Modular Hydraulic Pump Assembly Block Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of manufacturing hydraulic pump systems for vehicle assistance due to the requirement of specific tool equipment for integrating pumps with hydraulic connections into a single structural assembly.

Innovation Solution

The use of identical electric pump units connected via a simple, rigidly fixed assembly block with internal channels and valves, allowing for the connection of each pump directly to a low-pressure fluid source and high-pressure fluid user, reducing manufacturing and assembly costs by eliminating the need for complex integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pumps and hydraulic connections are integrated into a single structural unit, then system reliability and compactness are improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to specialized tooling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate modular components: individual pump assemblies with their own manifolds, and a common assembly block that receives multiple pumps. Each pump assembly can be manufactured independently using standard tooling, then assembled together. This segmentation eliminates the need for expensive specialized integration tooling while maintaining system reliability through modular connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly block serves as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple different pump types and configurations. The standardized connection interfaces allow the same assembly block design to work with various pump assemblies, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining system integrity.

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

2Volume of moving object

If pumps are integrated into a single structural unit, then space efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases requiring specialized manufacturing tooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidintegration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydraulic system is segmented into discrete pump assemblies that each contain their own integrated manifold and connections. These modular units are then mounted on a common assembly block, achieving compact space utilization without requiring complex integrated manufacturing tooling. The segmentation allows standard manufacturing processes to be used for each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each pump assembly contains nested components where the manifold is integrated with the pump housing, and multiple pump assemblies are nested together on the common assembly block. This nested arrangement achieves compact overall volume while keeping individual component complexity manageable and manufacturable with standard tooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 approach lowers the manufacturing and assembly costs by enabling the use of identical pump units with a straightforward assembly block, making the system more economical while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

hydraulic pump devices, in particular gear pumps, each driven by an electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

assembly block with internal channels and valves, allowing for the connection of each pump directly to a low-pressure fluid source and high-pressure fluid user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through channels:

Data Source

PatentEP3144472B1Arrangement of at least two hydraulic pump devices
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 JTEKT EUROPE SAS
  • EP3144472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144472B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3144472B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an arrangement of at least two hydraulic pump devices (7), including gear pumps, each driven by an electric motor (9) and connected via a manifold to a low-pressure hydraulic fluid source and a high-pressure hydraulic fluid user, such as a vehicle's driver assistance system. The arrangement is characterized in that each pump (7) with its drive motor (9) constitutes a self-contained electric pump unit with its own manifold (25), that the two units are identical, and that they are connected to the fluid source and the high-pressure fluid user by a single assembly block (15) mounted on the manifold (25) of both electric pump units. The arrangement is suitable for use in motor vehicles.