Fluid Filter Housing Suction Positioning for Hydraulic Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fluid supply devices for motor vehicle drive trains, air bubbles can agglomerate below the fluid filter and suddenly penetrate the suction pump, causing pressure fluctuations and compromising hydraulic pressure control, especially when pumps are driven by electric motors at low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The fluid supply device is designed with a fluid filter housing where the suction opening is located below the minimum static and dynamic fluid levels, ensuring that air is prevented from being sucked in, and the fluid filter is configured to allow fluid flow against gravity, preventing air bubbles from reaching the outlet side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction opening is located above the minimum static fluid level, then air bubbles can be easily separated from the fluid, but air bubbles may agglomerate below the fluid filter and penetrate the suction pump causing pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The suction opening is invertedly positioned below the minimum static fluid level instead of above it, which counterintuitively prevents air bubble agglomeration by ensuring the suction opening is always surrounded by fluid, eliminating the harmful effect of air bubbles penetrating the pump
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid filter housing acts as an intermediary structure that contains the suction opening below the fluid level, mediating between the fluid sump and the suction pump to prevent direct contact between agglomerated air bubbles and the pump inlet
2Use of energy by moving object
If the pump is driven by an electric motor at low flow rates, then energy consumption is reduced, but air bubbles separate from the fluid and agglomerate below the fluid filter
Solution Approach 1:
The suction opening is preliminarily positioned below the minimum static fluid level before operation begins, creating a pre-condition where air bubbles cannot agglomerate below the filter, thus preventing pressure instability even when the pump operates at low flow rates with reduced energy consumption
3Reliability
If the suction opening is located below the minimum static fluid level, then air bubbles are prevented from being sucked in, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid filter housing serves multiple functions: it filters the fluid, contains the suction opening below the fluid level to prevent air ingestion, and structurally supports the pump assembly. By combining these functions into a single integrated component, the apparent complexity is reduced while maintaining reliability
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
This configuration effectively prevents air bubbles from penetrating the fluid filter, stabilizing hydraulic pressure and improving the controllability of the fluid supply device, reducing pressure spikes and potentially extending the service life of pressure sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the main direction of flow in a filter housing of such a fluid filter device is generally from bottom to top, i.e. against gravity
Implementation Method 2
Larger bubbles can then agglomerate below the filter. Low flow velocities can occur in particular when a pump of a fluid supply device is driven purely as required
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Fluid supply device (40) for a mobile hydraulic application, in particular for a powertrain (10) of a motor vehicle, comprising a fluid sump (30) containing a hydraulic fluid (36), and a fluid filter device (42) comprising a fluid filter housing (60) with at least one intake opening (64) and at least one outlet opening (66), wherein a fluid filter (62) is arranged on the fluid filter housing (60) between the intake opening (64) and the outlet opening (66), wherein the fluid sump (30) defines a minimum static fluid level (32), and the intake opening (64) is arranged below the minimum static fluid level (32). The fluid filter housing (60) is designed and arranged with respect to the fluid sump (30) such that hydraulic fluid (36) drawn in through the intake opening (64) flows through the fluid filter (62) from top to bottom.