Integrated Mechanical and Electric Oil Pump Assembly for Compact Vehicle Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle drive devices with idle stop functions face challenges in compactly integrating a mechanical oil pump and an auxiliary oil pressure source within the limited space of the vehicle drive device case, leading to increased size and complexity due to the need for dedicated oil passages and separate attachments.
Innovation Solution
The mechanical oil pump and auxiliary oil pressure source are integrated such that the auxiliary oil pressure source is attached to the mechanical pump housing, which is itself attached to the case wall, allowing for efficient use of space and reducing the need for additional attachments and oil passages, with the auxiliary oil pressure source being an electric oil pump or electromagnetic pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electric oil pump is attached to the outside of the case, then the installation is simple, but the overall oil passage configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical oil pump and electric oil pump into a single integrated assembly where the electric oil pump is mounted on the mechanical oil pump housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate oil passage routes to and from the electric oil pump, as both pumps share common oil passages, thereby simplifying the overall oil passage configuration while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical oil pump housing serves multiple functions: it houses the mechanical oil pump components, provides mounting structure for the electric oil pump, and contains the common oil passages that serve both pumps. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures and oil passages for the electric oil pump.
2Device complexity
If the electric oil pump is squeezed into the case without considering position, then the oil passage configuration is simplified, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the axial dimension of the mechanical oil pump housing to mount the electric oil pump. By arranging the electric oil pump in the axial direction rather than attempting to fit it in the radial plane, the design efficiently uses available space without increasing the overall device footprint, while still achieving simplified oil passage configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric oil pump is nested on the mechanical oil pump housing, effectively using the mechanical pump housing as a carrier structure. This nesting arrangement allows the electric oil pump to be accommodated within the existing spatial envelope of the mechanical oil pump assembly without requiring additional external space.
3Reliability
If dedicated oil passages are provided for the electric oil pump, then the oil supply is reliable, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the oil passage system into a common configuration where both the mechanical and electric oil pumps share the same suction and discharge passages. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated oil passages for the electric oil pump, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable oil supply to both pumps through the shared passage system.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drive device that includes a mechanical oil pump that is driven by a driving force source for a wheel; an auxiliary oil pressure source; a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits a driving force between the driving force source and the wheel; and a case that accommodates at least the driving force transmission mechanism.