Dual-Pump Fluid Module Layout to Prevent Air Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid supply systems for machine components, particularly in the automotive sector, face issues such as high power requirements due to filter modules, air intake during extreme driving conditions, and spatial inefficiencies leading to handling problems and increased fuel/electricity consumption.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conveying system with a dual-pump configuration and a housing design featuring a main and secondary sump, along with separate suction and return ports, ensures reliable fluid supply with reduced power consumption and space requirements, using a dual-circuit pump module and a filter module to manage fluid flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter module is integrated into the fluid supply system to filter particles and contaminants, then fluid purity is improved, but power consumption increases due to high flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is divided into two independent circuits: a first circuit that supplies fluid to the machine unit and a second circuit that returns fluid to the reservoir. The filter module is positioned only in the second return circuit, allowing filtration without creating flow resistance in the supply path. This segmentation enables the pump to move unfiltered fluid to the machine unit while contaminants are removed from the return flow, eliminating the power consumption penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The second return circuit acts as an intermediary pathway that carries fluid from the machine unit back to the reservoir. By placing the filter module in this intermediary return circuit rather than in the main supply path, the system enables filtration to occur without the filter's flow resistance impeding the primary fluid supply function. The intermediary return path isolates the filtration process from the supply circuit's performance requirements.
2Volume of moving object
If wet sump lubrication with a reservoir below the machine assembly is used, then space utilization is improved, but air intake occurs during extreme driving conditions due to centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system separates the supply function from the return function into two distinct circuits. The first circuit delivers fluid from the reservoir to the machine unit, while the second circuit returns fluid to the reservoir. This segmentation allows the suction point to be positioned optimally in the first circuit without being affected by fluid movement in the return circuit, preventing air intake during cornering while maintaining compact wet sump design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent fluid from moving away from the suction point during cornering, the system inverts the approach by positioning the suction point in the first supply circuit where it draws fluid directly toward the machine unit. The return circuit handles the fluid returning to the reservoir, creating independent flow paths that eliminate the air intake problem while preserving the space-efficient wet sump configuration.
3Reliability
If the suction point is positioned at a very low point in the reservoir to prevent air intake, then fluid supply reliability is improved, but the reservoir requires significant vertical space
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fluid circulation into two separate circuits: a first circuit that supplies fluid to the machine unit and a second circuit that returns fluid to the reservoir. This segmentation allows the suction point in the first circuit to be positioned at an optimal location for reliable fluid supply without requiring the reservoir to extend vertically to accommodate the suction point at the lowest possible position, thereby reducing the vertical space requirement while maintaining fluid supply reliability.
4Reliability
If dry sump lubrication with a separate reservoir is used, then air intake is prevented and lubrication reliability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reservoir with the housing of the machine assembly, integrating the fluid storage function into the existing structure rather than using a completely separate reservoir. The housing contains both the reservoir and the pump module, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component. This merging approach achieves the reliability benefits of a dedicated reservoir system while reducing overall device complexity and eliminating the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the machine assembly, contains the reservoir for fluid storage, and houses the pump module for fluid circulation. By making the housing multi-functional, the system achieves the reliability of a separate reservoir system without adding device complexity, as the same structural component performs multiple roles in the fluid supply system.
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
The system provides reliable fluid supply to machine units with reduced power consumption and space requirements, preventing air intake during extreme conditions and improving vehicle handling by maintaining consistent fluid supply to critical components.
Implementation Method 1
a pump module (20, 30) for conveying the fluid
Implementation Method 2
at least one filter module (5) to filter the fluid of particles
Implementation Method 3
cornering and/or hard acceleration or braking maneuvers from high speed can cause centrifugal forces to push the fluid, especially oil, away from the suction point within the reservoir
Data Source
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AI summary
Fluid supply system for supplying at least one machine assembly (A) with fluid, in particular for supplying an engine and/or a transmission of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first pump (20) and a second pump (30), a drive (3) for driving the first pump (20) and/or the second pump (30), a reservoir (11, 12) for storing the fluid, and a filter module (5) for filtering the fluid, wherein the first pump (20) delivers fluid from the reservoir (11, 12) in a supply stream to the machine assembly (A) and the second pump (30) is arranged downstream of the machine assembly (A) and delivers at least a part of the fluid downstream of the machine assembly (A) in a partial stream into the reservoir (11, 12) and the filter module (5) is formed in the partial stream.