Emergency Steering Pump Pneumatic Clutch High-Speed Fuel Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicles and hybrid commercial vehicles lack a reliable emergency steering system, especially at high speeds, leading to safety concerns and high fuel consumption due to the absence of a redundant steering mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An emergency steering pump with a pneumatic clutch and variable displacement pump is introduced, which coordinates with the engine oil pump to provide power steering. The pneumatic clutch includes a clutch outer and inner transmission shaft, a clutch disc, and a piston for ventilation, allowing the system to switch between mechanical and pneumatic power sources based on vehicle speed, ensuring continuous steering assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vehicles use only engine oil pump for power steering, then the structure is simple, but there is no emergency steering redundancy and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emergency steering pump with the existing engine oil pump system, integrating both pumps into a unified steering system. The emergency pump shares the hydraulic circuit with the engine oil pump, allowing the system to provide both normal and emergency steering functions without requiring completely separate systems, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency steering pump is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides steering assistance during normal operation as a backup, and activates automatically when the engine oil pump fails. The clutch mechanism allows the same pump to engage or disengage based on system needs, making it a multi-functional component that enhances safety without permanently increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If the emergency steering pump operates continuously, then steering assistance is always available, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a clutch mechanism that dynamically engages and disengages the emergency steering pump based on operational conditions. During normal operation when the engine oil pump is functioning, the clutch disengages the emergency pump to save fuel. When the engine oil pump fails, the clutch automatically engages the emergency pump to provide steering assistance, thus optimizing fuel consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The emergency pump operates periodically rather than continuously - it remains idle during normal operation and activates only when needed (when engine oil pump fails). This periodic operation pattern, controlled by the clutch mechanism, significantly reduces fuel consumption compared to continuous operation while ensuring steering assistance is available when required.
3Speed
If the emergency steering pump operates at high speed, then steering response is faster, but noise and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a variable displacement pump design where the displacement parameter can be adjusted based on operational requirements. At high vehicle speeds, the pump operates at higher rotational speed to provide faster steering response, but the variable displacement mechanism adjusts the pump output to match actual steering demands, preventing excessive noise and fuel consumption that would result from operating at maximum displacement and speed continuously.
4Reliability
If a redundant steering system is added, then steering safety is improved, but the cost of electronic control integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a mechanically-based clutch mechanism and hydraulic pressure-based activation. Instead of using electronic sensors, control units, and actuators to manage the emergency pump, the system uses mechanical clutch engagement and hydraulic pressure differentials to automatically activate the emergency pump when the engine oil pump fails. This mechanical approach achieves the same safety function with reduced electronic complexity and lower integration costs.
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 provides dual power sources for steering, enhancing safety and fuel efficiency by using the gearbox power source at high speeds, reducing heat generation, and ensuring reliable steering even when the air source is lost.
Implementation Method 1
When the pneumatic clutch is not ventilated, the clutch disc is in a combined state, and the clutch outer transmission shaft and the clutch inner transmission shaft are connected in transmission; when the pneumatic clutch is ventilated, the clutch disc is in a disengaged state
Implementation Method 2
The variable displacement pump is provided with a pump shaft. The clutch outer transmission shaft is connected to a gearbox, and the clutch inner transmission shaft is connected to a pump shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a method of providing oil power steering and control in coordination with the engine oil pump. The emergency steering pump includes a pneumatic clutch and a displacement pump. The pneumatic clutch includes a clutch outer transmission shaft and a clutch inner transmission shaft. The variable displacement pump is provided with a pump shaft. The clutch outer transmission shaft is connected to the gearbox and the clutch inner transmission shaft is connected to the pump shaft, and a clutch disc is provided between the clutch outer transmission shaft and the clutch inner transmission shaft. When the pneumatic clutch is not ventilated, the clutch disc is in a combined state, and the clutch outer transmission shaft and the clutch inner transmission shaft are connected. When the pneumatic clutch is ventilated, the clutch disc is in a disengaged state, and the clutch outer transmission shaft and the clutch inner transmission shaft are disconnected. The invention solves the problem of high fuel consumption, high noise, and the absence of emergency steering device when the traditional automobile or hybrid commercial vehicle runs at high speed.