Vane Oil Pump Harmonic Disruption for NVH Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vane oil pumps in powertrain components generate pressure ripples and associated tonal noise due to their positive displacement characteristic and tight clearances, which cause noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) issues in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vane fluid pump design featuring an inner rotor with a series of vanes and a cam, where select vanes define passageways to disrupt harmonics and reduce pressure ripples, while others act as fluid barriers to maintain pumping efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tight clearances are used in the vane pump to achieve positive displacement pumping, then pumping efficiency is improved, but pressure ripples and tonal noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
A passageway is provided through one of the vanes to act as an intermediary pressure relief channel. This passageway allows fluid to flow between adjacent pumping chambers, equalizing pressure fluctuations and reducing the harmful pressure ripples and tonal noise generated by the tight clearance pumping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure distribution parameters within the pump by introducing a pressure relief passageway. This modifies the pressure waveform characteristics, reducing the amplitude of pressure ripples while maintaining the positive displacement pumping action required for efficient oil circulation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If pressure relief passageways are added to reduce harmonics, then tonal noise is reduced, but pump structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vane structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a fluid barrier to maintain positive displacement pumping and as a pressure relief channel through the integrated passageway. This multi-functionality reduces tonal noise without requiring separate noise reduction components, thereby avoiding increased overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief passageway is merged directly into the vane structure itself, combining the pumping function and noise reduction function in a single component. This integration eliminates the need for separate damping devices or noise reduction components that would otherwise be required.
3Productivity
If vanes are made independent of fluid passageways to prevent fluid flow, then pumping efficiency is maintained, but pressure ripples increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vane structure is designed with localized differentiating features: most vanes maintain the traditional solid structure for efficient pumping, while one specific vane incorporates a passageway for pressure relief. This local modification allows pressure ripple reduction without compromising the overall pumping efficiency provided by the other vanes.
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
The design significantly reduces pressure ripples and tonal noise by disrupting harmonics and providing pressure relief, leading to improved NVH performance and potentially simplifying powertrain systems by eliminating the need for additional noise reduction devices.
Implementation Method 1
A first vane of the series of vanes defines a passageway thereacross to fluidly connect adjacent pumping chambers. The passageway is configured to disrupt harmonics during operation to reduce pressure ripples and associated tonal noise.
Implementation Method 2
Each vane provides a fluid barrier between adjacent pumping chambers formed between the cam and the inner rotor.
Data Source
AI summary
A vane fluid pump for a vehicle component has a cam defining a continuous inner wall surrounding a cavity, and an inner rotor supported within the cam. The inner rotor has a cylindrical outer wall defining a series of slots equally spaced about the outer wall. A series of vanes is provided with each vane positioned within a respective slot of the inner rotor and extending outwardly to contact the continuous inner wall of the cam. Each vane provides a fluid barrier between adjacent pumping chambers formed between the cam and the inner rotor. A first vane of the series of vanes defines a passageway thereacross to fluidly connect adjacent pumping chambers. The passageway is configured to disrupt harmonics during operation to reduce pressure ripples and associated tonal noise. At least another vane is configured without any fluid passageways.