U.S. patent application number 16/594444 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for lubricating oil discharge and filling structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to ROKI CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is ROKI CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hiroki ITOYA, Taisuke Sato.
Application Number | 20200116051 16/594444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68280890 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200116051 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ITOYA; Hiroki ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
LUBRICATING OIL DISCHARGE AND FILLING STRUCTURE
Abstract
A lubricating oil discharge and filling structure of an oil pan
including a cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjustment wall
vertically provided from a bottom surface of the oil pan, and
having a lubricating oil amount adjustment passage communicating
with an outside of the oil pan, formed on an inner periphery. The
lubricating oil amount adjustment wall has a lubricating oil
discharge hole formed in a lower part, to the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage, a cylindrical lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug in which a communication hole that communicates
with the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage is formed is
assembled movably along the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage. The lubricating oil amount adjustment plug includes a
screw portion that screws into a screw groove formed in the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, and a sealing wall that
seals discharge of the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil
discharge hole.
Inventors: |
ITOYA; Hiroki;
(Hamamatsu-Shi, JP) ; Sato; Taisuke;
(Hamamatsu-Shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ROKI CO., LTD. |
Hamamatsu-Shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
ROKI CO., LTD.
Hamamatsu-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
68280890 |
Appl. No.: |
16/594444 |
Filed: |
October 7, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 57/0408 20130101;
F01M 11/0408 20130101; F01M 11/0004 20130101; F01M 2011/0066
20130101; F01M 2011/0062 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01M 11/00 20060101
F01M011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 11, 2018 |
JP |
2018-192442 |
Claims
1. A lubricating oil discharge and filling structure capable of
discharging lubricating oil that is enclosed into an oil pan, and
adjusting an enclosing amount, comprising: a cylindrical
lubricating oil amount adjustment wall that is vertically provided
from a bottom surface of the oil pan, and has a lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage that communicates with an outside of the
oil pan, formed on an inner periphery, wherein the lubricating oil
amount adjustment wall has a lubricating oil discharge hole formed
in a lower part, to the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage,
a cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjustment plug in which a
communication hole that communicates with the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage is formed is assembled movably along the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, the lubricating oil
amount adjustment plug includes a screw portion that screws into a
screw groove formed in the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage, and a sealing wall that seals discharge of the lubricating
oil from the lubricating oil discharge hole, the lubricating oil
discharge hole is closed by a drain plug that is attachable and
detachable, the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug and the drain plug are
assembled coaxially, and the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug
is capable of abutting on an abutment portion that is formed in the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage.
2. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 1, comprising: a falling-off prevention device that prevents
screwing of the screw portion and the screw groove from being
released when the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug is moved,
in at least either one of the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage or the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug.
3. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 2, wherein the falling-off prevention device is assembled to
an upper end of the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall, and
includes a stopper portion that protrudes to the lubricating oil
amount adjustment plug.
4. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 2, wherein the falling-off prevention device is provided
extensively from a lower end of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug, and includes a stopper portion capable of abutting
on an abutment surface that is formed in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage.
5. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 1, wherein the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug screws
onto an engagement member that is inserted into the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage, and the engagement member has the screw
groove that is formed on an outer periphery, and an abutment
portion on which the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug
abuts.
6. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 5, wherein a second lubricating oil discharge hole that is
closed by the sealing wall is formed in an outer circumferential
surface of the engagement member.
7. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 1, wherein the drain plug includes a seal member that abuts
on an inner wall of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage,
and a screwing portion that screws onto an outer wall of the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage.
8. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 7, wherein the drain plug includes a loosening prevention
mechanism that is engageable with the oil pan.
9. The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to
claim 7, wherein the seal member and the screwing portion are
superimposed in a radial direction of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an oil pan that is mounted
to a lower end of a mechanical device, and particularly relates to
an oil pan having an adjustment mechanism that can adjust an
enclosing amount of lubricating oil that is enclosed in an
automatic transmission or the like.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Conventionally, lubricating oil has been enclosed in an
automatic transmission of an automobile or the like that houses
gears and the like for transmitting power for the purpose of
realizing smooth driving of the gears and the like and cooling
frictional heat that is generated by driving of the gears and the
like.
[0003] In order to realize smooth driving of gears and the like,
and keep performance of cooling of the frictional heat as above, it
is necessary to exchange lubricating oil regularly, and keep the
enclosing amount of the lubricating oil that is enclosed in an
automatic transmission at a predetermined amount. Thus, there is
known an oil pan in which such a mechanism is formed that can
adjust an enclosing amount of lubricating oil that is enclosed in
an automatic transmission of an automobile or the like.
[0004] The conventional enclosing amount adjustment mechanism of
lubricating oil includes a lubricating oil discharge hole that is
formed in a lowermost end of an oil pan and a lubricating oil
amount adjustment hole that discharges a lubricating oil in a
predetermined amount or more by a cylindrical lubricating oil
amount adjustment cylinder respectively, in order to discharge an
entire amount of the enclosed lubricating oil. At the time of
lubricating oil exchange work, a bolt that closes the lubricating
oil discharge hole is detached, and the entire amount of
lubricating oil in the automatic transmission is discharged. After
the lubricating oil discharge hole is closed, new lubricating oil
is injected into the automatic transmission, and after the
lubricating oil is injected until the lubricating oil injected from
the lubricating oil amount adjustment hole overflows, the
lubricating oil amount adjustment hole is closed with a bolt or the
like to perform exchange work of the lubricating oil enclosed in
the automatic transmission. By forming the lubricating oil amount
adjustment cylinder in the oil pan in this way, it is possible to
keep the enclosing amount of the lubricating oil which is enclosed
in the automatic transmission at a predetermined amount or less,
and it is possible to adjust an accurate enclosing amount.
[0005] However, according to the enclosed amount adjustment
mechanism of lubricating oil as described above, there arise the
problem that work is complicated because it is necessary to detach
and attach the bolts that respectively close the lubricating oil
discharge hole and the lubricating oil amount adjustment hole, and
the problem that reduction in size of the oil pan, reduction in
size of the automatic transmission by extension cannot be achieved
because it is necessary to form the lubricating oil discharge hole
and the lubricating oil amount adjustment hole in the oil pan.
[0006] Thus, an enclosing amount adjustment mechanism of
lubricating oil of an oil pan described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,608
has a lubricating oil filling collar in which a side hole is
formed, and a tubular member having an upper end opened and having
a side hole, and can discharge the lubricating oil filled in the
oil pan by aligning the side hole of the lubricating oil filling
collar and the side hole of the tubular member in a state where a
bolt that closes a lower end of the lubricating oil filling collar
is detached. After discharging the lubricating oil in the automatic
transmission, the lubricating oil enclosing amount adjustment
mechanism injects the lubricating oil in a state where the side
hole of the lubricating oil filling collar is closed by rotating
the tubular member in a circumferential direction in such a manner
as to close the side hole of the lubricating oil filling collar
with an outer circumferential surface of the tubular member,
whereby the lubricating oil enclosing amount adjustment mechanism
can discharge the lubricating oil in a predetermined amount or more
that exceeds the upper end of the lubricating oil filling collar,
and can adjust the enclosing amount. According to the enclosing
amount adjustment mechanism of lubricating oil like this, the
lubricating oil can be discharged and filled uniaxially, so that
exchange work of the lubricating oil can be easily performed, and
the oil pan can be reduced in size.
[0007] However, according to a configuration of the aforementioned
conventional oil pan, the lubricating oil cannot be smoothly
discharged unless the side hole of the lubricating oil filling
collar and the side hole of the tubular member are reliably aligned
with each other at the time of discharge of the lubricating oil,
whereas the lubricating oil filling collar and the tubular member
are internal structure components of the oil pan, so that it is
impossible to confirm that the positions of the side holes are
reliably aligned with each other visually, and there arises the
problem that working efficiency is low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is made in the light of the above
described problems, and has an object to provide a lubricating oil
discharge and filling structure of an oil pan that can achieve
space saving by adopting an uniaxial structure, and can discharge
and fill lubricating oil in one spot reliably and easily without
varying a height of an overflow oil level and a height of a drain
oil level.
[0009] A lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according
to the present invention is a lubricating oil discharge and filling
structure capable of discharging lubricating oil that is enclosed
into an oil pan, and adjusting an enclosing amount, including a
cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjustment wall that is
vertically provided from a bottom surface of the oil pan, and has a
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage that communicates with an
outside of the oil pan, formed on an inner periphery, wherein the
lubricating oil amount adjustment wall has a lubricating oil
discharge hole formed in a lower part, to the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage, a cylindrical lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug in which a communication hole that communicates
with the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage is formed is
assembled movably along the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage, the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug includes a
screw portion that screws into a screw groove formed in the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, and a sealing wall that
seals discharge of the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil
discharge hole, the lubricating oil discharge hole is closed by a
drain plug that is detachable and attachable, the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage, the lubricating oil amount adjustment
plug and the drain plug are assembled coaxially, and the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug is capable of abutting on an
abutment portion that is formed in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage.
[0010] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, it is preferable to include a
falling-off prevention device that prevents screwing of the screw
portion and the screw groove from being released when the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug is moved, in at least either
one of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage and the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug.
[0011] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, the falling-off prevention
device is preferably assembled to an upper end of the lubricating
oil amount adjustment wall, and includes a stopper portion that
protrudes to the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug.
[0012] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, the falling-off prevention
device is preferably provided extensively from a lower end of the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug, and includes a stopper
portion capable of abutting on an abutment surface that is formed
in the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage.
[0013] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug preferably screws onto an engagement member that is
inserted into the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, and
the engagement member preferably has the screw groove that is
formed on an outer periphery, and an abutment portion on which the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug abuts.
[0014] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, a second lubricating oil
discharge hole that is closed by the sealing wall is preferably
formed in an outer circumferential surface of the engagement
member.
[0015] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, the drain plug preferably
includes a seal member that abuts on an inner wall of the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, and a screwing portion
that screws onto an outer wall of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage.
[0016] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, the drain plug preferably
includes a loosening prevention mechanism that is engageable with
the oil pan.
[0017] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention, the seal member and the
screwing portion are preferably superimposed in a radial direction
of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage.
[0018] The summary of the above described invention does not
enumerate all of necessary characteristics of the present
invention, but a sub combination of the characteristic groups may
also be the invention.
[0019] The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present invention includes the configuration in
which the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall has a lubricating
oil discharge hole formed in a lower part, to the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage, a cylindrical lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug in which a communication hole that communicates
with the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage is formed is
assembled movably along the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage, the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug includes a
screw portion that screws into a screw groove formed in the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage, and a sealing wall that
seals discharge of the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil
discharge hole, the lubricating oil discharge hole is closed by a
drain plug that is detachable and attachable, the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage, the lubricating oil amount adjustment
plug and the drain plug are assembled coaxially, and the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug is capable of abutting on an
abutment portion that is formed in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage. Consequently, the lubricating oil discharge and
filling structure secures precision of adjustment of the drain oil
level and the overflow oil level by making heights of the drain oil
level and the overflow oil level constant, and can reliably
discharge lubricating oil by only moving the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug along the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage
without aligning side holes with each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining a configuration of
a lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to a
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view for explaining the
configuration of the lubricating oil discharge and filling
structure according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining a configuration at
a time of oil discharge of the lubricating oil discharge and
filling structure according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a sectional view for explaining a configuration at
a time of filling of the lubricating oil discharge and filling
structure according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a sectional view for explaining a configuration of
a falling-off prevention device of the lubricating oil discharge
and filing structure according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a sectional view for explaining another
configuration of the falling-off prevention device of the
lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a lubricating oil
discharge and filling structure according to a second embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the
present invention will be described with use of the drawings. Note
that the following embodiments do not intend to limit the invention
according to the respective claims, and all combinations of
characteristics described in the embodiments are not always
essential to the solution of the invention.
First Embodiment
[0029] FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining a configuration of
a lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to a
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial
sectional view for explaining the configuration of the lubricating
oil discharge and filling structure according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view for
explaining a configuration at a time of oil discharge of the
lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional
view for explaining a configuration at a time of filling of the
lubricating oil discharge and filling structure according to the
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional
view for explaining a configuration of a falling-off prevention
device of the lubricating oil discharge and filing structure
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6
is a sectional view for explaining another configuration of the
falling-off prevention device of the lubricating oil discharge and
filling structure according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a lubricating oil discharge and
filling structure 10 according to the present embodiment is formed
in an oil pan 11 that is mounted under an automatic transmission of
an automobile or the like to enclose lubricating oil into the
automatic transmission. The oil pan 11 is formed from a synthetic
resin, and is preferably formed from a thermoplastic synthetic
resin such as a polyamide resin and a polypropylene resin, for
example.
[0031] The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure 10
according to the present embodiment has a lubricating oil amount
adjustment wall 13 that is vertically provided from a bottom
surface 12 of the oil pan 11, a lubricating oil amount adjustment
plug 20 that is assembled to be movable along a lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage 14 formed in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment wall 13, a drain plug 30 that is detachably assembled to
a lower end of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14.
Note that the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14, the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 and the drain plug 30 are
disposed on a same axis.
[0032] The lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 13 is vertically
provided from the bottom surface 12 of the oil pan 11, and is
formed as a cylindrical portion in which the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 which communicates with an outside of the oil
pan 11 is formed on an inner periphery. A lubricating oil discharge
hole 15 that communicates with the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 is formed in a side surface at a lower part
of the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 13. Further, on an
inner circumferential surface of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14, a screw groove 16 in which the lubricating
oil amount adjustment plug 20 is screwed is formed along an axial
direction. Further, an abutment portion 17 that protrudes to an
inner circumferential side is formed under the lubricating oil
discharge hole 15 of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage
14.
[0033] On an undersurface of the oil pan 11, an extension portion
19 that is formed by hanging down to extend the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage 14 in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment wall 13 is formed. In this way, the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage 14 is configured by an inner periphery of
the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 13, and an inner
periphery of the extension portion 19. Note that on an outer wall
of the extension portion 19, a screwed portion 19a on which the
drain plug 30 is screwed is formed. Further, on an undersurface of
the oil pan 11, an annular protruded portion 18 that is formed
concentrically with the extension portion 19 is formed by hanging
down similarly to the extension portion 19, and is formed to be
engageable with a loosening prevention mechanism 33 of the drain
plug 30 that will be described later.
[0034] The lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 is a
cylindrical member in which a communication hole 21 that
communicates with the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14
is formed, and is formed from a synthetic resin similarly to the
oil pan 11.
[0035] Further, in the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20, a
screw portion 22 that is screwed into the screw groove 16 that is
formed on the inner periphery of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 is formed on an outer circumferential
surface, and a sealing wall 23 that is provided extensively from a
lower end of the screw portion 22 is formed. Further, at both
vertical ends of the communication hole 21, an operation portion 24
is formed, which enables the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug
20 to move along the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14
along the screw groove 16 by inserting a tool such as a hexagonal
wrench and rotating the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug
20.
[0036] Note that a lower end of the sealing wall 23 abuts on the
abutment portion 17 in a state where the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20 is moved to a lowermost end. At this time, the
abutment portion 17 and the sealing wall 23 are both formed from a
synthetic resin, and therefore seal the lubricating oil that flows
out from the lubricating oil discharge hole 15 by an elastic force
of the synthetic resin.
[0037] The drain plug 30 includes a drain plug main body 30a that
is inserted into the extension portion 19 and closes the lower end
of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14, and a base
portion 34 that extends in a radial direction from a lower end of
the drain plug main body 30a. The drain plug main body 30a is
formed into a columnar shape, and a ring groove 31a to which a seal
member 31 is assembled is formed in an upper part. The seal member
31 seals the lubricating oil that passes through the lubricating
oil amount adjustment passage 14 by abutting on an inner wall
surface of the extension portion 19. Further, in an undersurface of
the drain plug main body 30a, a hexagonal working hole 35 is
formed, so that attaching and detaching work of the drain plug 30
can be performed by inserting a tool such as a hexagonal wrench
into the working hole 35.
[0038] The base portion 34 is formed into a disk shape extending in
the radial direction from the lower end of the drain plug main body
30a as described above, and includes an annular rib 32 in which a
screwing portion 32a that screws onto the screwed portion 19a that
is formed on the outer wall of the extension portion 19 is formed
on an inner circumferential surface, and a loosening prevention
mechanism 33 that is engageable with the protruded portion 18 that
is formed on the undersurface of the oil pan 11.
[0039] The loosening prevention mechanism 33 has a configuration in
a protruded shape protruding from the base portion 34, and as
illustrated in FIG. 2, when the drain plug 30 is assembled to the
oil pan 11 by inserting a tool into the working hole 35, the
configuration in the protruded shape rides over the protruded
portion 18 and the drain plug 30 is assembled, so that the drain
plug 30 is configured not to rotate in a direction in which the
drain plug 30 is loosened because the configuration in the
protruded shape and the protruded portion abut on each other, even
when vibration or the like is applied.
[0040] Further, in the drain plug 30, the seal member 31 and the
screwing portion 32a are disposed concentrically, and are
superimposed in the radial direction of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14. By being configured in this way, it is
possible to flatten the drain plug 30, and it is possible to reduce
the size of the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
10.
[0041] Next, an operation of the lubricating oil discharge and
filling structure 10 according to the present embodiment will be
described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the lubricating oil in
the oil pan 11 is discharged, the drain plug 30 is detached, and a
tool is inserted into the operation portion 24 of the lubricating
oil amount adjustment plug 20 from below the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 to rotate the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20. At this time, the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20 is screwed into the screw groove 16, and
therefore is movable in the vertical direction with rotation, so
that the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 is moved upward
of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14 by rotating the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20.
[0042] When the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 moves
upward of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14, and
abutment on the abutment portion 17 is released, closure of the
lubricating oil discharge hole 15 by the sealing wall 23, and seal
of the abutment portion 17 and the sealing wall is released, and
the inside of the oil pan 11 and the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 communicate with each other via the
lubricating oil discharge hole 15, so that the lubricating oil in
the oil pan 11 is discharged from the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14.
[0043] Next, when a predetermined amount of the lubricating oil is
filled, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20 is moved downward to close the lubricating oil
discharge hole 15 by the sealing wall 23, and the lower end of the
sealing wall 23 is caused to abut on the abutment portion 17,
whereby the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14 can close
the lubricating oil discharge hole 15 while keeping a state of
communicating with the outside of the oil pan 11 via the
communication hole 21. When new lubricating oil is injected into
the automatic transmission in this state, the lubricating oil which
is injected to a height of the lubricating oil amount adjustment
wall 13 or more is discharged to the outside from the lubricating
oil amount adjustment passage 14. Accordingly, when the new
lubricating oil is injected into the automatic transmission until
the lubricating oil is discharged from the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14, the lubricating oil in a desired enclosing
amount is injected into the automatic transmission, and adjustment
of an accurate enclosing amount can be performed.
[0044] Here, the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 13 is
provided vertically from the bottom surface 12 of the oil pan and
fixed, so that the height does not change, and a desired enclosing
amount can always be specified to be constant.
[0045] The drain plug 30 is assembled to the screwed portion 19a
after adjustment of an accurate enclosing amount of the lubricating
oil is performed, whereby the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage 14 and the communication hole 21 are closed, and the
lubricating oil in the desired enclosing amount can be enclosed
into the automatic transmission.
[0046] The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure 10
according to the present embodiment preferably includes a
falling-off prevention device that prevents release of screwing of
the screw groove 16 which is formed in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 and the screw portion 22 which is formed in
the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 when the lubricating
oil amount adjustment plug 20 is moved along the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage 14.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the falling-off prevention device
is preferably configured as a cap member 40 that is mounted on the
upper end of the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 13, and the
cap member 40 preferably includes an external fitting portion 41
that engages with an engagement projection 13a that is formed on an
outer circumferential surface of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment wall 13, and a stopper member 42 that is inserted
through the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14 and
protrudes toward the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20.
[0048] By being configured in this way, the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20 abuts on the stopper member 42 when moving
upward, and thereby screwing of the screw groove 16 and the screw
portion 22 can be prevented from being released. Note that the cap
member 40 has an opening 44 formed in a central portion, and
therefore the lubricating oil in the oil pan 11 can be discharged
from the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14 via the
opening.
[0049] Further, as another example of the falling-off prevention
device, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a stopper 43 that extends by
hanging downward from the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20
can also be formed. A step engagement portion 45 is formed at an
outer part of the stopper 43, and when the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20 moves upward, the step engagement portion 45
abuts on an undersurface of the abutment portion 17, and thereby
can prevent screwing of the screw groove 16 and the screw portion
22 from being released.
[0050] The lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
according to the present embodiment configured in this way includes
the configuration in which the lubricating oil discharge hole 15 is
formed in the lower part of the lubricating oil amount adjustment
wall 13, the cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20
in which the communication hole 21 that communicates with the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14 is formed is assembled
to the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14 to be movable
along the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 14, the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 includes the screw
portion 22 that is screwed into the screw groove 16 which is formed
on the inner periphery of the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage 14, and the sealing wall 23 that closes the lubricating oil
discharge hole 15, the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage
14, the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 20 and the drain
plug 30 are assembled coaxially, and the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 20 is capable of abutting on the abutment portion
17 which is formed in the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage
14. Accordingly, the lubricating oil discharge and filling
structure can secure precision of adjustment of oil levels of the
drain oil level and the overflow oil level by keeping the drain oil
level and the overflow oil level constant, and perform discharge of
the lubricating oil reliably by only moving the lubricating oil
amount adjustment plug 20 along the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14 without aligning the side holes with each
other.
Second Embodiment
[0051] In the lubricating oil discharge and filling structure 10
according to the first embodiment described above, explanation is
made about the case where the lubricating oil amount adjustment
plug 20 is screwed into the screw groove 16 which is formed on the
inner circumferential surface of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14, and the lubricating oil amount adjustment
plug 20 is mounted movably along the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 14. In a lubricating oil discharge and filling
structure 10' of a second embodiment that will be described next,
explanation is made about an example of a lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 53 having a mode different from the first
embodiment. Note that same or similar members as or to those in the
case of the aforementioned first embodiment will be assigned with
the same reference signs and explanation thereof will be
omitted.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the lubricating oil
discharge and filling structure according to the second embodiment
of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken
along line A-A in FIG. 7.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the lubricating oil discharge
and filling structure 10' according to the present embodiment, the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 vertically provided from
the bottom surface 12, but is not directly screwed in an inner
circumferential surface of the lubricating oil amount adjustment
wall 50 in which a lubricating oil discharge hole 51 is formed, and
is screwed onto an engagement member 58 that is inserted into the
lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 52 and is fixed.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the engagement member 58 includes
a cylindrical engagement member main body 58a in which a screw
groove 54 is formed on an outer circumferential surface, and a
through-hole 58c that communicates with a lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 52 is formed on an inner circumferential
portion, and an abutment portion 57 that extends in a radial
direction from a lower end of the engagement member main body 58a.
A second lubricating oil discharge hole 59 is formed in a lower
part of the engagement member main body 58a. Further, in the
abutment portion 57, a pair of engagement claws 58b that are
vertically provided along the lubricating oil amount adjustment
passage 52 are formed, and the engagement claws 58b engage with an
upper end of the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50, and
thereby fix the engagement member 58 into the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage 52. An upper end surface of the
engagement member main body 58a is formed to be lower than an upper
end surface of the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50, and a
top surface of the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is
configured to be at a same position as a top surface of the
lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50 or at a lower side than
the top surface of the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50
when the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is moved
downward as described later, so that securement of the drain oil
level by the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50 is not
influenced. Further, a stopper 46 that protrudes toward the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 from the inner
circumferential surface of the lubricating oil amount adjustment
wall 50 may be formed. In this case, the stopper can function as a
falling-off prevention device that prevents the lubricating oil
amount adjustment plug 53 from falling off from the engagement
member 58 when the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is
moved upward, by abutting on a flange portion that is formed at the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53.
[0055] In the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53, a screw
portion 55 is formed on an inner periphery, and an operation
portion 60 in a hexagonal hole shape is formed at an upper end.
Further, a sealing wall 56 is formed to extend downward from the
screw portion 55. The lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is
configured to be rotatable by inserting a tool into the operation
portion 60 from a lower end of the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 52, and the lubricating oil amount adjustment
plug 53 is disposed movably in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 52 by the rotation.
[0056] Next, an operation of the lubricating oil discharge and
filling structure 10' according to the present invention will be
described. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the lubricating oil in
the oil pan 11 is discharged, the drain plug 30 is detached, and
the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is rotated by
inserting a tool into the operation portion 60 of the lubricating
oil amount adjustment plug 53 from below the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 52. At this time, the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug 53 is movable in the vertical direction with
rotation because the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is
screwed onto the screw groove 54. Therefore, the lubricating oil
amount adjustment plug 53 is moved upward of the lubricating oil
amount adjustment passage 52 by being rotated.
[0057] When the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 moves
upward of the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 52, the
lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 releases closure of a
second lubricating oil discharge hole 59. As a result, the inside
of the oil pan 11 and the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage
52 communicate with each other via the lubricating oil discharge
hole 51 and the second lubricating oil discharge hole 59, and
therefore the lubricating oil in the oil pan 11 is discharged from
the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 52.
[0058] Next, when a predetermined amount of lubricating oil is
filled, the lubricating oil amount adjustment plug 53 is moved
downward, the second lubricating oil discharge hole 59 is closed by
the sealing wall 56 and the lower end of the sealing wall 56 is
caused to abut on the abutment portion 57. Thereby, the lubricating
oil amount adjustment passage 52 can shut off a flow path that
passes through the second lubricating oil discharge hole 59 and the
lubricating oil discharge hole 51 while keeping a state of
communicating with the outside of the oil pan 11 via the
through-hole of the engagement member main body 58a. When new
lubricating oil is injected into the automatic transmission in this
state, the lubricating oil that is injected to a height of the
lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50 or more is discharged to
outside from the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 52.
Accordingly, when new lubricating oil is injected into the
automatic transmission until the lubricating oil is discharged from
the lubricating oil amount adjustment passage 52, a desired
enclosing amount of the lubricating oil is injected into the
automatic transmission, and adjustment of the accurate enclosing
amount can be performed.
[0059] Here, since the lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50 is
vertically provided from the bottom surface 12 of the oil pan 11
and is fixed, and the upper end surface of the engagement member 58
is disposed to be lower than the upper end surface of the
lubricating oil amount adjustment wall 50, the height does not
change, and a desired enclosing amount can always be specified to
be constant.
[0060] The drain plug 30 is assembled to the screwed portion 19a
after adjustment of the accurate enclosing amount of the
lubricating oil is performed, whereby the lubricating oil amount
adjustment passage 52 and the through-hole 58c are closed, and a
desired enclosing amount of lubricating oil can be enclosed into
the automatic transmission.
[0061] Note that for the lubricating oil discharge and filling
structures 10 and 10' according to the aforementioned present
embodiment, explanation is made about the case where the working
hole 35 which is formed in the drain plug 30 and the operation
portions 24 and 60 which are formed in the lubricating oil amount
adjustment plugs 20 and 53 are in hexagonal shapes in which a
hexagonal wrench is insertable, but these components may be formed
in any shape as long as the components are capable of rotating the
drain plug 30, and the lubricating oil amount adjustment plugs 20
and 53. It is obvious from the description of the claims that modes
to which such a change or an alteration is added can also be
included in the technical range of the present invention.
[0062] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
[0063] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2018-192442 filed on Oct. 11, 2018 including the specification,
claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0064] 10, 10' Lubricating oil discharge and filling structure
[0065] 11 Oil pan [0066] 12 Bottom surface [0067] 13, 50
Lubricating oil amount adjustment wall [0068] 14, 52 Lubricating
oil amount adjustment passage [0069] 15, 51 Lubricating oil
discharge hole [0070] 16, 54 Screw groove [0071] 17, 57 Abutment
portion [0072] 18 Protruded portion [0073] 19 Extension portion
[0074] 19a Screwed portion [0075] 20, 53 Lubricating oil amount
adjustment plug [0076] 21 Communication hole [0077] 22, 55 Screw
portion [0078] 23, 56 Sealing wall [0079] 24, 60 Operation portion
[0080] 30 Drain plug [0081] 30a Drain plug main body [0082] 31 Seal
member [0083] 32 Annular rib [0084] 32a Screwing portion [0085] 33
Loosening prevention mechanism [0086] 34 Base portion [0087] 35
Working hole [0088] 40 Cap member [0089] 41 External fitting
portion [0090] 42 Stopper member [0091] 43 Stopper [0092] 44
Opening [0093] 45 Step engagement portion [0094] 58 Engagement
member [0095] 58a Engagement member main body [0096] 58b Engagement
claw [0097] 59 Second lubricating oil discharge hole
* * * * *