External Pump Hydraulic Control Unit With Integrated Flow Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic control units face issues with high weight, numerous flow paths leading to contamination, flow restrictions, increased machining costs, and part counts, which slow response times and introduce machining complexities.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic control unit with an externally mounted pump, featuring a central accumulator, integrally formed flow paths, a reservoir sharing fluid space, and a controllable valve, minimizing flow restrictions and part counts while maximizing space-savings and reducing machining costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flow paths are used to connect pump and valve to accumulator, then connectivity and control functionality are improved, but flow restrictions increase and response time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the pump and valve on opposite sides of the accumulator, utilizing spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space. This dimensional布局 allows direct flow paths from both pump and valve to the accumulator without requiring multiple complex flow paths, thereby maintaining connectivity while reducing flow restrictions and improving response time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flow paths with drillings are created, then connectivity is improved, but contamination from burrs and particulate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful drilling process from the manufacturing method by using cast flow paths instead of drilled flow paths. This eliminates the source of burrs and particulate contamination while maintaining the necessary connectivity between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the casting process to create smooth, contamination-free flow paths that are integral to the housing structure, avoiding the need for post-drilling operations that generate harmful particulates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flow paths are implemented, then control functionality is improved, but machining cost and part count increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidmachining cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple flow path functions into a single integrated housing structure with cast-in flow paths. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and seal leak paths while maintaining full control functionality, thereby reducing machining costs and part counts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the fluid reservoir, and incorporates the flow paths as integral features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall part count and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11300200B2Hydraulic control unit with externally mounted pump

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A hydraulic control unit comprising a central accumulator, a flow path connected to the accumulator, a reservoir sharing a fluid space with the accumulator, a pump, and a controllable valve. The flow path is integrally formed to comprise a first flow path and a second flow path. The pump is connected to the accumulator via the first flow path on a first side of the accumulator. The pump is further connected to the reservoir via an inlet flow path on the first side of the accumulator. The controllable valve is connected to the accumulator via the second flow path on a second side of the accumulator.