Internal Combustion Engine Oil Circuit Branching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal combustion engines face challenges in effectively adapting oil volume flow and pressure to meet the diverse requirements of powertrain and cylinder head components, which often result in suboptimal oil distribution.
Innovation Solution
The oil circuit is designed to branch into separate galleries with distinct diameters, creating a lower oil pressure in the powertrain gallery and a higher pressure in the cylinder head gallery, with the powertrain oil gallery having a larger diameter than the cylinder head oil gallery, allowing for optimized oil pressure and volume flow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single oil gallery system is used for both powertrain and cylinder head components, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability of oil pressure and volume flow to different component requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The oil circuit is segmented into separate oil galleries: a first oil gallery for powertrain components and a second oil gallery for cylinder head components. This segmentation allows each gallery to be independently designed with specific diameter and pressure characteristics suited to its intended components, thereby achieving both structural clarity and adaptive pressure distribution without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the oil circuit are assigned different qualities: the first oil gallery has a larger diameter optimized for high volume flow to powertrain components, while the second oil gallery has a smaller diameter optimized for higher pressure delivery to hydraulic consumers in the cylinder head. This local differentiation of gallery characteristics enables each region to fulfill its specific functional requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the same oil pressure is provided to all components, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of component performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The unified oil supply system is segmented into separate galleries that deliver different pressure levels to different component groups. Powertrain components receive lower pressure through the first gallery, while cylinder head hydraulic consumers receive higher pressure through the second gallery. This segmentation ensures each component group receives the pressure level it requires for reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil circuit design changes the pressure parameter differently for different galleries: the first gallery maintains lower pressure suitable for bearing lubrication, while the second gallery provides higher pressure necessary for hydraulic valve actuation. This parameter differentiation ensures optimal performance and reliability for each component type.
3Quantity of substance
If a larger diameter oil gallery is used for all components, then the volume flow requirement of powertrain components is met, but the oil pressure requirement of hydraulic consumers in the cylinder head deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The oil circuit is divided into two separate galleries with different diameter characteristics. The first gallery has a larger diameter optimized for delivering high volume flow to powertrain components, while the second gallery has a smaller diameter that maintains higher pressure for hydraulic consumers in the cylinder head. This segmentation resolves the conflict between volume flow and pressure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different local qualities are assigned to different galleries: the first gallery is designed with larger diameter for high flow capacity, while the second gallery is designed with smaller diameter for pressure maintenance. This local quality differentiation allows each gallery to optimize for its specific functional requirement without compromising the other.
4Stress or pressure
If a smaller diameter oil gallery is used for all components, then the oil pressure requirement of hydraulic consumers is met, but the volume flow requirement of powertrain components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The oil supply system is segmented into separate galleries where the first gallery uses larger diameter to ensure adequate volume flow to powertrain components, while the second gallery uses smaller diameter to maintain higher pressure for hydraulic consumers. This segmentation allows each gallery to independently satisfy its primary requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
Each gallery is assigned a local quality appropriate to its function: the first gallery has larger diameter for high flow capacity to powertrain components, while the second gallery has smaller diameter for pressure maintenance to cylinder head hydraulic consumers. This local optimization resolves the volume flow versus pressure contradiction.
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 that hydraulic consumers in the cylinder head receive higher oil pressure while powertrain components receive lower pressure, achieving an optimal distribution of oil pressure levels and volume flows, thereby meeting the unique demands of each component type.
Implementation Method 1
The oil circuit is designed so that a lower oil pressure prevails in the powertrain oil gallery than in the cylinder head oil gallery
Implementation Method 2
The diameter of the powertrain oil gallery in a sub-region downstream of the branching point may be greater than the diameter of the cylinder head oil gallery
Data Source
AI summary
An internal combustion engine has an oil circuit for supplying oil to powertrain components and cylinder head components of the internal combustion engine. At least one oil pump and one oil filter module are incorporated into the oil circuit. The oil circuit branches into a powertrain oil gallery and a cylinder head oil gallery in the oil filter module or downstream of the oil filter module in a flow direction. The oil circuit is designed so that a lower oil pressure prevails in the powertrain oil gallery than in the cylinder head oil gallery.