Integrated Drive Train Pump Housing for Flexible Hydraulic Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle drive train hydraulic systems face design limitations due to the need for high-pressure and low-pressure pumps, which often require separate housings and limited installation flexibility, especially when integrating with transmission housings.
Innovation Solution
A common pump arrangement housing mounts both a high-pressure pump driven by an internal combustion engine and a low-pressure pump driven by an electric motor, with a third pump optimized for lubrication and cooling, all integrated within a single housing that allows for flexible alignment and simplified installation within the drive train housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pumps are provided in separate housings, then each pump can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pumps (high-pressure pump, low-pressure pump, and lubrication/cooling pump) into a single common pump housing. This merging approach maintains the functional optimization of each pump while reducing overall device complexity and installation space requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability through optimization and device complexity through integration
2Device complexity
If pumps are pressed into housing walls, then a separate pump housing can be saved, but the pump arrangement freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump system by providing a separate common pump housing that contains all pumps, which is then mounted as a complete unit in the drive train housing. This segmentation allows the pump assembly to be designed with full arrangement freedom before installation, and the entire assembly can be easily replaced or upgraded without modifying the drive train housing, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common pump housing is used, then design freedom and installation flexibility are enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common pump housing is designed as a universal component that accommodates multiple different pump types (high-pressure, low-pressure, and lubrication/cooling pumps) with different functional requirements. The housing incorporates integrated fluid connections and mounting features that support all pump variants, enabling a single manufacturing process and tooling setup, thus resolving the contradiction between installation flexibility and manufacturing ease
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 configuration enhances design freedom, simplifies the drive train housing, optimizes pump performance for high-pressure and low-pressure applications, and enables easy replacement or upgrade of pump technologies without altering the drive train housing, while providing efficient hydraulic pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump (42) which has a suction port (S) and provides a pump pressure (P1) at a pressure port, which can be driven by a drive member (44) of a drive motor (12)
Implementation Method 2
a second pump (48) which has a suction port (S2) and provides a pump pressure (P2) at a pressure port, which can be driven by an electric motor (50)
Implementation Method 3
a third pump (52) which has a suction port (S3) and provides a pump pressure (P3) at a pressure port, which is optimized for lubrication and/or cooling
Implementation Method 4
a valve arrangement (34) which is connected to a pressure connection of the first pump (42) and to a pressure connection of the second pump (48), the valve arrangement (34) also having at least one hydraulic actuator for operating a drive train component (14, 16) connected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump arrangement (32) for a motor vehicle drive train (10), comprising: a first pump (42) designed to provide a first pump pressure (P1) sufficient to hydraulically actuate at least one drive train component (14, 16), the first pump (42) being connected to a drive member (44) designed to be driven by a drive motor (12) of the drive train (10); and a second pump (48) designed to provide a second pump pressure (P2), the second pump (48) being connectable to an electric motor (50). According to the invention, the first and the second pumps (42, 48) are secured to a common pump arrangement housing (46) designed to be mounted inside (88) a drive train housing (80).