ELECTRONICS KIT FOR A MOTOR-PUM UNIT EQUIPPED WITH COMMON CONTROL DEVICE AXLE SET

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor-pump unit, a motor-pump unit axle set and a kit therefor, as well as a chassis axle and a chassis system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Active suspension systems are known, for example, from DE 39 02 743 C1 or DE 2 020 292 A1. A distinction is made, for example, between fully active and semi-active suspension systems, in which the suspension can be actively controlled either individually for each wheel or axle by axle. An active suspension system has hydraulically controlled shock absorbers in which the two cylinder or damper chambers of the working cylinder of a shock absorber are not merely connected to each other via one or more, optionally controllable, damping or throttle valves (damper control valves), but in which, for example, the fill state of the cylinder chambers is actively controlled and hydraulic forces are introduced into the suspension system as needed. The two cylinder chambers of a shock absorber can, for example, be connected in parallel or alternatively to the damping or throttle valves.Throttle valves can be connected via a hydraulic pump, which can be driven by an electric motor and can optionally also drive this motor as an electric generator or electric motor generator (recuperation mode). Additionally or alternatively, other adjustments to the shock absorber can also be made using the pump.

[0003] Pumping hydraulic fluid can, for example, counteract pitching and / or rolling movements of the vehicle. Conversely, such an arrangement consisting of a shock absorber, hydraulic pump, and electric motor can also feed electrical energy recovered through recuperation back into the vehicle's electrical system. Different damping characteristics can also be set, such as "soft" or "hard," or depending on driving style and / or road surface conditions.

[0004] In general, the hydraulic pump and the electric motor generator or electric motor in the active suspension system are used to supply and / or discharge hydraulic energy from the (suspension) system. The pump and the electric motor typically form a single, compact unit, which is referred to below as a motor-pump group. If a drive and / or control unit (electronic control unit, ECU) is also permanently attached to the motor-pump group, this is also referred to as a motor-pump unit (MPE). Such motor-pump groups or motor-pump units thus convert electrical energy into hydraulic energy and, if applicable, vice versa.

[0005] Various motor-pump groups or units and electric motors are known for this purpose from the publications DE 11 2020 003914 T5, US 2016 / 311462 A1, DE 10 2019 118384 A1, DE 10 2021 105032 A1, DE 10 2018 200480 A1.

[0006] Until a few years ago, only a 12V electrical system was found in motor vehicles. Now, driven by hybrid and purely electric vehicles, many motor vehicles have two or more (partial) electrical systems with different voltage levels. Typically, a 12V electrical system is still present, but there is also at least one additional electrical system or power supply system with a higher voltage, for example, 24V, 48V, 400V, or 800V, which supplies power to high-power consumers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a motor-pump unit that can be adapted to various installation situations with minimal effort. It is further an object of the invention to provide a corresponding assembly kit for this unit, as well as a chassis axle and a chassis system incorporating such a motor-pump unit.

[0008] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments and further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The motor-pump unit according to the invention (hereinafter also referred to as MPE) is a device for providing or for introducing and / or removing hydraulic energy, in particular into and / or from a vehicle's chassis system. The MPE according to the invention comprises: a motor-pump group, comprising a hydraulic pump and an electric motor or electric motor generator for driving the hydraulic pump, and an electronic unit for controlling or operating the motor-pump group, i.e. for supplying or exchanging control signals and / or for providing electrical power or for electrically driving the electric motor.

[0010] According to the invention, the electronic unit has two circuit boards: a power board with power electronics for the electric motor and a signal board.

[0011] The power board includes, preferably all, the components necessary for supplying electrical power to the electric motor and / or all the power electronics components of the electronic unit, so that in the simplest case, power electronics components in the electronic unit or in the motor-pump assembly are arranged exclusively on the power board. The electronic unit or the power board directly and immediately supplies, preferably all, the coil currents or motor phase currents for the electric motor of the motor-pump assembly. In the simplest case, only the electronic unit and / or, within the electronic unit, only the power board is directly electrically connected to the electric motor or to the magnetic coils of the electric motor, preferably via exactly or at least three (single-core) motor phase lines or magnetic coil leads.

[0012] In contrast, the signal board preferably does not contain any power electronics components.

[0013] Furthermore, the power board of the electronic unit is designed for a predetermined voltage level (of a vehicle's electrical system). Accordingly, due to the arrangement of the power electronics exclusively on the power board, adapting the MPE to a different installation situation with a different voltage level (for example, in a different electrical system) requires only the power board, not the signal board, to be modified and / or replaced within the electronic unit. This reduces the adaptation effort for the MPE and increases the number of identical parts in the electronic unit and / or the MPE (modular principle), thus reducing component costs.

[0014] In the simplest case, the power board and the signal board are two different printed circuit boards that are (structurally) separate and / or spaced apart. In principle, however, the power board and the signal board can also be two different, separate areas on a single or shared printed circuit board, whereby the signal board and the power board preferably each form exactly one contiguous area on the shared printed circuit board and / or divide the shared printed circuit board into exactly two contiguous areas, for example, in half.

[0015] According to the invention, the power board and the signal board (during operation) have different voltage levels; that is, the power board and the signal board are configured for different voltage levels. In particular, the power board has a high-voltage voltage level, and the signal board has a low-voltage voltage level, which is lower than the high-voltage voltage level.

[0016] The voltage rating is the highest voltage occurring on the circuit board during operation and / or the (maximum) voltage for which the circuit board (or component) is designed. The circuit board is therefore designed, with regard to its construction, dielectric strength, and / or current-carrying capacity, for a voltage of at least or exactly the voltage rating. In the simplest case, the voltage rating is the nominal voltage, that is, the voltage intended for normal use.

[0017] Preferably the high-voltage voltage level is 48V, 400V or 800V and / or the low-voltage voltage level is 5V, 12V or 24V.

[0018] Preferably, the power electronics of the power board comprise components such as power (switching) transistors and / or a B6 bridge and preferably a gate driver therefor and / or an intermediate circuit capacitor and / or EMC filtering, comprising, for example, a common-mode choke and / or Y capacitors, and / or high-voltage current measuring shunts and / or a voltage converter or transformer from the high-voltage to the low-voltage voltage or voltage level and / or a (low-voltage) supply voltage interface for supplying the signal board with voltage from the power board, i.e., for generating or providing the low-voltage voltage for the signal board, wherein the supply voltage interface is preferably integrated into or part of the (below described) power board connector.Furthermore, the power board has a (high-voltage) supply voltage interface for powering the power board or is directly connected to a (high-voltage) supply voltage interface and / or is configured as a receiver of a (high-voltage) supply voltage. For example, a B6 bridge (or its switch) directly controls the (three) phases or coil windings of the electric motor. The components and / or power transistors of the power electronics consist of or comprise integrated (electronic or semiconductor) components, in particular... Power MOSFETs (power metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor; especially for a voltage range of 48V) and / or insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT or Si-IGBT; especially for a voltage range of 400V or 800V) and / or SiC MOSFETs (silicon carbide, SiC; especially for a voltage range of 400V or 800V).

[0019] In contrast, the signal board preferably comprises at least one microprocessor and / or one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or one central processing unit (CPU), which is preferably configured for (logic or signal) control of at least or exactly the entire MPE. Furthermore, the signal board preferably has a bus interface or is directly connected to a bus interface of the electronic unit or the MPE and / or is configured as a participant for a bus, wherein the bus is particularly preferably a CAN bus, a CAN FD bus, or a FlexRay bus.Furthermore, the signal board can have a supply voltage interface for supplying power to the signal board via the power board, i.e., for receiving a (low-voltage) supply voltage from the power board (preferably in addition to a low-voltage power supply via the bus interface), wherein the supply voltage interface is preferably integrated into or part of the (below described) signal board connector and / or is separate from the bus interface, for example forming a component separate from the bus interface.

[0020] It is advantageous if the power supply interface and the bus interface on the signal board are galvanically isolated from each other (galvanic isolation). This prevents, even if high voltage is unintentionally routed from the low-voltage power supply of the power board to the signal board in the event of a fault, this high voltage, which is present at the power supply interface of the signal board, from being unintentionally passed on to the bus interface of the signal board and thus into the bus system. In the simplest case, the signal board has exactly or at least two galvanically isolated areas, one of which comprises exactly or at least the bus interface and the other of which comprises exactly or at least the power supply interface. Capacitive and / or (electro-)optical couplers are preferably used as galvanic isolation elements.The central signal processing unit (i.e., the microprocessor or FPGA) is preferably located in the second sub-area and is thus galvanically isolated from the bus interface. Alternatively, the central signal processing unit (i.e., the microprocessor or FPGA) can also be located in the first sub-area and is thus galvanically isolated from the supply voltage interface.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the two circuit boards of the electronic unit are mechanically and / or electrically connected to each other via a plug-in system. Preferably, the power board and signal board are electrically connected to each other exclusively via the plug-in system. The electronic unit comprises two corresponding (multi-pin) (circuit board) connectors, a first connector (power board connector) being rigidly attached and / or soldered to the power board, and a second connector (signal board connector) being rigidly attached and / or soldered to the signal board. In the (operational) electronic unit, the power board and signal board are then connected to form a stack via the two corresponding connectors and are spaced apart by the plug-in system and the two interlocking circuit board connectors.Such a plug-in system simplifies the provision of the electronic unit and / or the replacement or installation of the power board.

[0022] Preferably, the two circuit boards (power board and signal board) are arranged parallel to each other and / or they overlap (partially) and / or have identical dimensions and / or are completely congruent to each other and / or arranged. Preferably, (all) power switching transistors of the power board are arranged on the side of the power board facing away from the signal board, which facilitates heat dissipation.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the electronic unit and / or the signal board is configured for controlling or operating, i.e., for outputting or exchanging electrical control signals and / or for supplying or electrically driving, exactly one or at least one external device (to the MPE), in particular for controlling one or more damper control valves. This allows the control logic or control sequences for the at least one external device to be integrated into the (already existing) electronic unit or onto the signal board of the MPE's electronic unit, and / or, for example, for generating the control signals for the external device within the electronic unit or the signal board. This eliminates the need for a separate or dedicated control unit for the external device and thus reduces the total number of control units in the system, particularly in the chassis system.Furthermore, this allows, for example, a higher-level control unit to simultaneously control the external device via the MPE bus interface, which also reduces the wiring effort.

[0024] Preferably, the electronic unit and / or the signal board is configured as a force controller for exactly one or at least one shock absorber. A shock absorber comprises exactly one or at least one electrically controlled or adjustable damper control valve (which is an external device as described above). The electronic unit and / or the signal board of the MPE, acting as a force controller, combines the hydraulic actuation of the shock absorber via the pump and the electrical actuation of the damper control valve. The electronic unit or the signal board is thus configured to regulate the interaction between the pump or the motor-pump assembly and the damper control valve. In the simplest case, a higher-level control unit or chassis control unit only needs to specify a desired damping force (via the bus interface) to the electronic unit or the signal board, and / or an external force controller in the form of a dedicated, intermediate control unit can be omitted.Accordingly, the MPE is set up to be controlled directly and immediately (via the bus interface) by a (higher-level) chassis control unit and, in particular, to receive and process the desired damping force for the shock absorber as the sole setpoint.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment of the MPE, the power board is configured to generate one, or exactly one, supply voltage to the signal board and, particularly preferably, to supply the signal board via the plug-in system. Thus, the MPE only needs to provide (exactly) one power supply connection for the high-voltage voltage layer, while a dedicated power supply connection for the signal board (e.g., via another (partial) electrical system, for example, a 12V electrical system) can be omitted.

[0026] The electric motor or electric motor generator of the motor-pump assembly is preferably a brushless, permanent magnet motor, in particular a synchronous motor, especially a three-phase synchronous motor, with preferably exactly three motor-phase supply lines, via which a stator with magnetic coils generates a rotating magnetic field for a rotor equipped with permanent magnets. The electric motor is preferably a variable-speed drive that can be operated as a servo motor and is designed and configured to selectively approach and / or maintain predetermined positions.The electric motor and the control unit (electronic unit) preferably create a bidirectional drive that can be operated in both directions of rotation, and is particularly preferably also four-quadrant capable, meaning that it can also be operated as an electric generator in both directions of rotation (electric motor generator) and thus also extract or transfer hydraulic energy from the system, for example from the chassis, and convert it into electrical energy.

[0027] The hydraulic pump of the motor-pump assembly is preferably a gear pump, particularly preferably an internal gear pump. It is preferably leakage-compensated, meaning it exhibits only small and / or negligible leakage, so that the delivered hydraulic fluid volume is directly linked to the rotation or number of rotations (high volumetric efficiency). Accordingly, the motor-pump assembly is preferably usable as a positioning pump or actuator for a consumer, in particular a shock absorber, and is suitable, for example, for precisely approaching and maintaining predetermined hydraulic positions of the consumer. The hydraulic system typically does not have a pressureless tank and / or the electric motor is preferably not operated continuously and / or at a constant rotational speed.A motor-pump group with a leakage-compensated internal gear pump for reversing operation is known, for example, from DE 10 2014 103 958 A1.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the MPE (motor-pump unit) and the electronics unit are arranged in a common housing, a so-called MPE housing (motor-pump unit housing), which is generally a multi-part housing. This multi-part MPE housing is precisely or at least assembled from a motor-pump housing (in which the motor-pump group is preferably fully enclosed) and from a different electronics housing or cover (in which the electronic unit is preferably fully enclosed).

[0029] The electrical lines between the electronic unit and the motor-pump assembly, or its electric motor, preferably run entirely within the MPE housing. Furthermore, the MPE housing preferably forms a closed, sealed enclosure that is impervious to contamination and other environmental influences, for example, airtight, waterproof, or splash-proof, allowing the MPE to be installed, for instance, on the underside of a vehicle. The MPE housing is also preferably sealed or shielded against electromagnetic radiation, such as that generated by high alternating currents in the electric motor, in order to minimize or reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and / or increase EMI (electromagnetic compatibility).Preferably, the common MPE housing comprises on its outer surface, particularly on the outer surface of the electronics housing, at least or exactly one bus interface (for example, for a CAN bus, a CAN FD bus, or a FlexRay bus) and exactly one supply voltage interface, particularly for a high-voltage voltage of, for example, 400V or 800V and / or for the high-voltage voltage level. Furthermore, the electric motor preferably has no electrical switching components and / or no integrated (electronic) components within the motor housing.

[0030] In the motor-pump assembly, the hydraulic pump and the electric motor or electric motor generator are typically rigidly connected to each other via a rotatable motor shaft, with the motor shaft axis generally also forming a longitudinal axis for the motor-pump assembly and the entire MPE (motor-pump unit). The motor-pump housing is usually a multi-part housing and consists, for example, of... consisting of a (preferably one-piece) motor housing that forms the section or part of the motor-pump housing that accommodates and preferably completely encloses the electric motor or electric motor generator, and of a pump housing that forms the section or part of the motor-pump housing that accommodates and preferably completely encloses the pump.

[0031] The pump housing forms or includes, for example, a pump cover, which preferably (completely) encloses the pump on an axial end face of the motor-pump housing and / or (also) forms the axial end face of the motor-pump housing. The axis or extension of the motor shaft of the motor-pump assembly runs through the axial end face. The axial end face preferably runs perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the motor shaft axis and / or is preferably substantially or completely flat.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the MPE housing and / or the electronics housing comprises, in addition to the bus interface and the supply voltage interface, a further electrical interface or an additional interface for controlling exactly one or at least one external device, in particular exactly one or at least one damper control valve. This additional interface forms a (further) electrical housing feedthrough, with an electrical connector preferably arranged on the outside of the housing.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment of the MPE, the power board is located closer to the motor-pump housing and / or the motor housing than the signal board and / or runs parallel to the motor shaft. This places the power board in close proximity to the motor-pump or motor housing, which then contributes to heat dissipation. Furthermore, the power electronics components, or preferably all of them, are preferably located on the side of the power board facing the motor-pump or motor housing, which further promotes heat dissipation. Particularly preferably, the power electronics components, or preferably all of them, are in direct thermal and / or mechanical contact with the motor-pump or motor housing, either directly or via thermally conductive materials such as thermal pads or thermal paste.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment of the motor pump assembly (MPE), the electronics housing extends longitudinally in the direction of the motor shaft and / or is arranged laterally on the motor-pump or motor housing with respect to the motor shaft. Furthermore, the electronics housing and / or the power board and / or the signal board extends completely or substantially completely along the entire length of the motor housing and / or the electronics housing in the direction of the motor shaft. This allows components of the electronics unit on the power board and / or the signal board to be arranged in close proximity to components or loads within the motor-pump assembly that are controlled by the electronics unit. This advantageously enables short connecting cables, for example, to the pump or the pump housing. Advantageously, the pump has at least one (integrated) pressure sensor that is electrically connected to the electronics unit and / or the signal board.Such pressure sensors are known, for example, from EP 3 279 476 A1, the disclosure of which regarding the design, control, and arrangement of the pressure sensors is hereby incorporated into the disclosure of the present description. Accordingly, the electronic unit and / or the signal board for controlling at least one pressure sensor is preferably installed in the pump housing of the motor-pump housing.

[0035] The invention further relates to an axle assembly or motor-pump unit axle assembly (MPE axle assembly) comprising an MPE as described above, the motor-pump group of which forms a first motor-pump group of the MPE axle assembly with a first hydraulic pump and a first electric motor. The MPE axle assembly further comprises a second motor-pump group, comprising a second hydraulic pump and a second electric motor for driving the second hydraulic pump, wherein the second motor-pump group also has the features and / or properties described above for the motor-pump group of the MPE. The electronics unit forms a common electronics unit for the independent control of the first and second motor-pump groups.The electronic unit comprises a power board and a signal board with the previously described (preferred) features and / or properties, wherein the power board is preferably directly connected to the first and second electric motors, respectively. Preferably, the second motor-pump assembly is identical or symmetrical to the first motor-pump assembly. Furthermore, the features described above for the MPE are preferably also implemented analogously in the MPE axle assembly.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the electronic unit and / or the signal board is configured to control exactly or at least one or two (to the MPE axle set) external devices, in particular to control two damper adjustment valves, and / or as a force controller for two shock absorbers.

[0037] Preferably, the MPE axle assembly, or the first and second motor-pump groups and the electronic unit, are arranged in a common housing or MPE axle assembly housing (motor-pump unit axle assembly housing), which is generally a multi-part housing. This multi-part MPE axle assembly housing is exactly or at least assembled from a first motor-pump housing (in which the first motor-pump group is preferably completely enclosed), from a second motor-pump housing different from it (in which the second motor-pump group is preferably completely enclosed) and from an electronics housing or cover different from it (in which the common electronic unit is preferably completely enclosed).

[0038] The electrical lines between the electronic unit and the motor-pump groups or their electric motors preferably run entirely within the MPE axle assembly housing. Furthermore, the MPE axle assembly housing preferably forms a closed, sealed housing with properties and / or features as previously described for the MPE housing. Preferably, the common MPE axle assembly housing comprises, on its outer surface, particularly on the outer surface of the electronics housing, at least or exactly one bus interface (for example, for a CAN bus, a CAN FD bus, or a FlexRay bus) and exactly one supply voltage interface, particularly for a high-voltage voltage of, for example, 400V or 800V and / or for the high-voltage voltage level of a vehicle.Furthermore, the motor-pump housings of the first and second motor-pump groups are preferably designed as described above and preferably each comprise a motor housing and a pump housing.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the MPE axle assembly housing and / or the electronics housing comprises, in addition to the bus interface and the supply voltage interface, exactly one or at least two further electrical interfaces or exactly one or at least one or two auxiliary interfaces for controlling exactly one or at least one or two external devices, in particular one or two damper control valves. These auxiliary interfaces form further electrical housing penetrations, with an electrical connector preferably arranged on the outside of the housing. Preferably, the two or more auxiliary interfaces are identical and / or symmetrically designed and / or arranged relative to each other.

[0040] In a further preferred embodiment of the MPE axle assembly, the power board is positioned closer to the motor-pump housings and / or the motor housings than the signal board. This places the power board in close proximity to the motor-pump or motor housings, which contributes to heat dissipation. Furthermore, the power electronics components, or preferably all of them, are preferably located on the side of the power board facing the motor-pump or motor housings, which further promotes heat dissipation. Particularly preferably, the power electronics components, or preferably all of them, are in direct thermal and / or mechanical contact with the motor-pump or motor housings, either directly or via thermally conductive materials such as thermal pads or thermal paste.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment of the MPE axle assembly, the motor shafts of both motor-pump groups lie on a common axis, which preferably also forms a longitudinal axis of both motor-pump housings and / or the MPE axle assembly housing. Particularly preferably, the pumps are arranged on opposite end faces of the MPE axle assembly and / or point away from each other. The electronics housing is preferably extended longitudinally in the direction of the common axis of the motor shafts and / or arranged laterally on the motor-pump and / or motor housings with respect to the common axis of the motor shafts. Furthermore, the electronics housing and / or the power board and / or the signal board extends completely or substantially completely along the entire length of both motor housings in the direction of the common axis of the motor shafts. This allows components of the electronic unit on the power board and / or the signal board to be located in close proximity to other components.Consumers are arranged within the motor-pump groups, which are controlled by the electronic unit. This advantageously allows for short supply lines. Preferably, both pumps or pump housings each have exactly one or at least one pressure sensor (as described above), and the electronic unit and / or the signal board is preferably configured to control the pressure sensors.

[0042] The invention further relates to a modular system comprising an MPE or an MPE axle set as described above. In this system, the power board of the electronic unit of the MPE or MPE axle set in the modular system forms a first power board which has a first high-voltage voltage level, i.e., is configured for a predetermined first high-voltage voltage level. Likewise, the electric motor of each motor-pump group of the MPE or MPE axle set in the modular system forms a first electric motor which has a coil winding adapted to the predetermined first high-voltage voltage level (with regard to, for example, coil wire diameter and / or number of turns of the magnet coils).

[0043] The kit further includes a second power board for the electronics unit, which has a predetermined second high-voltage voltage level different from the first, with which the electronics unit can be operated (instead of the first power board). The kit preferably also includes a second electric motor for the motor-pump group, which has a coil winding adapted to the predetermined second high-voltage voltage level, in particular a different wire diameter and / or a different number of turns in the magnet coils than the first electric motor, and with which the motor-pump group can be operated (instead of the first electric motor).

[0044] The modular system according to the invention thus creates an MPE or an MPE axle set which can be easily adapted to different high-voltage voltage levels, in particular only by replacing the power board and, if necessary, by replacing the electric motors or motor-pump groups.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the modular system, the first and second power boards have an identical board layout. The first and second power boards differ, for example, only in their component selection, such as the (power) electronic components. Preferably, the first power board has a voltage rating of 400V and the second power board has a voltage rating of 800V.

[0046] A chassis system or a chassis axle according to the invention for a vehicle comprises exactly or at least a first and a second hydraulically actively controllable shock absorber, each with two damper or pressure chambers separated, for example, by a movable damper piston, which are preferably assigned to or arranged on a common chassis axle, as well as at least a first and a second MPE as described above or at least one MPE axle set as described above, wherein the motor-pump group of the first MPE or the first motor-pump group of the MPE axle set hydraulically connects the pressure chambers of the first shock absorber to each other and the motor-pump group of the second MPE or the second motor-pump group of the MPE axle set hydraulically connects the pressure chambers of the second shock absorber to each other.This allows, for example, the adjustment of "soft" or "hard" damping by damping or throttling pressure surges from the pressure chambers to a greater or lesser degree via the respective motor-pump unit. In this case, the respective motor-pump unit is hydraulically driven, enabling the electric motors of the motor-pump units to operate as electric motor generators and thus recover electrical energy (recuperation). Furthermore, the neutral or rest position of the shock absorbers can be actively and selectively adjusted and even changed continuously during driving (active suspension). It is understood that the suspension system can include one or more additional axles, preferably configured in the same way.

[0047] Preferably, the hydraulically controlled shock absorbers of the chassis axle or chassis system also feature electrically controlled damper adjustment valves, which are actuated by the motor-pump units or the MPE axle assembly. Each shock absorber has exactly one, or at least one, damper adjustment valve that (in addition to or in parallel with the hydraulic pump of the respective motor-pump group) hydraulically connects the two pressure chambers of the shock absorber and thereby acts as an (electrically) adjustable throttle. The damper adjustment valve forms an external device as described above. The electronic unit and / or the signal board of the motor-pump units and / or the MPE axle assembly is / are preferably each designed as a force regulator for the respective connected shock absorber(s).The electronic unit of the MPE (Motor Pump Unit) or MPE axle set combines, as a force controller, the hydraulic actuation of the shock absorber via the pump of the respective motor-pump group and the electrical actuation of the damper control valve. It is thus configured to regulate the interaction between the pump or motor-pump group and the damper control valve for the controlled shock absorber. A chassis control unit, which forms a higher-level control unit for the electronic unit(s) of the MPE or MPE axle set, therefore only needs to specify the desired damping force for a shock absorber. A separate, dedicated, intermediate control unit is not required. Accordingly, the MPE in the chassis system is configured to be controlled directly and immediately (via the bus interface) by a (higher-level) chassis control unit and, in particular, to receive and process the damping force for the shock absorber as the sole setpoint. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely schematic representations and the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown. Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of an MPE, Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of an MPE axle set, Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a power board and a signal board, and Figure 4 shows a schematic view of an axle of a chassis system with an MPE axle set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In Figure 1Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a motor-pump unit 1 with a common motor-pump unit housing 1a. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor-pump unit housing 1a consists of an electronics housing 10a, which contains the electronics unit 10, a motor-pump housing 20a, which contains the motor-pump assembly 20, and a housing cover 20b. The motor-pump housing 20a consists of a motor housing 21a, which contains the electric motor 21, and a pump housing 22a, which in this embodiment is multi-part and contains the pump 22. The electric motor 21 and the pump 22 are rigidly connected via a rotatable motor shaft (not shown).

[0050] The electronics unit 10 comprises two circuit boards, a signal board 11 and a power board 12, designed for different voltage levels. The electronics housing 10a includes a bus interface 13, a supply voltage interface 14, and an auxiliary interface 15. The bus interface 13 is used for communication with a higher-level chassis control unit 16, while the supply voltage for the high-voltage voltage level of the electronics unit 10 or the power board 11 is supplied via the supply voltage interface 14. The auxiliary interface 15 is intended for controlling or operating an external device, in particular a damper adjustment valve 54' of a shock absorber 54.

[0051] In the electronics unit 10, the two circuit boards 11 and 12 are arranged parallel to each other and one above the other, spaced apart from each other. The power board 12 is located on the side of the electronics unit 10 facing the electric motor 21 and is in contact with the motor housing 21a via thermal interface materials (not shown). In this embodiment, the power board is arranged laterally on the motor housing 21a and extends substantially over the entire motor housing 21a, thus enabling short paths between the power board 12 and all components to be controlled (solenoid coil, pressure sensors, etc.). The signal board 11 also extends substantially over the entire motor housing 21a in this embodiment.

[0052] In Figure 2Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a motor-pump unit axle set 2 in an MPE axle set housing 2a. This comprises two motor-pump groups 20, with corresponding motor-pump housings 20a. The electronics unit 10 forms a common electronics unit for both motor-pump groups 20 and extends essentially completely over both motor-pump housings 20a or their motor housings 21a. Likewise, the power board 11 is in contact with the two motor housings 21a via thermal interface materials (not shown).

[0053] In Figure 3Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the two circuit boards (signal board 11, power board 12) of the electronic unit 10. These are mechanically and electrically connected to each other via a plug-in system 11', 12'. The plug-in system comprises two corresponding circuit board connectors, a signal board connector 11' and a power board connector 12', each of which is permanently soldered to the boards. A CPU 11" is arranged on the signal board 11, and the power switching transistors 12" of a B6 bridge circuit are arranged on the side of the power board 12 facing the motor housing 21a and away from the signal board 11.

[0054] In Figure 4A chassis axle 51 of a chassis system 50 with a motor-pump unit axle set 2 is shown schematically. Hydraulic lines 23 lead from the pumps 22 and the pump housings 22a, respectively, to the pressure chambers 52 of a shock absorber 54. The two pressure chambers 52 of a shock absorber 54 are separated by a piston 53 that is axially movable within a damper cylinder. In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinders of the shock absorbers are each connected to the sprung mass of the vehicle or the body, while the pistons 53 are connected to the unsprung mass of the vehicle or a wheel 55 and / or a chassis axle 51. However, this can also be configured in reverse. Furthermore, the spring elements that are usually also provided, for example, an air and / or steel spring, have been omitted in the schematic representation.

[0055] Electrical lines run via the additional interface 15 to damper control valves 54' of the shock absorbers 54, which form adjustable throttling elements for the hydraulic fluid flow between the two pressure chambers 52. These damper control valves can be arranged in a manner known per se, for example on or around the piston 53 or in additional fluid channels, for example running laterally along the damper cylinder between the damper chambers 52. Accordingly, the electronic unit 10 or the signal board 11 of the MPE axle set 2 is configured as a force controller for the two shock absorbers 54. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0056] 1MPE 1aMPE housing 2MPE axle set 2aMPE axle set housing 10Electronic unit 10aElectronic housing 11Signal board 11'Signal board connector 11"CPU, microprocessor 12Power board 12'Power board connector 12"Power switching transistor, B6 bridge, power electronics 13Bus interface 14Supply voltage interface 15Auxiliary interface 16Chassis control unit, higher-level control unit 20Motor-pump group 20aMotor-pump housing 20bHousing cover 21Electric motor, electric motor generator 21aMotor housing 22Pump 22aPump housing 23Hydraulic line 50Chassis system 51Chassis axle 52Pressure chamber 53Piston 54Shock absorber 54' Damper adjustment valve, external device 55 wheel

Claims

1. A motor-pump unit (1) for making available hydraulic energy in an active chassis system (50) of a vehicle with a controllable and actively regulated shock absorber, comprising - a motor-pump group (20), comprising a hydraulic pump (22) and an electric motor (21) for driving the hydraulic pump, and - an electronic unit (10) for regulating the motor-pump group, wherein the hydraulic pump (22) is a gear pump, characterized in that the electronic unit has a power board (12) with power electronics and a structurally separate signal board (11), and in that the power board (12) has a high-voltage voltage level, and the signal board (11) has a low-voltage voltage level that is lower than the high-voltage voltage level, wherein the voltage level refers to the highest voltage occurring on the circuit board during operation and / or the maximum voltage for which the circuit board is set up.

2. The motor-pump unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the high-voltage voltage level amounts to 48 V, 400 V or 800 V and / or the low-voltage voltage level amounts to 5 V, 12 V or 24 V.

3. The motor-pump unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the power electronics comprises power switching transistors (12"), in particular a B6 bridge and / or a voltage converter from the high-voltage to the low-voltage voltage level, and / or a supply voltage interface for the voltage supply of the signal board and / or a (high-voltage) supply voltage interface, and / or - the signal board (11) comprises a CPU (11"), a microprocessor and / or an FPGA and / or a bus interface (13) and / or a supply voltage interface for the voltage supply of the signal board and / or a galvanic separation or galvanic separating elements between the supply voltage interface on the one hand and the bus interface on the other hand.

4. The motor-pump unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the power board (12) and the signal board (11) are interconnected via a plug-in system (11', 12'), and / or wherein the power board and the signal board are arranged parallel to each other and / or components of the power electronics (12") are arranged on a side of the power board facing away from the signal board, and / or wherein the electronic unit (10) and / or the signal board is / are set up for regulating exactly or at least one external apparatus (54'), in particular for regulating one or several damper adjustment valves (54'), and / or wherein the electronic unit and / or the signal board is set up as a force modulator for one or several shock absorbers.

5. The motor-pump unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic unit (10) and / or the signal board is / are connected to a pressure sensor.

6. The motor-pump unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motor-pump unit comprises a motor-pump unit casing (1a), which preferably comprises a motor-pump casing (20a) and an electronic casing (10a), wherein the motor-pump unit casing and / or the electronic casing comprises a bus interface (13) and a supply voltage interface (14) and preferably an electric additional interface (15) for regulating the exactly or at least one external apparatus (54'), and / or wherein the power board (12) is arranged closer to the motor-pump casing and / or a motor casing (21a) of the motor-pump casing than the signal board (11), and / or wherein the components of the power electronics (12") - are arranged on a side of the power board facing towards the motor casing and / or - are in thermal and / or mechanical contact with the motor casing immediately and / or via thermally conductive agents, and / or wherein the electronic casing and / or the power board and / or the signal board extends completely or substantially completely over the motor casing and / or is arranged laterally on the motor-pump casing and / or motor casing.

7. A motor-pump-unit axle set (2) comprising a motor-pump unit (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, the motor-pump group (20) of which firms a first motor-pump group (20) with a first hydraulic pump (22) and a first electric motor (21), wherein the motor-pump-unit axle set comprises a second motor-pump group (20), comprising a second hydraulic pump (22) and a second electric motor (21) for driving the second hydraulic pump, and wherein the electronic unit (10) forms a common electronic unit for regulating the first and second motor-pump groups.

8. The motor-pump-unit axle set (2) according to claim 7, wherein the electronic unit (10) and / or the signal board (11) is / are set up for regulating at least or exactly one or two external apparatuses (54'), in particular for regulating two or several damper adjustment valves (54'), and / or wherein the electronic unit and / or the signal board is set up as a force modulator for two or more shock absorbers (54).

9. The motor-pump-unit axle set (2) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the motor-pump-unit axle set comprises a motor-pump-unit axle set casing (2a), which preferably comprises two motor-pump casings (20a) and an electronic casing (10a), and / or wherein the motor-pump-unit axle set casing and / or the electronic casing comprises a bus interface (13) and a supply voltage interface (14) and preferably one or two electric additional interfaces (15) for regulating the exactly or at least one or two external apparatuses (54'), and / or wherein the power board (12) is arranged closer to the motor-pump casings and / or motor casings (21a) of the motor-pump casings than the signal board (11), and / or wherein the components of the power electronics (12") - are arranged on a side of the power board facing towards the motor casings and / or - are in thermal and / or mechanical contact with the motor casings immediately and / or via thermally conductive agents, and / or wherein the motor-pump casings and / or their motor casings are arranged on a common axis, and / or wherein the electronic casing and / or the power board and / or the signal board extends completely or substantially completely over both motor casings and / or is arranged laterally on the motor-pump casings and / or motor casings.

10. A construction kit comprising a motor-pump unit according to any of claims 1 to 6 or a motor-pump-unit axle set according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the power board forms a first power board which has a predetermined first high-voltage voltage level, and the electric motor(s) form first electric motors, with a coil winding adapted to the first high-voltage voltage level, further comprising - a second power board which has a predetermined second high-voltage voltage level different from the first one, and preferably - a second electric motor for the or for each motor-pump group, which has a coil winding adapted to the predetermined second high-voltage voltage level, in particular with a coil winding that is different from the first electric motor.

11. The construction kit according to claim 10, wherein the first and second power boards have an identical circuit board layout and preferably have voltage levels of 400 V and 800 V.

12. A chassis axle (51) comprising a motor-pump-unit axle set (2) according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the chassis axle is preferably pre-assembled and has two hydraulically regulatable shock absorbers (54), which are particularly preferably hydraulically connected respectively to the pumps (22) of the first and the second motor-pump group (20) of the motor-pump-unit axle set, and wherein the shock absorbers have respectively exactly or at least one electrically regulatable damper adjustment valve (54'), which are regulated respectively by the motor-pump-unit axle set or the electronic unit (10) thereof, and / or wherein the electronic unit and / or the signal board (11) is / are set up as a force modulator for the shock absorbers.

13. A chassis axle (51) comprising two motor-pump units (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the chassis axle is preferably pre-assembled and has two hydraulically regulatable shock absorbers (54), which are particularly preferably hydraulically connected respectively to the pumps (22) of the two motor-pump units (1), and wherein the shock absorbers have respectively exactly or at least one electrically regulatable damper adjustment valve (54'), which are respectively regulated by one of the two motor-pump units or the electronic units (10) thereof, and / or wherein the electronic unit and / or the signal board (11) of the motor-pump units are respectively set up as a force modulator for the respective shock absorber.

14. A chassis system (50) for a vehicle, comprising a first chassis axle (51) according to either of claims 12 or 13, a second chassis axle according to either of claims 12 or 13, and a chassis control device (16) which is connected to the electronic units (10) of the motor-pump units (1) and / or the motor-pump-unit axle sets (2) via the bus interface (13).