Decentralized Hydraulic Height Adjustment Nested in Coil Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle chassis height adjustment systems are not compact enough and lack reliability due to exposed hydraulic components and lines, which are prone to damage and mechanical loads.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized hydraulic height adjustment device with a cylinder-piston arrangement and electric motor housed within the helical spring, featuring an annular hydraulic working space and reservoir, and an adapter with integrated fluid channels to minimize space and protect components from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the electric motor and hydraulic components are arranged outside the spring, then the assembly and maintenance are easier, but the device occupies more space and the components are exposed to damage from foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor (22) and hydraulic components are nested inside the coil spring (2), utilizing the space within the spring structure. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall device volume while protecting components from external damage, as the spring itself serves as a protective enclosure.
2Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is arranged inside the coil spring, then the device becomes more compact and components are protected from damage, but the heat dissipation and accessibility for maintenance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A cooling arrangement (38) is introduced as an intermediary system to manage thermal effects. This cooling system facilitates heat dissipation from the electric motor while it operates inside the spring, resolving the thermal management issue without requiring the motor to be positioned outside the spring.
3Device complexity
If exposed hydraulic lines are used, then the system is simpler and easier to service, but the reliability is reduced due to susceptibility to damage from stones and foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic pump (25) and associated hydraulic lines are nested inside the coil spring (2), protecting them from external damage by stones and foreign objects. This nested arrangement improves reliability while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic reservoir (29) is merged with the adapter (6) structure, eliminating the need for separate external reservoirs and exposed hydraulic lines. This integration reduces the number of external connections while maintaining system serviceability.
4Device complexity
If a centralized hydraulic unit is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the response speed and productivity are reduced due to longer hydraulic lines
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic system is segmented into decentralized units at each wheel suspension, with each hydraulic pump (25) positioned locally near its corresponding cylinder-piston arrangement. This segmentation eliminates long hydraulic lines, improving response speed and productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
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 allows for a compact, reliable, and protected height adjustment system with reduced mechanical loads on the electric motor and eliminated exposed hydraulic lines, enhancing operational safety and response speed.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic pump (25) which can be acted upon by the electric motor (22) and is arranged inside the helical spring (2)
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic pump (25) which can be acted upon by the electric motor (22) and is arranged inside the helical spring (2)
Implementation Method 3
a spring configured as a helical spring (2) associated with the relevant wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In a motor vehicle chassis, at least one wheel suspension, which comprises a spring (3) in the form of a coil spring (2), has associated therewith a hydraulic height adjustment device having a cylinder-piston arrangement (20) which acts on a base point (4) of the coil spring (2). The cylinder-piston arrangement (20) can be supplied by a decentral hydraulic aggregate (21) which is associated with the relevant wheel and comprises a storage container (19) for hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic pump (25) driven by an electric motor (22). At least the electric motor (22) of the hydraulic aggregate (21) is situated within the coil spring (2).