Centrifugal Pump Actuator for Active Chassis
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for active vehicle chassis, particularly piston pumps, face issues with high pressure surges requiring significant energy compensation, limited flexibility in installation, unfavorable noise characteristics, and increased costs for insulation.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuator design integrating a hydraulic centrifugal pump with an electric drive machine, featuring multiple impellers controlled individually, which reduces pressure surges, enhances noise characteristics, and allows flexible installation, with a modular design for adaptable pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a piston pump is used, then high pressure can be generated, but pressure surges increase energy consumption and require costly insulation measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical piston pump with an electrically driven centrifugal pump. This substitution eliminates the reciprocating motion that causes pressure surges, resulting in continuous fluid flow and significantly reduced energy consumption for pressure surge compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the pump system by using a centrifugal pump with rotating impellers instead of reciprocating pistons. This parameter change transforms the pressure generation mechanism from intermittent high-pressure pulses to continuous pressure buildup, reducing energy requirements.
2Stress or pressure
If a piston pump is used, then high pressure can be generated, but installation position flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement of the mechanically complex piston pump with a simpler electrically driven centrifugal pump removes the requirement for specific installation orientations. The centrifugal pump can be installed in various positions without affecting its performance, enhancing adaptability to different chassis configurations.
3Stress or pressure
If a piston pump is used, then high pressure can be generated, but noise characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the noisy mechanical piston pump with an electrically driven centrifugal pump. The elimination of reciprocating mechanical components and pressure surge compensation mechanisms significantly reduces noise generation, providing favorable noise characteristics without compromising pressure generation capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple impellers are used in series, then pressure control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pressure generation function into multiple independent impellers (first, second, and third impellers) that can be controlled separately. Each impeller can be independently activated or deactivated based on the required pressure level, providing flexible pressure control. The control unit manages the individual drive machines for each impeller, enabling adaptive pressure regulation without requiring a completely complex system redesign.
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
The solution achieves low energy requirements for pressure surge compensation, improved noise performance, and increased flexibility in installation and pressure control, making it suitable for limited space and efficient operation in vehicle chassis systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric drive machine (1) and a pump (2)... the electric drive machine is cooled by a fluid flowing through the pump
Implementation Method 2
the pump is a hydraulic centrifugal pump with at least a first impeller with a first rotor, a second impeller with a second rotor and a third impeller is designed with a third rotor
Implementation Method 3
the electric drive machine is cooled by a fluid flowing through the pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator for active chassis of motor vehicles, having an electric drive machine (1) and a pump (2). In order to create advantageous design conditions, the pump (2) according to the invention is encased by the electric drive machine (1) and the pump (2) is designed as a hydraulic centrifugal pump having at least a first impeller (3) having a first rotor (6), a second impeller (4) having a second rotor (7), and a third impeller (5) having a third rotor (8). Because the pump (2) is encased by the electric drive machine (1), the characteristic of an especially compact and space-saving unit is achieved, which characteristic is favorable in particular if limited packaging space is available in chassis of motor vehicles, and the electric drive machine (1) is cooled by a fluid flowing through the pump (2). In comparison with piston pumps or rotary vane pumps, etc., the use of a pump (2) designed as a centrifugal pump also produces the advantage of low pressure surges and consequently a low energy requirement for the compensation of said pressure surges.