SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A system for a motor vehicle may include a reservoir, a plurality of lubricant paths extending through the reservoir, a plurality of coolant paths extending through the reservoir, a plurality of delivery devices attached to the reservoir, and a plurality of coolers attached to the reservoir. The reservoir may include two sumps for lubricant. The reservoir may include (i) a plurality of reservoir lubricant inlet connections and a plurality of reservoir lubricant outlet connections through which the lubricant paths extend, (ii) a plurality of reservoir coolant inlet connections and a plurality of reservoir coolant outlet connections through which the coolant paths extend, (iii) a plurality of fluidic pump connections fluidically connected to the plurality of delivery devices, and (iv) a plurality of reservoir lubricant outlets, a plurality of reservoir lubricant inlets, a plurality of reservoir coolant outlets, and a plurality of reservoir coolant inlets fluidically connected to the coolers.

Claims

1. A system (1) for a motor vehicle (100), having an upper reservoir part (2) and a lower reservoir part (3) attached to the upper reservoir part (2), which form a reservoir (4), wherein a first lubricant path (5), a second lubricant path (6) and a third lubricant path (7) lead through the reservoir (4), wherein fluidically separated from the lubricant paths (5, 6, 7) a first coolant path (8) and a second coolant path (9) lead through the reservoir (4), wherein in the lower reservoir part (3), two separate sumps (10) for lubricant are moulded, wherein the reservoir (4) for the first lubricant path (5) comprises a first reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11a) and a first reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12a), through which the first lubricant path (5) leads, for the second lubricant path (6) comprises a second reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11b) and a second reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12b), through which the second lubricant path (6) leads, for the third lubricant path (7), comprises a third reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11c) and a third reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12c), through which the third lubricant path (7) leads, wherein the reservoir (4) for the first coolant path (8) comprises a first reservoir coolant inlet connection (13, 13a) and a first reservoir coolant outlet connection (14, 14a), through which the first coolant path (8) leads, for the second coolant path (9) comprises a second reservoir coolant inlet connection (13, 13b) and a second reservoir coolant outlet connection (14, 14b), through which the second coolant path (9) leads, having a first delivery device (15, 15a) for the first lubricant path (5) and a second delivery device (15, 15b) for the second lubricant path (6), wherein the respective delivery device (15) is attached to the reservoir (4), wherein the reservoir (4) for the first delivery device (15, 15a) comprises two fluidic first pump connections (16), with which the first delivery device (15, 15a) is fluidically connected, so that the first delivery device (15, 15a) delivers lubricant along the first lubricant path (5) during the operation, for the second delivery device (15, 15b) comprises two fluidic second pump connections (17), with which the second delivery device (15, 15b) is fluidically connected, so that the second delivery device (15, 15b) delivers lubricant along the second lubricant path (6) during the operation, wherein the system (1) for the first lubricant path (5) comprises a first cooler (18, 18a), for the second lubricant path (6) a second cooler (18, 18b) and for the third lubricant path (7) a third cooler (18, 18c), wherein the respective cooler (18) is attached to the reservoir (4), wherein the respective cooler (18) comprises a cooler lubricant inlet, a cooler lubricant outlet, a cooler coolant inlet and a cooler coolant outlet, wherein the reservoir (4) comprises for the respective cooler lubricant inlet an associated reservoir lubricant outlet (19) and for the respective cooler lubricant outlet an associated reservoir lubricant inlet (20), so that the associated lubricant path (5, 6, 7) leads through the respective cooler (18), wherein the reservoir (4) for the respective cooler coolant inlet comprises an associated reservoir coolant outlet (21) and for the respective cooler coolant outlet an associated reservoir coolant inlet (22), so that during the operation, fluidically separated from the lubricant path (5, 6, 7), coolant flows through the respective cooler (18), and so that during the operation lubricant flowing along the associated lubricant path (5, 6, 7) is cooled with coolant in the respective cooler (18), wherein in the reservoir (4) at least one channel (24) is moulded, wherein an associated lubricant path (5, 6, 7) or coolant path (8, 9) delimited by the channel (24) leads through the respective channel (24).

2. A system according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the at least one channels (23) is moulded in one of the reservoir parts (2, 3).

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one of the reservoir paths (2, 3) is produced by injection moulding, in that in the reservoir paths (2, 3) at least one channel (24) is produced by means of an insert during the injection moulding.

4. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the lower reservoir part (3) is formed pot-shaped, in that the upper reservoir part (2) is formed plate-like and placed onto the lower reservoir part (3), in that at least one of the at least one channel (24), in particular the respective channel (24), is moulded in the upper reservoir part (2).

5. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pump connections (16, 17) are formed on the lower reservoir part (3) and the delivery devices (15) are attached to the lower reservoir part (3).

6. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the respective cooler (18) is formed as a plate cooler (26).

7. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the coolers (18) are placed on the side of the upper reservoir part (2) facing away from the lower reservoir part (3) and attached to the upper reservoir part (2), in that the upper reservoir part (2) comprises the reservoir lubricant outlets (19), the reservoir lubricant inlets (20), the reservoir coolant outlets (21) and the reservoir coolant inlets (22).

8. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11a) is formed on the lower reservoir part (3), in that the first reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12a) is formed on the upper reservoir part (2) and faces away from the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11a).

9. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11b) is formed on the lower reservoir part (3), in that the second reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12b) is formed on the upper reservoir part (2) and arranged on the same side (27) of the reservoir (4) as the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11b).

10. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the third reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11c) and the third reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12c) are formed on the upper reservoir part (2) and arranged on the same side (27) of the reservoir (4).

11. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first reservoir coolant inlet connection (13, 13a) and the first reservoir coolant outlet connection (14, 14a) are formed on the upper reservoir part (2) and arranged on different sides (27) of the reservoir (4).

12. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the second reservoir coolant inlet connection (13, 13b) and the second reservoir coolant outlet connection (14, 14b) are formed on the upper reservoir part (2) and arranged on different sides (27) of the reservoir (4).

13. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the system (1) comprises a first temperature sensor (28, 28a), in that the reservoir (4) for the first temperature sensor (28, 28a) comprises a first sensor connection (29, 29a), through which the first temperature sensor (28, 28a) enters the first lubricant path (5), in particular between the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11a) and the first delivery device (15, 15a), in that the system (1) comprises a second temperature sensor (28, 28b), in that the reservoir (4) for the second temperature sensor (28, 28b) comprises a second sensor connection (29, 29b), through which the second temperature sensor (28, 28b) enters the second lubricant path (6), in particular between the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11b) and the second delivery device (15, 15b).

14. The system according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the first lubricant path (5) leads through a first of the sumps (10, 10a) and the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11a) is fluidically connected to the first sump (10, 10a), so that the first lubricant path (5) leads from the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11a) to the first cooler (18, 18a) into the first sump (10, 10a) and through the first reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12a) and/or in that the second lubricant path (6) leads through a second of the sumps (10, 10b) and the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11b) is fluidically connected to the second sump (10, 10b), so that the second lubricant path (6) leads from the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection (11, 11b) to the second cooler (18, 18b) into the second sump (10, 10b) and through the second reservoir lubricant outlet connection (12, 12b).

15. A motor vehicle (100), having a first electric machine (101), a second electric machine (102), with a transmission (103) and with a system (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the first lubricant path (5) leads through the first electric machine (101), wherein the second lubricant path (6) leads through the second electric machine (102), wherein the third lubricant path (7) leads through the transmission (103).

Description

[0050] FIG. 1 a greatly simplified representation in the manner of a circuit diagram of a motor vehicle having a system,

[0051] FIG. 2 a plan view of the system,

[0052] FIG. 3 an isometric exploded representation of the system,

[0053] FIG. 4 an isometric exploded representation of a reservoir of the system,

[0054] FIG. 5 an isometric view of a lower reservoir part of the reservoir,

[0055] FIG. 6 an isometric view of an upper reservoir part of the reservoir,

[0056] FIG. 7 an isometric detailed view of the lower reservoir part,

[0057] FIG. 8 an isometric view of the system,

[0058] FIG. 9 a lateral view of the system,

[0059] FIG. 10 another lateral view of the system.

[0060] A system 1, such as is shown for example in the FIGS. 1 to 10, is employed as a module 25 in a motor vehicle 100 exemplarily shown in FIG. 1.

[0061] In the shown exemplary embodiment, the motor vehicle 100 besides the system 1 comprises a first electric machine 101, a second electric machine 102 and a transmission 103, each of which are supplied with a lubricant, for example with oil, via the system 1 during the operation. For this purpose, associated flow paths 5, 6, 7 of the lubricant each lead through the system 1, which in the following are also referred to as lubricant paths 5, 6, 7. There, a first lubricant path 5 leads through the system 1 and through the first electric machine 101. A second lubricant path 6 leads through the system 1 and through the second electric machine 102. In addition, a third lubricant path 7 leads through the system 1 and through the transmission 103.

[0062] As is evident from FIGS. 2 to 10, the system 1 comprises two reservoir parts 2, 3 attached to one another, which in the following can also be referred to as upper reservoir part 2 and lower reservoir part 3. The upper reservoir part 2 and the lower reservoir part 3 jointly form a reservoir 4 of the system 1. As is evident in particular from FIG. 4, the lower reservoir part 3 in the shown exemplary embodiment is designed pot-shaped. The upper reservoir part 2 is designed plate-like and placed onto the lower reservoir part 3. The upper reservoir part 2 closes off the lower reservoir part 3 in the manner of a lid.

[0063] The lubricant paths 5, 6, 7 lead through the reservoir 4. In the system 1, the lubricant flowing along the respective lubricant path 5, 6, 7 is cooled during the operation. For this purpose, two flow paths 8, 9 of a coolant lead through the reservoir 4, fluidically separated from the lubricant paths 5, 6, 7. In the following, the flow paths 8, 9 are also referred to as coolant paths 8, 9. Thus, a first coolant path 8 and a second coolant path 9 lead through the reservoir 4. As is evident in particular from FIG. 5, two separate sumps 10, namely a first sump 10a and a second sump 10b, for lubricant are moulded in the lower reservoir part 3. The reservoir 4 comprises for the respective lubricant 5, 6, 7 an associated inlet 11 for admitting the lubricant and an associated outlet 12 for discharging the lubricant. The inlets 11 are also referred to as reservoir lubricant inlet connections 11 and the outlets 12 as reservoir lubricant outlet connections 12 in the following. Thus, the reservoir 4 comprises for the first lubricant path 5 a first reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11a and a first reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12a, through which the first lubricant path 5 leads. In addition, the reservoir 4 for the second lubricant path 6 comprises a second reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11b and a second reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12b, through which the second lubricant path 6 leads. Further, the reservoir 4 for the third lubricant path 7 comprises a third reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11c and a third reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12c, through which the third lubricant path 7 leads. Further, the reservoir 4 comprises for the respective coolant path 8, 9 an associated inlet 13 for admitting the coolant and an associated outlet 14 for discharging the coolant. In the following, the inlets 13 are also referred to as reservoir coolant inlet connections 13 and the outlets 14 as reservoir coolant outlet connections 13. Thus, the reservoir 4 comprises for the first coolant path 8 a first reservoir coolant inlet connection 13a and a first reservoir coolant outlet connection 14a, through which the first coolant path 8 leads. In addition, the reservoir 4 for the second coolant path 9 comprises a second reservoir coolant inlet connection 13b and a second reservoir coolant outlet connection 14b, through which the second coolant path 9 leads. Further, the system 1 comprises for the first lubricant path 5 and the second lubricant path 6 a delivery device 15 each for delivering lubricant along the associated lubricant path 5, 6. Thus, the system 1 comprises a first delivery device 15a for the first lubricant path 5 and a second delivery device 15b for the second lubricant path 6. Here, the respective delivery device 15 is attached to the reservoir 4. The reservoir 4 comprises for the respective delivery device 15 to associated fluidic connections 16, 17, with which the delivery device 15 is fluidically connected for delivering lubricant. The connections 16, 17 are also referred to as pump connections 16, 17 in the following. Thus, the reservoir 4 comprises for the first delivery device 15a two fluidic first pump connections 16, with which the first delivery device 15a is fluidically connected and into which the first delivery device 15a in the shown exemplary embodiment is inserted, so that the first lubricant path 5 leads through the first pump connections 16 and the first delivery device 15a delivers lubricant along the first lubricant path 5 during the operation. In addition, the reservoir 4 comprises for the second delivery device 15b two fluidic second pump connections 17, with which the first delivery device 15b is fluidically connected, into which in the shown exemplary embodiment the second delivery device 15b is inserted, so that the second lubricant path 6 leads through the second pump connections 17 and the second delivery device 15b delivers lubricant along the second lubricant path 6 during the operation. As is evident in particular from FIG. 2, the pump connections 16, 17 are formed on the lower reservoir part 3 in the shown exemplary embodiment. In addition, the delivery device 15 are attached to the lower reservoir part 3 in the shown exemplary embodiment.

[0064] Further, the system 1 for cooling the lubricant flowing through the respective lubricant path 5, 6, 7 comprises an associated cooler 18, which is attached to the reservoir 4. Thus, the system 1 comprises for the first lubricant path 5 a first cooler 18a, for the second lubricant path 6 a second cooler 18b and for the third lubricant path 7 a third cooler 18c. The respective cooler 18 comprises a cooler lubricant inlet for admitting lubricant, a cooler lubricant outlet for discharging lubricant, a cooler coolant inlet for admitting coolant and a cooler coolant outlet for discharging coolant, each of which are not visible in the figures. As is evident for example from FIG. 4, the reservoir 4 comprises for the respect cooler lubricant inlet and associated reservoir lubricant outlet 19 and for the respective cooler lubricant outlet an associated reservoir lubricant inlet 20, so that the associated lubricant path 5, 6, 7 leads through the respective cooler 18. In addition, the reservoir 4 comprises for the respective cooler coolant inlet an associated reservoir coolant outlet 21 and for the respective cooler coolant outlet an associated reservoir coolant inlet 22, so that coolant, fluidically separated from the lubricant path 5, 6, 7 coolant flows through the respective cooler 18 during the operation and so that during the operation lubricant flowing along the associated lubricant path 5, 6, 7 is cooled with coolant in the respective cooler 18. As is evident in particular from FIG. 3, the respective cooler 18 is formed as a plate cooler 26 in the shown exemplary embodiment.

[0065] As is evident in particular from FIG. 4, at least one channel 24 is moulded in the reservoir 4. In the shown exemplary embodiment, at least one channel 24 is moulded in at least one of the reservoir parts 2, 3. In the shown exemplary embodiment, at least one channel 24 for the at least one of the flow paths 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 is moulded in the upper reservoir part 2. Thus, at least one channel 24 is moulded in the upper reservoir part 2, wherein an associated lubricant path 5, 6, 7 or coolant path 8, 9 leads through the respective channel 24. Thus, the system 1 is designed in a simple manner and with fewer individual components. Further, a reduced pressure drop along the associated flow paths 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 occurs because of the at least one channel 24.

[0066] The reservoir parts 2, 3 are advantageously produced from a light metal, for example from aluminium, or from plastic, for example from fibre-reinforced polyamide, in particular from PA 66 GF 35 HS. Here, the respective channel 24 can be produced in the upper reservoir part 2 in that the upper reservoir part 2 is injection moulded, wherein the respective channel 24 is produced by means of an insert (not shown) during the injection moulding, which is removed from an associated injection mould (not shown) after the injection moulding, so that the respective channel 24 is moulded in the upper reservoir part 2.

[0067] As is evident for example from FIGS. 2 and 3, the coolers 18 in the shown exemplary embodiment are placed onto the side of the upper reservoir part 2 facing away from the lower reservoir part 3 and attached to the upper reservoir part 2. Thus, the upper reservoir part 2 comprises the reservoir lubricant outlets 19, the reservoir lubricant inlets 20, the reservoir coolant outlets 21 and the reservoir coolant inlets 22.

[0068] As is evident in particular from FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, multiple channels 24 are moulded in the upper reservoir part 2 in the shown exemplary embodiment. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the upper housing part 2 comprises a first channel 24a for the first lubricant path 5, which includes the first reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12a. In addition, the upper housing part 2 comprises a second channel 24b for the second lubricant path 6, which includes the second reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12b. A third channel 24c for the third lubricant path 7 includes the third reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11c and a fourth channel 24d for the third lubricant path 7 includes the third reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12c. Further, the upper housing part 2 comprises a fifth channel 24e and a sixth channel 24f for the first coolant path 8 and the second coolant path 9, wherein the fifth channel 24e includes the first reservoir coolant inlet connection 13a and the sixth channel 24f the second reservoir coolant outlet connection 14b. In addition, the upper housing part 2 comprises for the first coolant path 8 a seventh channel 24g and for the second coolant path 9 an eighth channel 24h. The seventh channel 24g includes the first reservoir coolant outlet connection 14a. The eighth channel 24h includes the second reservoir coolant inlet connection 13b.

[0069] As is evident in particular from FIG. 2, the first coolant path 8 leads via the first housing coolant inlet connection 13a into the fifth channel 24e and via the first cooler 18a and the seventh channel 24g to the first housing coolant outlet connection 14a. The second coolant path 9 leads via the second housing coolant inlet connection 13b into the eighth channel 24h and via the second cooler 18b to the sixth channel 24f out of the second housing coolant outlet connection 14b. As is evident in particular from the FIGS. 2 and 6, the sixth channel 24f and the seventh channel 24g respectively are, further, fluidically connected via a ninth channel 24i of the upper housing part 2 with the fifth channel 24e and the eighth channel 24h respectively in the shown exemplary embodiment. As is evident from FIG. 6, the ninth channel 24i is open on the side facing the lower reservoir part 3. There, an associated projection 30 of the lower reservoir part 3 that is visible in particular in the FIGS. 5 and 7, engages into the ninth channel 24i and comprises a drainage opening 31 for draining coolant accrued.

[0070] In the shown exemplary embodiment, the first lubricant path 5 leads through the first sumps 10a. In addition, the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11a is fluidically connected to the first sump 10a. Thus, the first lubricant path 5 leads from the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11a to the first cooler 18a into the first sump 10a and through the first reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12a. In addition, the second lubricant path 6 in the shown exemplary embodiment leads through the second sump 10b and the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11b is fluidically connected to the second sump 10b. Consequently, the second lubricant path 6 leads from the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11b to the second cooler 18b into the second sump 10b and through the second reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12b.

[0071] The reservoir 4 comprises two sides 27 each facing away from one another. Thus, the reservoir comprises a first side 27a and a second side 27b, which face away from one another. In addition, the reservoir 4 comprises a third side 27c and a fourth side 27d, which face away from one another. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the third side 27c and the fourth side 27d run substantially transversely to the first side 27a and the second side 27b. The pump connections 16, 17 are arranged on the first side 27a.

[0072] According to FIG. 2, the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11a in the shown exemplary embodiment is formed on the lower reservoir part 3. In addition, the first reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12a is formed in the shown exemplary embodiment on the upper reservoir part 2 and faces away from the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11a. As is evident in particular from FIG. 4, the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11b in the shown exemplary embodiment is formed on the lower reservoir part 3. In addition, the second reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12b is arranged on the upper reservoir part 2 and with the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11b on the fourth side 27d of the reservoir 4.

[0073] As is evident in particular from FIG. 4, the third reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11c and the third reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12c are formed on the upper reservoir part 2 and arranged on the second side 27b of the reservoir 4.

[0074] As is evident in particular from FIG. 4, the first reservoir coolant inlet connection 13a and the second reservoir coolant outlet connection 14b are arranged in the shown exemplary embodiment on the third side 27c of the reservoir 4. In addition, the second reservoir coolant inlet connection 13b and the first reservoir coolant outlet connection 14a are arranged in the shown exemplary embodiment on the second side 27b of the reservoir 4.

[0075] As is further evident for example from FIG. 4, the third reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11c and the third reservoir lubricant outlet connection 12c are formed on the upper reservoir part 2 and arranged on the second side 27b of the reservoir.

[0076] In the shown exemplary embodiment, as is evident in particular from FIG. 2, the system 1 comprises for the first lubricant path 5 and the second lubricant path 6 an associated temperature sensor 28 each. Thus, the system 1 comprises for the first lubricant path 5 a first temperature sensor 28a and for the second lubricant path 6 a second temperature sensor 28b. In addition, the reservoir 4 comprises for the respective temperature sensor 28 an associated connection 29, which in the following is also referred to as sensor connection 29. Thus, the reservoir 4 comprises for the first temperature sensor 28 a first sensor connection 29a, through which the first temperature sensor 28a enters the first lubricant path 5. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the first temperature sensor 28a enters the first lubricant path 5 between the first reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11a and the first delivery device 15a. In addition, the reservoir 4 comprises for the second temperature sensor 28 a second sensor connection 29b, through which the second temperature sensor 28b enters the second lubricant path 6. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the second temperature sensor 28b enters the second lubricant path 6 between the second reservoir lubricant inlet connection 11b and the second delivery connection 15b.

[0077] As is evident in particular from FIG. 2, the system 1 can comprise for at least one of the connections 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 an associated connector 32. Further, the system comprises seals 33 between the reservoir parts 2, 3 and between the coolers 18 and the upper reservoir part 2. In addition, the reservoir parts 2, 3 in the shown exemplary embodiment are attached to one another and the coolers 18 as well as delivery devices 15 to the reservoir 4 by means of screws 34.

[0078] As is evident from FIG. 1, at least one of the coolant paths 8, 9 can lead through a cooling circuit 104. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the first coolant path 8, purely exemplarily, leads through a cooling circuit 104, which comprises further parts, for example a coolant cooler 105 for cooling the coolant and a coolant pump 106 for delivering the coolant.