Integrated Secondary Air Pump Assembly with Hall-Effect Speed Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional secondary air systems for vehicles are complex and costly due to multiple separate components, including a separate sensor, air pump, and check valve, which increases the overall expense and complexity while reducing efficiency in reducing cold-start emissions.
Innovation Solution
A secondary air pump assembly integrated into a housing with a positive displacement pump, motor assembly, position assembly using a hall-effect sensor and target wheel, and a check valve to prevent backflow, eliminating the need for a separate mass flow sensor and check valve, and allowing for precise control and diagnosis of air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components (sensor, air pump, check valve) are used in conventional secondary air systems, then the system can perform its emission reduction function, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air pump, check valve, and position assembly into a single integrated secondary air pump assembly. The housing contains the pump, check valve, and position assembly as unified components, eliminating the need for separate mounting of individual parts. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the emission reduction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions within a single device: the pump delivers secondary air, the check valve prevents backflow, and the position assembly monitors pump operation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring reliable emission control.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used in conventional secondary air systems, then the system can operate effectively, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the pump, check valve, and position assembly into a single manufactured unit, the patent reduces the number of separate manufacturing processes, assembly steps, and associated costs. The unified housing and integrated components simplify production while maintaining emission control effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If conventional secondary air systems operate only at startup, then the system remains simple, but the duration of emission control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The position assembly provides feedback on pump speed and operation status to the vehicle controller. This feedback enables the controller to monitor pump performance and extend operation beyond cold startup conditions when emission control is still beneficial, thereby increasing the duration of action while maintaining system simplicity through electronic control.
4Measurement precision
If separate mass flow sensor and check valve are used, then air flow can be monitored and backflow prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position assembly is integrated directly into the pump mechanism, combining the monitoring function with the pump operation. This eliminates the need for a separate mass flow sensor while maintaining the ability to monitor air flow and pump performance, thereby reducing component quantity while preserving measurement precision.
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
The integrated secondary air pump assembly reduces vehicle complexity and cost, enables longer operation durations, and enhances emission control by delivering precise volumes of secondary air, improving diagnostic capabilities and reducing emissions during post-cold-start conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the position assembly comprises a hall-effect sensor and a target wheel having at least one permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A secondary air pump assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a pump disposed within the housing, a position assembly and a valve assembly. The position assembly is disposed within the housing and configured to monitor a speed of the pump. The valve assembly is configured to facilitate preventing a backflow of air into the housing. A secondary air system including the secondary air pump assembly is also provided.