Parallel Fixed and Variable Pump Units for Oil Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oil pumps in motor vehicles face challenges in providing a variable oil supply, especially at varying temperatures and engine speeds, leading to inefficient drive power and increased exhaust-gas emissions due to constant volume flow limitations and the need for complex cut-off valves.
Innovation Solution
A pump system comprising a first pump unit with a constant volume flow and a second pump unit with variably adjustable volume flow, connected in parallel, allowing for modulation of the constant volume flow and enabling negative volume flow adjustments to match demand, thereby optimizing oil supply and pressure regulation across temperature and speed ranges without the need for cut-off valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a constant volume flow pump is used to satisfy maximum conditions, then the maximum volume flow is attained at high rotational speeds, but the drive power increases and exhaust-gas emissions increase at low rotational speeds where minimum demands must be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into two independent pump units: a first pump unit with constant volume flow characteristics and a second pump unit with variable volume flow characteristics. These units operate in parallel and can be independently controlled, allowing the system to segment the volume flow delivery task and optimize energy consumption by activating only the necessary pump unit based on demand conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static constant volume flow pump to a dynamic configuration where the second pump unit can variably adjust its volume flow output. This dynamic capability allows the overall system to adapt its total volume flow in real-time based on rotational speed and demand conditions, reducing energy loss by matching output to actual requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fully variable vane-type pump is used to adjust volume flow, then the volume flow can be modulated to match demand, but the construction becomes more complex and expensive requiring cut-off valves for pressure limitation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex fully variable pump, the system segments the pumping function into two simpler pump units with different characteristics. The first pump unit provides constant volume flow with simple construction, while the second pump unit provides variable adjustment capability. This segmentation avoids the need for complex cut-off valves and pressure limitation mechanisms in a single pump design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges a constant volume flow pump and a variable volume flow pump into a parallel configuration, combining their advantages. The constant volume flow pump ensures reliable baseline delivery with simple construction, while the variable pump adds adaptability. This combination achieves volume flow modulation without requiring the complex internal mechanisms and cut-off valves that would be needed in a single fully variable pump.
3Productivity
If a gearwheel pump is added in parallel to assist delivery during cold operation, then the volume delivery is increased, but the fluid pressure becomes higher than required which adversely affects drive power and exhaust-gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The second pump unit is designed with dynamic volume flow adjustment capability, allowing it to vary its output based on operating conditions. During cold operation, it can increase delivery to assist the first pump unit, but during normal operation it can reduce or stop delivery. This dynamic control prevents excessive pressure buildup and the associated energy losses, unlike a fixed constant volume flow pump that would continuously deliver excess fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the second pump unit based on temperature and demand conditions. During cold operation, the pump operates at higher delivery rates to assist cold engine operation. During normal operation, the pump adjusts its parameters to match actual demand, thereby controlling fluid pressure and avoiding unnecessary energy consumption and emissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump (1, 10) having a housing (15) with a suction-side fluid inlet (4) and with a pressure-side fluid outlet (5), having a first pump unit (2, 11) and having a second pump unit (3, 12), the first pump unit (2, 11) being connected hydraulically in parallel with respect to the second pump unit (3, 12), wherein the first pump unit (2, 11) is a pump unit that exhibits a constant volume flow, wherein the second pump unit (3, 12) is a pump unit that exhibits variably adjustable volume flow.