Variable Displacement Oil Pump Layout in Engine Case
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional layout of the lubrication circuit in internal combustion engines restricts the placement of the variable displacement oil pump (VDOP) due to the need for easy access and wiring of the electrically driven control valve, which complicates maintenance and space usage within the engine compartment.
Innovation Solution
An engine-case component with integrated oil channels and a seat for the control valve allows the VDOP to be located within the oil sump, enabling easy wiring and maintenance while maintaining the control valve's functionality, thereby improving the engine's packaging and reducing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the control valve is accommodated in a dedicated seat directly realized in the VDOP external casing, then the VDOP can be managed as an integrated assembly, but the VDOP must be located in positions that are difficult to wire and maintain due to wiring constraints and accessibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is extracted from the VDOP external casing and accommodated in a dedicated seat realized in the engine-case component instead. This separation allows the VDOP to be positioned in optimal locations for wiring and maintenance while the control valve remains integrated with the engine-case, resolving the contradiction between integrated assembly management and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the VDOP is located in positions that satisfy wiring and maintenance requirements, then accessibility is improved, but the engine compartment space usage is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the control valve from the VDOP and integrating it with the engine-case component, the VDOP is freed from location constraints and can be optimally positioned within the engine compartment. This enables better space utilization while maintaining accessibility through the engine-case component's integrated seat design.
3Device complexity
If the control valve is integrated with the VDOP, then the assembly is easier to manage, but the VDOP location is restricted by wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is taken out from the VDOP assembly and integrated with the engine-case component instead. This architectural change decouples the VDOP location from wiring constraints while the control valve remains easily accessible through the engine-case, thereby improving location flexibility without sacrificing assembly management.
4Ease of operation
If the control valve seat is realized in the engine-case component, then the VDOP can be optimally positioned for wiring and maintenance, but additional integration work is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve seat is merged with the engine-case component, integrating the valve into the existing engine structure. This approach leverages the engine-case as a platform for the control valve, simplifying the overall system by utilizing an existing component rather than adding a separate structure, thereby reducing integration complexity while maintaining accessibility.
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 allows the VDOP to be placed where it traditionally could not be, simplifying maintenance and enhancing the engine's compactness by integrating the control valve with the engine-case component, thus improving the overall packaging and reducing space usage within the engine compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure of the lubricating oil in the control chambers shoves the annular element towards a position of minimum eccentricity
Data Source
AI summary
An engine-case component and a variable displacement oil pump are provided for an internal combustion engine. The engine-case component includes, but is not limited to a first oil channel suitable for connecting an oil outlet of the variable displacement oil pump with a primary control chamber of the same variable displacement oil pump, a second oil channel suitable for being independently connected with a secondary control chamber of the variable displacement oil pump, and a seat communicating with the first oil channel and the second oil channel, which is suitable for accommodating an electrically driven control valve for selectively opening and closing the communication between the first and the second oil channel.