Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A transaxle casing structure for accommodating a transmission gear set having a plurality of rotary members arranged on a common axis, the transaxle casing comprising: a cover wall enclosing said transmission gear set; an oil sump disposed below said transmission gear set for receiving lubricating oil therein; and a continuous partition disposed between a radially outermost one of said rotary members of said transmission gear set and said cover wall and generally extending from a top of said outermost rotary member to a bottom of said outermost rotary member, an oil return passage being defined between the partition and said cover wall for guiding lubricating oil into said oil sump, said oil return passage having a first opening between one end of said partition and said cover wall and a second opening between another end of said partition and said cover wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A transaxle casing structure for accommodating a transmission gear set having a plurality of rotary members arranged on a common axis, the transaxle casing comprising: a cover wall enclosing said transmission gear set; an oil sump disposed below said transmission gear set for receiving lubricating oil therein; and a continuous partition disposed between a radially outermost one of said rotary members of said transmission gear set and said cover wall and generally extending from a top of said outermost rotary member to a bottom of said outermost rotary member, an oil return passage being defined between the partition and said cover wall for guiding lubricating oil into said oil sump, said oil return passage having a first opening between one end of said partition and said cover wall and a second opening between another end of said partition and said cover wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A transaxle casing structure according to claim 1, wherein said partition is disposed in front of said outermost rotary member with respect to the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A transaxle casing structure according to claim 2, wherein said outermost rotary member is rotated at a high-speed gear ratio in a direction from an upper end of said partition to a lower end of said partition, and wherein the first opening between the partition upper end and said cover wall provides an inlet for said oil return passage and the second opening between the partition lower end and said cover wall provides an outlet for said oil return passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A transaxle casing structure according to claim 3, wherein the portion of said cover wall at the back of said transmission gear set is arcuate around the axis of said transmission gear set, and wherein said partitionis formed into an arcuate shape having a curvature substantially equal to the rear portion of said cover wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A transaxle casing structure according to claim 1, wherein said cover wall has a removable cover covering its portion above said partition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A transaxle casing structure according to claim 1 wherein said outermost rotary member is a cylindrical connecting drum for transmitting a rotational force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A transaxle casing structure according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of said outermost rotary member is submerged in lubricating oil in said oil sump.