 14b ... Bottom 21 ... Regulatory part 100 ... Vehicle OL ... Oil

Claims (7)

It is a lubrication structure used for the power transmission mechanism of a vehicle.
A rotating body having a storage recess formed on the outer peripheral surface,
A buoyancy member that is attached to the rotating body and whose buoyancy changes according to the state of being submerged in lubricating oil is provided.
The rotating body is made rotatable between a storage position where the lubricating oil is stored in the storage recess and a discharge position where the lubricating oil is discharged from the storage recess according to a change in buoyancy generated in the buoyancy member. Lubricating structure. The lubrication structure according to claim 1, further comprising a regulation unit that regulates rotation of the rotating body at the storage position and the discharge position. A shaft portion on which the rotating body is supported is provided.
The lubrication structure according to claim 2, wherein the regulating portion is provided on the shaft portion. The lubrication structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a return portion for rotating the rotating body from the discharge position to the storage position. As the return portion, a return recess for storing lubricating oil is formed in a state where the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position.
The lubrication structure according to claim 4, wherein the return recess and the storage recess are formed so as to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating body. The lubrication structure according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the return recess is located below the bottom of the return recess in a state where the rotating body is rotated to the storage position. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a part of the opening edge of the storage recess is located below the bottom of the storage recess in a state where the rotating body is rotated to the discharge position. Lubricating structure.

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