Description:AN OIL GUTTER STRUCTURE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein relates to a transmission system provided in a vehicle. The present invention is particularly related to providing an oil gutter structure for regulating flow of splashed oil at a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed of a final gear.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter.
[0003] Vehicle transmission needs to be continuously lubricated and cooled using hydraulic fluid or lubricant oil. More specifically, lubricating and cooling fluids or oils are necessary for a transmission to function and for a transmission to last longer. Hydraulic passageways/gutters allow the fluid/lubricant oil to flow from one location where lubricant oil is in abundance to other location where the lubricating oil is in scarcity inside the transmission.
[0004] In transmission, rotating assembly such as gears and bearings are dipped in oil upto some level to provide lubrication during running conditions. Also, continuous lubrication oil supply is required for the parts which are in contact with other parts such as gear teeth and bearings. For this oil galleries and oil gutters are provided to supply oil in the critical areas.
[0005] A spinning gear will cause a flow or splash of fluid or lubricant oil. This flow is arbitrary in nature and accumulates on rotating or stationary components. Further, when the gears and especially the final big gear spins, it generates lubricant oil splash. The lubricant oil may splash back into the rotating assembly and create drag, or it may directly impinge on the gear mesh of nearby gears. Furthermore, lubricant oil that comes into touch with a rotating component may oppose its motion, adding to drag and power loss. Rotation is also affected by excess lubricant oil in ways other than simple friction.
[0006] In the existing design, (Ref. to FIG. 1A) the height of the gutter entry is kept high so that the oil may enter the mouth of the gutter (100) at low rotational speed as well as high rotational speed of the transmission. But due to increased height of the inlet area, there is reverse oil flow from the bottom of the entry at high rotational speeds (Ref. to FIG. 1B). The lubricant oil from this reverse flow fall upon the final big gear leading to reduced oil flow in the gutter (100) and increased oil churning losses of the final big gear.
[0007] It is therefore desirable to prevent reverse oil flow from the gutter for better lubrication and improved efficiency of transmission.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] It forms an object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks/limitations in the existing solutions available in the form of related prior arts.
[0009] It is primary object of the present disclosure is to provide an oil gutter structure for regulating the flow of oil at a low rotational speed and a high rotational speed of a final big gear.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a flap structure to prevent reverse flow of oil at high rotational speed.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to allow entry of oil at low rotational speed.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective solution to achieve the above objectives.
[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0014] A solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0015] The present disclosure provides a solution in the form of an oil gutter structure for lubricating transmission components of a transmission of a vehicle, the oil gutter structure defines a U-shaped channel structure to allow passage of lubricating oil from one location where the lubricating oil is in abundance to other location where the lubricating oil is in scarcity inside the transmission. The oil gutter structure includes an entry portion to receive splashed oil which is splashed by a final big gear. An exit portion to feed the received splashed oil to components of the transmission. An intermediate portion to allow passage of the received splashed oil from the entry portion to the exit portion. A flap structure pivotably mounted at vertical side walls of the entry portion, the flap structure rotates about a pivot axis (X) to allow or restrict flow of the splashed oil (between the pivot axis and a base wall).
[0016] In an aspect, the flap structure defines a cylindrical structure at a top edge and the vertical side walls of the entry portion define a projected mounting structure with a hole to receive the cylindrical structure at both ends.
[0017] In an aspect, the inner surface of one of the vertical side walls define a projection toward opposite vertical side wall to act as a stopper to limit rotation of the flap structure and avoid overturning of the flap structure.
[0018] In an aspect, the vertical side walls of the entry portion define a projected mounting structure, wherein one end of the projected mounting structure has a hole and another end of the projected mounting structure has a C-shaped cutout to receive the cylindrical structure at both ends; one of the projected mounting structure define a stopper extending outward from the vertical side wall. The stopper limits the rotation of the flap structure by limiting the rotation of a projection provided on the cylindrical structure on which the flap structure is fixed.
[0019] In an aspect, the vertical height (H) of the flap structure is greater than vertical distance (D) between base wall and the projected mounting structure.
[0020] In an aspect, the flap structure rotates about the pivot axis (X) in an upward direction inside the U-shaped channel structure of the oil gutter structure to allow entry of the splashed oil in the oil gutter structure in between the flap structure and the base wall during low rotational speed of the final big gear.
[0021] In an aspect, during high rotational speed of the final big gear, the flap structure rotates about the pivot axis (X) and rests on the base wall of the oil gutter structure to close the entry portion upto a height of the pivot axis (X) prevent reverse oil flow from the entry portion.
[0022] In an aspect, the flap structure rests on the base wall of the oil gutter structure in idle condition of the final big gear due to gravity acting on its weight.
[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0024] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0025] Fig. 1A illustrates a gutter according to the prior art;
[0026] Fig. 1B illustrates reverse flow of oil according to the prior art
[0027] Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a final big gear and an oil gutter structure according to the present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 2B illustrates a top view of the oil gutter structure according to the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the oil gutter structure according to the present disclosure;
[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates a projected mounting structure of the oil gutter structure according to the present disclosure
[0031] Fig. 5 illustrates a flap structure of the oil gutter structure according to the present disclosure;
[0032] Fig. 6 illustrates a stopper on a vertical wall of the oil gutter structure according to the present disclosure;
[0033] Fig. 7A illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the stopper on the oil gutter structure according to an embodiment the present disclosure;
[0034] Fig. 7B illustrates a projection on a cylindrical structure of another embodiment of the stopper on the oil gutter structure according to an embodiment the present disclosure;
[0035] Fig. 7C illustrates the stopper on the oil gutter structure according to an embodiment the present disclosure;
[0036] Fig. 8A illustrates the flow of oil at low speed according to the present disclosure;
[0037] Fig. 8B illustrates the flow of oil at high speed according to the present disclosure.
[0038] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0039] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0040] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0041] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0042] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0043] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0044] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0045] The present invention discloses an oil gutter structure provided over transmission gears for lubricating transmission components in an effective manner. The present invention aims at preventing reverse oil flow at high rotational speeds of transmission and allowing entry of oil at low speeds of transmission.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an oil gutter structure (200) over the transmission gears is shown. The oil gutter structure (200) has a U-shaped channel structure (206) to allow a passage for lubricating oil to flow from one location where lubricanting oil is readily available to other location having oil scarcity inside the transmission.
[0047] The U-shaped channel structure (206) of the oil gutter structure (200) has an entry portion (201) above a final big gear (202) or a final big gear and an exit portion (203) that opens at other gears and bearings. The entry portion (201) receives splashed oil which is splashed by the final big gear (202) during rotation and the splashed oil travels through an intermediate portion (204) that allows passage of the received splashed oil from the entry portion (201). The intermediate portion (204) flows the oil towards the exit portion (203).
[0048] Further, the exit portion (203) feeds the received splashed oil from the intermediate portion (204) to other gears or components such as bearings, shafts and synchronizer systems which are away from the final big gear (202).
[0049] Furthermore, a flap structure (205) is provided on the oil gutter structure (200). The flap structure (205) is pivotably mounted at vertical side walls (301a, 301b) (as provided in FIG. 3) of the entry portion (201) of the oil gutter structure (200).
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the flap structure (205) is pivotably mounted on the vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201) of the oil gutter structure (200). The flap structure (205) rotates about a pivot axis (X) on the oil gutter structure (200). The purpose of the flap structure (205) is to allow or restrict flow of the splashed oil (between the pivot axis X and a base wall (302)).
[0051] In case of low rotational speed of the final big gear (202), the flap structure (205) is lifted up by the force of oil such that the oil may flow through the same as shown in the fig. 8A.
[0052] In case of high rotational speed of the final big gear (202), the flap structure (205) is pushed down by oil force to stop the reverse flow of oil as shown in fig. 8B.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the oil gutter structure (200) has the flap structure (205). The flap structure (205) defines a cylindrical (or rod) structure (501) located on a flat structure (503) at a top edge (502).
[0054] Further, the U-shaped channel structure (206) of the oil gutter structure (200) has vertical side walls (301a, 301b). Therefore, the entry portion (201) on the U-shaped channel structure (206) of the oil gutter structure (200) defines a projected mounting structure (401a, 401b). The projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) is extended outwards from the vertical side walls (301a, 301b). The projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) has a hole (402a, 402b) to receive the cylindrical structure (501) at both ends.
[0055] The vertical height (H) of the flap structure (205) is greater than vertical distance (D) between base wall (302) and the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b).
[0056] Referring to FIG. 6, a projection (602) located on the vertical side walls (301b) as shown. The vertical side wall (301b) has an inner surface (601). The inner surface (601) of the vertical side walls (301b) has the projection (602) that faces toward opposite vertical side wall (301a) of the oil gutter structure (200) to act as a stopper to limit rotation of the flap structure (205) and avoid overturning of the flap structure (205).
[0057] Referring to FIG. 7A-7C. In another embodiment, an arrange of a stopper (703) and flap structure is shown. The cylindrical (or rod) structure (501) is located at the top edge (502). Further, the cylindrical structure (501) defines a projection (702) at one end that extends in a vertical direction from the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical structure (501).
[0058] The vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201) define the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) to receive the cylindrical structure (501) at both ends. One end of the projected mounting structure (401a) has a hole (402a) and another end of the projected mounting structure (401a) has a hole with an opening or cutout (701) to receive the cylindrical structure (501) by means of press fitting at one end. Also, the projected mounting structure (401b) having an opening to receive the cylindrical structure (501) is provided with a stopper (703) extending outward from the vertical side wall (301b).
[0059] The stopper (703) is functioned to limit the rotation of the flap structure (205) by limiting rotation of the projection (702) of the cylindrical structure (501) on which the flap structure (205) is fixed.
Working of the invention
[0060] During vehicle stationary condition or during the zero rotational speed of the final big gear (202), the flap structure (205) pivotably mounted at vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201), far end of the flap (205) rests on the base wall (302) of the oil gutter structure (200) in an idle condition of the final big gear (202) due to gravity.
[0061] In a low vehicle speed or during the low rotational speed of the final big gear (202), the flap structure (205) pivotably mounted at vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201) rotates about the pivot axis (X). The flap structure (205) rotates about the pivot axis (X) in an upwards direction inside the U-shaped channel structure (206) of the oil gutter structure (200) to allow entry of the splashed oil (refer to FIG. 8A) in the oil gutter structure (200) in between the flap structure (205) and the base wall (302).
[0062] At low speed, the oil enter through the lowest portion of the gutter entry. As the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) is at height and the weight of the flap structure (205) is very less, the flap structure (205) gets lifted up by the force of the oil splash. This allows the entry of the oil at low speed into the oil gutter structure (200) without effecting its functioning at low speed.
[0063] In a high vehicle speed or during the high rotational speed of the final big gear (202), the flap structure (205) pivotably mounted at vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201) rotates about the pivot axis (x). The flap structure (205) rotates about the pivot axis (X) and rests on the base wall (302) of the oil gutter structure (200) to close the entry portion (201) upto a height of the pivot axis (X).
[0064] The flap structure (205) prevents reverse oil flow (refer to FIG. 8B) that enters from the entry portion (201). At high rotational speed, oil enter through the highest portion of the entry portion (201) of the oil gutter structure (200). As the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) is at about middle of the entry portion (201) of the oil gutter structure (200), the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) is below the oil splash entry point. In this situation, the flap structure (205) gets pushed down by the force of the oil splash. This blocks the reverse oil flow from the entry portion (201) of the oil gutter structure (200), thus preventing the reverse flow of oil. This also improves the oil flow rate in the oil gutter structure (200) and reduce the oil churning losses of the final big gear (202).
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0065] With the help of the solution as proposed herein in the context of the present disclosure, the efficiency of transmission is improved.
[0066] The present invention can address lubrication challenges which arise due to reducing oil volume in transmission for cost saving and efficiency improvement.
[0067] The present invention can be applied to all type of transmission/systems where lubrication is done by splash and gutter arrangement.
[0068] The present invention works at all transmission rotational speeds.
[0069] The present invention is cost effective.
[0070] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0071] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
, Claims:We claim:
1. An oil gutter structure (200) for lubricating transmission components of a transmission of a vehicle, the oil gutter structure (200) defines a U-shaped channel structure (206) to allow passage of lubricating oil from one location where the lubricating oil is in abundance to other location where the lubricating oil is in scarcity inside the transmission, the oil gutter structure (200) comprising:
an entry portion (201) to receive splashed oil which is splashed by a final big gear (202);
an exit portion (203) to feed the received splashed oil to components of the transmission;
an intermediate portion (204) to allow passage of the received splashed oil from the entry portion (201) to the exit portion (203); and
characterized in that
a flap structure (205) pivotably mounted at vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201), the flap structure (205) rotates about a pivot axis (X) to allow or restrict flow of the splashed oil.

2. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the flap structure (205) defines a cylindrical structure (501) at a top edge (502); and
the vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201) define a projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) with a hole (402a, 402b) to receive the cylindrical structure (501) at both ends.

3. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
inner surface (601) of one of the vertical side walls (301b) define a projection (602) toward opposite vertical side wall (301a) to act as a stopper to limit rotation of the flap structure (205) and avoid overturning of the flap structure (205).

4. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b) defined at both of the vertical side walls (301a, 301b) of the entry portion (201), wherein one of the projected mounting structure (401a) has a hole (402a) and another the projected mounting structure (401a) has a hole with an opening (701) to receive the cylindrical structure (501); and
a stopper (703) extending outward from the vertical side wall (301b), the stopper (703) extend from adjacently from the projected mounting structure (401b);
wherein the stopper (703) limits the rotation of the flap structure (205) by limiting the rotation of a projection (702) provided on the cylindrical structure (501) to which the flap structure (205) is integrated.

5. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical height (H) of the flap structure (205) is greater than vertical distance (D) between base wall (302) and the projected mounting structure (401a, 401b).

6. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap structure (205) rotates about the pivot axis (X) in an upward direction inside the U-shaped channel structure (206) of the oil gutter structure (200) to allow entry of the splashed oil in the oil gutter structure (200) in between the flap structure (205) and the base wall (302) during low rotational speed of the final big gear (202).

7. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during high rotational speed of the final big gear, the flap structure (205) rotates about the pivot axis (X) and rests on the base wall (302) of the oil gutter structure (200) to close the entry portion (201) upto a height of the pivot axis (X) and prevent reverse oil flow from the entry portion (201).

8. The oil gutter structure (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flap structure (205) rests on the base wall (302) of the oil gutter structure (200) in idle condition of the final big gear (202) due to gravity.