Oil Suction Flow Control for Balanced Sump Levels in EDUs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In EDU systems with a sump space positioned between a motor and a reducer, there is a significant reduction in suction strength due to increased suction resistance, leading to uneven oil distribution and imbalance in oil levels, which results in decreased cooling performance and increased churning loss.
Innovation Solution
An oil suction device with a flow control unit that manages suction resistance by differentiating oil flow paths from the end plate and middle plate, using distinct holes and a funnel-shaped supply pipe to uniformly distribute oil, reducing suction resistance and maintaining consistent oil levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the sump space is positioned in the middle housing to reduce cost and packaging size, then the cost and packaging size are reduced, but the suction resistance increases significantly and suction strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control unit is divided into multiple holes (first hole and second hole) with different characteristics. The first hole has a larger open area for high-flow oil suction, while the second hole has a smaller open area for controlled oil intake, segmenting the suction paths to optimize flow characteristics and reduce overall suction resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flow control unit are designed with different properties: the first hole provides a larger flow area for primary oil suction, while the second hole provides a restricted flow path for secondary oil intake. This local differentiation allows optimized oil flow control from different directions simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If the end plate and middle plate have the same cooling structure with even oil spray, then the cooling structure is simple and cost-effective, but oil level imbalance occurs between end plate and middle plate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control unit introduces asymmetric flow resistance characteristics through differently sized holes (first hole with larger open area, second hole with smaller open area). This asymmetric design creates different suction strengths for oil from the end plate versus the middle plate, actively compensating for the symmetric cooling structure's tendency toward oil level imbalance.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction resistance parameter is changed by introducing the flow control unit with specific hole configurations. The first hole's larger open area reduces resistance for one oil path, while the second hole's smaller open area maintains higher resistance for another path, dynamically adjusting oil flow distribution to maintain level balance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a 2-speed reducer is applied to extend the reducer length, then the speed control capability is improved, but the oil level imbalance becomes difficult to resolve and suction becomes problematic under turning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control unit acts as an intermediary device between the oil pump and the oil circulation system. It mediates the oil flow from different regions (end plate and middle plate) by providing differentiated flow paths through its holes, balancing the oil levels even in the presence of the extended 2-speed reducer under various vehicle operating conditions.
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 enhances cooling performance by preventing oil depletion in the sump space, reduces churning and no-load losses, and maintains reduced cost and packaging size, addressing the inefficiencies of conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a flow control unit coupled to one end of the supply pipe, including a space in which the oil flows, and configured to control a flow volume of the oil suctioned to the supply pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an oil suction device applied to a sump space of a vehicle. According to the oil suction device of the present disclosure, by adding the flow control unit for controlling suction resistance of oil suctioned to the supply pipe, it is possible to reduce a difference in oil level, reduce no-load loss and loss during rotation of the rotor by reducing a rise in oil level of the end plate, improve cooling performance of the motor by keeping the sump space from running out of oil, and at the same time, maintain the reduction effects for reducing the cost and reducing the packing size and weight, which are the trend of conventional motors.