Engine Oil Pressure Control for Viscosity Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low viscosity lubricating oil in internal combustion engines leads to oil film shortages, increasing friction and deteriorating fuel mileage, while excessive cooling to prevent this can cause viscosity increases and additional fuel efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
A lubrication system that controls oil pressure using an oil pump with a pressure control unit and determination unit to reduce oil pressure when lubricating oil deterioration is high, preventing excessive temperature rise and viscosity increases, and adjusting based on engine load and rotation to avoid oil shortages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the viscosity of lubricating oil is reduced to improve fuel economy, then fuel efficiency is improved, but oil film shortage and friction increase occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the viscosity parameter of lubricating oil by controlling its temperature. The ECU adjusts oil pump rotation speed to control oil temperature, thereby adjusting viscosity in real-time based on engine operating conditions and oil deterioration degree, resolving the contradiction between low viscosity for fuel economy and high viscosity for oil film stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the ECU monitors engine operating conditions and oil deterioration degree, then adjusts oil pump rotation speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures oil viscosity remains optimal for both fuel economy and oil film protection under varying conditions
2Reliability
If lubricating oil is cooled excessively to prevent deterioration, then oil temperature is reduced, but viscosity increases excessively causing friction increase and fuel mileage deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the temperature parameter of lubricating oil within an optimal range rather than excessive cooling. The ECU adjusts oil pump rotation speed to maintain oil temperature that prevents deterioration while avoiding excessive viscosity increase, thus preventing both oil degradation and fuel mileage deterioration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control of lubricating oil based on real-time engine operating conditions and oil deterioration degree. The oil temperature is adjusted dynamically through oil pump rotation speed control, ensuring optimal viscosity for both oil durability and fuel efficiency under varying operating conditions
3Use of energy by moving object
If oil pressure is reduced to suppress oil temperature rise and deterioration, then fuel mileage is improved, but oil supply shortage may occur in high load and high rotation regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic oil pressure control through variable oil pump rotation speed. The ECU adjusts pump speed to maintain adequate oil pressure for supply reliability under high load and high rotation conditions, while reducing pressure only when appropriate to minimize temperature rise and improve fuel mileage during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes oil pressure parameters based on engine operating conditions. The ECU monitors load and rotation conditions, adjusting oil pump rotation speed to maintain pressure levels that ensure adequate oil supply during high demand while reducing pressure during normal operation to suppress temperature rise and improve fuel efficiency
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
Effectively suppresses lubricating oil deterioration, maintains fuel efficiency, and reduces the workload on the oil pump, thereby improving fuel mileage without causing oil shortages.
Implementation Method 1
an oil pump that pressure feeds lubricating oil to be supplied to the internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
friction in sliding parts of the internal combustion engine rather increases
Data Source
AI summary
A technique which is capable of suppressing a deterioration of lubricating oil used in an internal combustion engine in a more suitable manner. The present invention is provided with an oil pump, oil pressure control means to control the oil pressure of the oil pump, and a determination means to determine whether the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil is higher than a predetermined level. When it is determined that the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil is higher than the predetermined level, the oil pressure of the oil pump is made lower, by means of the oil pressure control means, than that at the time when the degree of deterioration of the lubricating oil is equal to or lower than the predetermined level.