Modular Hydraulic Actuation Layout for Compact Vehicle Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic actuating systems for vehicles face challenges in achieving a compact, silent, and reliable design, particularly for electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems, with demands for reduced noise, increased safety, and high feedback control accuracy, while also requiring adaptability to different installation situations and vehicle platforms.
Innovation Solution
A modular hydraulic actuating system combining a pressure supply device, electromotive drive, transmission mechanism, and valve arrangement with an electrical control unit, allowing for electrical or hydraulic connection to other system components, including a travel simulator and redundant data lines for enhanced reliability and safety, with the ability to operate without a brake pedal and provide emergency braking functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the axis of the electric motor is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder-piston unit, then a compact structural form is achieved, but the adaptability to different installation situations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the relative orientation between the electric motor and cylinder-piston unit adjustable rather than fixed. The motor can be arranged at different angles (perpendicular or parallel) to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder-piston unit, allowing the system to adapt to various installation situations while maintaining compact dimensions. This dynamic reconfiguration capability resolves the contradiction between achieving compactness and maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug connectors are used for electrical functions and sensors, then the system functionality is complete, but the installation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrical connections into a single plug connector that provides both power supply and data communication between the actuating device and the control unit. This integrated connector design maintains complete system functionality (electrical functions and sensors) while dramatically simplifying installation by eliminating the need for multiple separate plug connectors and wiring harnesses.
3Length of stationary object
If the installation length of the system is reduced for crash safety, then the system compactness is improved, but the space for electrical connections and sensors is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by integrating the electrical connections, sensors, and control unit directly within or adjacent to the compact actuating device housing. The control unit is positioned to receive electrical signals and control the electric motor while maintaining the overall compact dimensions. This nested arrangement provides sufficient space for electrical connections and sensors without increasing the external installation length, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and connectivity space.
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 modular system achieves a compact, silent, and highly reliable operation with improved feedback control accuracy, adaptability, and increased safety, suitable for various vehicle types, including electric and autonomous driving systems, by integrating redundant components and flexible connectivity options.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure supply device (10) with a piston (11) for generating pressure changes in at least one hydraulic circuit (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
Implementation Method 2
an electromotor (16) with a rotor (22) for rotating the spindle (25)
Implementation Method 3
a valve arrangement (56) with at least one solenoid valve (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for a hydraulic actuating system, e.g., a motor vehicle brake, a clutch or a gear selector, may include the following components arranged in one housing, forming a main module: at least one pressure supply device driven by an electric motor drive, and a valve arrangement comprising at least one solenoid valve. The device may further include an electrical control unit (ECU) and valve output stages and sensors. The main module may be electrically and/or hydraulically connected to at least one further system component, which system component may include and actuating device and a travel simulator.