Dual-Pump Fluid Delivery Layout for Air-Free Lubrication Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid supply systems for machine assemblies, particularly in the automotive sector, face issues such as high flow resistance due to filter modules, increased fuel/electricity consumption, air intake during extreme driving conditions, and spatial inefficiency, especially in wet sump lubrication systems, and high cost and complexity in dry sump lubrication systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conveying system with a dual-pump configuration, including a supply pump and a bilge pump, integrated into a housing with multiple suction and pressure ports, and a reservoir design featuring a main and secondary sump connected by a baffle plate, ensuring reliable fluid supply and preventing air intake, while minimizing space and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter module is used to filter the fluid, then the fluid is purified of particles and contaminants, but the flow resistance increases and power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is divided into two independent circuits: a first circuit with a first pump that supplies fluid through a filter module to the machine unit, and a second circuit with a second pump that supplies fluid directly to the machine unit without filtration. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fluid purity through the filtered circuit while reducing overall power consumption by having an unfiltered circuit for less critical supply needs.
2Device complexity
If wet sump lubrication is used with a reservoir below the machine assembly, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but air can be drawn in during extreme driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is segmented into a first region and a second region separated by a baffle plate. The first region contains the suction point for the first pump and is designed to prevent air intake during extreme driving conditions. The second region serves as an overflow and storage area. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while preventing air intake through the baffle plate design.
3Reliability
If the reservoir is designed with recessed shape to prevent air intake, then air intake is prevented, but the vertical space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a recessed shape that extends vertically, the patent uses a baffle plate to create horizontal separation between the first and second regions of the reservoir. The baffle plate extends in the horizontal plane to prevent fluid from the second region from reaching the suction point in the first region during cornering, thereby preventing air intake without increasing vertical space requirements.
4Reliability
If dry sump lubrication with separate reservoir and multiple pumps is used, then air intake is prevented and cooling effect is improved, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges elements of wet sump and dry sump lubrication by using a single integrated reservoir containing both a first region with a suction point for the first pump and a second region as overflow, separated by a baffle plate. This merging approach achieves air intake prevention through the baffle plate design while avoiding the high complexity and cost of completely separate reservoirs and multiple pumps required in traditional dry sump systems.
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, prevents air intake, reduces space requirements, and lowers operational costs by optimizing pump usage and reservoir design, enhancing vehicle handling and performance.
Implementation Method 1
cornering and/or hard acceleration or braking maneuvers from high speed can cause the resulting centrifugal forces to push the fluid, especially oil, away from the suction point within the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a pump module (20, 30) for conveying the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
Fluid conveying system for supplying at least one machine unit (A) with fluid, in particular for supplying an engine and/or a transmission of a motor vehicle, comprising: a pump module (20, 30) for conveying the fluid, a drive (3) for driving the pump module (20, 30), and a housing (1) with a reservoir (11, 12) for storing the fluid, wherein the reservoir (11, 12) comprises at least one suction point and the pump module (20, 30) comprises a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, and wherein the first inlet is fluidically connected to the reservoir (11, 12) via a first suction line (21) and the first outlet via a first pressure line (22;22a, 22b, 23a, 23b) is fluidically connected to the machine unit (A) and the second inlet is fluidically connected to the housing (1) via a second suction line (31) and the second outlet is fluidically connected to the reservoir (11, 12) via a second pressure line (32).;