Variable Displacement Vane Pump Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable displacement vane pumps in mechanical systems, such as internal combustion engines and automatic transmissions, face inefficiencies due to the need to provide high oil pressures that exceed requirements at various operating conditions, leading to significant energy loss as they must be designed to meet maximum demands even when conditions do not necessitate such pressures.
Innovation Solution
A variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system with a control slider, biasing means, and dual control mechanisms responsive to lubrication oil pressure, allowing the pump output to be adjusted via a control valve operated by an engine control unit to match mechanical system requirements more closely, reducing energy loss by minimizing excess oil production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If variable displacement vane pumps are designed to provide high oil pressures to meet maximum mechanical system requirements, then the system can handle peak demands, but significant energy loss occurs when operating conditions do not necessitate such high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system dynamically adjusts its output pressure to match the actual mechanical system requirements through a control slider mechanism. The control slider can be positioned to vary the pump displacement, allowing the system to operate at optimal pressure levels for current conditions rather than maintaining fixed high pressure capability, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining ability to meet peak demands when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the pump by adjusting the control slider position, which alters the pump displacement and output pressure. This parameter adjustment allows the pump to adapt its pressure output to match varying mechanical system requirements, eliminating the need to continuously operate at maximum pressure capability and thus reducing energy consumption during normal operation.
2Reliability
If fixed displacement pumps are designed to operate effectively at high oil temperatures, then the system can handle maximum operating conditions, but there is an oversupply of lubricating oil at most mechanical system operating conditions resulting in waste through relief valves
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement vane pump with control slider provides dynamic adjustment of pump output to match actual system requirements. This eliminates the need for relief valves to dump excess oil, as the pump can be positioned to deliver only the required amount of lubricating oil for current operating conditions, thereby preventing waste while maintaining ability to handle maximum operating conditions when needed.
3Loss of energy
If variable displacement pumps are used to improve energy efficiency, then energy loss is reduced compared to fixed displacement pumps, but the system still must be designed to provide high pressures that exceed normal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the control slider for displacement adjustment, biasing means for maintaining position, and control mechanisms responsive to pressure feedback. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, managing the overall system complexity while achieving the goal of variable pressure output to reduce energy loss.
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 system significantly reduces energy loss by closely matching lubrication oil output to mechanical system demands, minimizing excess pressure and energy consumption across varying operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing means to bias the control slider towards a position corresponding to the maximum displacement position of the pump
Implementation Method 2
a first control mechanism responsive to the pressure of the lubrication oil output from the pump to apply a force to the control slider to counter the biasing force of the biasing means
Implementation Method 3
a first control mechanism responsive to the pressure of the lubrication oil output from the pump to apply a force to the control slider
Implementation Method 4
a variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system for providing lubrication oil to a mechanical system
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A traditional variable displacement vane pump must be designed to provide maximum fluid pressure and thus experiences reduced energy efficiency when the system operating conditions do not necessitate such high requirements. A variable displacement variable pressure vane pump system is provided comprising a first control mechanism, which can be a control chamber (68) directly acting on the control slider (36) or a control chamber (68) and control cylinder (44) which acts on the control slider (36) and a second control mechanism which is a control chamber (72) and control cylinder (44) which acts on the control slider (36). A control valve (76), operated by an engine control unit or other suitable control mechanism, selectively provides pressurized lubrication oil to the second control mechanism to allow the output of the pump system to more closely match the requirements of the mechanical system.