Segregated Engine Oil Circuit with Dual Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single oil circuits in vehicles are inefficient as they supply oil at pressures and flow rates that exceed the needs of most engine components, leading to excessive hydraulic power consumption and reduced engine performance and fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
A segregated engine oil circuit system with multiple oil circuits and pumps, each tailored to specific engine components, providing distinct flow rates and pressures to optimize oil delivery and reduce overall hydraulic power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single oil circuit supplies oil to all engine components, then all components receive adequate oil pressure and flow rate, but the hydraulic power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The single oil circuit is divided into multiple segregated oil circuits (first oil circuit, second oil circuit, etc.), each serving specific engine components. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate at optimized pressure and flow rates tailored to its components' needs, rather than maintaining high pressure throughout the entire system to satisfy the highest-demand component.
Solution Approach 2:
Each oil circuit is configured with local quality characteristics - different pressure levels, flow rates, and pump capacities - according to the specific requirements of the engine components it serves. For example, components requiring high pressure receive it from their dedicated circuit, while other components receive appropriate lower pressure, optimizing overall system efficiency.
2Reliability
If oil pressure and flow rate are maintained at levels to meet the highest requirements, then all components receive sufficient oil, but engine performance and fuel economy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the oil supply into multiple circuits, the system ensures reliable lubrication for all components while avoiding the penalty of maintaining excessively high pressure and flow rates throughout the entire system. Each circuit delivers appropriate oil supply levels for its specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters (pressure, flow rate) of oil circuits based on the specific requirements of different engine components. This allows optimization of engine performance and fuel economy by matching oil supply parameters to actual component needs rather than using uniform high parameters throughout.
3Device complexity
If a single oil pump supplies oil to the entire system, then the system structure remains simple, but the hydraulic power required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single oil pump is replaced with multiple oil pumps (first oil pump, second oil pump, etc.), each dedicated to a specific oil circuit. This segmentation reduces the total hydraulic power required because each pump operates at lower pressure and flow rates appropriate for its circuit, rather than one pump serving the entire system at maximum required pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each oil pump is designed with multi-functionality to serve its specific circuit's requirements - some pumps may be optimized for high pressure, others for high flow rate, and they can all operate from a common oil source, providing universal applicability across different circuit configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one implementation, an engine oil circuit for a vehicle includes first and second oil circuits, and first and second oil pumps. The first oil circuit is communicated with at least one first engine component and the first oil pump is communicated with the first oil circuit to supply fluid flow in the first oil circuit at a first flow rate and a first pressure. The second oil circuit is communicated with at least one second engine component and may be segregated from the first oil circuit. The second oil pump is communicated with the second oil circuit to supply fluid flow in the second oil circuit at a second flow rate and a second pressure. At least one of the second flow rate or the second pressure is different than the first flow rate or the first pressure.