Segmented Engine Oil System with Pressurized Accumulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for thermal management of engine oil in internal combustion engines are complex and inefficient, as they either require the entire oil volume to be warmed during vehicle start-up or compromise on lubrication during high lateral acceleration, leading to suboptimal fuel efficiency and service intervals.
Innovation Solution
An oil system with a membrane-delimited oil container in a pressure chamber, utilizing a resilient element to store and supply pressurized oil only when needed, reducing the amount of oil warmed during start-up and ensuring continuous lubrication during high lateral accelerations by using a separate oil vessel with a pre-loaded pressure chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of oil is stored in the oil sump, then lubrication reliability during high lateral acceleration is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to larger oil volume requiring warming during start-up
Solution Approach 1:
The oil system is segmented into two separate containers: a first oil container (oil sump) and a second oil container (pressurized accumulator). This segmentation allows the system to store oil in a distributed manner, with the majority of oil in the first container and a reserve pressurized portion in the second container, enabling reduced warm-up requirements while maintaining lubrication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second oil container is pre-filled with pressurized oil before operation. This preliminary action ensures that pressurized oil is immediately available when needed during high lateral acceleration events, eliminating the need to warm up the entire oil volume while maintaining the capability to provide adequate lubrication when required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a small amount of oil is stored in the oil sump, then fuel consumption is reduced due to smaller oil volume requiring warming during start-up, but lubrication reliability deteriorates during high lateral acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The second oil container acts as an intermediary pressurized oil supply that supplements the first oil container during high lateral acceleration events. When lateral acceleration exceeds a threshold, the pressurized oil from the second container is delivered to the engine, ensuring adequate lubrication without requiring the first container to hold a large oil volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a pressurized hydraulic accumulator (second oil container) to store and deliver oil under pressure. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides immediate oil supply during high lateral acceleration by utilizing stored pressure energy, compensating for the reduced oil volume in the first container.
3Reliability
If the entire oil volume is used during vehicle operation, then lubrication is maintained, but service intervals are reduced due to oil degradation from continuous circulation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of circulating the entire oil volume continuously, the system uses only a portion of the oil (from the first container) during normal operation. The second container provides supplemental pressurized oil during high lateral acceleration events. This partial action approach reduces the total oil circulation and exposure to degradation while maintaining adequate lubrication.
4Temperature
If complex systems with actuators and sensors are used for thermal management, then oil warming control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mechanically pre-charged pressurized accumulator (second oil container) that provides immediate oil supply during high lateral acceleration without requiring complex control systems. The pre-stored pressure acts as a cushion that automatically responds to demand, eliminating the need for sensors and actuators while maintaining thermal management effectiveness.
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 solution reduces fuel consumption by minimizing the oil volume warmed during start-up, extends service intervals through regular oil mixing, and maintains adequate lubrication during high lateral accelerations, enhancing overall engine efficiency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an oil container (6) comprising a membrane (7) delimiting the oil container in a pressure chamber (8) and an oil chamber (9) where the oil container (6) is provided with a resilient element (10) acting on the membrane (7)
Implementation Method 2
letting oil out from the oil container (6) when the oil pump does not deliver an oil pressure
Implementation Method 3
starting the oil pump, thereby creating an oil pressure in the oil system; letting a quantity of oil into the oil container by the oil pressure created by the oil pump
Data Source
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AI summary
An oil system for an internal combustion engine, comprising an oil pump, an oil sump and an oil distribution system for distributing oil to engine parts, where the oil system comprises an oil container comprising a membrane delimiting the oil container in a pressure chamber and an oil chamber which is in fluid contact with the oil distribution system, where the oil container is provided with a resilient element acting on the membrane. The advantage of the invention is that the oil level in the oil sump can be reduced during normal operation of the vehicle, without affecting the lubrication of the engine during exceptional operation conditions.