Unified Pump Motor for Stop-Start Vehicle Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stop-start vehicles face challenges in maintaining hydraulic pressure in transmissions and coolant flow to the heater core radiator during engine auto-stop events, leading to delays and reduced driver satisfaction, and current solutions either require tight tolerances or increase manufacturing costs with redundant electric pumps.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system with a single electric pump motor drivably coupled to both the transmission pump and the heat exchanger pump, controlled by a unified controller to maintain hydraulic pressure and coolant flow, simplifying the control structure and eliminating redundant components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate electric pumps are used for transmission and heat exchanger, then hydraulic pressure and coolant flow are maintained during engine auto-stop, but manufacturing costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate electric pump systems into a single integrated pump assembly that serves both the transmission hydraulic system and the coolant circulation system. This unified pump reduces component count and system complexity while maintaining the reliability of hydraulic pressure and coolant flow during engine auto-stop events.
Solution Approach 2:
The single electric pump assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can independently drive the transmission pump and the heat exchanger pump, or operate both simultaneously. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated pumps for each system, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring both functions are maintained during engine auto-stop.
2Reliability
If separate electric pumps are used for transmission and heat exchanger, then hydraulic pressure and coolant flow are maintained during engine auto-stop, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the transmission pump and heat exchanger pump into a single integrated electric pump assembly, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, stocked, and installed. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability of coolant flow during engine auto-stop events.
3Device complexity
If a single electric pump motor drives both pumps, then cost and complexity are reduced, but the motor must handle variable speed demands for both systems
Solution Approach 1:
The electric pump assembly incorporates a variable speed motor capable of dynamically adjusting its rotation speed to meet the varying demands of the transmission hydraulic system and the coolant circulation system. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the single motor to adapt to different operational requirements of both pumps, maintaining system performance while simplifying the overall control structure compared to two separate motors.
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 manufacturing costs, weight, and complexity while ensuring rapid torque transmission and cabin heating during engine auto-starts, enhancing fuel efficiency and driver satisfaction by maintaining hydraulic pressure and coolant flow without the need for tight tolerances or multiple electric pumps.
Implementation Method 1
an electric pump motor drivably coupled to a transmission pump and a heat exchanger pump
Implementation Method 2
operate the transmission pump to supply hydraulic pressure to a transmission
Implementation Method 3
operate the heat exchanger pump to provide flow from the engine to a heater core radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine having an auto stop function, an electric pump motor drivably coupled to a transmission pump and a heat exchanger pump, and at least one controller. The controller is configured to control the pump motor to operate the transmission pump to supply hydraulic pressure to a transmission, and to operate the heat exchanger pump to provide flow from the engine to a heater core radiator in response to the engine being auto stopped.