Hydraulic Starter Pre-Lubrication for Engine Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Start-stop systems in hybrid vehicles increase durability demands on traditional electric starter systems and lead to potential engine wear due to frequent starts and lack of lubrication until oil pressure builds up, necessitating a more robust and costly setup.

Innovation Solution

Utilization of hydraulic energy stored in an accumulator pressurized with engine oil to start and lubricate the internal combustion engine, employing a hydraulic starter motor and oil circulation loop with separate flow paths for lubrication and starting, including a hydraulic intensifier to increase oil pressure and a pre-lubrication system for reduced wear and increased efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional electric starter system is used with start-stop strategies, then the system can restart the engine when power is required, but the durability burden increases significantly requiring a more robust and costly starter, alternator and battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine restart capabilityVSAvoidstarter system durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulic principles by using the engine's own oil pump and oil pressure system to drive a hydraulic starter motor for engine restart. The oil pump generates hydraulic pressure that accumulates in an accumulator, and this stored hydraulic energy powers the starter motor to crank the engine, replacing the traditional electric starter system and reducing durability burdens on electrical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the engine's own oil pump and oil pressure to provide the energy needed for restarting, rather than relying on an external battery and electric motor system. The oil pump, which operates during engine running, charges the hydraulic accumulator that subsequently powers the starter, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for oversized electrical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If start-stop strategies are employed, then fuel economy increases, but engine wear increases due to more frequent starts and lack of lubrication until oil pressure builds up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidengine wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary lubrication action by directing oil flow to lubricate engine components before the engine is cranked and started. The hydraulic accumulator is charged with pressurized oil during engine operation, and this stored pressure is used to pre-lubricate bearings and other components before starting, preventing wear during the critical startup period when oil pressure would normally be absent

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the hydraulic oil pressure system to deliver lubrication directly to engine components during the pre-start and start phases. The same hydraulic accumulator that powers the starter motor also provides pressurized oil flow to lubricate bearings and moving parts, eliminating the lubrication gap that causes wear in traditional start-stop systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Use of energy by moving object

If excess engine oil pump flow is utilized to pressurize the accumulator, then the hydraulic energy can be stored for starting and lubrication, but the system complexity increases with additional flow paths and components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy utilization efficiencyVSAvoidoil circulation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing oil pump and oil system perform multiple functions: during engine operation, the oil pump provides lubrication to engine components and simultaneously charges the hydraulic accumulator by directing excess flow to it. The same oil pump that normally only lubricates the engine now also serves as a hydraulic pump to store energy for restarting and pre-lubrication, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic pump components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the lubrication function and hydraulic energy storage function into a single integrated system. The oil circulation loop is configured so that the same oil flow path serves both to lubricate the engine and to pressurize the accumulator, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9926901B2Hydraulic starter and pre-lubrication system for an internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 SOUTHWEST RES INST

AI summary

An internal combustion engine oil utilization system, comprising one or more oil pumps to receive and discharge engine oil including an engine oil circulation loop comprising a first flow path and a second flow path. The first flow path receives at least a portion of the oil discharged from the one or more oil pumps and utilizes the oil to lubricate the engine during running operation of the engine. The second flow path receives at least a portion of the oil discharged from the one or more oil pumps and accumulates the oil to start the engine and/or to lubricate the engine during at least one of a pre-starting operation and a starting operation of the engine.