Dual-Motor Oil Supply Layout for Pump-Failure Cooling Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrified vehicles with separate electric motors for left and right wheels, cooling both motors effectively becomes challenging when one of the oil pumps malfunctions, as the flow of oil is disrupted, leading to inadequate temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A drive device configuration with a connecting channel between the oil supply passages of the two oil pumps, equipped with a flow regulating device that allows oil to flow from a functioning pump to the other motor when an abnormality occurs, ensuring both electric motors can be cooled even if one oil pump fails, using a valve or orifice to manage pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate oil pumps are mounted for each electric motor to enable individual temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but system complexity increases and vulnerability to pump failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional oil supply system where each oil pump can perform its primary function (supplying oil to its dedicated motor) and a secondary function (supplying oil to the other motor through the connecting passage). This allows the system to maintain temperature control for both motors even when one pump fails, as the functioning pump can supply oil to both motors through the connecting passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting passage acts as an intermediary element that links the two otherwise independent oil supply systems. It enables oil flow between the two circuits, allowing the system to switch from a dedicated supply mode to a shared supply mode when needed, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing temperature control capability.
2Reliability
If a connecting channel is added between oil supply passages to enable cross-supply during pump failure, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting passage is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as a structural connector between the two oil supply systems during normal operation, and simultaneously acts as a backup supply route when one pump fails. This dual functionality improves reliability without requiring separate backup systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two independent oil supply systems into a partially integrated system by adding the connecting passage. This allows the systems to operate independently during normal conditions (maintaining temperature control precision) while providing a merged backup path during failures (improving reliability).
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures continuous cooling of both electric motors by redirecting oil flow from a functioning pump, maintaining appropriate temperature control and preventing overheating, even if one oil pump fails, thereby ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
When the first oil pump is abnormal, oil is allowed to flow in the connecting channel. Therefore, in this case, part of oil discharged from the second oil pump is supplied to the first electric motor via the second oil supply passage, the connecting channel, and the first oil supply passage.
Implementation Method 2
The electric motor is cooled by oil supplied to the electric motor
Implementation Method 3
The electric motor is cooled by oil supplied to the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A drive device includes: a first electric motor that drives a left wheel of a vehicle; a second electric motor that drives a right wheel of the vehicle; a first oil pump that supplies oil to the first electric motor via a first oil supply passage; a second oil pump that supplies oil to the second electric motor via a second oil supply passage; a connecting channel that connects the first oil supply passage and the second oil supply passage; and a flow regulating device that is installed in the connecting channel and allows oil to flow in the connecting channel when one of the first oil pump and the second oil pump is abnormal.