Engine Bearing Lubrication Flow Limiting for Lower Pump Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines require significant volumes of lubricating fluid for crankshaft and big end bearings, leading to inefficiencies in friction minimization and heat dissipation, especially at low temperatures, and result in larger and more power-intensive lubricating fluid pumps.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flow limiter that selectively reduces the lubricating fluid volume to crankshaft and big end bearings, ensuring hydrodynamic friction and heat dissipation without impairing performance, allowing for a smaller lubricating fluid pump design by optimizing fluid flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high volume of lubricating fluid is supplied to crankshaft bearings and big end bearings, then adequate lubrication and heat dissipation are ensured, but the lubricating fluid pump must be larger and consume more driving power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different flow rates to different bearing locations. The first crankshaft bearing receives a higher flow rate (first flow rate) while the second crankshaft bearing receives a lower flow rate (second flow rate), which is less than the first flow rate. This differentiated approach ensures adequate lubrication where needed while reducing overall fluid consumption and pump power requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter selectively for different bearing locations. By setting the second flow rate to be less than the first flow rate, the system optimizes lubrication efficiency while reducing the total volume of lubricating fluid required, thereby enabling a smaller pump design with lower driving power consumption.
2Productivity
If high lubricating fluid pressure is applied, then flow through bearings increases, but more lubricating fluid is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating different pressure conditions at different bearing locations. The first crankshaft bearing operates at a higher pressure (first pressure) while the second crankshaft bearing operates at a lower pressure (second pressure), which is less than the first pressure. This allows adequate lubrication flow to critical bearings while reducing overall lubricating fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing full lubrication pressure only to the first crankshaft bearing where it is most needed, while the second bearing receives reduced pressure. This selective approach ensures that critical lubrication points receive adequate flow without unnecessarily consuming additional lubricating fluid volume across all bearings.
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 device reduces the overall lubricating fluid flow rate required, enabling the use of a smaller lubricating fluid pump with lower driving power consumption while maintaining effective lubrication and heat dissipation, even at low fluid flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first flow limiter, in particular a restrictor, for reducing a lubricating fluid flow of a lubricating fluid stream passed to the at least one first flow limiter
Implementation Method 2
lubricating fluid ensures purely hydrodynamic friction
Implementation Method 3
the lubricating fluid dissipates heat which has formed owing to the bearing friction
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for lubricating an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, which is connected to at least one connecting rod. The device has at least one first flow limiter, in particular a restrictor, for reducing a lubricating fluid flow of a lubricating fluid stream passed to the at least one first flow limiter. The device has a plurality of crankshaft bearings for the rotatable support of the crankshaft, wherein the plurality of crankshaft bearings is provided in fluid communication downstream of the at least one first flow limiter. The device has at least one big end bearing for the rotatable support of the at least one connecting rod, wherein the at least one big end bearing is provided in fluid communication downstream of at least one crankshaft bearing of the plurality of crankshaft bearings.