Reversing Fluid Pump for Dual Actuation and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid actuation systems for motor vehicle components like transmissions and clutches are complex and inefficient, particularly in utilizing fluid energy sources for both actuation and cooling, often requiring separate systems and components.
Innovation Solution
A fluid arrangement utilizing reversing fluid pumps that operate in both actuation and cooling directions, with an auxiliary pump and pressure accumulator, and check valves to manage pressure and flow, allowing for dual functionality in a compact space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fluid systems are used for actuation and cooling, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuation function and cooling function into a single integrated fluid system. The fluid pump serves dual purposes: providing pressurized fluid for actuating motor vehicle components (clutches, transmissions) and providing cooling fluid flow to thermal management components (heat exchangers, radiators). This merging eliminates the need for separate actuation and cooling systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional reliability through shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid pump is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both actuation and cooling functions. By making the pump universal, the system achieves versatility where a single component handles multiple critical tasks: pressurizing fluid for hydraulic actuators and simultaneously circulating cooling fluid through heat exchangers. This universality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring both actuation and cooling requirements are met.
2Device complexity
If a single fluid pump is used for both actuation and cooling, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid delivery system into distinct functional pathways with separate control mechanisms. The actuation pathway delivers pressurized fluid to hydraulic actuators for component engagement/disengagement, while the cooling pathway directs fluid to heat exchangers for thermal management. Check valves and control valves create independent flow paths that can operate autonomously, ensuring that a failure in one pathway does not compromise the other, thereby maintaining system reliability despite using a single pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces check valves and control valves as intermediary components that mediate between the single fluid pump and the different functional requirements. These intermediaries regulate and direct fluid flow to appropriate destinations based on system needs, providing isolation and control that protect the overall system reliability. The check valves prevent backflow and ensure proper flow direction, while control valves manage pressure and flow distribution to both actuation and cooling circuits independently.
3Use of energy by moving object
If reversing pump direction is used for cooling, then use of energy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pump operation where the pump can reverse its rotation direction based on real-time cooling requirements. The pump motor is designed to operate bidirectionally, allowing it to switch between forward rotation for actuation mode and reverse rotation for cooling mode. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize energy consumption by activating cooling only when thermally required, rather than running continuous cooling, while the control system manages the directional switching to maintain simplicity.
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
This solution simplifies the actuation and cooling of motor vehicle components by enabling a single fluid pump to perform both functions, optimizing space and energy efficiency, while maintaining consistent cooling fluid flow and preventing unwanted fluid return.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid energy source includes a fluid pump having a first transport direction, and having a second transport direction opposite the first transport direction in which the fluid pump provides a stream of fluid to cool the motor vehicle component
Implementation Method 2
In the first transport direction the fluid pump serves to actuate the clutch
Implementation Method 3
in the second transport direction, the fluid pump serves to cool the dual clutch
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid arrangement including apparatus and a method for fluid actuation of at least one motor vehicle drive train component, such as a transmission or a clutch. The fluid arrangement has at least one fluid actuation system and a fluid energy source. The fluid energy source includes a fluid pump having a first fluid transport direction for actuating the motor vehicle component, and having a second fluid transport direction that is opposite the first fluid transport direction and in which second fluid transport direction the fluid pump provides a stream of fluid to cool the motor vehicle component.