Oil propeller wheel and shaft for power transmission devices

摘要

A power transfer device includes a casing, a lubricant reservoir in the casing having lubricant therein, and a shaft rotatably supported in the casing. The shaft extends into the lubricant reservoir. A lubricant driving structure is coupled to the shaft for common rotation. The lubricant driving structure includes at least one helically shaped member that extends longitudinally along and circumferentially about the shaft. The at least one helically shaped member is located in the lubricant reservoir. Rotation of the at least one helically shaped member drives the lubricant axially along the shaft and away from the lubricant reservoir. According to other features, an oil propeller wheel is mounted around a shaft in the power transfer device for rotation therewith. The oil propeller wheel communicates with the lubrication in the lubricant reservoir and is operable to direct the lubricant from the lubricant reservoir axially along the shaft toward the differential assembly.