Hydraulic Module Assembly With Delivery Riser for Standstill Oil Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic modules for electric axles in sporty vehicles face challenges in ensuring timely oil supply to cool electric machines without delay, requiring complex components like check valves to prevent oil flow during standstill.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic module design featuring a delivery riser integrated with the pump housing, eliminating the need for check valves, and utilizing a geometrically simple component to maintain oil level during standstill, with a slim design to minimize installation space and enhance mechanical strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If check valves are used to prevent oil flow during standstill, then oil level stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil level stabilityVSAvoidcomponent complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the check valve component from the hydraulic system by using the delivery riser's geometric structure alone to prevent oil flow during standstill, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining oil level stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery riser structure itself provides the flow prevention function during standstill without requiring additional active components, making the system self-sufficient and simpler

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Volume of moving object

If a slim delivery riser is used to minimize installation space, then installation space is reduced, but mechanical strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery riser is formed as an integral part of the pump housing, creating a composite structure that combines the functions of the housing and delivery riser, providing both slim profile and sufficient mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery riser features a tapered geometry that narrows toward the top, optimizing space utilization while maintaining structural integrity through gradual shape transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If delivery outlet is positioned high to ensure oil level maintenance, then oil level stability is improved, but installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil level maintenanceVSAvoiddelivery riser height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery riser is oriented vertically to utilize the height dimension for oil level maintenance, allowing the pump to be positioned lower in the oil pan while still maintaining adequate oil level through the tall, narrow riser structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Ensures consistent oil supply to electric machines for cooling, reducing complexity and installation space requirements while maintaining mechanical integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic pump (36), an electric motor (18), and an electronics unit (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

with the delivery riser a geometrically very simple component is used to ensure that, during a standstill, the oil in the collecting container cannot drop below a specific level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

The electric machine is fed oil, in particular in order to cool the winding overhangs of the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4621189A1Hydraulic module and assembly having such a hydraulic module
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 VALEO EMBRAYAGES SAS
  • EP4621189A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621189A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621189A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Hydraulic module (10) for a drive unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a hydraulic pump (36), an electric motor (18), an electronics unit (16), a suction opening (52) formed on a pump housing (46) of the hydraulic pump (36), and a delivery outlet (54) located at the end of a delivery riser (56), which is formed on the side of the pump housing (46) remote from the suction opening (52). Assembly comprising an oil pan (2) and such a hydraulic module (10), whereby the connection socket (30) extends through a connection opening in the bottom of the oil pan (2) and the hydraulic module (10) is screwed to the bottom of the oil pan (2) such that the edge of the suction opening (52) is pressed against the bottom of the oil pan (2).