Variable Displacement Hydraulic Pump Control via Solenoid Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil pump systems lack precise control over oil pressure, often providing high pressure across all engine operating conditions, whereas lower pressures are needed under certain conditions, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing an engine control unit to actuate a solenoid valve, which selectively adjusts oil flow and pressure based on engine speed, temperature, and load, incorporating a solenoid valve system with a pressure regulator valve stage to manage the eccentric ring of a vane pump, allowing for variable displacement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed pressure regulation system is used in the oil pump, then the system structure is simple, but the oil pressure cannot be precisely controlled relative to engine needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump displacement variable through an adjustable eccentric ring position. The eccentric ring can be dynamically repositioned along the drive shaft to change the pump chamber volume, thereby controlling oil pressure and flow rate according to varying engine conditions. This transforms a static pump system into a dynamic one that adapts to different operating requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a control system that monitors engine operating conditions (such as engine speed, load, and temperature) and automatically adjusts the eccentric ring position via a positioning mechanism. This closed-loop feedback ensures that oil pressure is precisely controlled to match actual engine needs, resolving the contradiction between control precision and system complexity.
2Reliability
If high oil pressure is provided at all engine operating conditions, then the engine is adequately lubricated under high load conditions, but energy is wasted when lower pressure is sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement mechanism allows the pump to dynamically adjust its output based on engine conditions. When engine load is low, the eccentric ring position is adjusted to reduce pump displacement and oil pressure, minimizing energy consumption. When engine load increases, the pump automatically increases displacement and pressure to maintain adequate lubrication, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pump by varying the eccentric ring position, which directly alters the pump chamber volume, flow rate, and discharge pressure. This parameter adjustment enables the system to match oil pressure output with actual engine demands, reducing energy waste during low-load operation while maintaining sufficient pressure during high-load conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a variable displacement vane pump with mechanical hydraulic control is used, then oil pressure control is optimized, but further control flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the engine operating conditions and the pump mechanism. This control system includes sensors that monitor engine parameters, a control unit that processes this information, and an actuator that adjusts the eccentric ring position. This intermediary layer provides flexible and precise control adaptability while keeping the mechanical pump structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical hydraulic control with a hybrid control system that incorporates electronic sensors, microprocessors, and electric actuators. This substitution enables more precise and flexible control adaptability by using electronic control signals to adjust the eccentric ring position, rather than relying solely on mechanical feedback mechanisms.
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
Enables precise control of oil pressure across a wide range of operating conditions, optimizing engine performance by adjusting flow rates and pressures dynamically in response to engine demands.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve stage for hydraulically actuating said pressure regulator valve stage
Implementation Method 2
as the amount of fluid in said decrease chamber increases and the amount of pressure in said decrease chamber increases, said eccentric ring moves in said housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A pump system including a control system for controlling a variable flow pump for controlling oil flow and oil pressure in a hydraulic circuit (10) in an engine. The system includes a pump member (50), an actuating member (51) capable of controlling the flow generated by the pump member (50), and a solenoid valve system (60) including a solenoid valve portion (70) and a pressure regulator valve portion (80). The solenoid valve system (60) is operably associated with the pump (50) and the pressure regulator valve portion (80) is operably associated with the actuating member (51) for selectively controlling the flow generated by the pump member (50). An electronic control unit (30) is operably associated with the solenoid valve portion (70), wherein the electronic control unit (30) is selectively operable to provide an input control signal to the solenoid valve portion (70) for controlling oil flow and oil pressure.