Integrated vehicle pump
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-14
Smart Images
Figure 2026527509000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 364,145, filed on August 2, 2023, entitled "UNIFIED VEHICLE PUMP", the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This document relates to pumps used in vehicles, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for operating multiple pumps or compressors with a single motor in an integrated vehicle pump configuration.
Background Art
[0003] Automotive vehicles include one or more main motors configured to drive the vehicle's wheels. Automotive vehicles may also include auxiliary and accessory devices such as, for example, a cooling fan, an air conditioning (or refrigerant) compressor, a power steering pump, a coolant pump, an air suspension compressor, etc. The auxiliary and accessory devices can be powered by the main motor or by one or more auxiliary motors. For example, in an internal combustion engine vehicle, a serpentine belt can transfer power from the main motor to one or more auxiliary and accessory devices. In another example, in an electric vehicle, multiple dedicated electric motors powered by the vehicle's battery can drive multiple components of the electric vehicle.
[0004] However, including dedicated electric motors for different components of the system can increase the cost, complexity, and number of parts of the vehicle.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] In some embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to an electric vehicle comprising a battery, a first gas compressor, and a second gas compressor. The first gas compressor is configured to compress a first gas and supply the compressed first gas to a first system of the electric vehicle, and the first compressor includes a shaft and an electric motor. The electric motor is electrically connected to the battery to receive power from the battery and is configured to convert the received power into rotational motion of the shaft. The electric vehicle also comprises a second gas compressor configured to compress a second gas and supply the compressed second gas to a second system of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle also comprises a coupling configured to mechanically couple power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.
[0006] The implementation includes one or more of the following features, which may be combined in any combination. For example, the first gas compressor may include an air conditioning compressor, the first gas being a refrigerant gas for an air conditioning system, the second gas compressor and the second system of the vehicle being an air suspension system, and the second gas compressor being configured to supply the compressed second gas to the air suspension system.
[0007] In another example, the electric motor may include an inverter configured to convert the DC power received from the battery into high-voltage AC power to drive the electric motor. In another example, the electric motor may be a high-voltage, variable-speed AC motor. In yet another example, the motor may be configured to operate at voltages between 200 volts and 1000 volts.
[0008] In another example, the coupling includes a mechanical clutch. In another example, the coupling includes a set of gears configured to engage and disengage when the shaft is stationary. In another example, the coupling includes a one-way roller clutch configured to engage when the shaft is rotating in a first direction to couple power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor, and to disengage when the shaft is rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction to prevent power from being coupled from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.
[0009] In some embodiments, the techniques described herein relate to: a first gas compressor configured to compress a first gas and supply the compressed first gas to a first system of an electric vehicle, wherein the first compressor includes a shaft and an electric motor, the electric motor being electrically connected to the battery to receive power from the battery of the electric vehicle and configured to convert the received power into rotational motion of the shaft; a second gas compressor configured to compress a second gas and supply the compressed second gas to a second system of the electric vehicle; and an integrated vehicle pump comprising a coupling configured to mechanically couple power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.
[0010] The implementation includes one or more of the following features, which may be combined in any combination. For example, the first gas compressor may include an air conditioning compressor, the first gas may be a refrigerant gas for an air conditioning system, the second gas compressor may be an air compressor, the second system of the vehicle may be an air suspension system, and the second gas compressor may be configured to supply the compressed second gas to the air suspension system.
[0011] In another example, the electric motor may include an inverter configured to convert the DC power received from the battery into high-voltage AC power to drive the electric motor. In another example, the electric motor may be a high-voltage, variable-speed AC motor. In yet another example, the motor may be configured to operate at voltages between 200 volts and 1000 volts.
[0012] In another example, the coupling may include a mechanical clutch. In another example, the coupling may include a set of gears configured to engage and disengage when the shaft is stationary. In another example, the coupling may include a one-way roller clutch configured to engage when the shaft is rotating in a first direction to couple power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor, and to disengage when the shaft is rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction to prevent power from being coupled from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.
[0013] In some embodiments, the technique described herein comprises: the steps of: operating an electric motor of an electric vehicle in a first operating mode to drive a first gas compressor, wherein the electric motor is integrated with the first gas compressor; mechanically coupling a shaft driven by the electric motor to a second gas compressor; and operating the electric motor in a second operating mode to drive the second gas compressor.
[0014] The implementation includes one or more of the following features, which can be combined in any combination. For example, the step of operating the electric motor in the first operating mode may include a step of operating the electric motor at different speeds.
[0015] In another example, the step of operating the electric motor in the first operating mode may include the step of rotating the shaft in a first direction, and the step of operating the electric motor in the second operating mode may include the step of operating the shaft to rotate in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
[0016] In another example, the first gas compressor may include an air conditioning compressor for an air conditioning system, and the second gas compressor may include an air compressor for an air suspension system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0017] [Figure 1] This is an illustrative perspective view of a vehicle.
[0018] [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of the vehicle, showing various components located inside or beneath the vehicle's body.
[0019] [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the implementation of an integrated vehicle pump.
[0020] [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the process for operating an integrated vehicle pump in an electric vehicle.
[0021] Similar reference numerals in various drawings indicate the same elements. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0022] A plurality of individual electric motors can be provided in an electric vehicle to supply power to different accessories and auxiliary devices within the vehicle, and the specifications of each electric motor can be selected based on its intended use in order to improve the operating efficiency of the motor. However, the cost and complexity associated with including many different accessories and auxiliary devices within the vehicle can be problematic. Thus, there is a need to reduce the number of components within the vehicle and the space occupied by the components, and these reductions can lower the total number of vehicle components as well as the weight and cost of the vehicle.
[0023] This document describes examples of systems and techniques for providing an integrated vehicle pump in an electric vehicle in which a single electric motor supplies power to a plurality of accessories and auxiliary devices within the electric vehicle. In certain implementations, the single electric motor supplies power to both an air conditioner compressor of an air conditioning system and an air suspension compressor of an air suspension system. In some implementations, the electric motor can be integrated with the air conditioner compressor to which it supplies power and can also be coupled to the air suspension compressor to which it supplies power.
[0024] The examples in this specification refer to a vehicle. A vehicle is a machine that transports passengers or cargo, or both. A vehicle can have one or more motors that use at least one type of fuel or other energy source (e.g., electricity). Examples of vehicles include, but are not limited to, cars, trucks, and buses. The number of wheels can vary between vehicle types, and one or more (e.g., all) of the wheels can be used for propelling the vehicle, or the vehicle can be unpowered (e.g., when a trailer is attached to another vehicle). A vehicle can include a passenger cabin that accommodates one or more persons.
[0025] The examples described in this specification refer to the top, bottom, front, side, or rear. These and similar expressions identify things or aspects relatively based on explicit or arbitrary concepts of perspective. That is, these terms are merely illustrative, used for the purpose of explanation, and do not necessarily indicate the only possible positions, directions, etc.
[0026] Figure 1 is an exemplary perspective view of a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 can be used together with one or more other examples described elsewhere in this specification. The vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body 102 and a vehicle chassis 104 that supports the vehicle body 102. For example, the vehicle body 102 in FIG. 1 is a four-door vehicle having a space for at least four passengers, and the vehicle chassis 104 has four wheels. In some implementations, other things can be used for the number of doors, the number of wheels, the purpose of the vehicle, the type of the vehicle body 102, and / or the type of the vehicle chassis 104.
[0027] The vehicle body 102 has a front 106 and a rear 108, and may have an occupant cabin 112 between the front and rear. The vehicle 100 may have at least one motor which may be located in one or more positions on the vehicle 100. In some implementations, the motor may be mounted generally near the front 106, generally near the rear 108, or both. A battery module may be supported, for example, below the occupant cabin by the vehicle chassis 104 and may be used to supply power to the motors. One or more motors may receive power from the battery module and use the power received from the battery to propel the vehicle 100 and provide ancillary and auxiliary functions of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle 100 may be an “electric vehicle” in the sense that it can be propelled by energy received from the battery. In some implementations, the electric vehicle may be an all-electric vehicle that does not have an internal combustion engine. In some implementations, the electric vehicle may be a hybrid vehicle that can be propelled by energy received from a battery, energy generated by an internal combustion engine, or a combination of both.
[0028] The rear 108 of the vehicle 100 may include a trunk compartment, and the front 106 of the vehicle 100 may include a front trunk (also known as flank) compartment, each of which is located outside the passenger cabin, and each of which may be used for storing vehicle components or personal equipment.
[0029] Figure 2 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of vehicle 100, showing various components located inside or beneath the vehicle body. For example, vehicle 100 may include a battery 201 that stores energy which can be used to drive the vehicle's wheels and to power various components of the vehicle.
[0030] Vehicle 100 may include, for example, an air conditioning system 202 capable of providing temperature and humidity controlled air to the vehicle's occupant cabin. The air conditioning system 202 may include an air conditioning compressor that compresses a refrigerant gas used in the air conditioning system. The compressor may be one of a variety of compressor types, including scroll compressors, spool compressors, rotary vane compressors, etc. The air conditioning system 202 may include an inverter and an electric motor. The inverter can receive direct current (DC) power from a battery 201 and convert the DC power into alternating current (AC) power supplied to an electric motor, and the compressor may be driven by the electric motor. The electric motor may be integrated with the compressor. For example, the electric motor and the compressor may share a common housing. The electric motor can convert the power received from the battery into rotational motion of a shaft that drives the motion of the compressor components, thereby compressing the refrigerant gas. The inverter may also include a processor that controls the frequency of the AC current supplied to the electric motor to control the speed of the compressor.
[0031] The compressor of the air conditioning system 202 may include inlets and outlets, each connected to one or more refrigerant conduits within the air conditioning system 202, and may act on a refrigerant gas to compress it. The compressor may operate at multiple speeds (e.g., within a range of operating speeds expressed in revolutions per minute or other units). The compressor speed may be controlled by an AC current supplied by an inverter, which may in turn be controlled by the inverter's processor.
[0032] Vehicle 100 may include an air suspension system 204 that can control the height of the vehicle body on the road surface on which the vehicle travels, and can control the amount of vibration damping experienced by the vehicle body when traveling on an uneven road surface. The air suspension system 204 may include, for example, one or more air springs at each wheel, and an air compressor that can be used to set the air pressure in each air spring to achieve a desired ride height and damping. In some implementations, the air suspension system may include a reservoir or compressed air storage tank for maintaining compressed air that can be rapidly supplied to one or more air springs to achieve a change in ride height or damping within a given amount of time. The air compressor of the air suspension system 204 may resupply compressed air to the air storage tank if the pressure in the tank falls below a threshold.
[0033] The vehicle may include one or more coolant pumps 206 configured to circulate coolant to different components of the vehicle 100, for example, to cool the battery 201 while it is being charged, or to cool the electric traction motors that drive the vehicle's wheels. The coolant pumps 206 may include one or more mechanical drive units (e.g., impellers) for the coolant passing through the coolant system.
[0034] The vehicle may include one or more oil pumps 208 configured to circulate oil within the powertrain and provide lubrication to different systems within the vehicle. The oil pumps 208 may include one or more mechanically driven units (e.g., impellers) for coolant passing through the oil circulation system.
[0035] A single electric motor may be configured to power two or more combinations of the mechanical drives of the air conditioning system 202 (e.g., the air conditioning compressor of the air conditioning system 202), the air suspension system 204 (e.g., the gas compressor of the air suspension system 204), the coolant pump 206 (e.g., the pump impeller), and the oil pump 208 (e.g., the pump impeller). For example, if the electric motor is integrated into systems 202, 204 or pumps 206, 208, the mechanical coupling 210 can transmit power from the electric motor to another system or pump. In this way, the overall number of parts and complexity of the vehicle, and the cost of the vehicle, can be reduced.
[0036] The mechanical coupling 210 may be any mechanical coupling between the electric motors of a compressor or pump, mechanically coupling power from the motor to another compressor or pump of the vehicle 100. The mechanical coupling 210 can be implemented in a variety of forms. For example, in some implementations, the mechanical coupling 210 may include a clutch for transmitting power from the electric motor of one system or pump to another system or pump as needed. In some implementations, the mechanical coupling 210 may include a set of gears configured to transmit power from the electric motor to another compressor or pump. The gears may be configured to engage and disengage from each other when the shaft of the electric motor is not rotating. In some implementations, the mechanical coupling 210 may include a one-way roller clutch, which is configured to engage when the shaft of the electric motor is rotating in a first direction to couple power from the motor to another compressor or pump, and to disengage when the shaft is rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction to prevent power from being coupled from the electric motor to the other compressor or pump.
[0037] Since the speed and power output of an electric motor are controllable (for example, by controlling the voltage, current, and frequency of the AC power supplied to the motor), the power supplied to both the compressor or pump into which the electric motor is integrated, and to other compressors or pumps to which the electric motor is mechanically coupled, can be optimized for the efficient operation of both compressors / pumps powered by the electric motor. In some implementations, the voltage, current, and frequency of the power supplied to the compressor or pump into which the electric motor is integrated may differ from the voltage, current, and frequency of the power supplied to other compressors or pumps to which the electric motor is mechanically coupled, in order to optimize the efficiency of operation of each device.
[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of the integrated vehicle pump 300. The integrated vehicle pump 300 in the implementation shown in Figure 3 comprises a first gas compressor 302 capable of compressing a first gas and supplying the compressed first gas to a first system of an electric vehicle. The first gas may be a refrigerant gas, and the system may be an air conditioning system. The first compressor 302 includes an electric motor 304 that is electrically connected to and receives power from the battery of the electric vehicle. The electric motor includes and / or is connected to a shaft 306, and the operation of the motor 304 converts the power received from the battery into rotational motion of the shaft to rotate the shaft 306. One end of the shaft 306 is connected to a scroll 308 that rotates within a counterpart scroll to draw in low-pressure gas, compress the gas, and discharge the gas from the compressor's output port 310. The gas flow direction 312 indicates how the gas entering the compressor 302 flows around the electric motor 304 to cool the motor, and then enters the scroll 308.
[0039] The integrated vehicle pump 300 further includes a second gas compressor 314 configured to compress a second gas and supply the compressed second gas to a second system of the electric vehicle. The second gas compressor 314 may be an air compressor, and the second system of the vehicle may be an air suspension system, where the second gas compressor is configured to supply the compressed second gas to the air suspension system. Similar to the first gas compressor 302, the second gas compressor 314 may be one of a variety of compressor types, including a scroll compressor, a spool compressor, a rotary vane compressor, etc., and the operating principle of the second gas compressor 314 may be the same as that of the first gas compressor 302.
[0040] The integrated vehicle pump 300 includes a mechanical coupling 316 configured to mechanically connect power from the electric motor 304 of the first gas compressor 302 to the second gas compressor 314, thereby enabling the electric motor 304 to supply power to both the first gas compressor 302 and the second gas compressor 314. The mechanical coupling 316 can mechanically connect the shaft 306 of the first compressor 302 to the second gas compressor 314, thereby enabling the electric motor to supply power to the second compressor to act on the gas input to the second compressor. By supplying power to both the first gas compressor 302 and the second gas compressor 314 using a single electric motor, fewer electric motors are required in the electric vehicle compared to when each compressor has its own dedicated electric motor.
[0041] The mechanical coupling 316 can be implemented in several different forms. In some implementations, the mechanical coupling 316 may include a mechanical clutch that can selectively engage with the shaft 306 to couple power from the electric motor 304 to the second compressor, and can disengage from the shaft 306 to prevent power from being coupled from the motor to the second compressor. The clutch may engage and disengage while the shaft is rotating. In some implementations, the mechanical coupling 316 may include a one-way roller clutch that is configured to engage with the shaft 306 when the shaft 306 is rotating in a first direction to couple power from the electric motor 304 to the second gas compressor 314, and to disengage from the shaft 306 when the shaft 306 is rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction to prevent power from being coupled from the electric motor 304 to the second gas compressor 314. Therefore, in this implementation, the mechanical coupling 316 can be engaged by rotating the shaft in one direction, and disengaged by rotating the shaft 306 in a second direction.
[0042] In some implementations, the mechanical coupling 316 may include a set of gears (for example, including at least a gear that rotates with the shaft 306 and a gear attached to the second compressor) which can selectively engage to couple power from the electric motor 304 to the second compressor, and can disengage to prevent power from being coupled from the motor to the second compressor. In some implementations, the gears are engaged and disengaged when the shaft 306 is not rotating.
[0043] In some implementations, the electric motor 304 of the integrated vehicle pump 300 may be a high-voltage (e.g., operating above 100 volts) variable-speed AC motor. In some implementations, the electric motor 304 may be configured to operate at voltages between 200 volts and 1000 volts, and in some implementations, the electric motor 304 may be configured to operate at several different voltages between 200 volts and 1000 volts. In some implementations, the electric motor 304 may be configured to operate at several different rotational speeds between 1000 rpm and 5000 rpm. By operating the electric motor at different voltages and speeds, the electric motor can supply different amounts of power to the components it drives in accordance with the requirements of different components. For example, if a high cooling rate is required by the occupant cabin of a vehicle, the motor can operate at high voltage and speed, but once the occupant cabin reaches the desired temperature, the motor can operate at lower voltage and speed to maintain the desired temperature.
[0044] If the first gas compressor 302 is an air conditioning compressor, the power required to operate the electric motor 304 to drive the first compressor 302 may be relatively high compared to the power normally supplied to other compressors in an electric vehicle. For example, a dedicated electric motor used to drive an air compressor in an air suspension system typically works in conjunction with a compressed air storage tank to maintain high pressure of gas in the storage tank, which may be called upon to rapidly change the vehicle's ride height or suspension damping. Therefore, such a motor may be relatively low-powered because it can operate for a certain period (e.g., 30-120 seconds) to replenish the compressed air in the storage tank after the air from the tank has been used to produce rapid changes (e.g., in less than 5 seconds) in the air suspension system. However, if the relatively high-powered electric motor 304 of the first gas compressor 302 is coupled to a second compressor and used to power the second compressor, the higher power of the electric motor of the air conditioning compressor can be used to produce rapid changes to the air suspension system without requiring the use of the air storage tank. Therefore, when the integrated vehicle pump 300 is used, the air storage tank can be removed from the air suspension system, thereby reducing the weight, cost, and total number of parts in the vehicle, and the volume that would have been used for the air storage tank can be used for other purposes, such as a larger battery in the vehicle.
[0045] In some implementations, the electric motor 304 includes an inverter 318 configured to drive the electric motor by converting DC power received from a battery into high-voltage AC power. The inverter 318 may include control logic 320 (e.g., a processor, electronic circuitry, etc.) configured to control the operation of the electric motor 304. The control logic 320 can, for example, control the voltage, current, and frequency of the power supplied to the electric motor 304 so that the operation of the electric motor is optimized to drive the first gas compressor 302 and the second gas compressor 314, and can manage the transition between driving the first gas compressor 302 and the second gas compressor 314. For example, if the first gas compressor 302 is an air conditioning compressor and the second gas compressor 314 is an air compressor for an air suspension system, the control logic 320 may receive a signal (e.g., from the vehicle's main processor) specifying a first specific operating mode for the electric motor 304, and the inverter 318 may then supply an electrical input to the motor to perform the first specific operating mode. Next, when the electric motor 304 is called (for example, by a signal from the vehicle's main processor) to drive the second gas compressor 314, the mechanical coupling 316 may be engaged to transmit power from the electric motor 304 to the second gas compressor, and the control logic 320 may receive a signal specifying a second specific operating mode for the electric motor 304, and the inverter 318 may then provide an electrical input to the motor to perform the second specific operating mode.
[0046] Figure 4 is a flowchart of process 400 for operating an integrated vehicle pump in an electric vehicle. Process 400 includes operating the electric motor of the electric vehicle in a first operating mode to drive a first gas compressor (402), where the electric motor is integrated with the first gas compressor. Process 400 includes mechanically coupling the shaft driven by the electric motor to a second gas compressor (404). Process 400 also includes operating the electric motor in a second operating mode to drive a second gas compressor (406). In various implementations as described herein, operating the electric motor in a first operating mode may include operating the electric motor at different speeds. Operating the electric motor in a first operating mode may involve rotating the shaft in a first direction, and operating the electric motor in a second operating mode may involve rotating the shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gas compressor may include an air conditioning compressor in an air conditioning system, and the second gas compressor may include an air compressor in an air suspension system.
[0047] The terms “substantially” and “about” as used throughout this specification are used to describe and account for small variations, such as those resulting from processing variability. For example, they may mean less than or equal to ±5%, less than or equal to ±2%, less than or equal to ±1%, less than or equal to ±0.5%, less than or equal to ±0.2%, less than or equal to ±0.1%, less than or equal to ±0.05%. Also, as used herein, indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” mean “at least one.”
[0048] It should be understood that all combinations of the concepts described above and any additional concepts discussed in more detail below (provided that such concepts are not mutually contradictory) are intended to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of the claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are intended to be part of the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein.
[0049] Several implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various modifications may be made without deviating from the intent and scope of this specification.
[0050] Furthermore, the logical flow shown in the diagram does not require a specific or sequential order to achieve the desired result. In addition, other processes may be provided, or processes may be excluded from the described flow; other components may be added to or removed from the described system. Therefore, other implementations fall within the scope of the following claims.
[0051] While specific features of the described implementations are shown as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, alterations, and equivalents will now be conceivable to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the appended claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and alterations that fall within the scope of these implementations. They are presented merely as examples and not as limitations, and it should be understood that various modifications in form and detail are possible. Any parts of the apparatus and / or methods described herein may be combined in any combination, except for mutually exclusive combinations. The implementations described herein may include various combinations and / or partial combinations of the functions, components, and / or features of the different implementations described.
Claims
1. It is an electric vehicle: Battery; A first gas compressor configured to compress a first gas and supply the compressed first gas to a first system of the electric vehicle, wherein the first gas compressor includes a shaft and an electric motor, the electric motor being electrically connected to the battery to receive power from the battery and configured to convert the received power into rotational motion of the shaft; A second gas compressor configured to compress a second gas and supply the compressed second gas to a second system of the electric vehicle; and A coupling configured to mechanically connect power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor. An electric vehicle equipped with [a specific feature / equipment].
2. The first gas compressor includes an air conditioning compressor, and the first gas is the refrigerant gas of the air conditioning system. The second gas compressor includes an air compressor, the second system of the electric vehicle is an air suspension system, and the second gas compressor is configured to supply the compressed second gas to the air suspension system. The electric vehicle according to claim 1.
3. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electric motor includes an inverter configured to drive the electric motor by converting DC power received from the battery into high-voltage AC power.
4. The electric vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the electric motor is a high-voltage, variable-speed AC motor.
5. The electric vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor is configured to operate at a voltage between 200 volts and 1000 volts.
6. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling includes a mechanical clutch.
7. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling includes a set of gears configured to engage and disengage when the shaft is stopped.
8. The electric vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling includes a one-way roller clutch, the one-way roller clutch is configured to engage when the shaft is rotating in a first direction to couple power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor, and to disengage when the shaft is rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction to prevent power from being coupled from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.
9. A first gas compressor configured to compress a first gas and supply the compressed first gas to a first system of an electric vehicle, wherein the first gas compressor includes a shaft and an electric motor, the electric motor being electrically connected to the battery of the electric vehicle to receive power from the battery and configured to convert the received power into rotational motion of the shaft; A second gas compressor configured to compress a second gas and supply the compressed second gas to a second system of the electric vehicle; and A coupling configured to mechanically connect power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor. An integrated vehicle pump equipped with the following features.
10. The first gas compressor includes an air conditioning compressor, and the first gas is the refrigerant gas of the air conditioning system. The second gas compressor is an air compressor, the second system of the electric vehicle is an air suspension system, and the second gas compressor is configured to supply the compressed second gas to the air suspension system. The integrated vehicle pump according to claim 9.
11. The integrated vehicle pump according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the electric motor includes an inverter configured to drive the electric motor by converting DC power received from the battery into high-voltage AC power.
12. The integrated vehicle pump according to claim 11, wherein the electric motor is a high-voltage, variable-speed AC motor.
13. The integrated vehicle pump according to claim 12, wherein the electric motor is configured to operate at a voltage between 200 volts and 1000 volts.
14. The integrated vehicle pump according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the coupling includes a mechanical clutch.
15. The integrated vehicle pump according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the coupling includes a set of gears configured to engage and disengage when the shaft is stopped.
16. The integrated vehicle pump according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the coupling includes a one-way roller clutch, the one-way roller clutch is configured to engage when the shaft is rotating in a first direction to couple power from the electric motor to the second gas compressor, and to disengage when the shaft is rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction to prevent power from being coupled from the electric motor to the second gas compressor.
17. In the step of operating the electric motor of an electric vehicle in a first operating mode to drive a first gas compressor, the electric motor is integrated with the first gas compressor; The step of mechanically coupling the shaft driven by the electric motor to the second gas compressor; and The step of operating the electric motor in the second operating mode to drive the second gas compressor. A method for providing this.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of operating the electric motor in the first operating mode includes the step of operating the electric motor at different speeds.
19. The method according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the step of operating the electric motor in the first operating mode includes the step of rotating the shaft in a first direction, and the step of operating the electric motor in the second operating mode includes the step of rotating the shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
20. The method according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the first gas compressor includes an air conditioning compressor for an air conditioning system, and the second gas compressor includes an air compressor for an air suspension system.