EV Powertrain Oil Flow Control for Motor Warm-Up and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric vehicle powertrain systems, unnecessary oil flow rate consumption occurs when motor cooling is not required, leading to reduced power efficiency due to uncontrolled oil supply, which can lower motor performance and increase energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
An oil supply device with a cooling control valve apparatus and a control method that adjusts the oil flow based on motor temperature, allowing for efficient lubrication and cooling only when necessary, using an electric oil pump with separate lubrication and cooling flow paths and control maps to manage the oil supply effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If oil is continuously supplied to the motor for cooling, then the motor cooling function is maintained, but unnecessary oil consumption occurs when cooling is not required, reducing power efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the oil supply system adjustable based on operating conditions. The cooling control valve apparatus dynamically opens or closes the cooling flow path depending on whether motor cooling is required, transitioning the system from a static continuous supply mode to a dynamic conditional supply mode that adapts to real-time temperature needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of oil flow rate from a constant value to a variable value based on motor temperature. When the motor temperature is below a threshold, the cooling flow path is closed (flow rate = 0); when the temperature exceeds the threshold, the cooling flow path opens (flow rate > 0). This parameter change eliminates unnecessary oil consumption during low-temperature operation while ensuring adequate cooling when needed.
2Reliability
If oil is supplied to the motor when cooling is not necessary, then the cooling function is available, but the oil flow rate is wasted and motor warm-up is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the continuous oil supply system by introducing a separate cooling flow path controlled by the cooling control valve apparatus. This allows the lubrication function to continue operating while the cooling function is selectively activated only when needed, separating these two functions that were previously coupled in the continuous supply system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through the cooling control valve apparatus that automatically opens or closes based on motor temperature conditions. The controller monitors the motor temperature and autonomously controls the valve state without requiring external intervention, enabling the system to self-regulate oil supply according to actual cooling needs.
3Loss of energy
If a cooling control valve apparatus is added to control oil flow, then unnecessary oil consumption is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling control valve apparatus serves as an intermediary component between the oil pump and the motor cooling system. It mediates the oil flow by selectively opening or closing the cooling flow path based on temperature conditions, acting as a control interface that enables efficient oil supply management without requiring complex control algorithms or multiple components.
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 prevents unnecessary oil consumption, allows for rapid motor warm-up, and improves power efficiency by optimizing oil flow according to the motor's operating state, ensuring proper cooling when needed.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling control valve apparatus is configured to be elastically supported to open when a pressure of oil supplied from the electric oil pump reaches a predetermined opening pressure
Implementation Method 2
a spring is elastically supported on a first side of a valve spool
Implementation Method 3
supply oil from the electric oil pump to a bearing of a motor
Implementation Method 4
supply oil for cooling the motor from the electric oil pump
Data Source
AI summary
An oil supply device for an electric vehicle powertrain apparatus, includes an electric oil pump, a motor lubrication flow path connected to the electric oil pump and provided to supply oil from the electric oil pump to a bearing of a motor, a motor cooling flow path branched from the motor lubrication flow path to supply oil for cooling the motor from the electric oil pump, and a cooling control valve apparatus provided in the motor cooling flow path to control oil supplied to the motor through the motor cooling flow path according to an operating state of the electric oil pump.