FR3037364A1 - INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF HYDRAULIC PUMP MODULES - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular hydraulic pump for a motor vehicle comprises elements making it possible to vary together the external dimensions of the pump and its displacement to modify the flow of fluid passing through it. The pump is constituted by at least one unitary module (10), each having an external size and a constant displacement and each comprising means for stacking it with another identical unitary module (10) to create a fluidic association in parallel with two unitary modules (10) thus stacked for the fluid passing through the pump, an inlet (11) and an outlet (12) of the unitary module (10) for the fluid intended to flow through the pump, and circulation means (13) fluid through the unitary module of the inlet (11) to the outlet (14) of the unitary module (10); the control of each of the modules being independent of the other modules with which it is stacked.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a modular hydraulic pump for a motor vehicle formed by hydraulic pump modules. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a modular hydraulic pump. State of the art The engines are more and more compact and the space requirements of the neighboring parts of the hydraulic pump are important, especially in the engine compartment. Thus, the rotating parts such as a crankshaft and connecting rods do not optimize the suction and discharge of a hydraulic pump. For the assembly of the pump on the lower part of the motor, it is also necessary to provide fixing screws and associated bosses. These can be of great height to ensure the passage of screwing machines for fixing the hydraulic pump without penalizing the shapes of the parts dedicated to the suction and discharge of the fluid passing through the pump. Currently, the boundary of the hydraulic pump is defined mainly by the pump body which encloses the rotor and the cavity for the positioning of the rotor and for the circulation of the fluid passing through the pump, and by the cover fixed to the pump body. This boundary defines a size too large to be applicable transversely on a plurality of different types of engines.

It is currently necessary to create a wide variety of hydraulic pumps in order to adapt them to each type of engine. This results in design, manufacturing and management cost issues and organizational complexity in the face of this lack of standardization. In addition, the pumps known in the state of the art of large size 5 comprise different means to ensure a variable flow. The consumption of the pump is then important and, said means are generally sophisticated. WO-A1-2014198322 discloses a vane pump attached to a variable-rate rotational shaft comprising a fluid-filled control chamber for radially pushing the rotation shaft between a maximum flow position and a flow position. minimum flow. Said control chamber has for this purpose an inlet port and an exhaust port of said fluid.

A disadvantage is that the minimum and maximum flow rates are a function of the pump and in particular of its displacement. However, not all engine components require the same level of cooling or lubrication. It is then necessary to set up a pump satisfying the greatest need for flow, which affects the consumption of said motor and possibly increases the size of the pump. Another disadvantage is that said pump comprises a sophisticated control system.

Another disadvantage is a difficult mastery of pump flow. These problems, although concerning the particular case of the oil pump, may also affect other types of hydraulic pumps such as a coolant pump or a power steering pump or a fuel pump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a modular hydraulic pump that overcomes the disadvantages listed above.

This object is achieved by means of a modular hydraulic pump for a motor vehicle, in particular a modular pump for a lubricating fluid for a motor vehicle engine, comprising elements making it possible to vary together the external dimensions of the pump and its displacement to modify The flow rate of fluid passing therethrough, the pump being constituted by at least two unitary modules (10), each module comprising: means for stacking it with another identical unitary module (10) to create a fluidic association parallel of the unitary modules (10) thus stacked for the fluid passing through the pump, 15 - having an external size and a constant displacement and an inlet (11) and an outlet (12) of the unitary module (10) for the fluid intended to circulate through the pump, and fluid circulation means (13) through the unitary module of the inlet (11) to the outlet (14) of the unitary module (10), 20c characterized in that each of the unit modules comprises control control means independent of the other modules of the flow rate of said module. Advantageously, the hydraulic pump is formed of at least two unit modules stacked with each other, each of said unitary modules comprising means for stacking said modules to form the fluidic association and means for placing in circulation of the fluid through the unitary module and having an external size and a constant displacement and each of the modules comprises a control independent control means to follow as closely as possible the oil requirement of the motor elements.

According to a particular embodiment, two unit modules stacked with each other comprise separate discharge zones for separately discharging the fluid that passes through them and separate or common suction zones to admit the fluid intended for them. to cross in each of them.

Each unitary module may comprise a pump body delimiting a cavity together with a lid attached to said pump body and closing the cavity, and in which there is arranged a rotor belonging to the fluid circulation means of the corresponding unitary module.

The rotor may be rotatably mounted in a ring having a translational capability in the pump body, perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor, under the effect of a control pressure and a pilot pressure within the pump body respectively on either side of the ring in its direction of translation. According to a particular embodiment, two unit modules stacked with each other ensure a positioning of the two unit modules offset relative to each other in a stacking direction coinciding with the axis 20 of common rotation. of the two rotors of these two stacked unit modules. The rotor of each unitary module may comprise an individual drive shaft and the two individual drive shafts of two unitary modules stacked with each other are integral with each other in rotation, in particular via a mechanical connection allowing the fitting of a drive shaft of a unitary module with the drive shaft of the unitary module in the stacked state, in order to ensure the joint rotation drive of the two rotors of these two unitary modules so stacked.

Preferably, the modular hydraulic pump comprises a drive shaft common to two unitary modules stacked together and traversing their two rotors together to ensure at the same time the rotational drive. The shapes of the pump bodies and covers of two unit modules 5 stacked with each other are preferably configured so as to nest and position themselves relative to each other in the stacked state of the two unit modules. In another embodiment, each unitary module is connected to a solenoid valve optimizing the operation of the modular hydraulic pump. According to one embodiment, the solenoid valve may be common to the different unit modules stacked with each other which all have identical control parameters adjusted by said solenoid valve.

Alternatively, the modular hydraulic pump preferably comprises a respective solenoid valve associated with each unitary module and the unitary modules stacked with each other have different control parameters from one unitary module to the other adjusted separately by the respective solenoid valves. . Advantageously, each of the unit modules comprises a control chamber and a control chamber, each of said chambers being hydraulically connected to a hydraulic circuit of the engine in order to control the flow of fluid as close as possible to the needs of the engine components for the lubricating and or cooling said engine. According to one embodiment, each of the pilots of the stacked unit modules is independent of the control chambers of said other stacked unit modules in order to ensure a flow of fluid at the pump outlet as close as possible to the needs of the various elements of the engine. .

Likewise, each of the control chambers of the stacked unit modules is independent of the control chambers of said other stacked unit modules in order to ensure the finest possible control of the fluid flow rate by the modular pump.

According to one embodiment, the unit modules are stacked with each other in a pump housing comprising a lid connected with a fluid reservoir of the motor. Said cover comprises filtering means for filtering the inlet fluid for all unit modules which minimizes the weight of the modular hydraulic pump. A motor vehicle will preferably include such a modular hydraulic pump. According to a particular embodiment in which the vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, the hydraulic pump can be adjustable modulable pump for a lubricant fluid ensuring the circulation of the lubricating fluid in the internal combustion engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features will become more clearly apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given by way of nonlimiting example and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a unitary module of an example of a modular hydraulic pump according to the invention, the cover being respectively absent and present; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two stacked unit modules; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unitary module, the cover 30 being present, without the discharge and intake zones, FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective and front views respectively of two modules. stacked units, without the discharge and intake zones. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of two unit modules comprising a control duct and a control duct. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The invention, which will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, appended, relates generally to a modular hydraulic pump for a motor vehicle, comprising elements making it possible to vary together the external dimensions of the vehicle. pump and its displacement to modify the flow of fluid passing through it. In order to constitute such elements making it possible to vary simultaneously its external dimensions and its cubic capacity, the hydraulic modular pump 15 is constituted by at least one unitary module 10, in particular a plurality of such unit modules 10, each having an external size and a constant displacement. Each unitary module 10 comprises: means for stacking it with another identical unitary module 20 to create a fluidic association in parallel of the two unitary modules 10 thus stacked for the fluid passing through the pump, an inlet 11 and an outlet 12 of the unitary module 10 for the fluid intended to flow through the pump, and means 13 for circulating the fluid through the unitary module 10 of the inlet 11 to the outlet 12 of the unitary module 10. It may in particular it is a modular pump for lubricating fluid for a motor vehicle engine, especially for oil providing the lubrication function of this engine.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a modular hydraulic pump. In particular, but not exclusively, it may be a motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and in which the modular hydraulic pump is a modulable pump for a lubricating fluid ensuring the circulation of the lubricating fluid, such as oil, in this internal combustion engine.

The solution presented here makes it possible to define a new technical perimeter of the function related to the modular hydraulic pump just needed to reduce its size and succeed in developing a standardization of hydraulic pumps. The improvement lies in the dimensioning of the unitary module 10 at most just to facilitate its implementation. The choice of the number of unit modules 10 stacked to each other is a function of the hydraulic requirements, for example the flow rate of fluid intended to flow through the pump, but also of the overall size of the pump that is admissible in the face of the stresses of the pump. immediate environment of the pump within the engine compartment. The multiplication of the number of stacked unit modules 10 to one another makes it possible to vary, as required, the displacement of the hydraulic pump, which advantageously has a modular character by selecting the number of unit modules 10 stacked together within the hydraulic pump.

The different unit modules 10 used and stacked with each other within the modular hydraulic pump are all identical for reasons of standardization and ease of organization and management.

It is taken care of dimensioning the unitary module 10 as closely as possible with respect to the application constraints of the reduced-size engines, which is the current trend in the automotive field. Each unitary module 10 comprises a discharge zone 14 ensuring the circulation of the fluid passing through the unitary module from the circulation means 13 to the outlet 12. The discharge zone 14 comprises a first end in fluid communication with the delivery means. In particular, the outlet 12 may be constituted by this second end of the discharge zone 14, which may take the form of a simple opening.

Each unitary module 10 also comprises a suction zone 15 ensuring the circulation of the fluid passing through the unitary module from the inlet 11 to the circulation means 13. The suction zone 15 comprises a first end in fluid communication. with the circulating means 13 and a second end in fluid communication with the inlet 11. In particular, the inlet 11 may be constituted by this second end of the suction zone 15, which may take the form of a simple opening.

According to one embodiment, two unit modules 10 stacked with each other comprise separate discharge zones 14 for separately discharging the fluid passing through them and separate or common suction zones 15 for admitting the fluid intended for to cross them in each of them.

Each unitary module 10 comprises a pump body 16 defining a cavity together with a lid 17 secured to the pump body 16 and closing the cavity. A rotor 18 belonging to the circulation means 13 of the fluid of the corresponding unitary module 10 is disposed in the cavity. The lid 17 is fixed to the pump body 16 by any suitable means after the placing of the circulation means 13 in the cavity. According to one embodiment, the rotor 18 is rotatably mounted in a ring 19 having a possibility of translation in the pump body 16, perpendicular to the axis of rotation X of the rotor, under the effect of a pressure of 30.degree. control 20 and a pilot pressure 21 within the pump body 16 respectively on either side of the ring 19 in the direction of translation Y.

Without limitation as to the freedom of spatial orientation of the direction according to which the unit modules 10 can be stacked, the embodiment as illustrated provides that two unit modules 10 stacked with each other 5 provide a positioning of the two unit modules 10 offset with respect to each other in a stacking direction coinciding with the common axis of rotation X of the two rotors 18 of these two stacked unit modules 10. This has the effect of allowing an abutment of the rotors 18 of these two unit modules 10 if necessary.

In a first variant of the invention, the rotor 18 of each unitary module 10 comprises an individual drive shaft 22. The two individual drive shafts 22 of two unit modules stacked with each other are integral with each other in rotation, in particular by means of a mechanical link allowing the engagement of a drive shaft 22. a unitary module 10 with the drive shaft 22 of the unitary module 10 in the stacked state, to ensure the rotational drive jointly two rotors 18 of these two unit modules 10 and stacked.

Alternatively or in combination, not shown, a second variant of the invention provides that the modular hydraulic pump comprises a drive shaft common to two unit modules 10 stacked together and crossing their two rotors together. 18 to ensure at the same time the training in rotation.

It is understood that the circulation means 13 consists of the assembly formed by the ring 19, the rotor 18, the drive shaft 22, the control pressure 20 and the pilot pressure 21.

According to FIG. 7, according to one embodiment, said unitary ring 19 is slidably movable along a sliding axis orthogonal to its axis of rotation X between an extreme position for a minimum flow rate and an extreme position for a maximum flow rate. . Said ring 19 is extended along the axis of sliding in a first direction by a control wall 34 adapted to seal a pilot chamber 30 and in the opposite direction to the first direction by a control wall 35 sealingly closing. a control chamber 31.The control wall is substantially orthogonal to the sliding axis and is slidable in the control chamber 30 under the effect of the pilot pressure and thus to modify the volume of said chamber 30 .

Said pilot chamber is connected by a control duct 32 to a fluid circuit of the engine (not shown). Similarly, the control chamber 31 is connected to an engine fluid circuit by a control conduit 33. Preferably, the shapes of the pump bodies 16 and lids 17 of two unit modules 10 stacked with each other are configured so as to nest and position themselves relative to each other in the stacked state of the two unit modules 10. Each unit module 10 is fluidly connected to a solenoid valve (not shown) optimizing the operation of the pump modular hydraulics.

In a first variant of the invention, the solenoid valve is common to the different unit modules 10 stacked with each other which all have identical control parameters adjusted by this solenoid valve. Alternatively or in combination, a second variant of the invention provides that the modular hydraulic pump comprises a respective solenoid valve associated with each unit module 10. The unit modules 10 stacked with each other then have control parameters 15 20 3037364 12 different from a unit module 10 to the other, adjusted separately by the respective solenoid valves. According to FIG. 7, the solenoid valve (not shown) is connected by the control duct 32 opening into a control chamber 30 of the unitary module. Fluid will be introduced into the control chamber 30 and the pressure generated by the fluid in said chamber will press on the control wall 34 of the ring 19 to push said ring in a first direction of fluid flow increase.

In the same way, fluid is also fed into the control chamber 31 and the generated fluid pressure will press on the control wall 35 of the ring to push the ring 19 in the opposite direction to the first direction.

The control chamber 30 of each unit module 10 is independent of the control chambers 30 of the other modules with which it is stacked to allow fine control of the fluid flow rate in the discharge zone of the unitary module.

Likewise, the control chamber 31 of each elementary module 10 is independent of the control chambers of the other modules with which it is stacked.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the modulating hydraulic pump is housed in a pump casing comprising a cover 36 connected to a fluid reservoir (not shown) and a body 37 surrounding the discharge zones 14 of the unitary modules. , the body 37 preferably comprises a complementary contact sidewalk (not shown) at a contact sidewalk (not shown) of the cover 36 to allow sealing of the cover 36 on the body 37 and completely surround the hydraulic pump.

Preferably, the cover 36 comprises a filtering means, for example a strainer (not shown) orthogonal to the flow direction of the pumped fluid to filter the inlet fluid for all stacked unit modules. Said lid 36 may be derived from the plastic molding. The filtering common to the unit modules and the plastic cover allow to significantly reduce the weight of the pump.

The advantages of the previously described solution are; a standardization of hydraulic pumps vis-à-vis the various engines to be equipped, in particular in the context of a small engine, a transversal application on a plurality of different types of engines, a better implementation of the function of the hydraulic pump - A possibility of precise adaptation of the size of the displacement of the hydraulic pump in order to adapt it to the specific needs of each engine. - A possibility of flow to the fairest need by the engine elements and therefore a lower consumption of the engine. - A decrease in the weight of the pump and therefore a lower consumption of the engine. The objective is achieved: with a stack of unit modules comprising an independent control of each of said modules, a pump is obtained that meets the needs of cooling or lubrication of the various elements of the engine, thereby reducing the energy consumption.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above and those skilled in the art will then make modifications necessary for use in conjunction with the invention.

For example, it will be possible to stack unit modules having different displacements, each of said unit modules including a drive control means independent of the other unit modules, in order to obtain a better match between the performances of the pump thus composed and the needs of the various elements of the engine.

Claims (7)

REVENDICATIONS1. Modular hydraulic pump for a motor vehicle, in particular a modular pump for a lubricating fluid for a motor vehicle engine, comprising elements making it possible to vary together the external dimensions of the pump and its displacement to modify the flow rate of fluid passing through it, the pump being constituted by at least two unitary modules (10), each module comprising - means for stacking it with another identical unitary module (10) to create a fluidic association in parallel of the unitary modules (10) thus stacked for the fluid passing through the pump, having a constant outer space and a constant displacement and an inlet (11) and an outlet (12) of the unitary module (10) for the fluid intended to flow through the pump, and circulation means (13). ) of the fluid through the unitary module of the input (11) to the output (14) of the unitary module (10), characterized in that each of the unit modules comprises e control control means (40) independent of the other unitary modules (10) of the flow rate of said module. 2. A modular hydraulic pump according to claim 1, each unitary module comprising: - a pump body (16) delimiting a cavity together with a lid (17) fixed to said pump body (16) and closing the cavity, and in which it is disposed a rotor (18) belonging to the circulation means (13) of the fluid of the unitary unit (10) corresponding, said rotor (18) is rotatably mounted in a ring (19) having a possibility of translation in the body of pump (16), perpendicular to the axis of rotation (X) of the rotor (18), under the effect of a control pressure (20) and a pilot pressure (21) within the pump body (16) respectively on either side of the ring (19) in its direction of translation (Y), characterized in that each module comprises a control chamber (30) independent of the control chamber (30). ) of the other modules (10) with which it is stacked. 3. Modular hydraulic pump according to claim 2, characterized in that each module comprises a control chamber (31) independent of the control chamber (31) of the other modules with which it is stacked 10 Modular hydraulic pump according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the control chamber (30) of a module is connected hydraulically to a fluid circuit of the engine. 5. Modular hydraulic pump according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control chamber (31) of a module is hydraulically connected to a fluid circuit of the engine. 6. A modular hydraulic pump according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said pump is housed in a housing, comprising a cover (36) comprising a filtering means for filtering the inlet fluid for all the unit modules ( 10). 7. Internal combustion engine equipped with a hydraulic fluid pump according to one of claims 1 to 6. 25