Hydraulic Machine Barrel Rotation via Outer Edge Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic machines with input shafts carried by two bearings are too long, making them inconvenient for integration within transmissions, particularly when axial space is limited.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic machine design where the barrel rotates around a main axis with pistons actuated by an inclined plate, featuring a rotation drive means connected to its outer radial contour, such as a pinion, eliminating the need for an input shaft and allowing for a compact axial configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hydraulic machine uses an input shaft carried by two bearings, then the machine structure is simple and reliable, but the axial length becomes too large for integration into transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural reliabilityVSAvoidaxial length
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the input shaft from the hydraulic machine structure. Instead of using a traditional input shaft carried by two bearings, the invention directly couples the drive mechanism to the barrel, removing the unnecessary intermediate component and its supporting bearings, thereby significantly reducing axial length while maintaining structural reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dimensional arrangement by moving from an axial configuration (input shaft along the axis) to a radial configuration (drive mechanism at the outer radial contour). This dimensional change allows the drive to be applied perpendicular to the main axis, eliminating the need for axial bearing support and reducing overall axial length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the hydraulic machine is designed with traditional input shaft and bearings, then the structure is conventional and easy to manufacture, but it cannot be integrated into compact transmission systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidintegration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal hydraulic machine design where the barrel itself serves multiple functions: it acts as both the hydraulic cylinder housing and the driven element. The external drive mechanism can be coupled to various transmission configurations, making the machine adaptable to different integration scenarios while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of driving the hydraulic machine from the inside out (input shaft from center), the invention inverts the approach by driving from the outside in (external drive at radial contour). This inversion allows direct integration with transmission output shafts or other external drive sources, greatly enhancing adaptability while keeping the structure manufacturable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables easier integration into transmission casings with reduced axial length, facilitating the use of hydraulic energy in hybrid vehicles by providing a compact and efficient hydraulic module between the engine and transmission.

Implementation Method 1

each cylinder receiving a piston bearing axially on the front side on an inclined plate fixed in rotation, via a bearing forming an axial stop. The inclination of this plate along an axis perpendicular to the shaft of the hydraulic machine is variable to change the displacement of the hydraulic machine.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical leverage: Lever

Implementation Method 2

for example a pinion fixed on its outer contour, meshing with another pinion arranged on a parallel shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear meshing: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3271579B1Hydraulic machine comprising a cylinder block rotated by the outer edge thereof
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 TECHNOBOOST
  • EP3271579B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3271579B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic machine that can be operated as a motor or a pump, comprising a cylinder block (60) rotating about a main shaft, provided with cylinders arranged parallel to the shaft and receiving pistons (62) that are actuated by a non-rotatable inclined plate (64), characterised in that the cylinder block (60) comprises a rotating means (80) connected to the outer radial edge thereof.