Lubricant Supported Motor Integration in Powertrain Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lubricant supported electric motors in electric or hybrid electric vehicles require a separate and complex lubricant supply system, leading to increased costs and suboptimal performance due to static parameter control, which does not adapt to varying speeds effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant supply system that integrates the lubricant supported electric motor into the existing lubricant supply system of the vehicle, using a lubricant supply line connected in parallel or series with powertrain components, with a controller to regulate lubricant flow and pressure dynamically, optimizing performance and reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate lubricant supply system is used for the lubricant supported electric motor, then the motor can be properly lubricated and cooled, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lubricant supported electric motor into the existing vehicle lubricant supply system by connecting it to the powertrain lubricant supply line. This merging approach allows the motor to share the common lubricant circulation system with other powertrain components, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated lubricant pump and control system, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining proper lubrication and cooling functions.
2Ease of operation
If static parameter control is used for lubricant supply, then the system is simpler to control, but performance is not optimized across varying speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of lubricant supply parameters by using a controller that receives feedback from speed sensors and adjusts lubricant flow rate and pressure accordingly. The system transitions from static parameter control to dynamic control where lubricant supply characteristics automatically adapt to varying motor speeds, optimizing performance across the entire operating range while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated feedback loops.
3Device complexity
If the lubricant supported electric motor is integrated into the existing lubricant supply system, then cost and complexity are reduced, but the system must serve multiple components simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the lubricant supply system with universal capability to serve multiple components including the powertrain components and the lubricant supported electric motor. The system uses a single lubricant pump and circulation loop that can dynamically allocate lubricant flow to different components based on their instantaneous needs, making the system multi-functional and adaptable while reducing overall complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each component.
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 integration reduces the size and weight of the powertrain, optimizes the performance of the lubricant supported electric motor across a wide range of speeds, and simplifies the lubricant system, while ensuring efficient lubrication and cooling of other powertrain components.
Implementation Method 1
A lubricant supply line extends from a high pressure source to the lubricant supported electric motor for supplying lubricant to the gap and supporting the rotor within the stator
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant supply system for an electric vehicle includes a lubricant supported electric motor and a lubricant supply line extending from a high pressure source to the lubricant supported electric motor for supplying lubricant to the lubricant supported electric motor. In one arrangement, at least one powertrain component is disposed in fluid communication with the lubricant supply line and fluidly connected in parallel with the lubricant supported electric motor for supplying lubricant to the powertrain component. In an alternative arrangement, the powertrain component is fluidly connected in series with and downstream from the lubricant supported electric motor for supplying lubricant from the lubricant supported electric motor to the powertrain component. In either arrangement, the lubricant supported electric motor is incorporated into an existing lubricant supply system of the vehicle to reduce cost and complexity relative to prior designs which required a dedicated lubricant supply for the lubricant supported electric motor.