Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/048—Type of gearings to be lubricated, cooled or heated
  • F16H57/0482—Gearings with gears having orbital motion
  • F16H57/0483—Axle or inter-axle differentials
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/02—Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein
  • F16H57/03—Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein characterised by means for reinforcing gearboxes, e.g. ribs
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/0409—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating characterised by increasing efficiency, e.g. by reducing splash losses
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/042—Guidance of lubricant
  • F16H57/0421—Guidance of lubricant on or within the casing, e.g. shields or baffles for collecting lubricant, tubes, pipes, grooves, channels or the like
  • F16H57/0423—Lubricant guiding means mounted or supported on the casing, e.g. shields or baffles for collecting lubricant, tubes or pipes
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/042—Guidance of lubricant
  • F16H57/0421—Guidance of lubricant on or within the casing, e.g. shields or baffles for collecting lubricant, tubes, pipes, grooves, channels or the like
  • F16H57/0424—Lubricant guiding means in the wall of or integrated with the casing, e.g. grooves, channels, holes
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/042—Guidance of lubricant
  • F16H57/043—Guidance of lubricant within rotary parts, e.g. axial channels or radial openings in shafts
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/045—Lubricant storage reservoirs, e.g. reservoirs in addition to a gear sump for collecting lubricant in the upper part of a gear case
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/0457—Splash lubrication
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/0467—Elements of gearings to be lubricated, cooled or heated
  • F16H57/0469—Bearings or seals
  • F16H57/0471—Bearing
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H57/00—General details of gearing
  • F16H57/04—Features relating to lubrication or cooling or heating
  • F16H57/048—Type of gearings to be lubricated, cooled or heated
  • F16H57/0493—Gearings with spur or bevel gears 
  • F16H57/0495—Gearings with spur or bevel gears  with fixed gear ratio
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16H—GEARING
  • F16H63/00—Control outputs from the control unit to change-speed- or reversing-gearings for conveying rotary motion or to other devices than the final output mechanism
  • F16H63/02—Final output mechanisms therefor; Actuating means for the final output mechanisms
  • F16H63/30—Constructional features of the final output mechanisms
  • F16H63/34—Locking or disabling mechanisms
  • F16H63/3416—Parking lock mechanisms or brakes in the transmission
  • F16H63/3425—Parking lock mechanisms or brakes in the transmission characterised by pawls or wheels

Definitions

• This disclosure relates to a transmission device.
• One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a transmission device that can reduce the stirring resistance of the counter gear and ring gear while suppressing an increase in the size of the gear case.
• the transmission mechanism includes an input gear, a counter gear having a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the input gear, a ring gear having a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the input gear, a differential case fixed to the ring gear, a differential mechanism disposed inside the differential case, an input gear bearing that rotatably supports the input gear, a counter gear bearing that rotatably supports the counter gear, and a differential case bearing that rotatably supports the differential case.
• the counter gear has a first gear that meshes with the input gear, and a second gear that has a smaller outer diameter than the first gear, is arranged concentrically with the first gear, and meshes with the ring gear.
• the rotation axis of the counter gear is located above the rotation axis of the input gear and the rotation axis of the ring gear.
• the gear case has a catch tank that is positioned so as to overlap the input gear from above, and a guide that sends oil scooped up by the ring gear to the catch tank. At least a portion of the guide overlaps with the first gear when viewed from the axial direction of the counter gear.
• the oil-storing resistance of the ring gear can be reduced by using a catch tank to store the oil.
• the counter gear is positioned higher than the input gear and ring gear, so the counter gear's stirring resistance can also be reduced.
• the catch tank is positioned above the input gear, and the guide is positioned so as to overlap the first gear of the counter gear in the axial direction, preventing an increase in the size of the gear case.
• At least a portion of the guide may overlap with the second gear when viewed from the radial direction of the counter gear. This configuration allows for effective use of the space within the gear case, which promotes the effect of suppressing an increase in the size of the gear case.
• the gear case may have a first case and a second case that sandwich the transmission mechanism in the axial direction of the input gear.
• the guide may be a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the first case in the axial direction of the input gear.
• the ring gear may be a helical gear that is twisted so that oil is sent toward the inner surface of the first case when the ring gear rotates in a direction that scoops the oil up toward the guide.
• This configuration makes it easy to form the guide. Also, even if the guide becomes inclined due to the molding of the first case, the ring gear can direct the oil toward the inner surface of the first case from which the guide protrudes, preventing oil from falling from the guide.
• the guide may have an upstream end and a downstream end in the oil flow direction.
• the upstream end may be located at a position higher than the downstream end and the ring gear, and lower than the uppermost point of the ring gear and the uppermost point of the first gear, whichever is higher.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic right side view of a transmission device according to an embodiment with a second case and some bearings removed.
• FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic left side view of the transmission device of FIG. 1 with a first case and some bearings removed.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic right side view of the first case of FIG.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic left side view of the second case of FIG.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG.
• FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG.
• FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.
• FIG. 11 is a schematic left side view of the second case of FIG. 4.
• FIG. 12 is a schematic right side view of the first case of FIG.
• the transmission device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that is installed in an automobile and transmits the power of a drive source of the automobile to the wheels.
• the transmission device 1 includes a transmission mechanism 2, a gear case 3, and a parking lock mechanism 5.
• the transmission device 1 is installed in the automobile in such a position that the direction parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the input gear 21 of the transmission mechanism 2 is the left-right direction, and the direction in which the input gear 21 is arranged relative to the ring gear 23 is the forward direction.
• the transmission mechanism 2 has an input gear 21 , a counter gear 22 , a ring gear 23 , a differential case 24 , and a differential mechanism 25 .
• the transmission mechanism 2 has a first input gear bearing 27A, a second input gear bearing 27B, a first counter gear bearing 28A, a second counter gear bearing 28B, a first differential case bearing 29A, and a second differential case bearing 29B.
• the input gear 21 is an external gear that is drivingly connected to a motor (not shown) and is axially rotated by the driving force of the motor.
• the input gear 21 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 when the vehicle moves forward, and rotates clockwise in FIG. 1 when the vehicle moves backward.
• the rotation axis L1 of the input gear 21 is parallel to the left-right direction.
• the input gear 21 is a right-handed helical gear. As shown in FIG. 2, a leftward thrust load F1 is generated in the input gear 21 when the vehicle is driven forward.
• the counter gear 22 has a rotation axis L2 parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the input gear 21.
• the rotation axis L2 of the counter gear 22 is located rearward of the rotation axis L1 of the input gear 21 and above the rotation axis L1 of the input gear 21 and the rotation axis L3 of the ring gear 23 (see FIG. 1).
• the counter gear 22 has a first gear 221 and a second gear 222.
• the first gear 221 is an external gear that meshes with the input gear 21.
• the first gear 221 is a left-handed helical gear.
• a rightward thrust load F2 is generated in the first gear 221 when the vehicle is driven forward.
• the first gear 221 is twisted so that when the first gear 221 rotates in the reverse direction of the vehicle, the oil is sent toward the inner surface of the second case 3B and the reverse guide 37 provided on the inner surface.
• the second gear 222 is an external gear that meshes with the ring gear 23.
• the second gear 222 has a smaller outer diameter than the first gear 221 and is arranged concentrically with the first gear 221.
• the second gear 222 is arranged to the right of the first gear 221.
• the second gear 222 is a left-handed helical gear.
• the second gear 222 rotates together with the first gear 221.
• a leftward thrust load F3 is generated in the second gear 222 when the vehicle is driven forward.
• the second gear 222 has a step portion 222A that contacts the first gear 221 in the axial direction.
• the thrust load F2 of the first gear 221 is received by the step portion 222A of the second gear 222.
• the thrust load F2 of the first gear 221 and the thrust load F3 of the second gear 222 cancel each other out, so the thrust load acting on the first counter gear bearing 28A and the second counter gear bearing 28B is reduced.
• the ring gear 23 is an external gear having a rotation axis L3 parallel to the rotation axis L1 of the input gear 21.
• the rotation axis L3 of the ring gear 23 is located rearward of the rotation axis L2 of the counter gear 22.
• the ring gear 23 rotates the differential case 24 using the rotational force transmitted from the counter gear 22, and also scoops up the lubricating oil that has accumulated at the bottom of the gear case 3 toward the main guide 32.
• the ring gear 23 is a right-handed helical gear.
• a rightward thrust load F4 is generated in the ring gear 23. This thrust load F4 is received by the flange 242 of the differential case 24.
• the ring gear 23 is twisted so that when the ring gear 23 rotates in a direction in which the oil is scooped up toward the main guide 32 (i.e., the forward direction of the vehicle), the oil is sent toward the inner surface of the first case 3A and the guide portion 33 provided on the inner surface.
• the ring gear 23 is twisted so that when the ring gear 23 rotates in a direction that scoops up the oil toward the main guide 32, the oil is sent along the axial direction of the ring gear 23 toward the first differential case bearing 29A.
• the differential case 24 is fixed to the ring gear 23 and rotates together with the ring gear 23 about a rotation axis L3 of the ring gear 23. As shown in FIG 3, the differential case 24 has a differential mechanism accommodating portion 241, a flange portion 242, a first shaft portion 243, a second shaft portion 244, and a window 245.
• the differential mechanism housing portion 241 houses the differential mechanism 25.
• the flange portion 242 protrudes radially outward from the differential mechanism housing portion 241.
• the ring gear 23 is fixed to the flange portion 242.
• the first shaft portion 243 is a cylindrical portion through which a first output shaft (not shown) connected to the differential mechanism 25 is inserted.
• the second shaft portion 244 is a cylindrical portion through which a second output shaft (not shown) connected to the differential mechanism 25 is inserted.
• the window 245 is an opening that connects the inside of the differential mechanism housing portion 241 to the outside of the differential mechanism housing portion 241.
• the differential mechanism 25 is a known mechanism that distributes and transmits the rotation of the differential case 24 to the first output shaft and the second output shaft while differentially rotating the first output shaft and the second output shaft.
• the differential mechanism 25 is disposed inside the differential mechanism accommodating portion 241.
• the differential mechanism 25 has two side gears connected to the first output shaft and the second output shaft, respectively, and two pinion gears that transmit the rotation of the differential case 24 to the two side gears.
• the rotational axis of the first output shaft and the second output shaft coincides with the rotational axis of the ring gear 23.
• the first output shaft and the second output shaft rotate differentially and in accordance with the rotational direction of the input gear 21 (i.e., the rotational direction of the differential case 24).
• the first input gear bearing 27A and the second input gear bearing 27B shown in FIG. 2 are ball bearings that rotatably support the input gear 21.
• the second input gear bearing 27B is disposed on the opposite side of the teeth of the input gear 21 from the first input gear bearing 27A in the axial direction of the input gear 21. Specifically, the first input gear bearing 27A supports the right end of the shaft of the input gear 21, and the second input gear bearing 27B supports the left end of the shaft of the input gear 21.
• the first input gear bearing 27A is attached to the first case 3A.
• the second input gear bearing 27B is attached to the second case 3B.
• the first counter gear bearing 28A and the second counter gear bearing 28B are ball bearings that rotatably support the counter gear 22.
• the second counter gear bearing 28B is disposed on the opposite side of the first counter gear bearing 28A with respect to the first gear 221 and the second gear 222 in the axial direction of the counter gear 22. Specifically, the first counter gear bearing 28A supports the right end of the shaft portion of the counter gear 22, and the second counter gear bearing 28B supports the left end of the shaft portion of the counter gear 22.
• the first counter gear bearing 28A is attached to the first case 3A.
• the second counter gear bearing 28B is attached to the second case 3B.
• the first differential case bearing 29A and the second differential case bearing 29B are tapered roller bearings that rotatably support the differential case 24.
• the second differential case bearing 29B is disposed on the opposite side of the ring gear 23 from the first differential case bearing 29A in the axial direction of the ring gear 23. Specifically, the first differential case bearing 29A supports the first shaft portion 243 of the differential case 24, and the second differential case bearing 29B supports the second shaft portion 244 of the differential case 24.
• the first differential case bearing 29A is attached to the first case 3A.
• the second differential case bearing 29B is attached to the second case 3B.
• the gear case 3 houses the power transmission mechanism 2.
• the gear case 3 has a first case 3A and a second case 3B that sandwich the power transmission mechanism 2 in the axial direction of the input gear 21 (i.e., the left-right direction).
• the first case 3A and the second case 3B are connected to each other with a number of bolts to form a storage space that contains the transmission mechanism 2, the parking lock mechanism 5, and oil. Note that in FIG. 2, the portion of the first case 3A that contains the motor (not shown), which is the driving source, is not shown.
• the first upper central portion 3C and the first lower central portion 3D have a width (i.e., thickness in the vertical direction) greater than other areas.
• the first upper central portion 3C is an area that overlaps from above with part of the input gear 21, the entire counter gear 22, and part of the ring gear 23.
• the first lower central portion 3D is an area that overlaps from below with part of the input gear 21, the entire counter gear 22, and part of the ring gear 23.
• the second upper central portion 3E and the second lower central portion 3F which are respectively joined to the first upper central portion 3C and the first lower central portion 3D of the first case 3A, are made wider than the other areas, similar to the first upper central portion 3C and the first lower central portion 3D.
• the gear case 3 has a catch tank 31, a main guide 32, a guide portion 33, a hanging wall 34, a buffer portion 35, a lower guide 36, a reverse guide 37, a reverse hanging wall 38, a first input gear bearing accommodating portion 41A, a second input gear bearing accommodating portion 41B, a first counter gear bearing accommodating portion 42A, a second counter gear bearing accommodating portion 42B, a first differential case bearing accommodating portion 43A, a second differential case bearing accommodating portion 43B, a right first counter gear flow passage 45A, a left first counter gear flow passage 45B, a second counter gear flow passage 46, and a differential case flow passage 47.
• the catch tank 31 is a portion that stores the oil scooped up by the ring gear 23.
• the catch tank 31 is composed of a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the first case 3A toward the second case 3B (i.e., to the left) and a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the second case 3B toward the first case 3A (i.e., to the right).
• the catch tank 31 is disposed in front of the counter gear 22 and at a position higher than the input gear 21. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the catch tank 31 is disposed at a position overlapping the input gear 21 from above.
• the catch tank 31 has a bottom wall 311 and a side wall 312.
• the bottom wall 311 is disposed across the first case 3A and the second case 3B.
• the bottom wall 311 has a first communication hole 311A and a second communication hole 311B.
• the first communication hole 311A communicates between the interior of the catch tank 31 and the first input gear bearing housing portion 41A.
• the first communication hole 311A sends oil in the catch tank 31 to the first input gear bearing 27A by gravity.
• the second communication hole 311B is provided to the left of the first communication hole 311A and connects the inside of the catch tank 31 to the second input gear bearing housing 41B.
• the second communication hole 311B sends the oil in the catch tank 31 to the second input gear bearing 27B by gravity.
• Outflow section 312A is a section of sidewall 312 that is lower in height than other sections. Outflow section 312A is the section with the lowest height of sidewall 312, and is provided in the right region of the rear wall of sidewall 312.
• the outflow section 312A is formed from part of the rib of the first case 3A, and is located at a position overlapping the main guide 32 from below.
• the level of the oil stored in the catch tank 31 exceeds the height of the outflow section 312A, the oil flows out of the catch tank 31 from the outflow section 312A to the outside of the catch tank 31 (specifically, the flow path 45A for the right-side first counter gear).
• the oil flows out of the outflow section 312A in the rearward direction.
• the third communication hole 312B is provided in the left region of the rear wall of the side wall 312.
• the third communication hole 312B sends oil from the catch tank 31 to the left first counter gear flow path 45B (see Figure 6).
• the main guide 32 sends the oil scooped up by the ring gear 23 when the ring gear 23 rotates in the forward direction of the automobile (hereinafter also referred to as the “first direction”) to the catch tank 31.
• the main guide 32 is composed of a rib protruding in the axial direction of the input gear 21 from the inner surface of the first case 3A.
• At least a portion of the main guide 32 overlaps with the first gear 221 when viewed from the axial direction of the counter gear 22. Specifically, the center portion of the main guide 32 in the oil flow direction is located to the right of the first gear 221.
• the main guide 32 overlaps with the second gear 222 when viewed from the radial direction of the counter gear 22. Specifically, the central portion of the main guide 32 in the oil flow direction overlaps with the second gear 222 from above.
• the main guide 32 is positioned higher than the first counter gear bearing 28A when viewed from the axial direction of the counter gear 22. In other words, the main guide 32 extends so as to straddle the first counter gear bearing 28A in the front-rear direction.
• the main guide 32 has an upstream end 321, a downstream end 322, and a guide surface 323.
• the upstream end 321 and the downstream end 322 are each end in the direction of oil flow.
• the upstream end 321 is located at a position rearward and higher than the downstream end 322. Therefore, the main guide 32 forms a flow path through which oil flows from the upper rear to the lower front.
• the upstream end 321 is located radially outward of the ring gear 23.
• the upstream end 321 is located higher than the ring gear 23 and lower than the uppermost point P1 of the ring gear 23 and the uppermost point P2 of the first gear 221.
• the upstream end 321 is located parallel to the axial direction of the ring gear 23 and lower than an imaginary plane S that includes the uppermost point P1 of the ring gear 23 and the uppermost point P2 of the first gear 221.
• the downstream end 322 is located above the catch tank 31.
• the downstream end 322 is also located forward of the outflow portion 312A of the catch tank 31.
• the guide surface 323 is the surface along which oil flows toward the catch tank 31.
• the guide surface 323 forms the upper surface of the main guide 32.
• the guide surface 323 is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the counter gear 22 so that its position decreases toward the left. This inclination is due to the draft angle from the mold for the first case 3A.
• the guide surface 323 has a groove 323A and a step 323B.
• the groove 323A is recessed downward and extends along the axial direction of the ring gear 23. Specifically, the groove 323A extends from the inner surface of the first case 3A to the buffer portion 35.
• the groove 323A is disposed between the upstream end 321 of the main guide 32 and the step 323B.
• Step 323B is provided downstream of groove 323A. Oil that overflows from groove 323A falls down step 323B and flows toward downstream end 322. Some of the oil that reaches upstream end 321 flows to the left (i.e., toward buffer section 35) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9, and the remainder flows over groove 323A toward downstream end 322.
• the guide portion 33 is disposed offset from the main guide 32 in the axial direction (i.e., the left-right direction) of the ring gear 23 , and guides oil to the main guide 32 .
• the guide portion 33 is a recess provided on the inner surface of the first case 3A.
• the guide portion 33 is provided to the right of the main guide 32 and is recessed toward the right.
• the guide portion 33 extends in the front-to-rear direction and guides the oil forward.
• the guide portion 33 forms an oil flow path that is continuous with the groove 323A of the main guide 32.
• the guide section 33 extends from a first end 331 to a second end 332.
• the first end 331 is the front end of the guide section 33.
• the first end 331 is connected to the upstream end 321 of the main guide 32 from above.
• the second end 332 is the rear end of the induction section 33.
• the second end 332 is disposed at a position overlapping with the ring gear 23 when viewed from the axial direction of the ring gear 23. Specifically, when viewed from the axial direction of the ring gear 23, the second end 332 overlaps with a portion A1 (see FIG. 1) just before reaching the uppermost point P1 of the ring gear 23 when the ring gear 23 rotates in the first direction, or with the uppermost point P1 of the ring gear 23.
• the portion A1 is a region of the outer circumferential surface of the ring gear 23 where the rotation angle ⁇ from the uppermost point P1 is 10° or less.
• the hanging wall 34 extends downward from the second end 332 of the guide portion 33 toward the window 245 of the differential case 24.
• the hanging wall 34 is configured with a rib protruding from the inner surface of the first case 3A.
• the hanging wall 34 has a first surface 341 and a second surface 342 that extend in the vertical direction.
• the first surface 341 faces rearward, and the second surface 342 faces forward. Oil that reaches a position lower than the second end 332 of the guide portion 33 is guided to the window 245 by the first surface 341.
• ⁇ Buffer section> 9 sends a portion of the oil flowing through the main guide 32 to the second differential case bearing 29B.
• the buffer portion 35 is composed of a rib protruding in the axial direction of the input gear 21 from the inner surface of the second case 3B.
• the buffer section 35 has a bottom wall 351 and a side wall 352.
• the bottom wall 351 is connected to the groove 323A of the main guide 32 in the axial direction of the ring gear 23. In other words, oil is supplied to the buffer section 35 from the groove 323A.
• Sidewall 352 surrounds bottom wall 351 from the front, rear, and left. Sidewall 352 has outflow section 352A. Outflow section 352A is a section of sidewall 352 that is lower in height than other sections. Outflow section 352A is the section of sidewall 352 that is the lowest in height, and is provided on the rear wall of sidewall 352.
• the outflow section 352A is provided on the left side of the upstream end 321 of the main guide 32, and directs the oil in the buffer section 35 toward the second differential case bearing 29B.
• the height of the top point of the outflow section 352A is equal to or lower than the height of the top point of the groove 323A of the main guide 32.
• the oil flows out of the buffer section 35 from the outflow section 352A.
• the oil flows out of the outflow section 352A toward the rear. In other words, the oil flows out of the buffer section 35 in the opposite direction to the oil flow in the main guide 32.
• the lower guide 36 shown in Figure 4 faces the ring gear 23 from the radial outside at a position lower than the rotational axis L3 of the ring gear 23, and faces the first gear 221 from the radial outside at a position lower than the rotational axis L2 of the first gear 221.
• the lower guide 36 is composed of a rib (see FIG. 1) that protrudes from the inner surface of the first case 3A toward the second case 3B (i.e., to the left) and a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the second case 3B toward the first case 3A (i.e., to the right).
• the lower guide 36 has a rear portion 361 that extends along the outer edge of the ring gear 23, and a front portion 362 that extends forward from the front end of the rear portion 361.
• the rear portion 361 faces the front lower portion of the ring gear 23.
• the front portion 362 faces the lower portion of the first gear 221.
• the front portion 362 reaches the first input gear bearing housing portion 41A and the second input gear bearing housing portion 41B.
• the oil scooped up by the ring gear 23 when it rotates in the reverse direction of the vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as the "second direction") is sent to the front portion 362.
• the oil sent to the front portion 362 is further scooped up by the first gear 221.
• the lower guide 36 divides the internal space of the gear case 3 (i.e., the oil storage space) into a front portion 3G and a rear portion 3H.
• the lower end (i.e., the rear end) of the lower guide 36 is separated from the bottom surface of the internal space of the gear case 3.
• the gap between the lower end of the lower guide 36 and the bottom surface of the internal space of the gear case 3 forms an oil flow passage from the front portion 3G to the rear portion 3H.
• ⁇ Reverse Guide> 6 sends the oil that has been scooped up by the ring gear 23 and then further scooped up by the first gear 221 in the lower guide 36 to the catch tank 31 when the ring gear 23 rotates in the second direction.
• the reverse guide 37 is composed of a rib that protrudes in the axial direction of the input gear 21 from the inner surface of the second case 3B.
• the reverse guide 37 is positioned so as to overlap the first gear 221 in the axial direction of the counter gear 22. Specifically, the upstream portion of the reverse guide 37 in the oil flow direction is positioned to the left of the first gear 221.
• the reverse guide 37 has an upstream end 371, a downstream end 372, and a guide surface 373.
• the upstream end 371 and the downstream end 372 are each ends in the direction of oil flow. As shown in FIG. 6, the upstream end 371 is located rearward and higher than the downstream end 372. Therefore, the reverse guide 37 forms a flow path through which oil flows from the upper rear to the lower front.
• the upstream end 371 is located higher than the second counter gear bearing housing portion 42B and forward of the rotation axis L2 of the counter gear 22.
• the downstream end 372 is disposed above the catch tank 31.
• the downstream end 372 is also connected to the rear wall of the side walls 312 of the catch tank 31.
• the guide surface 373 is the surface along which the oil flows toward the catch tank 31.
• the guide surface 373 forms the upper surface of the reverse guide 37. As shown in FIG. 10, the guide surface 373 has a larger width perpendicular to the direction of the oil flow (i.e., the width in the left-right direction) toward the catch tank 31.
• the reverse hanging wall 38 shown in FIG. 6 supplies the oil scooped up by the ring gear 23 when the ring gear 23 rotates in the second direction to the second differential case bearing 29B.
• the reverse hanging wall 38 is formed from a part of a recess (specifically, the rear wall) provided on the inner surface of the second case 3B.
• the reverse hanging wall 38 has a wall surface that faces forward.
• the reverse hanging wall 38 is located rearward of the buffer portion 35 and above the second differential case bearing housing portion 43B.
• the first input gear bearing accommodating portion 41A, the first counter gear bearing accommodating portion 42A, and the first differential case bearing accommodating portion 43A shown in Figure 5 respectively accommodate the first input gear bearing 27A, the first counter gear bearing 28A, and the first differential case bearing 29A.
• the first input gear bearing housing 41A, the first counter gear bearing housing 42A, and the first differential case bearing housing 43A are recesses provided on the inner surface of the first case 3A.
• the first input gear bearing housing 41A has an opening through which the motor shaft is inserted.
• the first differential case bearing housing 43A has an opening through which the first output shaft is inserted. Oil seals are placed in these openings.
• the second input gear bearing housing 41B, the second counter gear bearing housing 42B, and the second differential case bearing housing 43B shown in FIG. 6 respectively house the second input gear bearing 27B, the second counter gear bearing 28B, and the second differential case bearing 29B.
• the second input gear bearing housing 41B, the second counter gear bearing housing 42B, and the second differential case bearing housing 43B are recesses provided on the inner surface of the second case 3B.
• the second differential case bearing housing 43B has an opening through which the second output shaft is inserted. An oil seal is placed in this opening.
• ⁇ First counter gear passage> 5 sends the oil flowing out from the outlet 312A of the catch tank 31 to the first counter gear bearing 28A.
• the right side first counter gear flow path 45A flows the oil rearward toward the first counter gear bearing 28A.
• the right-side first counter gear flow passage 45A is formed by a recess and a rib provided on the inner surface of the first case 3A.
• the right-side first counter gear flow passage 45A extends from the outlet portion 312A of the catch tank 31 to the first counter gear bearing housing portion 42A.
• the left first counter gear flow passage 45B shown in FIG. 6 sends oil from the catch tank 31 to the second counter gear bearing 28B.
• the left first counter gear flow passage 45B directs oil backward toward the second counter gear bearing 28B.
• the left first counter gear passage 45B is a communication hole provided in the second case 3B.
• the left first counter gear passage 45B is a communication hole that connects the third communication hole 312B of the catch tank 31 with the second counter gear bearing housing portion 42B.
• ⁇ Second counter gear passage> 5 sends the oil scooped up by the ring gear 23 directly to the first counter gear bearing 28A.
• the second counter gear flow path 46 flows the oil forward toward the first counter gear bearing 28A.
• the second counter gear flow path 46 is formed of a rib protruding from the inner surface of the first case 3A.
• the second counter gear passage 46 is disposed at a position lower than the upstream end 321 of the main guide 32. Specifically, the entire second counter gear passage 46 is disposed below the main guide 32. When viewed from the axial direction of the ring gear 23, at least a portion of the second counter gear passage 46 overlaps with the ring gear 23. The second counter gear passage 46 extends from the area below and forward of the upstream end 321 of the main guide 32 to the first counter gear bearing accommodating portion 42A.
• the differential case flow passage 47 sends oil from the first counter gear bearing 28A to the first differential case bearing 29A.
• the differential case flow passage 47 is a communication hole provided in the first case 3A.
• the differential case flow passage 47 is disposed below the second counter gear flow passage 46.
• the differential case flow passage 47 connects the first counter gear bearing housing portion 42A and the first differential case bearing housing portion 43A.
• the parking lock mechanism 5 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of being switched between a locked state in which rotation of the input gear 21 is restricted and a released state in which rotation is permitted.
• the oil O scooped up by the ring gear 23 reaches the main guide 32, which sends it to the catch tank 31.
• a portion of the oil O is sent to the induction section 33 due to the twisting of the ring gear 23.
• the oil O sent to the induction section 33 is sent to the main guide 32.
• the oil O sent to the hanging wall 34 is guided by the hanging wall 34 and supplied to the window 245 of the differential case 24.
• Oil O sent to the catch tank 31 is supplied to the first input gear bearing 27A and the oil seal of the first input gear bearing housing portion 41A from the first communication hole 311A provided in the bottom wall 311.
• oil O that overflows from the outlet portion 312A of the catch tank 31 is supplied to the first counter gear bearing 28A from the right first counter gear flow path 45A.
• some of the oil scooped up by the ring gear 23 is supplied to the first counter gear bearing 28A by the second counter gear flow path 46 without passing through the catch tank 31.
• the rotational speed of the ring gear 23 is low, the amount of oil O scooped up by the ring gear 23 that reaches the main guide 32 decreases, and the amount that reaches the second counter gear flow path 46 increases.
• Oil supplied to the first counter gear bearing 28A is supplied by the differential case flow path 47 to the first differential case bearing 29A, the oil seal of the first differential case bearing housing portion 43A, and the sliding portion between the first shaft portion 243 and the first main shaft. Oil O supplied to the first differential case bearing 29A is returned to the rear portion 3H of the gear case 3.
• oil O sent to the catch tank 31 is supplied to the second input gear bearing 27B from the second communication hole 311B provided in the bottom wall 311.
• oil O in the catch tank 31 is supplied to the second counter gear bearing 28B from the third communication hole 312B via the left first counter gear flow path 45B.
• the oil O scooped up by the first gear 221 reaches the reverse guide 37, which sends it to the catch tank 31. Some of the oil O scooped up by the first gear 221 scatters and reaches the reverse hanging wall 38, and is supplied along the wall surface of the reverse hanging wall 38 to the second differential case bearing 29B, the oil seal of the second differential case bearing housing portion 43B, and the sliding portion between the second shaft portion 244 and the second main shaft.
• the oil O sent to the catch tank 31 when reversing is supplied to each bearing and oil seal through the same flow path as when moving forward. When the car is moving backward, no oil flows through the main guide 32.
• the catch tank 31 that stores oil can reduce the stirring resistance of the ring gear 23.
• the counter gear 22 is disposed above the input gear 21 and the ring gear 23, so that the stirring resistance of the counter gear 22 can also be reduced.
• the catch tank 31 is positioned above the input gear 21, and the main guide 32 is positioned so as to axially overlap the first gear 221 of the counter gear 22, thereby preventing an increase in the size of the gear case 3.
• the main guide 32 overlaps with the second gear 222 when viewed from the radial direction of the counter gear 22, making it possible to effectively utilize the space inside the gear case 3. This helps to prevent the gear case 3 from increasing in size.
• the main guide 32 is a rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the first case 3A, which makes it easy to form the main guide 32. Also, even if the main guide 32 is tilted due to the twisting of the ring gear 23 caused by punching out the first case 3A, the ring gear 23 can direct the oil toward the inner surface of the first case 3A from which the main guide 32 protrudes, preventing the oil from falling from the main guide 32.
• the main guide does not necessarily have to overlap with the second gear when viewed from the radial direction of the counter gear.
• the main guide may be positioned offset from the second gear in the left-right direction.
• the gear case does not necessarily have to have a first case and a second case.
• the gear case does not necessarily have to be composed of parts divided in the axial direction of the input gear.
• the input gear, first gear, second gear, and ring gear do not necessarily have to be helical gears.
• the upstream end of the main guide does not necessarily have to be located higher than the downstream end.
• the upstream end may be located lower than the ring gear, or lower than the uppermost point of the ring gear or the uppermost point of the first gear, whichever is higher.

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• General Details Of Gearings (AREA)

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• 2022
  • 2022-10-07 JP JP2024555599A patent/JP7744531B2/ja active Active
  • 2022-10-07 CN CN202280100839.5A patent/CN119998570A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-10-07 DE DE112022007890.1T patent/DE112022007890T5/de active Pending
  • 2022-10-07 WO PCT/JP2022/037702 patent/WO2024075292A1/ja not_active Ceased

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