Hydraulic Piston Arrangement for Motor Speed Selector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive assemblies face challenges in transitioning motor speed and torque modes due to the significant force required, which is difficult to manage in limited space, especially when using hydraulic motors in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A drive assembly with a piston arrangement that aggregates hydraulic pressure to actuate a motor speed/torque selector mechanism, utilizing multiple pistons in a common bore to increase force without increasing the piston bore diameter, thereby enabling efficient motor speed and torque selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single large-diameter piston is used to generate sufficient force, then the force output is adequate, but the space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single large-diameter piston is segmented into multiple smaller-diameter pistons (first piston and second piston) arranged in series within the same bore. Each piston has a smaller cross-sectional area, but their forces aggregate to provide the required total force, eliminating the need for a large-diameter single piston while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pistons are combined within a common bore, with their individual forces merged through mechanical coupling (piston rod connecting first piston to second piston). This aggregation of forces from multiple smaller pistons achieves the same total force output as a single large piston would require, but with reduced space requirements.
2Force
If robust actuating mechanisms are used to provide sufficient force for mode transitions, then the force requirement is met, but the mechanism complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-piston actuator mechanism serves multiple functions: it generates the required actuating force, maintains compact dimensions for tight packaging, and provides a scalable solution for different force requirements. The same basic piston-aggregation concept can be applied across different actuator sizes and configurations, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first piston and second piston are nested within the same bore, with the first piston positioned axially adjacent to the second piston. This nested arrangement allows both pistons to occupy the same radial space, minimizing the overall volume of the actuator while providing aggregated force output.
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 allows for consistent and reliable motor speed and torque selection with increased force output, maintaining compactness and efficiency in drive assemblies, particularly in vehicles with limited space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator has first and second pistons each disposed in the housing for movement by hydraulic pressure
Implementation Method 2
The second piston is arranged in contact with the first piston and configured to aggregate and transfer forces from hydraulic movement of the first piston and the second piston
Data Source
AI summary
A drive assembly includes a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism, at least in part contained in the housing, is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. An actuator, at least in part contained in the housing, is arranged to move the selector mechanism into one of the plurality of orientations. The actuator has first and second pistons each disposed in a piston chamber of the housing for movement by hydraulic pressure. The second piston is arranged in contact with the first piston and configured to aggregate and transfer forces from hydraulic movement of the first piston and the second piston to move the selector mechanism.