PHEV Engine Reverse Spin Lubrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) face challenges in maintaining engine lubrication and preventing issues like rust and sticky valve train components due to prolonged inactivity, as traditional methods can impact fuel economy and cause evaporative emissions.

Innovation Solution

The engine is spun unfueled in reverse direction by an electric motor, with an onboard pump activated to route air and fuel vapors to a fuel vapor canister, ensuring lubrication without fuel combustion, thus improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the engine is operated periodically to maintain lubrication, then engine reliability is improved, but fuel economy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine lubricationVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The engine is spun in reverse direction using the electric motor instead of operating in forward direction with fuel combustion. This inversion allows lubrication to be achieved without consuming fuel, resolving the contradiction between maintaining engine reliability and preserving fuel economy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical system of fuel combustion is replaced with an electric motor-driven reverse spin system. The electric motor provides the rotational force needed for lubrication without requiring fuel intake, combustion, or exhaust processes, thereby eliminating fuel consumption while maintaining lubrication benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the engine is started to prevent degradation, then engine reliability is improved, but evaporative emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine maintenanceVSAvoidevaporative emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By spinning the engine in reverse direction rather than operating it in forward direction, the system avoids fuel combustion and the associated evaporative emissions. The reverse spin achieves lubrication without generating harmful emissions, resolving the contradiction between engine maintenance and emission reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful combustion process is extracted and removed from the lubrication maintenance routine. Only the necessary rotational motion for lubrication is retained, achieved through electric motor-driven reverse spin without fuel intake, combustion, or exhaust, thereby eliminating evaporative emissions while maintaining engine reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the engine is masked from operator view, then ease of operation is improved, but operator dissatisfaction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic engine controlVSAvoidoperator dissatisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visible benefits to the operator through improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, making the automatic operation transparent and beneficial rather than hidden. The operator experiences tangible advantages from the automatic reverse spin lubrication, reducing dissatisfaction while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method effectively lubricates the engine without fuel consumption, preventing rust and sticky components while minimizing evaporative emissions, thereby enhancing vehicle maintenance and reducing operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The oil system for an engine supplies oil from a reservoir, often referred to as a sump, to various components of the engine requiring a supply of oil... During spinning the engine unfueled in reverse, an oil pump may be activated such that lubrication of the engine is performed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

routing air and fuel vapors to the fuel vapor canister... activating an onboard pump configured to draw air and fuel vapors from the air intake system hydrocarbon trap in the intake manifold, and crankcase of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9669825B1Periodic engine lubrication for PHEVs

Publication Date: 2017.06.06 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for periodically activating a vehicle engine such that issues that may occur responsive to engine inactivity, such as rust and the sticking of components of the valve train, may be prevented. In one example, a vehicle engine increment off timer is used to monitor a duration wherein the vehicle engine has not been active, and responsive to expiration of the timer, spinning the engine unfueled in reverse while concurrently activating an onboard pump to direct air and fuel vapor to be stored in a fuel vapor canister. In this way, periodic engine lubrication operations may be conducted that do not require the use of fueled engine operation, thereby improving fuel economy and reducing undesired evaporative emissions.