An oil supply system of a vehicle includes: a first pump generating a first quantity of oil to cool a driving motor of a hybrid vehicle; a second pump generating a second quantity of oil to lubricate a friction lubrication element of the hybrid vehicle; a flow channel switching valve selectively switching a flow channel of the first quantity of oil and a flow channel of the second quantity of oil to connect the flow channel of the first quantity of oil to the friction lubrication element or connect the flow channel of the second quantity of oil to the driving motor; and a controller controlling an operation of the flow channel switching valve to supply a portion of the first quantity of oil to the friction lubrication element or a portion of the second quantity of oil to the driving motor.

An oil supply system of a vehicle includes: a first pump generating a first quantity of oil to cool a driving motor of a hybrid vehicle; a second pump generating a second quantity of oil to lubricate a friction lubrication element of the hybrid vehicle; a flow channel switching valve selectively switching a flow channel of the first quantity of oil and a flow channel of the second quantity of oil to connect the flow channel of the first quantity of oil to the friction lubrication element or connect the flow channel of the second quantity of oil to the driving motor; and a controller controlling an operation of the flow channel switching valve to supply a portion of the first quantity of oil to the friction lubrication element or a portion of the second quantity of oil to the driving motor.

A cooling and lubrication system for a motor vehicle drive unit includes a drive unit sump, a first mechanically-driven pump, a second mechanically-driven pump, and an oil/air separator reservoir, among other possible components. The drive unit sump holds drive unit fluid. The first mechanically-driven pump fluidly communicates with the drive unit sump, and the second mechanically-driven pump fluidly communicates with the drive unit sump. The oil/air separator reservoir resides downstream of the first mechanically-driven pump and resides downstream of the second mechanically-driven pump.

A cooling and lubrication system for a motor vehicle drive unit includes a drive unit sump, a first mechanically-driven pump, a second mechanically-driven pump, and an oil/air separator reservoir, among other possible components. The drive unit sump holds drive unit fluid. The first mechanically-driven pump fluidly communicates with the drive unit sump, and the second mechanically-driven pump fluidly communicates with the drive unit sump. The oil/air separator reservoir resides downstream of the first mechanically-driven pump and resides downstream of the second mechanically-driven pump.

During the travel of a vehicle, the oil level of lubricating oil is lowered due to the suction by at least a first oil pump and the scraping-up by the rotation of a differential ring gear and so on. In particular, until the oil level becomes equal to or lower than an upper end of a first partition wall, the oil level is lowered due to both the suction by the first oil pump and the scraping-up by the rotation of the differential ring gear and so on, and therefore, a region, that is immersed in the lubricating oil, of the differential device rapidly becomes smaller. Since a suction port of the first oil pump is disposed in a second oil storage portion, the oil level in the second oil storage portion during the travel of the vehicle can be adjusted independently of that in a first oil storage portion.

During the travel of a vehicle, the oil level of lubricating oil is lowered due to the suction by at least a first oil pump and the scraping-up by the rotation of a differential ring gear and so on. In particular, until the oil level becomes equal to or lower than an upper end of a first partition wall, the oil level is lowered due to both the suction by the first oil pump and the scraping-up by the rotation of the differential ring gear and so on, and therefore, a region, that is immersed in the lubricating oil, of the differential device rapidly becomes smaller. Since a suction port of the first oil pump is disposed in a second oil storage portion, the oil level in the second oil storage portion during the travel of the vehicle can be adjusted independently of that in a first oil storage portion.

A greasing mechanism for a main electric motor of a vehicle includes a greasing tube that is filled with a semi-solid lubricant and has an indicator member within the greasing tube. The indicator member has a specific gravity that is smaller than that of the semi-solid lubricant and moves in a greasing direction from a first position due to pressure of the semi-solid lubricant during greasing. The greasing mechanism includes a retaining part that has a shape that stops at a second position the indicator member moving during greasing. An indicator window arranged in a portion of the greasing tube including the second position is formed from a component that is at least partially transparent to visible light.

A greasing mechanism for a main electric motor of a vehicle includes a greasing tube that is filled with a semi-solid lubricant and has an indicator member within the greasing tube. The indicator member has a specific gravity that is smaller than that of the semi-solid lubricant and moves in a greasing direction from a first position due to pressure of the semi-solid lubricant during greasing. The greasing mechanism includes a retaining part that has a shape that stops at a second position the indicator member moving during greasing. An indicator window arranged in a portion of the greasing tube including the second position is formed from a component that is at least partially transparent to visible light.

A vehicle including a housing supported on a framework member of the vehicle via a supporting member, a liquid medium supply unit fixed to the housing and driven by a motor to supply a liquid medium to a cooled or lubricated portion, and a first atmosphere communicating mechanism that establishes a communication between an inside of a motor portion of the liquid medium supply unit and atmosphere, the first atmosphere communicating mechanism including a volumetric member that is disposed apart from the liquid medium supply unit in a position higher than the liquid medium supply unit, that has a predetermined volumetric space, and that is fixed to the housing.

A vehicle including a housing supported on a framework member of the vehicle via a supporting member, a liquid medium supply unit fixed to the housing and driven by a motor to supply a liquid medium to a cooled or lubricated portion, and a first atmosphere communicating mechanism that establishes a communication between an inside of a motor portion of the liquid medium supply unit and atmosphere, the first atmosphere communicating mechanism including a volumetric member that is disposed apart from the liquid medium supply unit in a position higher than the liquid medium supply unit, that has a predetermined volumetric space, and that is fixed to the housing.