Power Distribution Unit With A Forced Lubrication Flow Assembly

Abstract

A lubricant pump assembly for use with a power distribution unit for a vehicle, comprising a pump, a first rotating component, a second rotating component, and a lubricant. The pump has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with a housing of the power distribution unit. The first rotating component is disposed in the housing of the power distribution unit. The second rotating component is disposed in the housing of the power distribution unit adjacent the first rotating component. The lubricant is disposed within the housing of the power distribution unit. The pump transfers a portion of the lubricant from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet is disposed adjacent the first rotating component and the second rotating component to dispose a portion of the lubricant therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lubrication system for a vehicle power distribution unit, comprising:
 an input shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion;   a power divider comprising a first output gear, a second output gear, a pinion carrier having pinion gears rotationally mounted on pinion supports, said pinion carrier directly connected to said second end portion of said input shaft, and said first output gear connected to said pinion gears, said first output gear having a fluid reflecting concave annular surface between a first end and a second end of said first output gear;   a fluid distribution member having an inlet on an outer surface connected to a fluid pump, a fluid conduit extending through said fluid distribution member, and a fluid distribution member outlet aimed at concave annular surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said input shaft second end portion is cup-shaped with a plurality of lubricant perforations formed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said second output gear is cup-shaped, concentrically disposed within said pinion carrier and has a plurality of lubricant perforations formed therein. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lubrication flow assembly comprising an inlet filter, an inlet conduit, a pump housing, a pump, an outlet conduit and said fluid distribution member. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said pump is drivingly engaged with said first output gear. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid distribution member is a ring-shaped member concentric with said first output gear. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid distribution member fluid conduit is substantially perpendicular to said input shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid distribution member outlet is oriented oblique to an axis of said input shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid distribution member outlet has a smaller diameter than said fluid conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a fluid distribution path comprises said distribution member, said concave annular surface, said pinion gears and said input shaft second end portion lubricant perforations and said second output gear lubricant perforations. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein, measured from a centerline of said input shaft, a pinion carrier inner radius is less than a radius of the input shaft second end portion lubricant perforations and said second output gear lubricant perforations. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a lubricant dam is formed between said pinion carrier inner radius and said input shaft second end portion lubricant perforations. 
     
     
         13 . A method of lubricating a vehicle power distribution unit, comprising:
 pumping a lubricant to an outer surface of a ring-shaped distribution member;   flowing said lubricant from said outer surface through a lubricant passage in said distribution member;   increasing the velocity of said lubricant by flowing said lubricant through a reduced area of said lubricant passage;   directing said lubricant at a concave portion of an output gear;   using said concave portion of said output gear to redirect said lubricant into pinion gears of a planetary interaxle differential.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said redirected lubricant comes in contact with a second output gear and a first output gear. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said redirected lubricant exits a first cavity formed between a pinion carrier and said second output gear via a plurality of perforations in said second output gear. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said lubricant from said second output gear plurality of perforations flows into a second cavity formed between said second output gear and a portion of an input. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein lubricant exits said second cavity via a plurality of perforations in said input. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said lubricant from said second cavity returns to a sump for use by a pump. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second cavities maintain a level of lubricant at a centerline of pinion supports to keep said pinion gears on said pinion supports lubricated. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said concave portion redirects said lubricant in a direction substantially opposite from which it came. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the velocity of said lubricant is increased in said reduced area of said lubricant passage by restricting the diameter of said passageway and said lubricant is redirected by angling an outlet port of said passage. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a rotating centrifugal lubricant dam is formed to lubricate pinions on said pinion carrier, said dam is located between an inner radius of said pinion carrier, said second output gear perforations and said input perforations.