Dual Pump Clutch Actuation With Prefilling Line for Fast Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump units for clutch actuation in motor vehicle drivetrains face challenges in providing high-pressure fluid flow for reliable clutch operation, quick actuation, lubrication, and energy efficiency, while existing solutions often require multiple pumps or inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A dual pump system with a single drive motor, featuring a high-pressure and low-pressure outlet, a prefilling line with a check valve, and control mechanisms to manage fluid flow, allowing for efficient high-pressure actuation and lubrication with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used to provide both high-pressure actuation flow and low-pressure lubricant flow, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide sufficient high-pressure flow quickly is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pump unit is segmented into two distinct pumping mechanisms: a first pump dedicated to high-pressure actuation flow and a second pump dedicated to low-pressure lubricant flow. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function, with the first pump capable of delivering high pressure quickly for clutch actuation while the second pump provides continuous lubrication, thereby resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and actuation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump unit achieves multi-functionality by integrating two pumps with different characteristics into a single unified system. The first pump provides high-pressure flow for clutch actuation while the second pump provides low-pressure flow for lubrication, allowing the overall system to perform multiple functions simultaneously without requiring separate independent systems, thus maintaining reasonable complexity while achieving fast actuation.
2Speed
If high-pressure flow is provided continuously for clutch actuation, then clutch response is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first pump is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously, delivering high-pressure actuation flow only when clutch actuation is required. The control system activates the first pump on-demand to provide the necessary high-pressure flow for clutch engagement or disengagement, then deactivates it when not needed. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining fast clutch response when actuation is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the first pump based on real-time clutch actuation requirements. The control system monitors clutch position and actuation signals, activating the high-pressure pump only during the brief periods when clutch engagement or disengagement is needed, and deactivating it during normal operation. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between clutch response time and energy consumption.
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 dual pump system enables rapid clutch actuation and lubrication with minimal energy use by optimizing fluid flow through a single motor, ensuring quick prefilling and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve, which blocks flow in a flow direction from the high-pressure line to the low-pressure line, is arranged in the prefilling line
Implementation Method 2
a dual pump, which is driven by the drive motor and has a high-pressure outlet, which is connected to the high-pressure port by means of a high-pressure line, and a low-pressure outlet, which is connected to the low-pressure port by means of a low-pressure line
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump unit (10) for clutch actuation, having a high-pressure port (28) for clutch actuation, a low-pressure port (32) for a lubricant flow, a single drive motor (14) and a dual pump (16), which is driven by the drive motor (14) and has a high-pressure outlet (18), which is connected to the high-pressure port (28) by means of a high-pressure line (30), and a low-pressure outlet (20), which is connected to the low-pressure port (32) by means of a low-pressure line (34), wherein a prefilling line (36) which leads from the low-pressure line (34) to the high-pressure line (30) is provided.