Multi-component fluid distribution system

• US 9,810,310 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2015
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: McLauchlan, Raymond Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Dondero, William E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Buse, Mark K
• Application Number:
  US14/680,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20150285368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 184 612, 285364
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0421 on or within the casing, e.g. shields or baffles for collecting lubricant, tubes, pipes, grooves, channels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/046 Oil-mist or spray lubrication

Abstract

A multi-component fluid distribution system includes a first substrate component having an inlet for receiving fluid and an internal channel for communicating lubricant. A second substrate component is interlocked to the first substrate component. The second substrate component includes an inlet to receive fluid from the first component. The fluid distribution system also includes an over-molded portion sealing a joint between the first and second substrate components. The fluid distribution system further includes at least one outlet nozzle connected to the second substrate component to discharge fluid to a predetermined fluid receiving component.

Claims

1. A lubrication distribution system comprising:

a first hollow substrate component and a second hollow substrate component connected in series and receiving lubricant from an inlet;

a plurality of nozzles disposed along the substrate components in fluid communication with the inlet, the plurality of nozzles positioned to discharge lubricant to targeted traction components within a transmission, a first nozzle of the plurality of nozzles comprising a separate component from the first and second hollow substrate components prior to formation of an over-molded portion; and

an over-molded portion formed about (i) a connection between the first and second hollow substrate components, and (ii) the first nozzle, the over-molded portion creating a fluid seal between (i) the first and second hollow substrate components, and (ii) the first nozzle.

2. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second hollow substrate components comprises a tee connector having a first end to receive lubricant, an outlet to discharge lubricant to one of the plurality of nozzles, and a second end to communicate lubricant to another substrate component.

3. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of nozzles is formed by over-mold material and extends laterally from an orifice in one of the first and second hollow substrate components.

4. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of nozzles includes an outlet orifice arranged to discharge lubricant in a solid stream pattern or a fan spray pattern onto a traction component of the transmission.

5. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1 wherein the first nozzle comprises an annular protrusion and wherein the over-molded portion traps the annular protrusion and increases mechanical retention of the first nozzle.

6. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1, further comprising:

a nozzle cap that is selectively attached to the first nozzle, wherein the first nozzle defines a first outlet orifice having a first dimension and the nozzle cap defines a second outlet orifice having a second dimension, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension providing increased flow pressure of the discharged lubricant.