Lubricant Pump Vibration Damping via Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lubricant pumps for internal combustion engines experience undesirable vibrations and pulsations due to strong pressure fluctuations in the main oil gallery, leading to undesirable pulsations and vibrations in the pump.

Innovation Solution

A connection between a control pressure chamber and a damping chamber, such as a connecting channel or clearance, is introduced to compensate for pressure fluctuations, acting as a damper to reduce vibrations by allowing pressure equalization and throttling, thereby damping the vibrations of the slide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a slide is used to regulate delivery rate in the lubricant pump, then the delivery rate can be adjusted according to engine requirements, but the slide experiences strong vibrations and pulsations due to pressure fluctuations in the main oil gallery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery rate adjustmentVSAvoidvibrations and pulsations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A damping chamber is introduced as an intermediary element between the control pressure chamber and the slide. This damping chamber absorbs pressure fluctuations and pulsations from the main oil gallery before they reach the slide, thereby reducing vibrations while still allowing the slide to regulate delivery rate according to engine requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameters by introducing a damping chamber that modifies the pressure delivery characteristics. The damping chamber acts as a buffer that smooths out pressure pulsations, transforming the raw fluctuating pressure into a more stable pressure signal that acts on the slide, thus reducing vibrations while maintaining delivery rate control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If pressure fluctuations are damped using a connection between control pressure chamber and damping chamber, then vibrations are reduced, but the response behavior of the pump may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrations and pulsationsVSAvoidresponse behavior
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The diameter of the connecting channel is carefully optimized to achieve the right balance between damping effectiveness and response speed. By adjusting the channel dimensions, the system can provide sufficient damping to reduce vibrations while maintaining an acceptable response time for delivery rate adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The damping chamber is designed with specific volume characteristics that provide partial damping action. Rather than completely isolating the slide from pressure changes, the damping chamber provides just enough buffering to reduce vibrations while still allowing timely pressure transmission for responsive control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 solution effectively dampens the vibrations and pulsations within the lubricant pump, improving its operational stability and reducing unwanted vibrations, while maintaining the pump's responsiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a slide (6) which is preloaded by a spring (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A hydraulic pressure in the control pressure chamber (14) acts on this slide (6), which is preloaded by the spring (8), with the slide being adjusted counter to the spring (8) when the pressure inside the control pressure chamber (14) increases

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

a connecting channel (16), in particular in the housing (10), is provided between these two pressure chambers (14, 13), whereby pressure fluctuations and in particular pressure pulsations can be passed on from one pressure chamber (14, 13) to the other and thus compensated for or at least dampened. The connection, e.g. B. in the form of a small hole, acts as a damping throttle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization through throttling: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 4

The oil has to go through the connection/bore and is also pressed through the connection/bore

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through restricted passage: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2312162B1Lubricant pump
Publication Date: 2012.09.26 MAHLE INT GMBH
  • EP2312162B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The system (1) has a lubricant pump (2) i.e. vane pump, for supplying lubricant to an internal combustion engine (3). The lubricant pump is controlled by a proportional valve (6). Pressure chambers are arranged in the lubricant pump and used for moving an actuating unit toward a spring, where one of the pressure chambers has smaller dimension than that of the other pressure chamber. The proportional valve is arranged upstream of the latter pressure chamber. The lubricant pump is pressurized by the former pressure chamber.