Fluid Supply System Bypass Valve Oscillation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluid supply systems in internal combustion engines face challenges with starting behavior due to oscillation of the first bypass valve when the engine is started after being idle, leading to potential fluid supply issues and inadequate lubrication, especially in cold conditions.

Innovation Solution

A second bypass valve is introduced to rapidly fill the downstream chamber when the engine starts, using a solenoid valve to control the leakage channel and influence pressure conditions, allowing the first bypass valve to adjust quickly without direct actuation, thus minimizing oscillation and ensuring proper operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a first bypass valve with a leakage opening is used to control fluid flow, then the valve can regulate flow between component and bypass channel, but the valve oscillates during system start after idle period

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow regulation capabilityVSAvoidstarting behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A second bypass valve is introduced as an intermediary component to control the leakage channel that connects the first and second chambers of the first bypass valve. This intermediary valve prevents direct oscillation of the first bypass valve by controlling the leakage flow path, thereby improving starting behavior while maintaining the flow regulation capability of the first bypass valve during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the second chamber fills slowly through the leakage opening only, then the structure remains simple, but the first bypass valve settles slowly after engine start

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidvalve settling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The second bypass valve is designed to open during engine start-up to rapidly fill the second chamber of the first bypass valve before normal operation begins. This preliminary action of pre-filling the chamber eliminates the delay in valve settling that would otherwise occur during cold starts, while the valve remains closed during normal operation to maintain structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If a solenoid valve is used to control the leakage channel, then the first bypass valve switches quickly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve switching speedVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second bypass valve utilizes the existing fluid pressure from the pump to open and fill the second chamber rapidly during start-up, eliminating the need for an electrically actuated solenoid valve. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach achieves fast switching speed comparable to solenoid actuation while avoiding the added complexity of electrical control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 enhances the starting behavior of the fluid supply system by quickly settling the first bypass valve, ensuring adequate lubrication and fluid flow, even in cold conditions, through rapid pressure adjustments and reduced valve stroke, resulting in improved reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A spring element is arranged in the second space, which preferably prestresses the valve body into its second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The switchable valve according to the invention, in particular the solenoid valve, is provided in this leakage channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP3452705B1Fluid supply system
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP3452705B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3452705B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3452705B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid supply system (1). According to the invention, the following are provided: – a first bypass valve (7) which is arranged in a control channel (6) with a valve body (8) which is adjustable between a first and a second position, – wherein the valve body (8) separates the control channel (6) into a first and a second space (10, 11) and has a leakage opening (12) which connects the first space (10) to the second space (11), – wherein the second space (11) is connected to a fluid reservoir (9) via a leakage channel (14), – wherein a switchable valve (15) for at least partially opening/closing the leakage channel (14) is arranged in the leakage channel (14), – wherein a sensing device (16) and a controlling device (18) are provided, said controlling device closing the valve (15) when a predefined property is reached and therefore blocking the leakage channel (14), – a second bypass valve (26) which is designed in such a manner that a transient oscillation of the first bypass valve (7) during starting of the system is at least reduced.