Fluid Supply Device with Electric Motor Driven Subsidiary Pump
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid supply devices for automatic transmissions and hydraulic control valves face inefficiencies due to the need for high drive power to achieve both sufficient lubrication and pressure requirements, leading to energy wastage and increased costs from using separate oil pumps for different functions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply device with a main pump driven by the engine for lubrication and a subsidiary pump driven by an electric motor to adjust pressure, controlled by a motor controller to ensure only necessary pressure is applied to the hydraulic control valve, reducing energy consumption and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure adjustment valve is used to adjust all discharged oil to prescribed pressure for hydraulic control valve operation, then the hydraulic control valve can operate reliably, but the drive power requirement increases significantly and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oil supply system into two independent paths: one for lubrication (using full discharge volume at lower pressure) and one for hydraulic control (using a portion of discharge at high pressure). This allows each path to be optimized independently, avoiding the need to pressurize all oil while ensuring reliable hydraulic control valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different pressure levels to different destinations: lower pressure for lubrication sections and high prescribed pressure for the hydraulic control valve. This local differentiation of pressure quality ensures each section receives appropriate pressure without unnecessary energy consumption from pressurizing all oil.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate oil pumps are used for lubrication and hydraulic control, then each function can be optimized independently, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oil flow paths and control mechanisms while using a single oil pump. The discharge side is divided into a lubrication path and a hydraulic control path with independent pressure control, achieving functional independence without duplicating the pump itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The single oil pump serves multiple functions: supplying oil for both lubrication and hydraulic control. By adding a pressure adjustment mechanism only for the hydraulic control path, the system achieves multi-functionality without the complexity of multiple pumps.
3Stress or pressure
If the entire discharged oil amount is pressurized to prescribed pressure, then sufficient pressure is available for hydraulic control, but the drive torque and motive power become excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by pressurizing only the portion of oil needed for hydraulic control to the prescribed high pressure, while the remaining oil for lubrication is supplied at lower pressure. This partial pressurization significantly reduces the drive torque requirement while maintaining sufficient pressure for hydraulic control valve operation.
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 efficiently satisfies both lubrication and pressure requirements while minimizing energy loss and costs by optimizing the use of drive power and reducing the size and energy consumption of the secondary pump.
Implementation Method 1
a subsidiary pump (11) which is driven by the electric motor and raises the pressure of a portion of the fluid discharged from the main pump (5) and supplies the fluid to the hydraulic control valve (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is an oil supply device (1) comprising: a main pump (5) which is driven by an engine (E) and is capable of supplying oil to an automatic transmission mechanism (6), as well as supplying oil to a hydraulic control valve (7); an electric motor (M); a subsidiary pump (11) which is driven by the electric motor (M) and raises the pressure of a portion of the oil discharged from the main pump (5) and supplies the oil to the hydraulic control valve (7); and a motor controller (12) which controls driving of the electric motor (M) on the basis of the pressure of the oil supplied to the automatic transmission mechanism (6). The motor controller (12) implements control to drive the subsidiary pump (11) by the electric motor (M) so as to raise the pressure of a portion of the oil discharged from the main pump (5) to a prescribed pressure or above and supply the oil to the hydraulic control valve (7) when the pressure of the oil supplied to the automatic transmission mechanism (6) is less than the prescribed pressure, and to stop the driving of the subsidiary pump (11) when the pressure of the oil supplied to the automatic transmission mechanism (6) is equal to or greater than the prescribed pressure.