Modular Hydraulic Actuator Layout for Compact Quiet Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 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 that integrates a pressure supply device, electromotive drive, transmission mechanism, and valve arrangement with an electrical control unit, allowing for compact design, silent operation, and high reliability, with features like redundant data lines and solenoid valves for fail-safe operation, and the ability to connect to various system components either electrically or hydraulically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If assemblies are made compact to reduce installation space, then installation space requirement is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (hydraulic actuating system, electrical control unit, sensor systems, and mounting structure) into a single integrated assembly. This merging of functions into one compact unit reduces the overall installation space while managing device complexity through systematic integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: hydraulic actuation, electrical control, sensor monitoring, and structural mounting. This universal design allows a single compact assembly to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components, thereby reducing installation space without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug connectors are added for electrical functions and sensors, then functional capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrical connectors and sensor interfaces are merged into an integrated electrical control unit with unified mounting. This consolidation allows all electrical functions and sensors to be installed as a single assembly rather than requiring separate installation of multiple connectors, improving ease of operation while maintaining full functional capability.
3Reliability
If installation length is reduced for crash safety, then crash safety is improved, but adaptability to different installation situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly features an asymmetric design with the electric motor axis arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the piston-cylinder unit. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the installation length in the critical crash direction while providing mounting flexibility through strategically positioned attachment points that can accommodate various installation orientations and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The perpendicular arrangement of the motor axis relative to the piston-cylinder unit creates a three-dimensional optimization where the compact length in the crash direction coexists with extended dimensions in perpendicular directions, allowing adaptability to different mounting situations without compromising crash safety.
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 and silent operation, enhances reliability and safety with redundant components, and provides high feedback control accuracy, suitable for electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems, while minimizing noise transmission and maximizing adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
the electric motor (52) and an interposed transmission mechanism, in particular a recirculating-ball mechanism or trapezoidal spindle mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a first piston-cylinder unit (53, 56) which is actuated by the electric motor (52)
Implementation Method 3
a valve arrangement with at least one solenoid valve
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.