Drivetrain Lubrication Control Using Temperature-Triggered Oil Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drivetrain lubrication systems consume excessive power by continuously supplying oil to all components, regardless of need, leading to increased fuel consumption and inefficient lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system with temperature sensors and an electronic control unit that selectively provides oil to specific drivetrain components based on predefined operative conditions, using pumps and valves to manage oil flow only when and where needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump continuously supplies oil to all drivetrain components, then all components receive lubrication, but power consumption increases and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system dynamically adjusts oil supply based on real-time temperature sensor readings and operational conditions. The electronic control unit activates pumps and valves only when temperature thresholds are exceeded, transforming the static continuous lubrication system into a dynamic conditional system that adapts to actual component needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies lubrication locally and selectively to specific drivetrain components that require it, rather than uniformly to all components. Temperature sensors monitor individual component temperatures, and the control system directs oil flow only to overheated components through controlled valve activation, ensuring localized quality of lubrication where needed.
2Reliability
If a pump continuously supplies oil to all drivetrain components, then lubrication is guaranteed, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor drivetrain component temperatures and feed this information back to the electronic control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit intelligently activates pumps and valves only when and where temperature thresholds are exceeded, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates unnecessary oil supply and reduces fuel consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the lubrication system employs periodic action by activating pumps and valves only during specific periods when temperature conditions require intervention. The system monitors continuously but acts periodically based on threshold conditions, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining lubrication reliability when needed.
3Use of energy by moving object
If temperature monitoring and selective lubrication are implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is segmented into independent controllable units with individual pumps and valves for different drivetrain components. This segmentation allows the electronic control unit to activate only the specific segments that require lubrication, reducing overall power consumption while managing complexity through modular organization of sensors, actuators, and control logic.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Lubrication system (1) for lubricating a drivetrain (2) of a work vehicle comprising a plurality of lubrication points (5) each fluidly connectable to a source (3) of oil of the vehicle and configured to provide oil to a specific point of said drivetrain (2) and sensor means (7) configured to detect a temperature of such specific point, an electronic control unit (8) electrically connected to the sensor means (7) and configured to acquire the temperature value detected by this latter, the electronic control unit (8) being further configured to allow the passage of oil from source (3) to said lubrication points (5) according to a predefined condition based on the acquired temperature value.