Vehicle Pump Sound Reduction via Control Valve Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle liquid fluid pumps, such as oil pumps, produce unwanted sounds due to air expulsion during startup, which is caused by the vibration of components as air is purged from the system after overnight shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a controller detects a predetermined event (like vehicle startup) to activate the pump, operating a control valve in initial and standard modes to vent gaseous fluid and allow liquid flow, with a solenoid energized and de-energized at a calibrated frequency to reduce sound during the initial phase by minimizing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump activates immediately at vehicle startup to pump oil through lines, then the pump ensures proper lubrication, but air trapped in the system causes component vibration and unwanted sound
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is pre-configured to an initial operating mode upon pump activation that automatically directs air to a vent port before liquid oil flow begins. This preliminary action of air venting prevents air from entering the pump chamber, eliminating the root cause of vibration and sound while ensuring smooth subsequent lubrication operation.
2Productivity
If the control valve operates in standard mode to allow liquid fluid flow, then the pump functions efficiently, but gaseous fluid cannot be vented causing vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve dynamically switches between initial operating mode (for air venting) and standard operating mode (for liquid flow) based on real-time detection of air presence in the pump chamber. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for air removal when needed and efficient liquid pumping when ready, eliminating vibrations caused by air in the system.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If air is allowed to remain in the pump chamber, then sound and vibration are reduced, but proper lubrication cannot be established
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air venting through the vent port before transitioning to standard liquid pumping mode. This ensures the pump chamber is completely free of air, allowing the pump to operate silently and efficiently while maintaining reliable lubrication function throughout the vehicle startup sequence.
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
Effectively reduces the sound produced by the pump during startup by managing the expulsion of gaseous fluid and flow of liquid fluid, thereby minimizing vibrations and noise.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid of the control valve is energized and de-energized, at a calibrated frequency, via the controller, in a sequence when in the initial operating mode to reduce the sound in the pump during the initial operating mode
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a method of reducing sound produced by a liquid fluid pump are disclosed. A pump is activated when a predetermined event is detected. A control valve of the pump is operated in one of an initial and a standard mode when the pump is activated. The control valve is operable to allow a gaseous fluid to vent out of the pump when in the initial mode corresponding to the pump being in a first phase. The control valve is operable to allow a liquid fluid to move through the pump when in the standard mode corresponding to the pump being in a second phase. A solenoid of the control valve is energized and de-energized, at a calibrated frequency, in a sequence when in the initial mode to reduce the sound in the pump during the initial mode.