Electronic Oil Pressure Control in Variable Displacement Vane Pumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable displacement vane pumps in engine lubrication systems face challenges in achieving precise and stable oil pressure control, leading to inefficiencies and increased fuel consumption due to hydraulically generated oil pressure pulsations and limited responsiveness, especially at cold engine start conditions.

Innovation Solution

A variable displacement oil pump with an electronic drive mechanism and controller that precisely positions a slide ring to adjust the eccentricity of pumping chambers, enabling electronic oil pressure control and eliminating hydraulically generated pulsations, allowing for more accurate and stable oil pressure regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic control mechanism is used to adjust pump displacement, then oil pressure control is achieved, but oil pressure pulsations and instability occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil pressure stabilityVSAvoidoil pressure pulsations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic control mechanism with an electronic control system. A motor-driven vane pump uses an electronic control unit to adjust the pump cage position based on feedback from a pressure sensor, eliminating the hydraulic feedback loop that causes pulsations. This substitution of mechanical/hydraulic control with electronic control resolves the contradiction by providing stable pressure control without the harmful pulsations inherent in hydraulic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If traditional hydraulic control system is used, then oil pressure regulation is achieved, but system complexity and calibration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration easeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hydraulic control components (pressure regulator, pilot valve, regulating chamber) with a simplified electronic control system consisting of a pressure sensor and electronic control unit. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating multiple hydraulic components and makes calibration easier through electronic feedback control, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If hydraulic control with pilot valve is used, then displacement control is achieved, but responsiveness is limited especially at cold start

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpressure control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the slow-responding hydraulic pilot valve system with a fast-responding electronic pressure sensor and control unit. The electronic system can detect pressure changes and adjust the pump cage position rapidly, providing superior responsiveness during cold start conditions while maintaining accurate pressure control through continuous feedback, thus resolving the contradiction between response speed and pressure control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of energy

If variable displacement mechanism is used, then oil pressure control is achieved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidoil pressure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system using a pressure sensor that continuously monitors output oil pressure and feeds this information to an electronic control unit. The ECU adjusts the pump cage position to maintain optimal pressure, preventing energy waste from over-pumping. This feedback mechanism enables precise pressure control while minimizing fuel consumption by adjusting displacement based on actual system needs, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and pressure control reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution provides more efficient engine oil pumping, improved oil pressure regulation, reduced fuel consumption, simplified oil pump components, and easier calibration, while minimizing oil flow and leakage, resulting in cost savings and packaging space reduction.

Implementation Method 1

selectively positioning the slide ring to adjust an eccentricity of the slide ring relative to the axis of rotation such that the displacement of the pumping chambers is varied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEccentricity: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentUS10167752B2Engine oil pump with electronic oil pressure control

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A variable displacement vane pump with electronic oil pressure control provides efficient pumping of engine oil precise regulation of engine oil pressure. The variable displacement oil pump includes a rotor supported in a housing for rotation about an axis of rotation and a slide ring movably supported in the housing. A plurality of vanes extends between the rotor and the slide ring to define a plurality of variable displacement pumping chambers. An electronic drive mechanism is configured to position the slide ring with respect to the axis of rotation, and a controller is configured to drive the electronic drive mechanism for selectively positioning the slide ring to adjust an eccentricity of the slide ring relative to the axis of rotation such that the displacement of the pumping chambers is varied.