EV Drive Lubrication Circuit With Common Pump Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricant supply systems for electrically operated vehicles have high component complexity and construction complexity, leading to inefficiencies and increased maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant supply system with a common pressure pump for both the electric machine hydraulic circuit and the gear mechanism hydraulic circuit, allowing for recirculation of lubricant in both circuits and reducing component complexity. Additionally, a dry sump lubrication system is implemented for selective lubrication of gear mechanism components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate pressure pumps are used for electric machine hydraulic circuit and gear mechanism hydraulic circuit, then each circuit can be independently controlled, but component complexity and construction complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate pressure pumps into a single common pressure pump that serves both the electric machine hydraulic circuit and the gear mechanism hydraulic circuit. This merging reduces component complexity while maintaining the ability to independently control each circuit through separate control valves and regulation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The common pressure pump is designed to perform multiple functions by supplying lubricant to both the electric machine hydraulic circuit and the gear mechanism hydraulic circuit simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pumps while maintaining independent controllability of each circuit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate pressure pumps are used for electric machine hydraulic circuit and gear mechanism hydraulic circuit, then each circuit operates independently, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure generation function into a single common pump while keeping the circuit pathways separate and independently controllable. This reduces construction complexity by eliminating one pump assembly while maintaining circuit independence through separate supply lines and control valves.
Solution Approach 2:
While combining the pump, the patent segments the lubricant supply paths into separate circuits with independent control mechanisms. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently while sharing the common pressure source, reducing overall construction complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate pumps and components are used, then each hydraulic circuit can be optimized independently, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pressure generation into a single common pump, the patent reduces the number of components that require maintenance. The common pump design simplifies the overall system while maintaining the ability to independently optimize and service each hydraulic circuit through separate control mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If a common pressure pump is used for both circuits, then component complexity is reduced, but lubricant recirculation efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The common pressure pump is designed with sufficient capacity to serve both circuits simultaneously, maintaining lubricant recirculation efficiency while reducing component complexity. The pump's flow rate and pressure characteristics are optimized to handle the combined demands of both hydraulic circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including control valves and regulation systems that adjust lubricant flow distribution to each circuit based on real-time requirements. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal recirculation efficiency in both circuits while using a single common pump.
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 solution reduces component complexity and construction complexity, enabling efficient lubricant recirculation and selective lubrication of gear mechanism components, thereby improving system efficiency and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure pump can supply the gear mechanism arrangement with lubricant via a gear mechanism supply line
Implementation Method 2
a dry sump lubrication is carried out by the gear mechanism hydraulic circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant supply system, for a drive apparatus of an electrically operated vehicle having at least one electric machine which outputs power to at least one vehicle wheel via a gear mechanism arrangement, includes an electric machine hydraulic circuit in which a lubricant tank is connected via a suction line to a pressure pump which conveys lubricant to the electric machine via an electric machine supply line, and includes a gear mechanism hydraulic circuit, via which lubricant can be conveyed to the gear mechanism arrangement. The pressure pump is associated as a common pressure pump with both the electric machine hydraulic circuit and the gear mechanism hydraulic circuit so that lubricant during pump operation can be recirculated both in the electric machine hydraulic circuit and in the gear mechanism hydraulic circuit.