Independent Corner Lift Hydraulics With Isolation Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Development of electro-hydraulic systems for independently adjusting vehicle ride height faces technical and cost challenges, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic height adjustment system featuring a reservoir, lift actuators, a supply pump, a supply check valve, and isolation valves to control hydraulic fluid flow, allowing for independent height adjustment of vehicle corners, including features like a piston pump assembly and hydraulic accumulators for pressure stabilization and energy recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electro-hydraulic systems are used for independently adjusting vehicle ride height, then height adjustment capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hydraulic functions into a single integrated system. The supply pump serves dual purposes: it provides hydraulic fluid to lift actuators for height adjustment and to levelers for level control. The hydraulic fluid serves multiple functions including actuation, lubrication, and energy storage through accumulators. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining independent height adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system is designed with multi-functionality where the same hydraulic circuit and components serve multiple purposes. The supply check valve controls fluid flow in both directions for different operations. Accumulators provide both energy storage and pressure stabilization. The isolation valves enable the system to perform different functions (height adjustment, level control, energy recovery) using the same hardware infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electro-hydraulic systems are used for independently adjusting vehicle ride height, then height adjustment capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single electro-hydraulic system, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. By combining height adjustment and level control functions in one system with shared components (pump, valves, hydraulic fluid), the manufacturing cost is reduced compared to having separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates accumulators that recover and store hydraulic energy during vehicle leveling operations. This recovered energy is then reused to assist with height adjustment operations, reducing the overall energy consumption and allowing for a smaller, less expensive pump and power supply system.
3Loss of energy
If hydraulic accumulators are added for pressure stabilization and energy recovery, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic accumulators in the system serve multiple functions simultaneously: they stabilize pressure fluctuations during operation, store energy for recovery during leveling operations, and provide additional flow capacity during high-demand situations. By making the accumulators multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving significant energy efficiency improvements.
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
Enables precise and efficient independent height adjustment of vehicle corners, improving energy efficiency and addressing technical and cost challenges, while providing additional features like weight measurement and roll/pitch control.
Implementation Method 1
a supply check valve configured to allow fluid flow from an outlet of the supply pump to the manifold while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction
Implementation Method 2
a supply pump having an inlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to transfer the hydraulic fluid to the at least one lift actuator via a manifold
Implementation Method 3
at least one lift actuator operably disposed between a wheel and a chassis element of the vehicle for adjusting the height of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustment system for a vehicle includes: a reservoir configured to hold hydraulic fluid; at least one lift actuator operably disposed between a wheel and a chassis element of the vehicle for adjusting the height of the vehicle; a supply pump having an inlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to transfer the hydraulic fluid to the at least one lift actuator via a manifold; a supply check valve configured to allow fluid flow from an outlet of the supply pump to the manifold while blocking fluid flow in an opposite direction; and at least one of: a supply pump isolation valve configured to selectively bypass hydraulic fluid around the supply check valve, or a secondary actuator isolation valve configured to selectively control fluid flow between the at least one lift actuator and the inlet port of the supply pump.