Oil redirection catcher for axle assembly
An oil redirection catcher includes a planar portion, an aperture arranged in the planar portion, first and second edge portions extending from the planar portion, an arcuate edge portion, and a first tab portion arranged to fix the oil redirection catcher to an axle housing. The second edge portion, together with the first edge portion and the planar portion, forms a channel. The arcuate edge portion connects the first edge portion and the second edge portion, delimits the channel, and at least partially surrounds the aperture. In an example embodiment, the first edge portion is longer than the second edge portion. In an example embodiment, the channel narrows towards the aperture.
1 . An oil redirection catcher, comprising:
a planar portion;
an aperture arranged in the planar portion;
a first edge portion extending from the planar portion;
a second edge portion extending from the planar portion and, together with the first edge portion and the planar portion, forming a channel;
an arcuate edge portion:
connecting the first edge portion and the second edge portion;
delimiting the channel;
at least partially surrounding the aperture; and
a first tab portion arranged to fix the oil redirection catcher to an axle housing;
a rounded section extending from the first edge portion and the planar portion;
a second tab portion arranged to fix the oil redirection catcher to the axle housing, wherein at least a portion of the second tab portion extends from the rounded section.
2 . The oil redirection catcher of claim 1 , wherein the first edge portion is longer than the second edge portion.
3 . The oil redirection catcher of claim 1 , wherein a height of the first edge portion is equal to a height of the second edge portion.
4 . The oil redirection catcher of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first tab portion is joined to the arcuate edge portion.
5 . The oil redirection catcher of claim 1 , wherein the channel narrows towards the aperture.
6 . The oil redirection catcher of claim 1 wherein the oil redirection catcher is formed by plastic injection molding.
7 . An axle assembly, comprising:
an axle housing comprising an oil passage having an inlet and an outlet, and when the axle assembly is installed in a vehicle, the outlet is lower than the inlet;
an oil redirection catcher fixed to the axle housing and arranged to direct oil through the aperture and into the inlet; the oil reduction catcher further comprising:
a planar portion;
an aperture arranged in the planar portion;
a first edge portion extending from the planar portion;
a second edge portion extending from the planar portion and, together with the first edge portion and the planar portion, forming a channel;
an arcuate edge portion:
connecting the first edge portion and the second edge portion;
delimiting the channel;
at least partially surrounding the aperture;
a first tab portion arranged to fix the oil redirection catcher to an axle housing; and
an electric motor comprising a rotor with a hollow shaft;
wherein the outlet is aligned with the hollow shaft such that the oil is directed into the hollow shaft.
8 . The axle assembly of claim 7 further comprising a sump for collecting the oil, wherein a portion of the oil redirection catcher is disposed in the sump.
9 . The axle assembly of claim 7 further comprising a drive gear, wherein rotation of the drive gear in a first rotational direction is arranged to direct the oil into the channel.
10 . The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the planar portion overlaps a portion of the drive gear.
11 . The axle assembly of claim 9 , wherein the oil redirection catcher further comprises a rounded section extending from the first edge portion and the planar portion that partially surrounds the drive gear.
12 . The axle assembly of claim 9 wherein the drive gear comprises an internal spline arranged for driving connection with an axle shaft.