Transmission lubricant cooling system

• US 20040188180A1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Wheeler, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 7,036,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/0037 characterised by controlled fluid supply to lubrication circuits of the gearing see also lubrication control F16H57/0446
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 41/30 relating to venting, lubrication, cooling, circulation of the cooling medium
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0413 Controlled cooling or heating of lubricant; Temperature control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0021 Generation or control of line pressure

Abstract

A vehicle transmission lubrication communication system including a pump, a torque converter, an oil cooler, a shifting control assembly, a sump, a main shaft, a counter shaft, and a secondary shaft. The pump withdraws lubricating oil from the sump and pumps the lubricating oil throughout the lubrication system. The pump directs a first flow to the torque converter, a second flow to the shifting control assembly, and a third flow to the main shaft. Oil from the torque converter flows through the oil cooler and, downstream the oil cooler, separates into a first portion of cooled oil that is directed to the secondary and counter shafts and a second portion of the cooled oil that is directed to the sump. Increased flow through the torque converter and oil cooler, as well as directing cooled oil to the secondary and counter shafts, reduces the oil temperature during normal and lockup modes of operation.

Claims

1. A vehicle transmission lubrication communication system, comprising a pump, a torque converter, an oil cooler, a shifting control assembly, a sump, and a plurality of shafts, wherein said pump withdraws lubricating oil from said sump and pumps said lubricating oil throughout said lubrication system, said pump directing a first flow to said torque converter, and a second flow to said shifting control assembly, and wherein oil from said torque converter flows through said oil cooler and, downstream said oil cooler, a first portion of cooled oil is directed to at least one of said plurality of shafts and a second portion of the cooled oil is directed to said sump.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of shafts include a main shaft, a secondary shaft, and a counter shaft, and wherein said first portion of cooled oil is directed to said secondary and counter shafts.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of shafts include a main shaft, a secondary shaft, and a counter shaft, and wherein said pump directs a third flow of lubricating oil to said main shaft.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said first portion of cooled oil is directed to said secondary and counter shafts.

5. A vehicle transmission lubrication communication system, comprising a pump, a torque converter, an oil cooler, a shifting control assembly, a sump, and a main shaft, a secondary shaft, and a counter shaft, wherein said pump withdraws lubricating oil from said sump and pumps said lubricating oil throughout said lubrication system, said pump directing a first flow to said torque converter, a second flow to said shifting control assembly, and a third flow to said main shaft, wherein oil from said torque converter flows through said oil cooler, the improvement comprising:

downstream said oil cooler, a first portion of cooled oil is directed to said secondary and counter shafts, and a second portion of the cooled oil is directed to said sump.

6. A vehicle transmission lubrication communication system, comprising a pump, a torque converter, an oil cooler, a shifting control assembly, a sump, and a plurality of shafts, wherein said pump withdraws lubricating oil from said sump and pumps said lubricating oil throughout said lubrication system, said pump directing a first flow to said torque converter, and wherein oil from said torque converter flows through said oil cooler and, downstream said oil cooler, a first portion of cooled oil is directed to at least one of said plurality of shafts and a second portion of the cooled oil is directed to said sump.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of shafts include a main shaft, a secondary shaft, and a counter shaft, and wherein said first portion of cooled oil is directed to said secondary and counter shafts.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said pump directs a second flow of oil to said shifting control assembly and a third flow of oil to said main shaft, said second and third flows being returned to the sump without passing through the oil cooler.