Oil Supply Device for Internal Combustion Engine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal combustion engines with hydraulically-actuated variable valve mechanisms face a decline in response when idle for extended periods due to oil depletion in the supply passage and reservoir, leading to reduced valve actuation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An oil supply device with an electric oil pump, oil reservoir, and controller that estimates and replenishes oil levels in the reservoir when they fall below a predetermined level, ensuring continuous oil supply to the hydraulically-actuated variable valve mechanism, even when the engine is off for long times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the engine is kept OFF for a long time, then power consumption is reduced, but oil depletes from the supply passage and reservoir causing reduced response
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary oil replenishment action by activating the electric oil pump before the engine is actually started. The reserve oil level estimator continuously monitors the oil level in the reservoir, and when it detects that the oil level has fallen to a predetermined level or below during the engine OFF period, the controller activates the electric oil pump to replenish the reservoir. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient oil is available in the reservoir and supply passage when the engine is restarted, preventing response delays while allowing the engine to remain OFF for extended periods.
2Reliability
If the reservoir volume is increased to prevent oil depletion during long engine OFF periods, then oil availability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service through the automatic oil replenishment mechanism. The reserve oil level estimator continuously monitors the reservoir oil level and automatically triggers the electric oil pump to replenish the reservoir when the oil level falls to a predetermined threshold. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex manual monitoring systems, allowing the engine to maintain reliable oil availability without requiring an excessively large reservoir. The controller manages the entire replenishment process automatically based on sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The reserve oil level estimator provides continuous feedback to the controller about the oil level in the reservoir. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically decides when to activate the electric oil pump for replenishment. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal oil levels in the reservoir without requiring excessive reservoir capacity, as the system can respond in real-time to oil level changes during engine OFF periods.
3Reliability
If the electric oil pump operates continuously to maintain oil levels in the reservoir, then oil availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric oil pump operates periodically rather than continuously. The controller activates the pump only when the reserve oil level estimator detects that the oil level has fallen to a predetermined threshold during engine OFF periods. Between these replenishment events, the pump remains inactive, allowing the system to maintain reliable oil availability while minimizing power consumption. This periodic operation is triggered by the feedback from the oil level monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by having the reserve oil level estimator automatically detect when oil replenishment is needed and trigger the electric oil pump accordingly. This automatic self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous manual monitoring or continuous pump operation, allowing the system to maintain optimal oil levels with minimal energy input from the storage battery.
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 configuration maintains the responsiveness of the internal combustion engine by preventing oil depletion in the supply passage and reservoir, reducing the need for frequent oil replenishment and minimizing power dissipation from the storage battery.
Implementation Method 1
an electric oil pump operating with power supplied from a storage battery and configured to supply oil to the hydraulically-actuated variable valve mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulically-actuated variable valve mechanism provided for the internal combustion engine and configured to open and close a valve by hydraulically transmitting a power of a cam
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an oil supply device for an internal combustion engine, which includes a control unit that controls activation of an electric oil pump and that functions as either a reserve oil level estimator for estimating the level of oil reserved in auxiliary chambers or a reserve oil level detector for detecting the level of the oil reserved there. When it is estimated or detected that the level of the oil reserved in the auxiliary chambers has become equal to or less than a predetermined reserve oil level while the internal combustion engine is OFF, the control unit performs an oil replenishment control to replenish the auxiliary chambers with the oil by activating the electric oil pump.