Nested Oil Filter Structure for Low Pressure Drop in EVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles face challenges in maintaining adequate oil flow and reducing pressure drop across oil filters due to space constraints, leading to the use of larger, bulky filters that are difficult to integrate and replace.
Innovation Solution
An oil filter design featuring concentric, nested filtering cylinders with parallel flow paths and a pressure relief valve, allowing increased filtering capacity and minimizing size while ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surface area of the filter is increased to reduce pressure drop and maintain adequate oil flow, then the filtering capacity is improved, but the filter size becomes larger and bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested cylindrical structure where an inner filter cylinder is positioned inside an outer filter cylinder, creating concentric filtering layers. This nesting arrangement maximizes the total filtering surface area within a compact volume, allowing increased oil flow capacity without proportionally increasing the external dimensions of the filter assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane filtering approach to a three-dimensional concentric cylindrical configuration. By utilizing radial and axial dimensions simultaneously through nested cylinders, the filter achieves greater surface area in a compact space, resolving the contradiction between flow capacity and size
2Stress or pressure
If the filter size is increased to accommodate larger surface area, then the pressure drop is reduced, but the filter becomes more difficult to integrate and replace in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The nested cylindrical design compresses the filtering surface area into a compact concentric arrangement, reducing the overall external dimensions of the filter. This compact form factor facilitates easier integration into confined engine spaces and simplifies removal and replacement operations while maintaining adequate filtering surface area to minimize pressure drop
3Reliability
If the filter surface area is increased to maintain adequate oil flow, then the lubrication performance is improved, but the available space for filter installation is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric nested cylinders provide extensive filtering surface area within a compact volume, ensuring adequate oil flow for reliable lubrication performance without requiring excessive installation space. The nested configuration efficiently packs filtering surface area into the available radial and axial dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing three-dimensional concentric cylindrical geometry rather than a single-plane filter, the patent achieves greater surface area density, maintaining reliable lubrication performance within tighter spatial constraints through efficient use of radial and axial space
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 design enhances oil flow capacity and reduces pressure drop without increasing filter size, maintaining efficient lubrication and cooling performance while allowing for easy replacement and integration in electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Electric vehicles often comprise one or more oil filters which filter oils used in lubrication and/or cooling of motors, gearing and the like. Oil filters remove wear debris from the circulating oil
Implementation Method 2
The reduction in pressure is undesirable as it reduces fluid flow and reduces the available oil, or rate of change over of oil, for lubrication/cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An oil filter that includes an outer filter and an inner filter. The inner filter is placed inside the outer filter, creating a space between them. This space is connected to an outlet. The inner filter also has an inlet that allows fluid to flow into its interior.