Pump Unit Conductor Element Sealing Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pump units for motor vehicle drive trains face challenges with cable-based connections between pressure sensors and electronic control systems, which are prone to damage and require complex sealing, leading to increased installation costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The use of inherently stable conductor elements with integrated seals, extending from the pressure sensor to the printed circuit board, which are rigid and can be easily inserted into receptacles, simplifying installation and providing protection against damage and environmental contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cable is used to connect the pressure sensor to the electronic control system, then the connection can be established, but the cable is exposed to damage risk and requires complex sealing and connection procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the conductor element with integrated seals into a single unified component. The seal is directly incorporated into the conductor element structure, eliminating the need for separate cable sealing procedures and connections. This merging of functions reduces installation complexity while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a cable extends outside the pump unit for connection, then the pressure sensor can be connected to the electronic control system, but the cable is exposed to environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection easeVSAvoidenvironmental exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor element is nested within the pump unit structure, passing through a leadthrough opening that is sealed by an integrated seal. This nesting approach protects the conductor element from environmental factors while maintaining electrical connectivity between the pressure sensor and electronic control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If multiple separate sealing components are used to protect the pressure sensor and electronic control system, then sealing coverage is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is integrated directly into the conductor element structure as a unified component rather than being a separate part. This merging reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying production while maintaining comprehensive sealing coverage at the leadthrough opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3623625B1Pump unit for providing a hydraulic pressure for actuating an actuator in the drive train of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 FTE AUTOMOTIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3623625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3623625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3623625B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a pump unit for providing a hydraulic pressure for actuating an actuator in the drive train of a motor vehicle, in particular a clutch actuator or gearbox actuator, with a pump (2) which has a pump housing (7) with at least one pressure outlet (20), a pressure sensor (5) which can sense the fluid pressure at the pressure outlet (20), and a printed circuit board (90), which is arranged in an electronic housing (8) and has an electronic control system (3), characterized in that an inherently stable conductor element (80) is provided which contains at least two electric conductors (82) which are encased with plastic (84), wherein the conductor element (80) extends from the pressure sensor (5) as far as the printed circuit board (90) and has at least one seal (96, 98, 100).