Sulfur-Free Phosphorus Additive for Electric Motor Lubrication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional anti-wear additives in lubricants for electric and hybrid vehicle propulsion systems are corrosive and reduce the electric insulating properties of fluids, posing risks to electrical components and mechanical parts.

Innovation Solution

The use of phosphorus compounds free from sulfur and amine functions as anti-wear and extreme-pressure additives in lubricating compositions for electric or hybrid vehicle propulsion systems, which are non-corrosive and enhance dielectric properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional anti-wear additives (such as dimercaptothiadiazoles, zinc dithiophosphate, polysulfides) are used in lubricants, then anti-wear performance is improved, but corrosion of mechanical parts and electrical components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-wear performanceVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of anti-wear additives by using phosphorus compounds that are specifically free from sulfur and amine functions. This parameter change allows the lubricant to maintain anti-wear performance while eliminating the corrosive effects associated with conventional sulfur-containing and amine-containing additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful sulfur and amine functions into beneficial absences. By deliberately excluding these elements from the phosphorus compound structure, the invention transforms what would normally be harmful corrosive properties into beneficial non-corrosive properties while preserving anti-wear functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If ionic additives (such as metal dialkyldithiophosphates) are used in lubricants, then anti-wear performance is improved, but electrical insulation properties are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-wear performanceVSAvoidelectrical insulation properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical properties parameter by selecting phosphorus compounds with specific molecular structures that lack ionic character. The non-ionic nature of these sulfur-free, amine-free phosphorus compounds maintains high electrical insulation properties while providing necessary anti-wear protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the ionic components (metal ions in metal dialkyldithiophosphates) from the additive structure. By using organic phosphorus compounds without metal ions or ionic groups, the invention eliminates the source of electrical conductivity while preserving lubrication benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3990590B1Use of a phosphorus compound as a non-corrosive extreme-pressure and Anti-wear additive in a lubricant for a propulsion system of an electric or hybrid vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of at least one phosphorus compound, which is free of sulfur and has no amine function, as an anti-wear and extreme-pressure additive in a lubricant composition for a propulsion system of an electric or hybrid vehicle. The invention also relates to the use of a lubricant composition comprising at least one phosphorus compound, which is free of sulfur and has no amine function, as an anti-wear and extreme-pressure additive, for lubricating and optionally cooling a propulsion system of an electric or hybrid vehicle, in particular for lubricating and cooling the electric motor and the power electronics of an electric or hybrid vehicle.