Device for effective lubrication of vehicle power transmission system upon starting of vehicle

A lubricating device for a motor vehicle including a power transmission system having rotating members which are all at rest upon stopping of the vehicle, a casing which accommodates said power transmission system and which stores a lubricating oil in a bottom portion thereof, and a mechanical oil pump which is driven by said power transmission system and which operates to deliver said lubricating oil from said bottom portion of said casing to lubricating points of said power transmission system, said lubricating device comprising:

• an oil reservoir which stores a predetermined amount of said lubricating oil delivered by said mechanical oil pump, when a delivery amount of said mechanical oil pump exceeds a predetermined value with an increase in a rotating speed of said power transmission system, said oil reservoir being positioned above said power transmission system, and having discharging means for discharging said lubricating oil therefrom by gravity for lubrication of said power transmission system even after said mechanical oil pump is turned off with said motor vehicle being stopped;
• and
• a bath of said lubricating oil stored in said bottom portion of said casing having a first oil level when an amount of said lubricating oil stored in said oil reservoir is substantially zero, and a second oil level when said predetermined amount of the lubricating oil delivered by said mechanical oil pump is stored in said oil reservoir, said first oil level being determined such that a portion of said power transmission system is immersed in said bath of said lubricating oil, said second oil level being determined such that a lower end of said power transmission system is located above said second oil level.