JP6023539B2 - Liquid transfer device and transmission lubrication device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid transport device that transports a liquid, and a transmission lubrication device that includes the liquid transport device.

  A transmission to which a dry sump type lubrication system is applied is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). Further, as a pump for driving the working fluid of the Rankine cycle device, a heater connected to a pipe connected between a pair of one-way valves arranged in the circulation path of the working fluid, and vaporizing and liquefying the working fluid in the pipe; A configuration in which coolers are arranged in series is known. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 2 and 3). This technique requires energy to vaporize the working fluid in the heater.

JP-A-9-177951 Japanese Patent No. 4466129 Japanese Patent No. 473637

  In the transmission described in Patent Document 1, the power of an oil pump that pumps lubricating oil is obtained by a main shaft or a motor of the transmission. Moreover, in order to drive the pumps of Patent Documents 2 and 3, energy for vaporizing the working fluid is required.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a liquid transport device that can suppress energy required for transporting a liquid and a transmission lubrication device that can suppress energy loss of the transmission.

The liquid transport apparatus according to the first aspect includes a main pipe that forms a transport path for transporting a liquid to be transported, a pair of check valves arranged in series in the main pipe, and the pair of check valves in the main pipe. And a branch pipe in which at least a part of the connection side to the main pipe is filled with the liquid to be transported, and a vehicle that is provided on the opposite side of the branch pipe from the connection side to the main pipe and is applied And an oscillating flow generator that generates an oscillating flow in the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe using the ineffective energy generated in step (b).

In the liquid transport device according to the first aspect, when an oscillating flow is generated in the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe, the check valve on the downstream side in the transport direction is opened at the timing when the liquid to be transported is pushed between the pair of check valves in the main pipe. Then, the liquid to be transported is discharged. On the other hand, at the timing when the transported liquid is discharged from between the pair of check valves in the main pipe, the check valve on the upstream side in the transport direction is opened and the transported liquid is sucked.

  Here, in this liquid transport apparatus, the vibration flow of the driving fluid is generated in the vibration flow generation unit using invalid energy generated in the vehicle. For this reason, compared with the case where an oscillating flow generation part is operated with the energy from an exclusive energy source, the energy which should be given to the oscillating flow generation part can be restrained small.

Thus, in the liquid transport apparatus according to the first aspect , the energy required for transporting the liquid can be kept low. Ineffective energy generated in the vehicle includes thermal energy that should be discarded (externally released), vibration energy that should be absorbed or attenuated, and that will not actively absorb or attenuate but does not contribute to the function of the vehicle. Vibration energy, kinetic energy, etc. can be mentioned.

The liquid transport device according to a second aspect is the liquid transport device according to the first aspect , wherein the oscillating flow generator is driven in a liquid phase in a communicating portion that is in communication with a side opposite to the connecting side of the branch pipe to the main pipe. An evaporating unit for evaporating the fluid and a condensing unit for condensing the gas-phase driving fluid in the branch pipe are included.

In the liquid transport device of the second aspect , the driving fluid evaporated (expanded) in the evaporation unit is condensed (contracted) in the condensing unit, so that an oscillating flow of the driving fluid is generated. Also occurs oscillatory flow to the conveyed liquid by oscillatory flow of the motive flow body, conveyance of the conveying fluid in the main pipe is performed. In this configuration, for example, heat energy discarded in the evaporation unit can be used as invalid energy.

The liquid transport apparatus according to a third aspect is the liquid transport apparatus according to the second aspect , wherein the driving fluid is a fluid having a boiling point lower than that of the liquid to be transported.

In the liquid transport apparatus according to the third aspect , the driving fluid is different from the liquid to be transported, and the boiling point of the driving fluid is lower than the boiling point of the liquid to be transported, so that the composition of the liquid to be transported is not limited. An oscillating flow can be generated in the driving fluid. That is, by setting the type (boiling point) of the driving fluid according to the state of energy (temperature, etc.) used in the oscillating flow generator, the liquid to be transported is good regardless of the composition (characteristics) of the liquid to be transported. It is possible to obtain a good transport performance.

The liquid transport apparatus according to the fourth aspect is the liquid transport apparatus according to the second or third aspect , wherein a seal liquid is interposed between the driving fluid and the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe.

In the liquid conveyance device of the fourth aspect , the contact (mixing or dissolution) between the driving fluid and the liquid to be conveyed is suppressed by the seal liquid. For this reason, it is prevented or effectively suppressed that the driving fluid affects the transported liquid transported through the main pipe.

The liquid transport device according to a fifth aspect of the invention is the liquid transport device of the first aspect , wherein the oscillating flow generator is communicated with the branch pipe, filled with a driving fluid, and expanded and contracted to change the volume. It is configured to include an extendable container that can be configured and a conversion mechanism that converts mechanical vibration into expansion and contraction of the expandable container.

In the liquid transport device of the fifth aspect , when the conversion mechanism converts the mechanical vibration into the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction container, the driving fluid in the expansion and contraction container enters and exits the branch pipe to generate a vibration flow. Also occurs oscillatory flow to the conveyed liquid by oscillatory flow of the motive flow body, conveyance of the conveying fluid in the main pipe is performed. In this configuration, for example, vibration energy to be absorbed or damped in the vibration flow generator can be used as invalid energy.

The liquid transport device according to a sixth aspect is the liquid transport device according to the first aspect , wherein the oscillating flow generator is communicated with the branch pipe and filled with a driving fluid, and the volume is reduced by receiving a compressive load. And an expandable container whose volume is restored by removing the compressive load.

In the liquid transport device of the sixth aspect , when the expansion / contraction container receives a compressive force, the driving fluid in the expansion / contraction container is pushed out to the branch pipe, and when released from the compression force, the driving fluid in the branch pipe is sucked into the expansion / contraction container that is restored. As a result, an oscillating flow of the driving fluid is generated. Also occurs oscillatory flow to the conveyed liquid by vibration dynamic flow of the drive fluid, conveyance of the conveying fluid in the main pipe is performed. In this configuration, for example, kinetic (vibration) energy of a liquid or the like can be used as ineffective energy in the vibration flow generation unit.

A seventh aspect of the transmission for lubricating device is provided in the lower portion of the speed change machine, the transmission and the oil reservoir for storing lubricating oil to the extent that the transmission element does not contact the supplied lubricating oil at the top of the transmission An oil guide member guided toward the element, the main pipe having one end immersed in the oil reservoir and the other end opened in a space on the oil guide member, and the heat of the lubricating oil in the transmission A second to second configurations configured to convey the lubricating oil as the liquid to be conveyed, including an evaporating portion for evaporating the driving fluid and a condensing portion for condensing the driving fluid in the branch pipe outside the transmission . A liquid transport apparatus according to any one of the fourth aspects .

In the transmission lubrication device of the seventh aspect , the drive fluid is evaporated by heat of the lubricating oil in the transmission in the operating portion, and the drive fluid is exchanged in the condensation portion by heat exchange with air, coolant, or the like outside the transmission. Condensed. Thereby, the oscillating flow of the driving fluid is transmitted to the liquid to be conveyed in the branch pipe, and the lubricating oil is conveyed from the oil reservoir in the transmission to the oil guide. Lubricating oil conveyed to the oil guide is supplied to the transmission element from above, and the temperature is raised along with the lubrication of the transmission element to return to the oil reservoir. As a result, in the present lubricating device, the lubricating oil can be conveyed without driving the pump using the power of the transmission or external power (effective energy).

Thus, in the transmission lubrication device according to the seventh aspect, the energy loss of the transmission can be suppressed.

The transmission lubrication device according to the eighth aspect is provided at a lower portion in the transmission, and stores an oil reservoir for collecting the lubricating oil in a range where the transmission element does not contact, and the supplied lubricating oil at the upper portion of the transmission. An oil guide member that guides toward the vehicle, the main pipe having one end immersed in the oil reservoir and the other end opened on the oil guide member, and vibration of a vibration element constituting the vehicle. And a liquid transport device according to a fifth aspect configured to transport the lubricating oil as the transported liquid.

In the transmission lubrication device according to the eighth aspect , for example, the vibration of the vehicle such as the drive system support device or the suspension device is converted into the expansion / contraction of the expansion / contraction element by the conversion mechanism. Thereby, the oscillating flow of the driving fluid is transmitted to the liquid to be conveyed in the branch pipe, and the lubricating oil is conveyed from the oil reservoir in the transmission to the oil guide. The lubricating oil conveyed to the oil guide is supplied to the transmission element from above and returns to the oil reservoir. As a result, in the present lubricating device, the lubricating oil can be conveyed without driving the pump using the power of the transmission or external power (effective energy).

As described above, in the transmission lubrication device according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to suppress energy loss of the transmission.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission lubrication device that is provided at a lower portion in a transmission and that stores a lubricating oil in a range in which the transmission element does not come into contact with the lubricating oil supplied to the transmission element at an upper portion of the transmission. An oil guide member that is guided toward the main body, one end of which is immersed in the oil reservoir, and the other end of which is opened on the oil guide member, and the oil is compressed by the movement of the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir. And a liquid transport device according to a sixth aspect configured to transport the lubricating oil as the transported liquid including the telescopic container.

In the lubrication device for a transmission according to the ninth aspect , when the expansion and contraction of the expansion container is compressed due to vibration or shaking of the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir, the drive fluid is pushed out to the branch pipe, and when the expansion and contraction container is restored, the drive fluid is Sucked into. Thereby, the oscillating flow of the driving fluid is transmitted to the liquid to be conveyed in the branch pipe, and the lubricating oil is conveyed from the oil reservoir in the transmission to the oil guide. The lubricating oil conveyed to the oil guide is supplied to the transmission element from above and returns to the oil reservoir. As a result, in the present lubricating device, the lubricating oil can be conveyed without driving the pump using the power of the transmission or external power (effective energy).

Thus, in the transmission lubrication device of the ninth aspect, it is possible to suppress the energy loss of the transmission.

  As described above, the liquid transport apparatus according to the present invention can keep the energy required for transporting the liquid low. Further, the transmission lubricating device according to the present invention can reduce the stirring loss by the dry sump and can suppress the energy loss of the transmission.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the common pump main body of the liquid conveying apparatus which concerns on each embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the whole structure of the transmission with which the liquid conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the lubricating device for transmission were applied. (A) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a liquid transport device and a transmission lubrication device according to the second embodiment, and (B) is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a modification of a solid-vibration-type vibration flow generator. is there. It is. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the liquid conveying apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment, and the lubrication apparatus for transmissions.

In this specification, “second embodiment” is read as “reference example”, and “third embodiment” is read as “second embodiment”.
First, the pump body 40, which is a basic configuration common to the liquid transport apparatuses 10, 20, and 30 according to the first to third embodiments, will be described. Next, the liquid transfer devices 10, 20, and 30 will be described together with application examples to the transmission lubrication devices 100, 200, and 300.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic overall configuration of the pump body 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the pump main body 40 includes a main pipe 42. One end 42A of the main pipe 42 is immersed in the liquid to be transported Lc in a liquid storage section (the tank 44 in the illustrated example in FIG. 1) in which the liquid to be transported Lc is stored. The other end 42B of the main pipe 42 is opened at a receiving portion that forms a discharge space for the transported liquid Lc (not shown). The main pipe 42 forms a transport path through which the transported liquid Lc is transported from one end 42A to the other end 42B.

  A pair of check valves (one-way valves) 46 and 48 are arranged in series at an intermediate portion of the main pipe 42 with an interval in the flow direction of the transported liquid Lc. Each check valve 46, 48 allows the flow of the liquid to be transported from the upstream side (the one end 42A side) to the downstream side (the other end 42B) side, and from the downstream side (the other end 42B) to the upstream side (the one end 42A side). ) Is prohibited from flowing the liquid to be conveyed.

  One end 50 </ b> A of a branch pipe (merging pipe) 50 is connected to a connected portion 42 </ b> C between the pair of check valves 46 and 48 in the main pipe 42. The other end of the branch pipe 50 is connected to a vibration flow generator 52 described later. At least a part of the branch pipe 50 including the boundary with the main pipe 42 is filled with the liquid Lc to be transported.

  More specifically, the filling range of the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe 50 is at least the amplitude Ac of the oscillating flow generated by the oscillating flow generating unit 52 (the level of the liquid Lc to be transported) when the oscillating flow generating unit 52 is inactive. The length AL (> Ac) is greater than or equal to the reciprocating stroke). In other words, the liquid filled in the branch pipe 50 in the range where the distance from the boundary with the main pipe 42 of the oscillating flow exceeds the amplitude Ac can be regarded as a driving fluid (described later) regardless of the composition. That is, the driving fluid Ld may be a fluid (liquid) having the same composition as the liquid to be transported Lc, or may be a fluid having a composition (type and characteristics) different from that of the liquid to be transported Lc.

  The oscillating flow generator 52 is configured to generate the oscillating flow of the driving fluid Ld. The oscillating flow of the driving fluid is transmitted to the transported liquid Lc in the branch pipe 50, and the oscillating flow is also generated in the transported liquid Lc in the branch pipe 50. The oscillating flow generator 52 uses (recovers) ineffective energy generated in an automobile as a vehicle to which the transmission lubrication devices 100, 200, and 300 are applied as an energy source that generates an oscillating flow of the driving fluid Ld. Has been. Specific examples will be described later in each embodiment, but the ineffective energy generated in the automobile is different from the ineffective energy generated in the transmission lubrication devices 100, 200, and 300 itself, the transmission lubrication device 100, and the like. Ineffective energy generated in the part is included. Such ineffective energy includes heat energy to be discarded (released to the outside of the vehicle), solid vibration energy to be absorbed or damped, and contributes to vehicle functions that are not actively absorbed or damped. The kinetic (vibration) energy etc. of the liquid which is not performed can be illustrated. The generation mechanism of the oscillating flow will be described later together with the configurations of the transmission lubrication devices 100, 200, and 300.

  In the pump main body 40, the check valve 48 on the other end 42B side of the main pipe opens at the timing when the liquid Lc to be transported is pushed between the pair of check valves 46 and 48 in the branch pipe 50 by the oscillating flow of the driving fluid Ld. The transported liquid Lc is discharged to the other end 42B side. On the other hand, at the timing when the transported liquid Lc is discharged from between the pair of check valves 46 and 48 in the main pipe 42, the check valve 46 on the one end 42A side of the main pipe is opened, and the transported liquid Lc is sucked from the liquid storage section. It is like that.

[First Embodiment]
A liquid transport device 10 according to a first embodiment and a transmission lubrication device 100 to which the liquid transport device 10 is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the transmission TM including the transmission lubrication device 100. The transmission TM includes a housing 104 and a gear train 106 as a speed change element provided in the housing 104. The bottom of the housing 104 is an oil reservoir 104A where the lubricating oil Lb is accumulated. On the other hand, a catch tank 108 as an oil guide member is provided above the gear train 106 in the housing 104.

  The catch tank 108 receives the lubricating oil Lb conveyed by the liquid conveying device 10 as will be described later, temporarily holds the lubricating oil Lb above the gear train 106, and drops and supplies the overflowed lubricating oil Lb from the gear train 106. Has been. In other words, the catch tank 108 is configured to guide the lubricating oil Lb so as to be dropped toward the gear train 106. As described above, the transmission TM employs a dry sump type lubricating structure in which the catch tank 108 is an oil tank. The amount of the lubricating oil Lb that circulates and the capacity of the catch tank 108 are set so that the lubricating oil Lb in the oil reservoir 104A does not come into contact with the gear train 106 (so that it is not rolled up).

  The transmission lubrication device 100 is mainly configured by an oil reservoir 104A, a catch tank 108, and a liquid transport device 10 that transports the lubricating oil Lb from the oil reservoir 104A to the catch tank 108 as a liquid to be transported. Yes. Further, the liquid transfer device 10 constituting the transmission lubrication device 100 is configured by applying a waste heat utilizing vibration flow generator 110 which is a specific example of the vibration flow generation unit 52 to the pump body 40. .

  The waste heat utilizing oscillating flow generator 110 includes an evaporation unit 112 disposed in the oil reservoir 104 </ b> A and a condensing unit 114 disposed outside the housing 104. The inside of the evaporation unit 112 corresponds to the communication path in the present invention and is filled with the driving fluid Ld. The evaporation unit 112 is configured to function as a heat exchanger that evaporates (vaporizes and expands) the driving fluid Ld filled therein by heat exchange (heating) with the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir 104A.

  The condensing unit 114 is configured to condense (liquefy) the driving fluid evaporated in the evaporating unit 112 by heat exchange (cooling) between the driving fluid Ld in the branch pipe 50 communicated with the evaporating unit 112 and the atmosphere. Yes. The condensing unit 114 may be configured to include a flow path forming member such as a container independent of the branch pipe 50, but even in such a configuration, the inside (the flow path) is the “branch pipe” in the present invention. Equivalent to.

  The waste heat utilizing oscillating flow generator 110 described above evaporates (expands) the driving fluid Ld by heat exchange with the lubricating oil Lb in the evaporating unit 112, and thereby the gaseous driving fluid Ld reaching the condensing unit 114. To condense. As a result, the driving fluid Ld repeatedly expands and contracts in the branch pipe 50 to generate an oscillating flow. This oscillating flow is transmitted to the lubricating oil Lb, which is the liquid to be transported, and the lubricating oil Lb is discharged onto the catch tank 108 when the driving fluid Ld expands, and the lubricating oil Lb accumulates when the driving fluid Ld contracts. It is sucked up from the portion 104A.

  Therefore, in the transmission lubrication device 100, the lubricating oil Lb transported by the liquid transport device 10 is discharged onto the catch tank 108 in the space inside the housing 104 that is a discharge space. That is, the liquid transport apparatus 10 is configured to transport the lubricating oil Lb from the lower part to the upper part in the housing 104 which is a single space (the gas phase pressure is substantially constant). For this reason, the liquid transport apparatus 10 is configured such that the pumping capacity (liquid head) between the oil reservoir 104A and the catch tank 108 is required, but the discharge pressure to the catch tank 108 is not required.

  Here, in the case of such a pumping application, if the length from the connected portion 42C to the other end 42B in the main pipe 42 is H1, and the length from the connected portion 42C to the one end 42A in the main pipe 42 is H2, H1 > H2. That is, the suction side flow path resistance D2 is set to be larger than the discharge side flow path resistance D1, so that the lubricating oil Lb is conveyed without interruption.

  The main pipe 42 is provided with an oil cooler 116 that cools the lubricating oil Lb conveyed in the main pipe 42. That is, the lubricating oil Lb after lubricating the gear train 106 is an object to be cooled, and the heat that the lubricating oil Lb supplies to the evaporation unit 112 in the oil reservoir 104A is in the atmosphere (or a cooling (not shown)). It is assumed that the heat energy is discarded in the system coolant.

  Further, in the transmission TM to which the transmission lubrication device 100 is applied, the lubricating oil Lb functions as a liquid while being circulated and is circulated as a liquid. On the other hand, the driving fluid Ld is required to have characteristics different from the generation of an oscillating flow due to evaporation in the evaporation unit 112 and condensation in the condensing unit 114, that is, the lubricating oil Lb. For this reason, in this embodiment, a fluid different from the lubricating oil Lb that is the liquid to be transported Lc is used as the driving fluid Ld.

  More specifically, the driving fluid Ld is a volatile liquid having a boiling point lower than the temperature (for example, 80 ° C. to 140 ° C.) of the lubricating oil Lb in the oil reservoir 104A in the steady operation state of the transmission TM. ing. The volatile fluid has a boiling point higher than the ambient temperature (for example, 20 ° C. to 50 ° C.) outside the housing 104 (for example, in the engine compartment) in the steady operation state of the transmission TM. As such a volatile liquid, for example, water, ethanol, hexane, Fluorinert FC72 (boiling point 56 ° C.) manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd., or the like can be used.

  In this embodiment, the sealing liquid Ls is interposed between the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld. As the seal liquid Ls, a liquid that does not become a solution or an emulsion with respect to both the lubricating oil Lb (mineral oil or synthetic oil) that is the transported liquid and the driving fluid Ld that is the volatile liquid is used. Thereby, the sealing liquid Ls functions as a sealing material that prevents contact between the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld. When the above-mentioned Fluorinert FC72 manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co. is used as the driving fluid Ld, the Fluorinert FC72 can serve as the driving fluid Ld and the seal liquid Ls.

  In this embodiment, a liquid having a higher specific gravity than the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld is used as the sealing liquid Ls. As a result, the seal liquid Ls is easily moved to a low place in the branch pipe 50 when the waste heat utilizing oscillating flow generator 110 is not operated. In this embodiment, the low part where the sealing liquid Ls is hold | maintained is formed by making the branch pipe 50 into the shape of V shape (or U shape). It is preferable that the branch pipe 50 has a pipe shape in which the sealing liquid Ls is always positioned at a low position with respect to the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld within the range of the vibration flow stroke of the driving fluid Ld.

  Specific examples of the seal liquid Ls include a fluorine-based liquid (for example, Fluorinert manufactured by Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), fluorine oil (for example, demnum manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), and the like. These fluorinated liquids and fluorinated oils have the above-mentioned specific gravity requirements and the requirement that they are not compatible with both the lubricating oil Lb (nonpolar liquid) and the driving fluid Ld having polarity such as water and alcohol. It is confirmed that it will satisfy.

  The transmission lubrication device 100 further includes an energy accumulator 118 provided in the branch pipe 50. The energy accumulator 118 is configured as a bellows member having one end communicating with the branch pipe 50 and the other end closed. The energy accumulator 118 stores a part of the kinetic energy of the driving fluid Ld as elastic energy by allowing a part of the driving fluid Ld to flow into the interior when the driving fluid Ld expands. On the other hand, the energy accumulator 118 releases the elastic energy stored at the timing when the drive fluid Ld contracts as the kinetic energy of the internal drive fluid Ld, and promotes the return of the drive fluid Ld to the evaporation unit 112. Yes.

  The energy accumulator 118 can be configured using a metal bellows or a rubber bellows. Further, the energy accumulator 118 can be configured using a structure in which the inside is partitioned into a gas phase and a fluid phase by a diaphragm, a spring-biased piston, or the like. That is, the energy accumulator 118 may be an elastic element (vibration element) that can store a part of the kinetic energy of the driving fluid Ld as elastic energy and release it as the kinetic energy of the driving fluid Ld.

  Further, the transmission lubrication device 100 includes a safety valve 120 provided in the evaporation unit 112. The safety valve 120 is configured to be opened when the pressure in the evaporation unit 112 exceeds a predetermined value. As a result, when the inside of the evaporation unit 112 becomes high pressure (for example, when the drive fluid Ld is completely evaporated), the pressure in the evaporation unit 112 is released, and the evaporation unit of the liquid-phase drive fluid Ld is released. Return to 112 is allowed. Note that the outlet side of the safety valve 120 is connected to the branch pipe 50. Thereby, the gas-phase driving fluid Ld expanded in the evaporation unit 112 is condensed in the branch pipe 50 and collected.

  Further, as described above, in the transmission lubrication apparatus 100, the suction-side flow path resistance D2 of the main pipe 42 is smaller than the discharge-side flow path resistance D1 (D2 <D1). For this reason, the flow of the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe 50 is promoted during the suction of the lubricating oil Lb due to the contraction of the driving fluid Ld than when the lubricating oil Lb is discharged due to the expansion of the driving fluid Ld, and the driving fluid Ld. Return to the evaporation unit 112 is promoted.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the liquid transport device 10 and the transmission lubrication device 100 configured as described above, the drive fluid Ld in the evaporation section 112 is exchanged with the lubricating oil Lb in the oil reservoir section 104A while the transmission TM is operated. Evaporated. The gas phase driving fluid Ld thus expanded pushes out the lubricating oil Lb in the branch pipe 50. The lubricating oil Lb is discharged into the catch tank 108 while opening the check valve 48 on the catch tank 108 side.

  Further, the gas-phase driving fluid Ld reaching the condensing unit 114 is cooled and condensed by heat exchange with the atmosphere outside the housing 104. As a result, the inside of the branch pipe 50 becomes negative pressure, the check valve 46 on the oil reservoir 104A side is opened, and the lubricating oil Lb is sucked from the oil reservoir 104A.

  As described above, the waste heat utilizing vibration flow generator 110 generates a vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld accompanying expansion and contraction of the driving fluid Ld due to a temperature difference between the lubricating oil Lb and the atmosphere. As a result, the above-described suction and discharge of the lubricating oil Lb are alternately repeated, and the lubricating oil Lb is circulated through the circulation path including the transmission TM.

  Here, the liquid transport apparatus 10 and the transmission lubrication apparatus 100 include a waste heat utilizing vibration flow generator 110 as a vibration flow generation unit. For this reason, for example, the lubricating oil Lb is circulated without using effective energy as in the comparative example in which the oil pump is operated using the axial force of the engine and the comparative example in which the oil pump is operated by the electric motor. be able to. That is, in each of the comparative examples to which the transmission lubrication device 100 is not applied, the evaporation unit 112 effectively uses the heat of the lubricating oil Lb that should be discarded (heat dissipated in the atmosphere) by the oil cooler 116. The energy required for the circulation of the lubricating oil Lb is provided.

  Thus, in the liquid conveyance apparatus 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the energy required for conveyance of the lubricating oil Lb can be restrained low. In the transmission lubrication device 100 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the agitation loss by the dry sump and to suppress the energy loss of the transmission TM or the vehicle to which the transmission TM is applied.

  In the liquid transport device 10 and the transmission lubrication device 100, a volatile liquid different from the lubricating oil Lb that is used and circulated as a liquid is used as the driving fluid Ld that repeats evaporation and condensation. For example, in the comparative example in which the lubricating oil Lb is used as the driving fluid (the branch pipe 50 and the evaporation unit 112 are filled with the lubricating oil Lb), the driving fluid cannot be evaporated by the heat of the lubricating oil Lb in the oil reservoir 104A. On the other hand, the waste heat utilizing vibration flow generator 110 using a volatile liquid as the driving fluid Ld evaporates the driving fluid Ld by effectively using the heat of the lubricating oil Lb, and generates the vibration flow of the driving fluid. Can be generated. Moreover, since the lubricating oil Lb is cooled by heat exchange with the driving fluid, the oil cooler 116 can be downsized or made unnecessary.

  Further, in the liquid transport device 10 and the transmission lubrication device 100, the seal liquid Ls is interposed between the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld. For this reason, the solutionization and emulsification accompanying the contact between the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld are prevented or effectively suppressed. Further, the driving fluid Ld can be selected without considering compatibility with the lubricating oil Lb that is the transported liquid Lc, and the degree of freedom in selecting (designing) the driving fluid Ld is high.

  In addition, since the sealing liquid Ls is used as the sealing material in the branch pipe 50, for example, a sealing function can be achieved with a low resistance as compared with a configuration in which a solid piston or the like is used as the sealing material. Is suppressed. Therefore, the lubricating oil Lb can be efficiently conveyed (pumped) in the liquid conveying device 10 (pump main body 40) using waste heat.

  In the liquid conveying device 10 and the transmission lubrication device 100 according to the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the heat of the lubricating oil Lb of the transmission TM itself is used as a heat source of the waste heat utilization type vibration flow generator 110. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the waste heat utilizing oscillating flow generator 110 may be configured to use the exhaust heat of a driving source such as an internal combustion engine. In this case, for example, the evaporation unit 112 can be arranged in a cooling water system or an exhaust gas system as a drive source.

[Other Embodiments]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that parts and portions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and description thereof is omitted. 3 and 4 showing the second and third embodiments, the entire configuration of the transmission TM is not shown.

[Second Embodiment]
A liquid transport device 20 according to a second embodiment and a transmission lubricating device 200 to which the liquid transport device 20 is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3A shows a schematic configuration of the liquid transport device 20 and the transmission lubrication device 200. As shown in this figure, the liquid conveying device 20 and the transmission lubrication device 200 include a solid vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 210 as the vibration flow generating section 52 instead of the waste heat utilizing vibration flow generator 110. It differs from 1st Embodiment by the point provided.

  The solid-vibration utilizing oscillatory flow generator 210 is provided in a support structure 211 for supporting the supported body S on the vehicle body B. The supported body S is an applied automobile engine or transmission TM itself, and is a structure that vibrates (solid vibration) with respect to the vehicle body B. The supported body S is supported by a mount member (not shown) other than the elastic container 212 so that vibration to the vehicle body B is allowed. That is, the vibration energy of the support S is invalid energy to be absorbed (damped). Further, the support structure portion 211 in which the expandable container 212 is interposed between the vehicle body B and the supported body S in this way corresponds to the conversion mechanism in the present invention.

  The expansion / contraction container 212 is made of, for example, a metal bellows, and one end is fixed to the supported body S and the other end is fixed to the vehicle body B. The expansion / contraction container 212 expands and contracts as the support body S contacts and separates from the vehicle body B. (The volume changes). The telescopic container 212 is connected to the branch pipe 50 in a state where the driving fluid Ld is filled therein.

  Thereby, the expansion / contraction container 212 is configured to convert the solid vibration of the supported body S into the vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld by pushing out the driving fluid Ld at the timing of compression and sucking the driving fluid Ld at the timing of expansion. It is said that. The lubricating oil Lb to which this vibration flow is transmitted is discharged to the catch tank 108 when the expansion / contraction container 212 is compressed, and is sucked up from the oil reservoir 104A when the expansion / contraction container 212 is expanded. It has become.

  In this embodiment, the driving fluid Ld is a lubricating oil Lb (and a liquid having the same composition). Thereby, the structure which introduce | transduces the sealing liquid Ls into the branch pipe 50, and the structure which forms the low place which hold | maintains the sealing liquid Ls in the branch pipe 50 are made unnecessary. As the driving fluid Ld, for example, a base oil of the lubricating oil Lb may be used instead of the lubricating oil Lb itself, or a liquid (of a kind) different from the lubricating oil Lb may be used. As a result of using a liquid different from the lubricating oil Lb, if there is a possibility of adversely affecting the lubricating oil Lb, the seal liquid Ls is disposed between the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld. Further, in the solid vibration utilizing oscillatory flow generator 210 that uses the driving fluid Ld in the liquid phase, the installation of the energy accumulator 118 and the safety valve 120 is omitted.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

  In the liquid transport device 20 and the transmission lubrication device 200 configured as described above, the supported body S, which is an automobile engine or the transmission TM, vibrates with respect to the vehicle body B in its operating state. The expansion and contraction container 212 interposed between the supported body S and the vehicle body is repeatedly compressed and expanded by this vibration. The driving fluid Ld pushed out from the compressed (reduced volume) expansion / contraction container 212 pushes out the lubricating oil Lb in the branch pipe 50. The lubricating oil Lb is discharged into the catch tank 108 while opening the check valve 48 on the catch tank 108 side.

  On the other hand, when the driving fluid is drawn back to the expanded (reduced volume) expansion / contraction container 212, the inside of the branch pipe 50 becomes negative pressure, and the check valve 46 on the oil reservoir 104A side is opened, and the oil reservoir The lubricating oil Lb is sucked from 104A.

  As described above, the oscillatory flow generator 210 using the solid vibration uses the driving fluid Ld that is pushed out and pulled back by the vibration energy of the supported body S that is invalid energy to be absorbed (damped). An oscillating flow of Ld is generated. As a result, the above-described suction and discharge of the lubricating oil Lb are alternately repeated, and the lubricating oil Lb is circulated through the circulation path including the transmission TM.

  Therefore, in the liquid transfer device 20 and the transmission lubrication device 200, for example, as in the comparative example in which the oil pump is operated using the axial force of the engine or the electric motor, the lubricating oil Lb is circulated without using effective energy. It can be performed.

  Thus, in the liquid conveyance apparatus 20 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, the energy required for conveyance of lubricating oil Lb can be restrained low. In the transmission lubrication device 200 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the energy loss of the automobile to which the transmission TM is applied.

  In addition, the expansion container 212 generates a damping force due to the driving fluid Ld entering and exiting along with the vibration of the support S. Therefore, the solid-vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 210 provided with the expansion and contraction container 212 can generate the vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld while absorbing the vibration energy of the supported body S described above. Furthermore, the expansion container made of a metal bellows or the like functions not only as a damping element but also as a part of the support structure part that supports the supported body S as an elastic element, contributing to a reduction in the number of mounting members. Can do.

(Modification)
FIG. 3B schematically shows a solid-vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 220 according to a modification. As shown in this figure, the solid-vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 220 includes a telescopic container 222 provided in a suspension portion 221 for supporting a vehicle wheel W to which the transmission TM is applied.

  The telescopic container 222 is configured by fitting a first container 222A fixed to the unsprung member Ws on the wheel W side and a second container 222B fixed to the vehicle body B so as to be capable of relative displacement. Thereby, the expansion and contraction container 222 is configured to expand and contract (change in volume) by the relative displacement of the first container 222A and the second container 222B as the wheels W contact and separate from the vehicle body B. That is, the expandable container 222 according to this modification is configured not to have elasticity. A coil spring CS that is an elastic element is interposed between the unsprung member Ws and the vehicle body B. As described above, the structure of the suspension portion 221 in which the expansion and contraction container 222 is interposed between the unsprung member Ws and the vehicle body B corresponds to the conversion mechanism in the present invention.

  The telescopic container 222 is filled with the driving fluid Ld and connected to the branch pipe 50, and generates an oscillating flow of the driving fluid Ld as the wheels W contact and separate from the vehicle body B. The telescopic container 222 is adapted to generate a damping force due to the entry and exit of the driving fluid Ld. The telescopic container 222 may be provided together with a shock absorber (not shown) or may be provided as a shock absorber. In this way, the solid-vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 220 uses vibration energy to be damped as the wheel W contacts and separates (vibrates) from the vehicle body B, and converts it into a vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld. At the same time, a damping force against the vibration is generated.

  As described above, even in the configuration including the liquid conveying device 20 including the solid-vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 220 and the transmission lubrication device 200 according to the modification, the lubricating oil Lb is circulated using invalid energy. It can be carried out. That is, the energy required for conveying the lubricating oil Lb can be kept low, and the energy loss of the vehicle to which the transmission TM is applied can be suppressed.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the elastic container 212 has elasticity is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stretchable container 212 interposed between the supported body S and the vehicle body B may be configured so as not to be elastic like the stretchable container 220. In addition, the expansion / contraction container 222 disposed between the unsprung member Ws and the vehicle body B may be configured to have its own elasticity or to include a coil spring CS.

[Third Embodiment]
A liquid transport device 30 according to a third embodiment and a transmission lubricating device 300 to which the liquid transport device 30 is applied will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the liquid transport device 30 and the liquid transport device 300. As shown in this figure, the liquid transfer device 30 and the liquid transfer device 300 include a vibration flow generator 310 that uses a liquid vibration instead of the vibration flow generator 210 that uses a solid vibration as the vibration flow generator 52. Thus, this is different from the first embodiment.

  The liquid vibration-based oscillating flow generator 310 includes an expandable container 312. The expandable container 312 is made of, for example, a metal bellows, and one end is a fixed end 312A and the other end is a free end 312B. In this embodiment, the expansion / contraction container 312 is disposed in the oil reservoir 104A of the housing 104 that constitutes the transmission TM, so that the liquid vibration-based vibration flow generator 310 is configured.

  That is, when the lubricating oil Lb that has moved (sloshed) in the oil reservoir 104A comes into contact with the free end 312B, the expandable container 312 receives a compression load and is compressed. In addition, when the compressive load is removed (released from the load), the elastic container 312 is restored by its own elasticity. Here, the motion (sloshing) of the lubricating oil Lb is invalid energy that does not contribute to the function of the transmission TM.

  The expandable container 312 is connected to the branch pipe 50 on the fixed end 312A side with the drive fluid Ld filled therein. Thereby, the expansion / contraction container 312 pushes out the driving fluid Ld at the timing of compression, and sucks the driving fluid Ld at the timing of expansion, thereby converting the liquid vibration of the supported body S into the vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld. It is said that. The lubricating oil Lb to which the vibration flow is transmitted is discharged to the catch tank 108 when the expansion / contraction container 312 is compressed, and is sucked up from the oil reservoir 104A when the expansion / contraction container 312 is expanded. It has become.

  In this embodiment, the driving fluid Ld is a lubricating oil Lb (and a liquid having the same composition). Thereby, the structure which introduce | transduces the sealing liquid Ls into the branch pipe 50, and the structure which forms the low place which hold | maintains the sealing liquid Ls in the branch pipe 50 are made unnecessary. As the driving fluid Ld, for example, a base oil of the lubricating oil Lb may be used instead of the lubricating oil Lb itself, or a liquid (of a kind) different from the lubricating oil Lb may be used. As a result of using a liquid different from the lubricating oil Lb, if there is a possibility of adversely affecting the lubricating oil Lb, the seal liquid Ls is disposed between the lubricating oil Lb and the driving fluid Ld. Further, in the liquid vibration-based vibration flow generator 310 that uses the driving fluid Ld in the liquid phase, the installation of the energy accumulator 118 and the safety valve 120 is omitted.

(Operation of the third embodiment)
Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

  In the liquid transport device 30 and the transmission lubrication device 300 configured as described above, the lubricating oil Lb in the oil reservoir 104A of the transmission TM moves (sloshing) in the running state of the automobile to which the transmission TM is applied. . By this movement (movement of the lubricating oil Lb), the expansion and contraction container 312 disposed in the oil reservoir 104A is repeatedly compressed and expanded. The driving fluid Ld pushed out from the compressed (reduced volume) expansion / contraction container 312 pushes out the lubricating oil Lb in the branch pipe 50. The lubricating oil Lb is discharged into the catch tank 108 while opening the check valve 48 on the catch tank 108 side.

  On the other hand, when the driving fluid is drawn back to the expanded (reduced volume) expansion / contraction container 312, the pressure in the branch pipe 50 becomes negative, and the check valve 46 on the oil reservoir 104 </ b> A side is opened, and the oil reservoir The lubricating oil Lb is sucked from 104A.

  As explained above, the vibration flow generator 310 using the liquid vibration generates the vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld as the driving fluid Ld is pushed out and pulled back by the vibration energy of the supported body S which is invalid energy. . As a result, the above-described suction and discharge of the lubricating oil Lb are alternately repeated, and the lubricating oil Lb is circulated through the circulation path including the transmission TM.

  Therefore, in the liquid transfer device 30 and the transmission lubrication device 300, for example, as in a comparative example in which an oil pump is operated using an axial force of an engine or an electric motor, the lubricating oil Lb is circulated without using effective energy. It can be performed.

  Thus, in the liquid transport apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment, the energy required for transporting the lubricating oil Lb can be kept low. In the transmission lubrication device 300 according to the third embodiment, the energy loss of the vehicle to which the transmission TM is applied can be suppressed.

  In the third embodiment, an example in which the liquid vibration utilizing vibration flow generator 310 converts the liquid vibration of the lubricating oil Lb in the housing 104 into the vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld has been described. It is not limited. For example, the liquid vibration-based vibration flow generator 310 may be configured to convert the vibration of the washer liquid in the washer tank or the vibration of the fuel in the fuel tank into the vibration flow of the driving fluid Ld.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications. Therefore, the liquid conveying device and the like of the present invention are not limited to the lubricating oil conveying application in the transmission, and are used, for example, for watering the radiator outer surface for rapid cooling of the radiator by removing latent heat of evaporation. be able to. As the reactive energy used in this case, it is possible to use the heat of the cooling water in the radiator or the circulating system of the cooling water in addition to the above-described energy.

10.20.30 Liquid Conveying Device 42 Main Pipe 46 Check Valve 48 Check Valve 50 Branch Pipe 52 Vibrating Flow Generation Unit 100/200/300 Transmission Lubricator 104A Oil Reservoir 106 Gear Train (Transmission Element)
110 Waste heat utilization type oscillatory flow generator (oscillating flow generator)
112 Evaporating section 114 Condensing section 210/220 Solid-vibration-based oscillatory flow generator (oscillating flow generator)
212/222 Telescopic Container 310 Liquid Vibration Utilization Type Vibration Flow Generator (Vibration Flow Generator)
312 Telescopic container TM Transmission Lb Lubricating oil (conveyed liquid)
Lc Liquid to be transported Ld Drive fluid Ls Seal liquid

Claims (7)

A main pipe that forms a transport path for transporting the liquid to be transported;
A pair of check valves arranged in series in the main pipe;
A branch pipe connected between the pair of check valves in the main pipe and filled with the liquid to be transported on at least a part of the connection side with the main pipe;
An oscillating flow generator provided on the side of the branch pipe opposite to the side connected to the main pipe and generating an oscillating flow in the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe using ineffective energy generated in the applied vehicle; ,
With
The oscillatory flow generator is
An evaporating section for evaporating a driving fluid in a liquid phase in a communicating portion communicated with the side opposite to the connecting side with the main pipe in the branch pipe;
A condensing part for condensing the gas-phase driving fluid in the branch pipe;
The liquid transport apparatus is configured such that the evaporating part, the part functioning as the condensing part in the branch pipe, and the connecting part of the branch pipe with the main pipe are connected in series in this order . The liquid transport apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a seal liquid is interposed between the driving fluid and the transported liquid in the branch pipe . A main pipe that forms a transport path for transporting the liquid to be transported;
A pair of check valves arranged in series in the main pipe;
A branch pipe connected between the pair of check valves in the main pipe and filled with the liquid to be transported on at least a part of the connection side with the main pipe;
An oscillating flow generator provided on the side of the branch pipe opposite to the side connected to the main pipe and generating an oscillating flow in the liquid to be transported in the branch pipe using ineffective energy generated in the applied vehicle; ,
With
The oscillatory flow generator is
An evaporating section for evaporating a driving fluid in a liquid phase in a communicating portion communicated with the side opposite to the connecting side with the main pipe in the branch pipe;
A condensing part for condensing the gas-phase driving fluid in the branch pipe;
It is composed including
A liquid transport apparatus in which a seal liquid is interposed between the driving fluid and the transported liquid in the branch pipe . The driving fluid, the liquid transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 boiling point than the transported liquid is low fluid. An oil reservoir that is provided in a lower portion of the transmission and that collects lubricating oil in a range where the transmission element does not contact;
An oil guide member for guiding the supplied lubricating oil toward the transmission element at an upper part of the transmission;
One end of which is immersed in the oil reservoir, and the other end of which is opened in the space above the oil guide member; an evaporator that evaporates the driving fluid by the heat of lubricating oil in the transmission; The liquid conveyance of any one of Claims 1-4 comprised so that the said lubricating oil might be conveyed as a said to-be-conveyed liquid including the condensation part which condenses the drive fluid in the said branch pipe outside a machine. Equipment,
A transmission lubrication device comprising: An oil reservoir that is provided in a lower portion of the transmission and that collects lubricating oil in a range where the transmission element does not contact;
An oil guide member for guiding the supplied lubricating oil toward the transmission element at an upper part of the transmission;
A liquid transport device for transporting lubricating oil from the oil reservoir to the oil guide member;
With
The liquid conveying device is
A main pipe having one end immersed in the oil reservoir and the other end opened on the oil guide member to form a conveyance path for conveying the lubricating oil;
A pair of check valves arranged in series in the main pipe;
A branch pipe connected between the pair of check valves in the main pipe and filled with the lubricating oil at least in part on the connection side with the main pipe;
The branch pipe is provided on the side opposite to the connection side with the main pipe, communicates with the branch pipe, is filled with a driving fluid, and receives a compressive load to reduce the volume and remove the compressive load. An oscillating flow generating section configured to include an expanding and contracting container whose volume is restored, and generating an oscillating flow in the lubricating oil in the branch pipe by compression and restoration of the expanding and contracting container by movement of the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir;
A transmission lubrication device comprising: An oil reservoir that is provided in a lower portion of the transmission and that collects lubricating oil in a range where the transmission element does not contact;
An oil guide member for guiding the supplied lubricating oil toward the transmission element at an upper part of the transmission;
A liquid transport device for transporting lubricating oil from the oil reservoir to the oil guide member;
With
The liquid conveying device is
A main pipe having one end immersed in the oil reservoir and the other end opened on the oil guide member to form a conveyance path for conveying the lubricating oil;
A pair of check valves arranged in series in the main pipe;
A branch pipe connected between the pair of check valves in the main pipe and filled with the lubricating oil at least in part on the connection side with the main pipe;
An evaporating section for evaporating a driving fluid in a liquid phase by heat of lubricating oil in the transmission in a communicating section that is in communication with the side opposite to the connection side with the main pipe in the branch pipe; and A condensing part for condensing the gas-phase driving fluid in the branch pipe, and a vibration flow generating part for generating a vibration flow in the lubricating oil in the branch pipe;
A transmission lubrication device comprising:

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