Machine Learning based Operation Strategy for EV Vacuum Pump

In an automotive braking system, Vacuum pump is used to generate vacuum in the vacuum servo or brake booster in order to enhance the safety and comfort to the driver. The vacuum pump operation in the braking system varies from conventional to electric vehicles. The vacuum pump is connected to the alternator shaft or CAM shaft in a conventional vehicle, operates continuously at engine speed and supplies continuous vacuum to the brake servo irrespective of vacuum requirement. To sustain continuous operation, these vacuum pumps are generally oil cooled. Whereas in electric vehicles, the use of a motor-driven vacuum pump is very much needed for vacuum generation as there is no engine present. Thus, with the assistance of an electronic control unit (ECU), the vacuum pump can be operated only when needed saving a significant amount of energy contributing to fuel economy and range improvement and emission reduction. Since there is no provision for cooling arrangement in Electric vehicles, optimizing the Electric Vehicle (EV) Vacuum pump operation strategy is essential for vehicle manufacturers to increase the safety and robustness of electric vacuum pumps. The challenge is to define EV vacuum pump operational strategy to meet all the requirements - Comfort, Safety and Performance, to determine the life of vacuum pump. In this work, a Model has been developed to estimate the optimum threshold operating range for EV vacuum pump and to determine the pump life using Machine Learning and validated by correlating its results with field test results.