US 12,129,919 B2
Systems for lubricant distribution
Matteo Dallapiccola, Trento (IT); Pier Paolo Rinaldi, Arco (IT); and Mark Slater, Warwickshire (GB)
Assigned to DANA ITALIA S.R.L., Trentino (IT)
Filed by DANA ITALIA S.R.L., Trentino (IT)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/066,153.
Prior Publication US 2024/0200647 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. F16H 57/04 (2010.01)
CPC F16H 57/0409 (2013.01) [F16H 57/0423 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of distributing lubricant, comprising:
delivering lubricant from a lubricant sump to an undercut groove of a rotating component of a lubricant distribution assembly via a hollow tube positioned within a lower portion of the lubricant distribution assembly;
transporting the lubricant from the lower portion of lubricant distribution assembly to an upper portion of the lubricant distribution assembly by rotating the rotating component at a speed greater than or equal to a minimum angular speed; and
distributing lubricant away from the lubricant distribution assembly by directing the lubricant to a lubricant deflector positioned within the upper portion of the lubricant distribution assembly,
wherein the rotating component includes a recessed area, the recessed area axially circumferentially surrounded by a radially outer section, wherein a radially inner side of the radially outer section forms a surface of the undercut groove, wherein the lubricant sump is separated from the rotating component by a wall, wherein the hollow tube delivers the lubricant from the lubricant sump to the lower portion of the lubricant distribution assembly with respect to gravity, wherein a lubricant deflector is positioned within an upper portion of the lubricant distribution assembly with respect to gravity, wherein the lubricant deflector lies in a plane that is parallel to a first axial side of the rotating component, wherein the rotating component is a gear of a transmission coupled to an electric motor, wherein the wall is a sole barrier between the lubricant sump and the rotating component, wherein the undercut groove is U-shaped, and wherein the lubricant deflector is V-shaped or tube-shaped.