Closed Hydraulic Circuit Fault Detection via Accumulator Position Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The electrification of vehicle powertrains and operational control systems leads to integration benefits but can result in compromises, particularly in detecting faults and leaks within hydraulic control systems, which are not effectively addressed by conventional systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic control system with a closed circuit, including a pump, valve, actuator, precharge accumulator, and sensors, which estimates fluid quantity and detects pressure variations, enabling automatic fault detection and leak identification, and allows for the integration of brake and non-brake actuators using a common fluidic circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydraulic systems are used without additional sensing components, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to detect faults and leaks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor to detect the position of the movable member in the precharge accumulator and feeding this information back to a controller. The controller monitors this position information to detect leaks and faults in the hydraulic circuit, enabling automatic fault detection without requiring complex additional sensing components throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the precharge accumulator with a movable member as an intermediary element that translates hydraulic circuit conditions (pressure changes, leaks) into positional changes that can be easily sensed and monitored. This intermediary mechanism converts difficult-to-detect hydraulic parameters into measurable position information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrification of vehicle control systems is implemented, then integration and redundancy are improved, but fault detection in hydraulic systems is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fault detection function into the existing precharge accumulator component by incorporating a sensor to detect the position of its movable member. This combines the pressure regulation function of the accumulator with the fault detection function, maintaining system integration while restoring hydraulic fault detection capability in electrified vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing components (precharge accumulator, movable member, sensor) to perform fault detection without requiring separate dedicated leak detection systems. The hydraulic system essentially monitors itself through the position information of the movable member that is already part of its pressure regulation mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides efficient and autonomous control of vehicle systems, allowing for improved braking performance and integration of autonomous or semi-autonomous functionalities while maintaining system efficiency and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a pump having an inlet and an outlet for pressurizing fluid in the circuit
Implementation Method 2
a precharge accumulator fluidly connected between the valve means and the inlet of the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic control system (1) for controlling a vehicle, which includes a controller (2) and a closed fluidic circuit. The circuit includes a pump (3) for pressurizing fluid in the circuit, valve means (40, 50, 60), an actuator (4, 5, 6) and a precharge accumulator (7). The valve means (40, 50, 60) is fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet of the pump (3) and the actuator (4, 6) is fluidly connected to the valve means (40, 50, 60) for selectively receiving pressurized fluid therefrom. The precharge accumulator (7) includes a movable member (73, FIG. 2) that describes a variable volume (71) fluidly connected to the circuit between the valve means (40, 50, 60) and the inlet of the pump (3). The system (1) also includes a sensor (70) for determining the position of the movable member (73) for estimating the quantity of fluid and/or detecting an abnormal pressure variation within the circuit.