Electric Pump With Hollow-Shaft Oil Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electric pump systems in electric vehicles lack efficient monitoring of oil condition and temperature assessment, leading to frequent oil changes and inefficient heat transfer due to large size and lack of accurate temperature measurement.
Innovation Solution
An electric pump system comprising an electronic control unit, mechanical pump, and motor with a hollow shaft, where the electronic control unit includes a thermistor for temperature measurement and a microcontroller to control the pump, and features a gerotor design with bypass inlets for improved fluid flow and heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional temperature sensors are used outside the pump system or in regions representative of oil flowing through the pump, then the pump system structure is simpler, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated directly into the pump housing, merging the measurement function with the pump structure. This eliminates the need for separate external sensors while providing accurate temperature measurement at the source, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing acts as an intermediary structure that houses the temperature sensor in direct contact with the oil flow path. This allows accurate temperature measurement without requiring complex external sensing arrangements, bridging the gap between simple structure and precise measurement
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional oil pumps are designed with attachment mechanisms for different parts, then the pump can handle various functions, but the pump size increases and becomes unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the pump body, temperature sensor housing, and fluid passage conduit. This integration maintains versatility while eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms, reducing overall pump size
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is designed with modular internal components (gerotor, housing, end plates) that can be manufactured separately and assembled, allowing for compact configuration. This segmentation enables versatile functionality without requiring large attachment mechanisms
3Reliability
If traditional oil pumps do not monitor oil condition, then the pump system is simpler, but oil changes are required frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback on oil temperature, enabling monitoring of oil condition. This feedback mechanism allows for condition-based maintenance decisions without requiring complex analysis systems, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system performs self-monitoring through the integrated temperature sensor, automatically tracking its own operational conditions. This self-service capability extends oil change intervals by providing real-time condition data without requiring external monitoring systems
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 allows for accurate fluid temperature measurement and efficient heat transfer, reducing the size of the pump system while maintaining performance, enabling better lubrication and cooling efficiency and extending the life of drive unit components by monitoring fluid health.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic control unit further including a thermistor to measure a temperature of a fluid exiting the shaft outlet
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical pump defines a first fluid passageway from a first pump inlet to the shaft inlet
Implementation Method 3
the hollow shaft defines a shaft inlet and a shaft outlet
Implementation Method 4
the motor housing and mechanical pump define a third fluid passageway from the internal motor cavity to the pump outlet via a third pump inlet
Data Source
AI summary
An electric pump system and method of operating the same involves pumping a fluid through a fluid passageway defined in a mechanical pump from a pump inlet to a hollow shaft of a motor, through the hollow shaft to an internal motor cavity defined by a housing of the motor, and through another fluid passageway defined in the motor housing and mechanical pump that leads to a pump outlet. The system and method further involve pumping the fluid through another fluid passageway defined in the mechanical pump from yet another pump inlet to the pump outlet. The temperature of fluid exiting the hollow shaft can be assessed and used by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the electric pump system to control the same. The electric pump system can be part of a cooling and lubrication system for an electric vehicle transmission, gearbox, differential or transfer case, for example.