Controllable Hydraulic Bearing with Throttle-Channel Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hydraulic mounts, especially controllable and active ones, face challenges in preventing cavitation effects that lead to noise due to pressure fluctuations, as existing solutions like valves cannot be integrated without compromising the hydraulic system's functionality, particularly when the compensation chamber is laterally arranged or a spiral throttle channel is used.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pressure compensation element within the throttle channel, formed by a recess on the upper throttle disk and an elastic flap on the lower throttle disk, which establishes a fluid-flowing connection between the throttle channel and one of the fluid chambers when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, thereby reducing overpressure or underpressure and preventing gas formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a valve is integrated into the hydraulic system to prevent cavitation, then cavitation effects and noise are reduced, but the hydraulic system's functionality and reliability deteriorate due to compromised operational integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavitation effects and noiseVSAvoidhydraulic system functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pressure equalization element as an intermediary component within the throttle channel. This element mediates between the working chamber and compensation chamber, allowing pressure equalization without requiring a valve that would compromise hydraulic system integrity. The pressure equalization element opens only under extreme pressure conditions, preventing cavitation while maintaining normal hydraulic functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the pressure equalization function from the traditional valve mechanism and implements it directly within the throttle channel structure. By integrating the pressure equalization element into the throttle channel walls, the system eliminates the need for separate valve components that would compromise hydraulic reliability, while still achieving cavitation prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of moving object

If the compensation chamber is laterally arranged or a spiral throttle channel is used, then space utilization and design flexibility are improved, but the ability to prevent cavitation effects deteriorates due to inability to integrate conventional valves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidcavitation effects
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pressure equalization function with the throttle channel structure itself. The pressure equalization element is integrated into the throttle channel walls, combining the flow control function of the throttle channel with the pressure equalization function. This allows lateral arrangement of chambers and spiral throttle channels to be used effectively while still preventing cavitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a valve mechanism that operates in the flow direction to a pressure equalization element that operates radially within the throttle channel walls. This dimensional change allows the element to function effectively in lateral and spiral throttle channel configurations where conventional valves cannot be integrated.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If pressure equalization is implemented to prevent cavitation, then noise from gas formation is reduced, but the damping behavior and rigidity characteristics may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise from cavitationVSAvoiddamping behavior and rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure equalization element is designed to be dynamic, opening only when extreme pressure differences threaten to cause cavitation. Under normal operating conditions, the element remains closed, preserving the intended damping behavior and rigidity characteristics. When cavitation risk arises, the element opens to equalize pressure, eliminating noise without permanently altering the system's mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure parameter dynamically by opening the pressure equalization element only when pressure differences reach critical levels. This selective parameter change prevents cavitation and associated noise while maintaining the normal pressure-damping-rigidity relationship under standard operating conditions, thus preserving the system's mechanical characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively avoids cavitation effects and associated noise by reducing pressure fluctuations, shifting the frequency position of fluid resonances, and maintaining the hydraulic mount's damping behavior without significant changes in rigidity, especially in the lower-frequency range.

Implementation Method 1

when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, thereby reducing overpressure or underpressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an elastic flap on the lower throttle disk

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

effectively avoids cavitation effects and associated noise by reducing pressure fluctuations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation prevention: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentEP3449151B1Hydraulic bearing, in particular a controllable hydraulic bearing
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 CONTITECH VIBRATION CONTROL GMBH
  • EP3449151B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3449151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3449151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hydraulic bearing (1), in particular a switchable or controllable hydraulic bearing (1), having a first fluid chamber (20), a second fluid chamber (25) and a throttle channel (22) which can fluidically connect the first fluid chamber (20) and the second fluid chamber (25). The hydraulic bearing (1) is characterized in that a pressure-equalizing element (4) is arranged and formed within the throttle channel (22) in such a way as to produce a fluidic connection between the throttle channel (22) and one of the two fluid chambers (20; 25) if a predetermined pressure is exceeded, wherein the throttle channel (22) is formed between an upper throttle disc (31) and a lower throttle disc (32), wherein the pressure-equalizing element (4) is formed by a cutout (41) in the upper throttle disc (31) and an elastic flap (40) of the lower throttle disc (32), or vice versa.