Vehicle Drive Unit Pump Layout Using a Shielding Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electric pump unit in a vehicle's drive unit is vulnerable to damage from chipping stones and foreign objects due to its protrusion outside the casing, particularly when positioned on the lower part, which can lead to operational failures.
Innovation Solution
The configuration positions the filter unit adjacent to the electric pump unit from the front side, with the filter unit acting as a shield to protect the pump unit from chipping stones and foreign objects, and is designed to protrude more than the pump unit, with the filter unit's lowest part located lower than the pump unit's lowest part, enhancing protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the electric pump unit protrudes outside the casing to effectively suction heat medium, then the heat medium circulation efficiency is improved, but the electric pump unit becomes vulnerable to damage from chipping stones and foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit serves as an intermediary component positioned between the external environment (chipping stones and foreign objects) and the electric pump unit. It absorbs the impact of harmful objects while allowing heat medium to pass through, thereby protecting the electric pump unit without compromising its suction functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it filters heat medium to remove contaminants and acts as a protective shield against chipping stones and foreign objects. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain productivity while improving reliability
2Productivity
If the electric pump unit is positioned on the lower part of the casing for effective heat medium suction, then the suction efficiency is improved, but the electric pump unit is more likely to be hit by chipping stones and foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is strategically positioned in front of the electric pump unit at the lower part of the casing, serving as a mediator that blocks chipping stones and foreign objects while allowing heat medium to flow through to the pump inlet, thus maintaining suction efficiency while reducing exposure to harmful factors
3Reliability
If the filter unit protrudes more than the electric pump unit with its lowest part located lower than the pump unit's lowest part, then the protection effect is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit and electric pump unit are merged into a closely integrated assembly where the filter unit envelops or surrounds the electric pump unit from the front and lower sides. This merging approach achieves enhanced protection through a coordinated arrangement that, while slightly more complex, can be manufactured and assembled as a unified module
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit for a vehicle may include a motor, a casing accommodating the motor, an electric pump unit attached to a lower part of the casing and configured to circulate heat medium within the casing and a filter unit attached to the lower part of the casing and configured to filter the heat medium. At least a part of the electric pump unit and at least a part of the filter unit each protrude outside the casing. Outside the casing, the filter unit is adjacent to the electric pump unit from a front in the vehicle.