Title:
LUBICATION PUMP FOR INTER-AXLE DIFFERENTIAL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2002/057657
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An inter-axle differential assembly (10) comprises an input shaft (14), an output shaft (30) arranged coaxially with respect to each other, a differential gearing and a dedicated reversible lubrication pump (50) disposed between the input and output shafts. The reversible gerotor type lubrication pump (50) includes a rotor (52) driven by the input shaft (14), and an impeller (52), both disposed within a pump body (56) coupled to a side gear drivingly connected to the output shaft (30). Thus, the lubrication pump (50) generates lubricant flow only during the differential action between the input shaft and the output shaft, i.e., when needed. An oil flow generated by the lubrication pump (50) is supplied to various components of the inter-axle differential gearing through a gallery of fluid passages.
Inventors:
WAGLE LAWRENCE P
KWASNIEWSKI DALE
ZIECH JAMES F
KWASNIEWSKI DALE
ZIECH JAMES F
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/050061
Publication Date:
July 25, 2002
Filing Date:
December 27, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
DANA CORP (US)
International Classes:
F01C21/10; F04C2/10; F04C14/04; F16H48/06; F16H57/04; B60K17/346; (IPC1-7): F16H57/04
Foreign References:
US3590954A | 1971-07-06 | |||
US3040600A | 1962-06-26 | |||
EP0599050A1 | 1994-06-01 | |||
US3550724A | 1970-12-29 | |||
US4733578A | 1988-03-29 | |||
US2861477A | 1958-11-25 |
Other References:
See also references of EP 1352184A1
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stavish, Matthew W. (Berenato Longacre & White, 6550 Rock
Spring Drive, Suite 24, Bethesda MD, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
What is claimed is:
1. | An interaxle differential assembly for a vehicular power transmission unit provided with a supply of lubricant; said interaxle differential assembly comprising: a differential input shaft; a differential output shaft; a differential gearing; a dedicated lubrication pump for lubricating components of said differential assembly, said pump mounted between said input shaft and said output shaft, wherein said pump generates lubrication flow whenever differential action between said input drive shaft and said.. output drive shaft occurs; a hydraulic fluid suction passage providing an inlet fluid communication passage between said supply of lubricant and an inlet port of said lubrication pump; and a gallery of fluid passages supplying said lubricant for lubricating said components of said interaxle differential assembly; said gallery of fluid, passages fluidly connected to an outlet port of said lubrication pump. |
2. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said lubrication pump is a reversible unidirectional pump. |
3. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said a differential gearing including: a first side gear and a second side gear arranged coaxially relative to said input shaft and rotatable relative to said differential input shaft; said first side gear is drivingly coupled to said output shaft; a differential spider drivingly connected to said input shaft; and a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted to said differential spider and drivingly engaging said first side gear and said second side gear to allow differential rotation thereof. |
4. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said lubrication pump including a rotor drivingly coupled to said input shaft and an impeller coupled to said first side gear, wherein said rotor is operative upon rotation with respect to said impeller. |
5. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said first side gear including a sleeve portion receiving at one end thereof said input shaft rotatably mounted therein and said output shaft at the other end for drivingly coupling thereto, said sleeve portion of said first side gear houses said lubrication pump therewithin. |
6. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said lubrication pump comprises a gerotor pump. |
7. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said lubrication pump comprises a vane pump. |
8. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said output shaft including a. tubular inboard end receiving said input shaft rotatably mounted therewithin, said tubular inboard end further housing said lubrication pump therewithin. |
9. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein said inlet fluid communication passage includes an inlet passage formed in said sleeve portion of said first side gear. |
10. | The interaxle differential assembly as defined in claim 8, wherein said inlet fluid communication passage includes an inlet passage formed in said tubular inboard end of said output shaft. |
11. | An interaxle differential assembly for a vehicular power transmission unit provided with a supply of lubricant ; said interaxle differential assembly comprising: a differential input shaft; a differential output shaft; a first side gear and a second side gear arranged coaxially relative to said input shaft and rotatable relative to said differential input shaft; said first side gear including a sleeve portion receiving said output shaft for drivingly coupling thereto; a differential spider drivingly connected to said input shaft and provided with a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted to said differential spider and drivingly engaging said first side gear and said second side gear to allow differential rotation thereof; a dedicated reversible gerotor lubrication pump for lubricating components of said differential assembly, said lubrication pump mounted within said sleeve portion of said first side gear; said reversible gerotor lubrication pump including a rotor drivingly coupled to said input shaft and an impeller coupled to said first side gear, wherein said pump generates lubrication flow whenever differential action between said input drive shaft and said first side gear occurs; a hydraulic fluid suction passage providing an inlet fluid communication passage between said supply of lubricant and an inlet port of said lubrication pump including an inlet passage formed in said sleeve portion of said first side gear; and a gallery of fluid passages supplying said lubricant for lubricating said components of said interaxle differential assembly; said gallery of fluid passages fluidly connected to an outlet port of said lubrication pump. |
12. | An interaxle differential assembly for a vehicular power transmission unit provided with a supply of lubricant; said interaxle differential assembly comprising: a differential input shaft; a differential output shaft; a first side gear and a second side gear arranged coaxially relative to said input shaft and rotatable relative to said differential input shaft; said output shaft including a tubular inboard end receiving said input shaft rotatably mounted therewithin, a differential spider drivingly connected to said input shaft and provided with a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted to said differential spider and drivingly engaging said first side gear and said second side gear to allow differential rotation thereof; a dedicated reversible gerotor lubrication pump for lubricating components of said differential assembly, said lubrication pump mounted within said tubular inboard end of said output shaft; said reversible gerotor lubrication pump including a rotor drivingly coupled to said input shaft and an impeller coupled to said tubular inboard end of said output shaft, wherein said pump generates lubrication flow whenever differential action between said input drive shaft and said output shaft occurs; a hydraulic fluid suction passage providing an inlet fluid communication passage between said supply of lubricant and an inlet port of said lubrication pump including an inlet passage formed in said tubular inboard end of said output shaft; and a gallery of fluid passages supplying said lubricant for lubricating said components of said interaxle differential assembly; said gallery of fluid passages fluidly connected to an outlet port of said lubrication pump. |
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