Flexible Motor-Pump Layout for Tight Vehicle Chassis Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active chassis systems for vehicles face challenges in accommodating electro-hydraulic machines due to limited installation space, especially when not considered during initial vehicle design, making it difficult to integrate optional features like active suspension systems.
Innovation Solution
A motor-pump system comprising a motor-pump group with a hydraulic pump and electric motor, an electronic unit for control, and a supply line connecting them, housed in separate enclosures to create a compact and flexible setup that can be easily integrated into tight spaces, allowing for adaptable installation and reduced electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electro-hydraulic machine is designed as a compact motor-pump unit with integrated electronics, then the device complexity is reduced and space is optimized, but the installation flexibility is limited when installation space was not reserved during initial vehicle design
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-hydraulic machine is divided into separate functional modules: the motor-pump group in a first housing and the electronics unit in a second housing. These modular units can be independently positioned and installed in available spaces within the vehicle chassis, providing installation flexibility while maintaining compactness of each individual module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by allowing the first and second housings to be positioned at different locations within the vehicle chassis rather than requiring a single integrated unit. The supply line connects these spatially separated modules, enabling installation in three-dimensional space wherever suitable locations exist.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the motor-pump group and electronics unit are housed in separate enclosures, then the installation flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional housing and connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional housings that can be independently manufactured, tested, and installed. This modular approach simplifies the manufacturing process for each housing while providing installation flexibility, as each module can be produced separately and assembled in the vehicle based on available space.
3Ease of manufacture
If the electronics unit and motor-pump group are integrated in a single housing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but electromagnetic interference issues arise and installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electronics unit is extracted from the motor-pump group and placed in a separate second housing. This physical separation removes the source of electromagnetic interference (the electronics) from proximity to the motor-pump components, eliminating electromagnetic compatibility issues while still allowing for simplified manufacturing of each individual housing.
Solution Approach 2:
A supply line acts as an intermediary connection between the first housing (motor-pump group) and the second housing (electronics unit). This separate connection pathway allows the two functional groups to remain physically separated for electromagnetic compatibility while maintaining functional integration through the supply line.
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 solution provides a flexible and compact hydraulic energy management system that can be easily integrated into vehicles, enhancing installation space utilization and reducing electromagnetic compatibility issues, thus enabling efficient operation of active suspension systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor or electric motor generator for driving the hydraulic pump
Implementation Method 2
The pump and the electric motor form a common, compact unit... convert electrical energy into hydraulic energy
Implementation Method 3
can also act as an electric generator or electric motor generator (regeneration mode)... feed electrical energy recovered through recuperation back into the vehicle's electrical system
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for providing hydraulic energy, in particular in a chassis system (50) of a vehicle, comprising - at least one motor-pump group (21a) and - an electronic unit (11a) for controlling the motor-pump group, wherein the motor-pump group is arranged in a motor-pump housing (21) which forms a motor-pump enclosure (20) or is part of a motor-pump enclosure, wherein the electronic unit is arranged in an electronic unit housing (11) which forms an electronic unit enclosure (10) or is part of an electronic unit enclosure, and wherein the electronic unit and the motor-pump group are electrically connected via a supply line (30).