Removable Hydraulic Auxiliary Power Module for Municipal Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Municipal vehicles lack a reliable and efficient means to provide auxiliary power during emergency and disaster situations, as existing power take-off units are not designed to support versatile and portable power solutions.
Innovation Solution
A removably connectable auxiliary power module that utilizes a hydraulic motor driven by a vehicle's prime mover, integrated with a hydraulic circuit and an auxiliary device such as a generator, allowing for the use of existing vehicle hydraulic systems to output power during emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power take-off units are used to provide auxiliary power, then power can be transmitted to accessories, but the units are not designed to support versatile and portable power solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modular components: a portable auxiliary power module containing the generator and hydraulic motor, and a vehicle-mounted hydraulic pump system. This segmentation allows the power module to be easily attached and detached from different vehicles, providing versatility without requiring complex integrated power take-off units in each vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary power module is designed as a universal device that can be attached to any municipal vehicle with a hydraulic system. The same module can serve multiple functions across different vehicle types (refuse trucks, plows, salt spreaders), eliminating the need for vehicle-specific power take-off units and increasing overall system versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary power modules are removably connected to vehicles, then portability and versatility are improved, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connectors on the auxiliary power module are designed to integrate seamlessly with the vehicle's existing hydraulic system. The connectors combine mechanical attachment with hydraulic fluid coupling, ensuring that the removable connection maintains the same reliability as permanent connections while preserving portability.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized hydraulic connectors serve as intermediaries between the portable power module and various vehicle systems. These connectors ensure reliable fluid-tight connections while allowing easy attachment and detachment, bridging the gap between portability requirements and connection reliability needs.
3Quantity of substance
If existing hydraulic circuits are utilized to power auxiliary devices, then additional power sources are avoided, but the hydraulic system must be adequately sized to handle additional loads
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary power module draws hydraulic power dynamically from the vehicle's existing circuit only when needed. The hydraulic motor in the module activates only when external power is required, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual demand without requiring the hydraulic system to be permanently oversized for peak auxiliary loads.
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
Enables municipal vehicles to provide power for emergency devices like generators, sump pumps, and lighting by leveraging the vehicle's hydraulic system, enhancing their utility in crisis situations without requiring additional power sources.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump driven by the prime mover
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the second connector through a hydraulic circuit, and an auxiliary device mechanically driven by the hydraulic motor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an auxiliary power module removably connectable to a mobile platform, such as a municipal vehicle having a prime mover mounted thereon for powering the auxiliary power module. The auxiliary power module includes a connector configured to be fluidly connected to a connector on the vehicle, a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the connector through a hydraulic circuit, and an auxiliary device, such as a generator, mechanically driven by the hydraulic motor. When the auxiliary power module is connected to the municipal vehicle, the existing vehicle hydraulic circuit may be used with the auxiliary power module to provide output power from the generator during emergency and disaster situations.