Split-Circuit Lubrication System for Work Vehicle Engine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubrication systems for internal combustion engines lack the ability to differentiate oil flow to specific components, leading to unnecessary power consumption and increased time to reach desired oil pressure, as they provide a consistent flow to all components including piston spray jets even when not required.

Innovation Solution

A split-circuit lubrication system using two oil pumps with a variable displacement pump for the piston spray jets and a fixed displacement pump for other components, allowing for separate oil circuits and controlled oil flow based on operational modes, including start-up and sleep modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single main oil gallery distributes oil to all components, then all components receive lubrication, but power consumption increases and time to reach desired oil pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system is divided into two separate circuits: a first circuit with a variable displacement pump serving piston spray jets, and a second circuit with a fixed displacement pump serving other engine components. This segmentation allows independent control of oil flow to different components, enabling the system to reduce power consumption by adjusting or stopping oil flow to piston spray jets when not required, while maintaining reliable lubrication to other components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a single main oil gallery distributes oil to all components, then all components receive lubrication, but time to reach desired oil pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication coverageVSAvoidtime to reach oil pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system is divided into two separate circuits: a first circuit with a variable displacement pump serving piston spray jets, and a second circuit with a fixed displacement pump serving other engine components. This segmentation allows the second pump to rapidly establish oil pressure in the main gallery and critical components independently of the first circuit, reducing the overall time to reach desired oil pressure while maintaining comprehensive lubrication coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If consistent oil flow is provided to all components, then all components are adequately lubricated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lubrication system is divided into two separate circuits with separate pumps, allowing different flow characteristics for different components. The variable displacement pump provides consistent flow to piston spray jets when needed, while the fixed displacement pump provides consistent flow to other components, maintaining overall lubrication consistency while managing complexity through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first pump is designed as a variable displacement pump that can dynamically adjust its oil flow output based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain adequate lubrication to piston spray jets only when needed, reducing unnecessary complexity in the control system while preserving lubrication consistency for components that require it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Reduces power consumption and time to reach oil pressure for other components by selectively cutting off or reducing oil flow to piston spray jets when not needed, improving overall engine efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first oil pump comprising a variable displacement pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVariable displacement pump mechanism: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a second oil pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFixed displacement pump mechanism: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a manifold that directs engine oil from the engine oil sump to the first oil pump and the second oil pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid distribution through manifold:

Implementation Method 4

These components require lubrication to prevent wear thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS11486277B2Work vehicle engine with split-circuit lubrication system

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine of a work vehicle includes an engine oil sump and a pump unit fluidly connected to the engine oil sump to receive engine oil therefrom. The pump unit, in turn, includes a first oil pump comprising a variable displacement pump, a second oil pump, a drive line mechanically coupled to the first oil pump and the second oil pump that drives each of the pumps, and a manifold that directs engine oil from the engine oil sump to the first and second oil pumps. A first oil circuit is fluidly coupled to the first oil pump to direct a first flow of engine oil to piston spray jets in the engine and a second oil circuit is fluidly coupled to the second oil pump to direct a second flow of engine oil to one or more oiled engine components in the engine.