Hydraulic Pump Coupling Chamber for Continuous Oil Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic pump assemblies in working vehicles face challenges with lubrication of rotatable couplings due to grease being pushed out under stress and gravity, especially in vertically oriented setups, and alternative torsional flexible couplings are expensive and require complex alignment.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic pump assembly with a rotatable coupling housed within a chamber that allows continuous lubrication via a flow passage for hydraulic oil, where the oil flows from the pump to the coupling, circumferentially enveloping it, and returns to the tank, ensuring consistent lubrication without additional structural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rotatable coupling with greased lubrication is used to connect the electric motor and hydraulic pump, then the coupling can accommodate direct mating and simple structure, but the grease is pushed out under stress and gravity during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydraulic oil flow system to lubricate the rotatable coupling. A flow passage is provided that allows hydraulic oil to flow from the hydraulic pump through the chamber containing the rotatable coupling, providing continuous lubrication. This replaces the inadequate grease lubrication with a hydraulic lubrication system that can maintain lubrication under the high stress and gravitational conditions of vertical operation.
2Reliability
If torsional flexible couplings are used instead of direct mated couplings, then the coupling can accommodate torsional vibrations and provide dry running, but the assembly becomes significantly more expensive and requires additional housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the hydraulic oil chamber serve multiple functions: it contains the rotatable coupling, provides lubrication through the flow passage, and accommodates the hydraulic oil flow from the pump. This eliminates the need for separate housing for the flexible coupling while maintaining torsional vibration accommodation capabilities through the hydraulic oil's damping effect.
3Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is mounted vertically above the hydraulic pump, then the assembly achieves compact vertical orientation, but gravity causes grease to flow out of the coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravity-dependent grease lubrication with a hydraulic oil flow system that actively delivers lubrication regardless of orientation. The flow passage is designed to channel hydraulic oil through the chamber containing the rotatable coupling, ensuring continuous lubrication even in vertical mounting configurations where gravity would cause grease to drain away from the coupling interfaces.
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 continuous lubrication of the rotatable coupling, enhancing durability and reducing wear, while maintaining a compact and efficient design, suitable for vehicles with irregular duty cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the chamber defines a flow passage for hydraulic oil for lubricating the rotatable coupling, the chamber comprising an inlet for receiving a flow of hydraulic oil from the pump and an outlet for exiting the flow of hydraulic oil to the exterior of the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic pump assembly includes an electric motor; a hydraulic pump driveably connected to the electric motor via a rotatable coupling; wherein the rotatable coupling includes a splined connection housed within a chamber comprising a chamber wall, wherein the chamber defines a flow passage for hydraulic oil for lubricating the rotatable coupling, the chamber includes an inlet for receiving a flow of hydraulic oil from the pump and an outlet for exiting the flow of hydraulic oil to the exterior of the chamber.