U.S. patent application number 15/382088 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for electric pump system.
This patent application is currently assigned to JTEKT CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is JTEKT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hiroki KAGAWA.
Application Number | 20170175745 15/382088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58994035 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170175745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAGAWA; Hiroki |
June 22, 2017 |
ELECTRIC PUMP SYSTEM
Abstract
An electric pump system includes a pump, a motor, and a control
circuit. The motor drives the pump. The control circuit controls
operation of the motor. The control circuit includes a
determination circuit, a generation circuit, and a drive circuit.
The determination circuit determines the amount of fluid to be
discharged from the pump. The generation circuit generates, based
on a maximum rotational speed of the motor, a control profile that
is used to control the number of revolutions of the motor. The
maximum rotational speed of the motor is set according to the
environment in which the pump is used. The control profile is used
for the pump to discharge the amount of fluid determined by the
determination circuit in the shortest time. The drive circuit
drives the motor based on the control profile generated by the
generation circuit.
Inventors: |
KAGAWA; Hiroki;
(Kashiba-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JTEKT CORPORATION |
Osaka-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
JTEKT CORPORATION
Osaka-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
58994035 |
Appl. No.: |
15/382088 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 13/06 20130101;
F04D 15/0066 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 15/00 20060101
F04D015/00; F04D 13/06 20060101 F04D013/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2015 |
JP |
2015-249628 |
Claims
1. An electric pump system, comprising: a pump; a motor that drives
the pump; and a control circuit that controls operation of the
motor, wherein, the control circuit includes a determination
circuit that determines an amount of fluid to be discharged from
the pump, a generation circuit that generates, based on a maximum
rotational speed of the motor which is set according to an
environment in which the pump is used, a control profile of a
rotational speed of the motor which is used for the pump to
discharge the amount of fluid determined by the determination
circuit in a shortest time, and a drive circuit that drives the
motor based on the control profile generated by the generation
circuit.
2. The electric pump system according to claim 1, wherein, the
control profile includes a first time period in which the
rotational speed of the motor is increased from an initial
rotational speed at the time the motor is driven based on the
control profile to the maximum rotational speed at a maximum rate
of increase that is set according to the environment in which the
pump is used, a second time period in which the maximum rotational
speed is maintained, and a third time period in which the
rotational speed of the motor is decreased from the maximum
rotational speed to the initial rotational speed at a maximum rate
of decrease that is set according to the environment in which the
pump is used.
3. The electric pump system according to claim 2, wherein, the
generation circuit includes a rotational speed setting circuit that
sets the maximum rotational speed according to the environment in
which the pump is used, a rate-of-increase setting circuit that
sets the maximum rate of increase according to the environment in
which the pump is used, and a rate-of-decrease setting circuit that
sets the maximum rate of decrease according to the environment in
which the pump is used.
4. The electric pump system according to claim 1, wherein, a pump
unit includes the pump, the motor, the generation circuit, and the
drive circuit.
5. The electric pump system according to claim 1, wherein, a pump
unit includes the pump, the motor, and the drive circuit, and the
determination circuit and the generation circuit are not included
in the pump unit and are provided separately from the pump
unit.
6. The electric pump system according to claim 4, further
comprising: an upper electronic control unit that sends a command
to the pump unit.
7. The electric pump system according to claim 6, wherein, the
upper electronic control unit is placed away from the pump unit.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2015-249628 filed on Dec. 22, 2015 including the specification,
drawings and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to systems that drive a pump,
and more particularly to systems that drive an oil pump for use in
automatic transmissions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Systems that hydraulically operate a device are
conventionally known in the art. For example, Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2000-27992 (JP 2000-27992 A) discloses
a system that drives a pump for use in automatic transmissions of
vehicles. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-310102
(JP 2002-310102 A) discloses a system that drives a pump for use in
hydraulic shovels.
[0006] The system described in JP 2000-27992 A includes a first
pump, a second pump, and a motor that simultaneously drives these
pumps. The pressure of oil discharged from the first pump is
regulated by a line pressure control valve. The discharged oil
whose pressure has been regulated is supplied to a hydraulic drive
unit of a primary pulley of a continuously variable transmission
(CVT) through a shift control valve, or is supplied to a hydraulic
drive unit of a secondary pulley of the CVT without flowing through
the shift control valve. Oil discharged from the second pump is
supplied to the pulleys, a belt, etc. of the CVT through an oil
cooler. The flow rate of each hydraulic line varies depending on
the driving conditions of a vehicle. The flow rate required for the
first pump and the flow rate required for the second pump are
calculated based on the speed ratio, the line pressure, the oil
temperature, etc. at that time. The flow rate required for the
first pump and the flow rate required for the second pump are
compared with each other. The number of revolutions of the pumps is
determined so that oil can be supplied at the larger flow rate.
[0007] The system described in JP 2002-310102 A includes a first
cylinder, a first hydraulic circuit that drives the first cylinder,
a first pump that supplies an oil pressure to the first hydraulic
circuit, a second cylinder, a second hydraulic circuit that drives
the second cylinder, a second pump that supplies an oil pressure to
the second hydraulic circuit, and an electric motor that drives the
first and second pumps. If one of operation bodies is operated, the
number of revolutions of the electric motor is set based on an
operation signal corresponding to the amount of operation of the
operation body. If both of the two operation bodies are operated,
the number of revolutions of the electric motor is set based on an
operation signal corresponding to the amount of operation of the
operation body operated by a larger amount.
[0008] In systems that hydraulically operate a device, a pump is
sometimes required to discharge a required amount of fluid, as
described in JP 2000-27992 A. As described in JP 2000-27992 A, the
pump can discharge a required amount of fluid if driven at the
number of revolutions determined according to the amount of fluid
to be discharged. However, it is difficult to drive the pump in an
appropriate state if only discharge of the required amount of fluid
is considered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is one object of the present invention to drive a pump in
an appropriate state.
[0010] An electric pump system according to one aspect of the
present invention includes a pump, a motor, and a control circuit.
The motor drives the pump. The control circuit controls operation
of the motor. The control circuit includes a determination circuit,
a generation circuit, and a drive circuit. The determination
circuit determines an amount of fluid to be discharged from the
pump.
[0011] The generation circuit generates, based on a maximum
rotational speed of the motor, a control profile that is used to
control a rotational speed of the motor. The maximum rotational
speed of the motor is set according to an environment in which the
pump is used. The control profile is used for the pump to discharge
the amount of fluid determined by the determination circuit in a
shortest time. The drive circuit drives the motor based on the
control profile generated by the generation circuit.
[0012] An electric pump system according to an embodiment of the
present invention can drive a pump in an appropriate state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing and further features and advantages of the
invention will become apparent from the following description of
example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements and
wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general configuration
of an electric pump system according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an example of a control
profile;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing another example of the
control profile; and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the general configuration
of an application of the electric pump system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the
same or corresponding circuits are denoted with the same reference
characters and description thereof will not be repeated.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the general configuration
of an electric pump system 10 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. For example, the electric pump system 10 is used
to drive pulleys of a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Specifically, the electric pump system 10 is used to move hydraulic
oil between a cylinder that drives a primary pulley and a cylinder
that drives a secondary pulley. The electric pump system 10
includes a pump unit 12 and an upper electronic control unit (ECU)
14.
[0020] The pump unit 12 is provided separately from the upper ECU
14. The pump unit 12 is placed away from the upper ECU 14. The pump
unit 12 is connected to the upper ECU 14 via wiring, so that the
pump unit 12 can receive signals from the upper ECU 14. The pump
unit 12 can thus operate based on commands from the upper ECU
14.
[0021] The pump unit 12 includes a pump 16, a motor 18, and a
controller 20. The pump 16, the motor 18, and the controller 20
will be described below.
[0022] The pump 16 sucks hydraulic oil through its suction port and
discharges the sucked hydraulic oil through its discharge port. For
example, the pump 16 is a positive-displacement rotary pump. In the
positive-displacement rotary pump, the capacity of a chamber that
accommodates hydraulic oil increases when the pump sucks hydraulic
oil through its suction port, and the capacity of the chamber
decreases when the pump discharges hydraulic oil through its
discharge port. For example, the positive-displacement rotary pump
may be a gear pump or a vane pump. For example, the gear pump may
be an internal gear pump or an external gear pump.
[0023] The motor 18 drives the pump 16. For example, the motor 18
is a brushless motor.
[0024] The controller 20 controls operation of the motor 18. The
controller 20 includes a drive circuit 201, a generation circuit
202, and a memory 203.
[0025] The drive circuit 201 drives the motor 18. The drive circuit
201 feedback-controls the motor 18. The drive circuit 201 includes
a rotational speed control circuit 2011 and a current control
circuit 2012. The rotational speed control circuit 2011
feedback-controls the rotational speed of the motor 18 so that an
actual rotational speed (detected value) of the motor 18 follows a
target rotational speed (command value). The current control
circuit 2012 feedback-controls the drive current of the motor 18 so
that an actual drive current (detected value) of the motor 18
follows a target drive current (command value). The period of
feedback control of the drive current is shorter than that of
feedback control of the rotational speed. Accordingly, when
feedback control of the rotational speed is performed, an actual
drive current (detected value) has already been controlled to a
target drive current (command value).
[0026] The generation circuit 202 generates a control profile based
on a signal that is sent from the upper ECU 14 (a signal indicating
the amount of fluid to be discharged from the pump 16). The control
profile is used when driving the motor 18. The control profile will
be described in detail later.
[0027] The generation circuit 202 includes a conversion circuit
202A and a distribution circuit 202B. The conversion circuit 202A
and the distribution circuit 202B will be described later.
[0028] The conversion circuit 202A sets the number of revolutions
of the motor 18 which is required for the pump 16 to discharge the
amount of fluid corresponding to a command from the upper ECU 14.
That is, the conversion circuit 202A converts the amount of fluid
to be discharged from the pump 16 to the total number of
revolutions of the motor 18.
[0029] The amount of discharge per revolution of the pump 16 is
considered when converting the amount of fluid to be discharged
from the pump 16 to the number of revolutions of the motor 18. For
example, the amount of discharge per revolution of the pump 16 is
obtained in view of the temperature (oil temperature) of hydraulic
oil that is discharged from the pump 16 and load characteristics of
the pump 16. For example, the oil temperature is detected when
converting the amount of fluid to be discharged from the pump 16 to
the number of revolutions of the motor 18. The oil temperature is
detected by, e.g., a temperature sensor. For example, the
temperature sensor is placed in a conduit connected to the pump 16.
The load characteristics of the pump 16 are determined by, e.g.,
the state of hydraulic oil in the conduit connected to the
discharge port of the pump 16. The state of hydraulic oil in the
conduit is determined by, e.g., the pressure of hydraulic oil (oil
pressure) in the conduit. For example, the oil pressure is detected
when converting the amount of fluid to be discharged from the pump
16 to the number of revolutions of the motor 18. The oil pressure
is detected by, e.g., a pressure sensor. For example, the pressure
sensor is placed in the conduit connected to the pump 16.
[0030] For example, a lookup table 401 is used when setting the
amount of discharge per revolution of the pump 16. For example, the
lookup table 401 shows the relationship among the oil temperature,
the load characteristics of the pump 16, and the amount of
discharge per revolution of the pump 16. The lookup table 401 is
stored in advance in the memory 203.
[0031] For example, a lookup table 402 is used when setting the
total number of revolutions of the motor 18. For example, the
lookup table 402 shows the relationship between the amount of fluid
to be discharged from the pump 16 (the amount of fluid
corresponding to a command from the upper ECU 14) and the amount of
discharge per revolution of the pump 16. The lookup table 402 is
stored in advance in the memory 203.
[0032] The distribution circuit 202B distributes the number of
revolutions of the motor 18 set by the conversion circuit 202A. The
distribution circuit 202B distributes the number of revolutions of
the motor 18 so as to minimize the time required for the pump 16 to
discharge the amount of fluid corresponding to a command from the
upper ECU 14. The control profile is generated by distributing the
number of revolutions of the motor 18 by the distribution circuit
202B.
[0033] A control profile 30 will be described below with reference
to FIG. 2. The control profile 30 shows the rotational speed of the
motor 18 in every predetermined period T1. The control profile 30
includes a time period 301, a time period 302, and a time period
303.
[0034] The time period 301 starts when the motor 18 starts to be
driven based on the control profile 30. That is, the time period
301 includes the starting point of the control profile 30. The
motor 18 is not driven until the time period 301 starts. The
rotational speed of the motor 18 is therefore zero before the time
period 301 starts. In the time period 301, the number of
revolutions of the motor 18 increases in every predetermined period
T1. Namely, the rotational speed of the motor 18 (the rotational
speed of the motor 18 in each period T1) increases in the time
period 301. The rate (gradient) 3011 of increase in rotational
speed of the motor 18 is constant in the time period 301. The motor
18 is rotating at its maximum rotational speed when the time period
301 ends.
[0035] The time period 302 starts when the time period 301 ends.
Namely, the time period 302 is continuous with the time period 301.
The rotational speed of the motor 18 at the end of the time period
301 is maintained in the time period 302. That is, the maximum
rotational speed of the motor 18 is maintained in the time period
302. In the time period 302, the number of revolutions of the motor
18 therefore does not change in every period T1. The time period
302 is preferably equal to or longer than the time period 301.
[0036] The time period 303 starts when the time period 302 ends.
Namely, the time period 303 is continuous with the time period 302.
The time period 303 continues until driving of the motor 18 based
on the control profile 30 is finished. That is, the time period 303
includes the end point of the control profile 30. The rotational
speed of the motor 18 at the start of the time period 303 is the
maximum rotational speed of the motor 18. The rotational speed of
the motor 18 decreases in the time period 303. Namely, in the time
period 303, the number of revolutions of the motor 18 decreases in
every period T1. The rate (gradient) 3031 of decrease in rotational
speed of the motor 18 is constant in the time period 303. The
rotational speed of the motor 18 is zero after the time period 303
ends. Namely, the motor 18 is stopped when the time period 303
ends. The time period 303 is preferably shorter than the time
period 302.
[0037] Referring back to FIG. 1, the distribution circuit 202B
includes a rotational speed setting circuit 2021, a
rate-of-increase setting circuit 2022, and a rate-of-decrease
setting circuit 2023. The rotational speed setting circuit 2021,
the rate-of-increase setting circuit 2022, and the rate-of-decrease
setting circuit 2023 will be described below.
[0038] The rotational speed setting circuit 2021 sets the maximum
rotational speed of the motor 18 (the rotational speed of the motor
18 in the time period 302) according to the environment in which
the pump 16 is used. Specifically, the rotational speed setting
circuit 2021 sets the maximum rotational speed of the motor 18 in
view of, e.g., the temperature (oil temperature) of hydraulic oil
that is discharged from the pump 16 and the load characteristics of
the pump 16. A lookup table 403 is used when the rotational speed
setting circuit 2021 sets the maximum rotational speed of the motor
18. The lookup table 403 is stored in advance in the memory 203.
For example, the lookup table 403 shows the relationship among the
oil temperature, the load characteristics of the pump 16, and the
maximum rotational speed of the motor 18.
[0039] The rate-of-increase setting circuit 2022 sets the rate 3011
in the time period 301 (namely, the rate of increase in rotational
speed of the motor 18 in the time period 301) according to the
environment in which the pump 16 is used.
[0040] Specifically, the rate-of-increase setting circuit 2022 sets
the rate 3011 in view of, e.g., the temperature (oil temperature)
of hydraulic oil that is discharged from the pump 16 and the load
characteristics of the pump 16. A lookup table 404 is used when the
rate-of-increase setting circuit 2022 sets the rate 3011. The
lookup table 404 is stored in advance in the memory 203. For
example, the lookup table 404 shows the relationship among the oil
temperature, the load characteristics of the pump 16, and the rate
3011.
[0041] The rate-of-decrease setting circuit 2023 sets the rate 3031
in the time period 303 (namely, the rate of decrease in rotational
speed of the motor 18 in the time period 303) according to the
environment in which the pump 16 is used. Specifically, the
rate-of-decrease setting circuit 2023 sets the rate 3031 in view
of, e.g., the temperature (oil temperature) of hydraulic oil that
is discharged from the pump 16 and the load characteristics of the
pump 16. A lookup table 405 is used when the rate-of-decrease
setting circuit 2023 sets the rate 3031. The lookup table 405 is
stored in advance in the memory 203. For example, the lookup table
405 shows the relationship among the oil temperature, the load
characteristics of the pump 16, and the rate 3031.
[0042] For example, the upper ECU 14 controls a shift device of a
vehicle. The upper ECU 14 includes a determination circuit 141. The
determination circuit 141 determines the amount of fluid to be
discharged from the pump 16. For example, the amount of fluid to be
discharged from the pump 16 is the amount of fluid required to
drive the pulleys of the CVT. The upper ECU 14 outputs the amount
of fluid determined by the determination circuit 141 (the amount of
fluid to be discharged from the pump 16) to the controller 20.
Namely, a command that is output from the upper ECU 14 to the
controller 20 indicates the amount of fluid to be discharged from
the pump 16.
[0043] Operation of the electric pump system 10 will be described.
First, the determination circuit 141 determines the amount of fluid
to be discharged from the pump 16. Next, the upper ECU 14 transmits
the amount of fluid determined by the determination circuit 141 to
the controller 20. The generation circuit 202 generates the control
profile 30 (see FIG. 2) based on the amount of fluid corresponding
to a command from the upper ECU 14. Specifically, the conversion
circuit 202A sets the number of revolutions of the motor 18 (the
total number of revolutions of the motor 18) which is required for
the pump 16 to discharge the amount of fluid corresponding to the
command from the upper ECU 14. The distribution circuit 202B
distributes the total number of revolutions of the motor 18 set by
the conversion circuit 202A so as to minimize the time required for
the pump 16 to discharge this amount of fluid. The control profile
30 is thus generated. The drive circuit 201 drives the motor 18
based on the control profile 30, whereby the pump 16 is driven. The
amount of fluid corresponding to the command from the upper ECU 14
is thus discharged from the pump 16.
[0044] When generating the control profile 30, the electric pump
system 10 refers to a maximum number of revolutions of the motor 18
so as to minimize the time required for the pump 16 to discharge
the amount of fluid corresponding to the command from the upper ECU
14. Maximum capability of the motor 18 is thus obtained.
[0045] The control profile 30 has the time period 302. The maximum
rotational speed of the motor 18 is maintained in the time period
302. Discharge efficiency of the pump 16 is thus improved.
[0046] The control profile 30 has the time periods 301, 303. The
time required to increase the rotational speed of the motor 18 to
the maximum rotational speed is minimized in the time period 301.
The time required to stop the motor 18 is minimized in the time
period 303. According to the control profile 30, the time period
302 during which the maximum rotational speed of the motor 18 is
maintained can be increased. The discharge efficiency of the pump
16 can thus further be improved.
[0047] In the electric pump system 10, the generation circuit 202
is provided in the pump unit 12. This reduces the processing load
on the upper ECU 14 as compared to the case where the upper ECU 14
generates the control profile.
[0048] In the electric pump system 10, the pump 16 is driven based
on the control profile. The time required to discharge the amount
of fluid corresponding to a command from the upper ECU 14 can thus
be known before the pump 16 starts to be operated.
[0049] In the electric pump system 10, the time required to
discharge the amount of fluid corresponding to a command from the
upper ECU 14 can be designated by appropriately setting the lengths
of the time periods 301, 302, 303, as long as it is within the
capability of the pump 16.
[0050] The electric pump system according to the present embodiment
includes a pump, a motor, and a control circuit. The motor drives
the pump. The control circuit controls operation of the motor. The
control circuit includes a determination circuit, a generation
circuit, and a drive circuit. The determination circuit determines
an amount of fluid to be discharged from the pump. The generation
circuit generates, based on a maximum rotational speed of the
motor, a control profile that is used to control a rotational speed
of the motor. The maximum rotational speed of the motor is set
according to an environment in which the pump is used. The control
profile is used for the pump 16 to discharge the amount of fluid
determined by the determination circuit in a shortest time. The
drive circuit drives the motor based on the control profile
generated by the generation circuit.
[0051] In the electric pump system, the generation circuit refers
to the maximum rotational speed of the motor when generating the
control profile. Accordingly, maximum capability of the motor can
be obtained by driving the motor based on the control profile. That
is, the electric pump system can drive the pump in an appropriate
state.
[0052] For example, the environment in which the pump is used
includes a condition that affects operation of the pump. For
example, this condition includes the viscosity (temperature) of
fluid that is discharged from the pump, the state of fluid (e.g.,
the pressure of the fluid) in a conduit connected to a discharge
port of the pump. For example, this condition may be directly
detected by a sensor or may be estimated from the detection result
of the sensor.
[0053] The control profile preferably includes a first time period,
a second time period, and a third time period. In the first time
period, the rotational speed of the motor is increased from an
initial rotational speed at the time the motor is driven based on
the control profile to the maximum rotational speed at a maximum
rate of increase that is set according to the environment in which
the pump is used. In the second time period, the maximum rotational
speed is maintained. In the third time period, the rotational speed
of the motor is decreased from the maximum rotational speed to the
initial rotational speed at a maximum rate of decrease that is set
according to the environment in which the pump is used.
[0054] In this case, the time it takes for the rotational speed of
the motor to increase from the initial rotational speed to the
maximum rotational speed and the time it takes for the rotational
speed of the motor to decrease from the maximum rotational speed to
the initial rotational speed can be reduced. The time period
(second time period) in which the maximum rotational speed is
maintained can therefore be increased. Maximum capability of the
motor can thus be obtained.
[0055] In the case where the control profile includes the first to
third time periods, the generation circuit preferably includes a
rotational speed setting circuit, a rate-of-increase setting
circuit, and a rate-of-decrease setting circuit. The rotational
speed setting circuit sets the maximum rotational speed according
to the environment in which the pump is used. The rate-of-increase
setting circuit sets the maximum rate of increase according to the
environment in which the pump is used. The rate-of-decrease setting
circuit sets the maximum rate of decrease according to the
environment in which the pump is used.
[0056] In this case, the maximum rotational speed, the maximum rate
of increase, and the maximum rate of decrease can be set
appropriately.
[0057] In the electric pump system, a pump unit may include the
pump, the motor, the generation circuit, and the drive circuit. In
this case, the control profile can be generated in the pump unit.
This can reduce the processing load on a control device as compared
to the case where the control profile is generated by the control
device provided separately from the pump unit.
[0058] In the electric pump system, a pump unit may include the
pump, the motor, and the drive circuit. In this case, the
determination circuit and the generation circuit are provided
separately from the pump unit. This ensures flexibility in
arranging the components of the electric pump system. Since the
control profile is not generated in the pump unit, the processing
load on the pump unit can be reduced.
[0059] Another embodiment will be described below. In the control
profile, the rate of increase in rotational speed of the motor 18
need not be constant over the entire time period 301. For example,
as shown in FIG. 3, the rate 3012 of increase in rotational speed
of the motor 18 may be gently changed in the beginning and the end
of the time period 301.
[0060] The rate of decrease in rotational speed of the motor 18
need not be constant over the entire time period 303. For example,
as shown in FIG. 3, the rate 3032 of decrease in rotational speed
of the motor 18 may be gently changed in the beginning and the end
of the time period 303.
[0061] The control profile 30 need not necessarily be generated in
the pump unit 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper ECU 14
may include the generation circuit 202 that generates the control
profile 30.
* * * * *