Adaptive variable blade for coolant circulation pump and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to an adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump and a preparation method thereof. The adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump comprises a hard mounting portion and a composite blade portion, wherein the hard mounting portion is used to mount the composite blade portion; the composite blade portion comprises an adaptive part, a hard reinforcement part and a silicone coating part, wherein the adaptive part and the hard reinforcement part are stacked and coated inside the silicone coating part, and the adaptive part and the hard reinforcement part are respectively located at the concave end or the convex end in the thickness direction of the composite blade portion; the silicone coating part is connected to the hard mounting portion; the adaptive part can change the angle of the composite blade portion under external temperature stimulation. The present application has the effect of making the coolant circulation pump for an automobile engine have temperature adaptability and improving the cooling efficiency of the coolant circulation pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of cooling pumps, and in particular to an adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The car engine drives the water pump's main shaft and flywheel via a pulley. The coolant in the circulating pump is driven by the flywheel and, under centrifugal force, is flung toward the edge of the circulating pump housing, generating a certain amount of pressure before flowing out of the outlet or pipe. The pressure at the center of the flywheel drops as the coolant is flung out. The pressure differential between the circulating pump's inlet and the center of the impeller causes the coolant in the water tank to be drawn into the impeller through the pipe, completing the reciprocating coolant cycle.

[0003] Ethylene glycol, a common coolant used in automotive engines, has a viscosity that varies with temperature. When the coolant temperature is low, the viscosity is higher, resulting in slower flow at the same operating pressure, leading to lower cooling efficiency at low temperatures. As the coolant temperature increases during operation, the viscosity gradually decreases, increasing flow at the same operating pressure and improving cooling efficiency. However, conventional circulating cooling pumps have a fixed flywheel structure and are designed for the coolant's optimal operating temperature. This results in maximum cooling efficiency only when the coolant reaches the operating temperature (65°C), regardless of cooling efficiency at other temperatures. However, in reality, achieving ideal vehicle temperatures is often difficult, and temperature fluctuations are complex, necessitating a circulating cooling pump that can adapt to ambient temperature.

[0004] A centrifugal pump with an adaptive pump stage is disclosed in the related art, including an adaptive impeller, an adaptive diffuser, or both. The adaptability can be achieved through adaptive materials that modify their geometry in response to external stimuli to modify fluid flow through the centrifugal pump. The external stimuli include at least one of stress, temperature, humidity, pH, electric field, or magnetic field. The adaptive materials include at least one of piezoelectric materials, magnetostrictive materials, shape memory alloys, shape memory polymers, pH-sensitive polymers, temperature-sensitive polymers, magnetorheological fluids, electroactive polymers, thermoelectric materials, and other adaptive materials. The adaptability allows the pump curve of the pump to be adjusted to better adapt to changing process conditions and better respond to changes in fluid density. The process conditions include optimal power efficiency for a wide operating range.

[0005] Regarding the above-mentioned related technologies, the inventors believe that the impellers in the related technologies have poor actual performance when applied to automobile engine circulation pumps. In actual applications, it is difficult to achieve the application effect of adaptively adapting to the ambient temperature to adjust the coolant flow rate. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to improve the cooling efficiency of a coolant circulation pump for an automobile engine, the present application provides an adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump and a preparation method thereof.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides an adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] An adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump includes a rigid mounting portion and a composite blade portion, wherein the rigid mounting portion is used to mount the composite blade portion; the composite blade portion includes an adaptive member, a rigid reinforcement member, and a silicone sheathing member, wherein the adaptive member and the rigid reinforcement member are stacked and encased within the silicone sheathing member; the silicone sheathing member is connected to the rigid mounting portion; the adaptive member can increase or decrease the bending angle of the composite blade portion in response to external temperature stimulation;

[0009] The length of the adaptive part is 1 / 4-3 / 4 of the length of the composite blade part; the aspect ratio of the adaptive part is 4:1-1:1; in the length direction of the composite blade part, the spacing between the hard mounting parts of the adaptive part is not less than 1 / 4 of the length of the composite blade part.

[0010] Preferably, under external temperature stimulation, the composite blade portion can be located in the first state, or the second state, or any position between the first state and the second state.

[0011] Preferably, in the second state, the composite blade portion is in an optimal state at an optimal operating temperature of the coolant; and an angle between the first state and the second state is not less than 20°.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the hard reinforcement provides strength support for the composite blade portion, ensuring the stability of the mechanical properties and application state of the blade; under the stimulation of external temperature, the adaptive part generates a bending moment, driving the bending angle of the composite blade portion to increase or decrease, so that the composite blade portion is located in the first state, the second state or any position between the first state and the second state, so as to adjust the coolant flow rate of the coolant circulation pump, and ensure that the coolant circulation pump has a high cooling efficiency under different external temperatures.

[0013] In the prior art, impeller blades are mostly made of steel, and the deflection angle at the end closest to the central axis is limited. Therefore, an adaptive member is often located at the end of the impeller blade away from the central axis to increase or decrease the outer edge angle of the impeller blade. In the present invention, a silicone sheath is used to cover the adaptive member and the rigid reinforcement. The composite blade portion is connected to the rigid mounting portion via the silicone sheath. The silicone material combines hardness and toughness, allowing the inner edge of the composite blade portion near the rigid mounting portion to have a certain deflection angle. Therefore, while ensuring that the adaptive member can generate a large effective bending moment when stimulated by external temperature, the distance between the adaptive member and the rigid mounting portion can be as short as 1 / 4 of the composite blade length and as long as 3 / 4 of the composite blade length. Furthermore, due to the excellent mechanical transmission properties and high toughness of silicone material, the adaptive member can be as short as 1 / 4 of the composite blade length. Furthermore, to ensure sufficient bending moment to drive the increase or decrease of the composite blade portion's bending angle, the aspect ratio of the adaptive member is between 1:1 and 4:1.

[0014] Preferably, the adaptive component and the hard reinforcement component are respectively located at the concave end or the convex end in the thickness direction of the composite blade portion.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the adaptive member is eccentrically placed near the concave end or convex end in the thickness direction, so that the adaptive member can generate a larger bending moment when stimulated by external temperature, and more effectively change the bending angle of the composite blade portion.

[0016] Preferably, the adaptive component is a shape memory sheet made of NiTi memory alloy; the adaptive component is located at the concave end of the composite blade portion in the thickness direction, and the hard reinforcement component is located at the convex end of the composite blade portion in the thickness direction.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the shape memory sheet made of NiTi memory alloy is soft in the cooling state, the single composite blade portion is in the first state under the support of the hard reinforcement member, the angle between the two adjacent composite blade portions in the coolant circulation pump is large, the flow rate of coolant through the circulation pump is large, so that the coolant circulation pump in the cooling state has a high cooling efficiency; as the temperature rises to the phase transition temperature of the NiTi memory alloy, the shape memory sheet produces contraction deformation, the bending angle of the single composite blade portion increases and is adjusted to the second state, and the angle between the two adjacent composite blade portions in the coolant circulation pump decreases, so as to ensure that the circulation pump has the best cooling efficiency under the optimal working temperature state;

[0018] The shape memory sheet is placed at the concave end of the composite blade portion in the thickness direction, so that the bending moment generated by the memory alloy sheet when the temperature rises can more effectively drive the increase of the bending angle of the composite blade portion; the hard reinforcement is placed at the convex end of the composite blade portion in the thickness direction, and the rebound force generated by the hard reinforcement after cooling can more effectively drive the composite blade portion to recover to a state with a smaller bending angle.

[0019] Preferably, the phase change temperature of the shape memory sheet is: Af<60℃, Mf>30℃.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the optimal working temperature of the coolant ethylene glycol, i.e. 65°C, can be adapted.

[0021] Preferably, the thickness of the composite blade is 2-3 mm, the thickness of the adaptive member is 0.5-1.5 mm, and the thickness of the hard reinforcement member is 0.3-1 mm.

[0022] Preferably, the thickness of the adaptive part can be selected according to the working pressure of the coolant circulation pump, and the working pressure of the coolant circulation pump and the thickness of the adaptive part can be selected from one of the following combinations: the maximum working pressure of the coolant circulation pump is 0.8Mpa, and the thickness of the adaptive part is 0.5mm; or, the maximum working pressure of the coolant circulation pump is 1.2Mpa, and the thickness of the adaptive part is 0.8mm; or, the maximum working pressure of the coolant circulation pump is 1.8Mpa, and the thickness of the adaptive part is 1-1.5mm.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the coolant circulation pump is ensured to have better cooling efficiency and application stability.

[0024] Preferably, the rigid reinforcement is a plurality of evenly distributed long fiber glass fibers.

[0025] Preferably, the rigid reinforcement is a glass fiber mesh.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, the hard reinforcement is made of glass fiber, which has excellent mechanical strength and elastic properties, and is lighter in weight under the same mechanical performance conditions. In addition, the glass fiber and silicone have good compatibility, which is conducive to making the composite blade part have better application stability.

[0027] Preferably, the silica gel coating is made of PDMS.

[0028] By adopting the above technical solution, the PDMS material has excellent mechanical properties, good hardness, high toughness, heat resistance, cold resistance, and good chemical stability. The use of PDMA material helps to ensure that the composite blade part has good application stability and service life.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for preparing adaptive variable blades for a coolant circulation pump, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0030] A method for preparing adaptive variable blades for a coolant circulation pump comprises the following steps:

[0031] The adaptive part is placed in mold 1, and silicone is injected to obtain the adaptive layer after molding;

[0032] The hard reinforcement member is placed in the second mold, and silicone is injected to obtain a reinforcement layer after molding;

[0033] The adaptive layer and the reinforcing layer are stacked and placed in the third mold, and silicone is injected to form a composite blade portion;

[0034] The composite blade portion is connected to the hard mounting portion by nested injection molding to obtain an adaptive variable blade.

[0035] By adopting the above technical solution, the adaptive parts and hard reinforcement parts are preliminarily coated with silicone and then cast into shape, which helps to reduce the position errors of the adaptive parts and hard reinforcement parts and ensure stable blade performance.

[0036] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0037] 1. The rigid reinforcement provides strength support for the composite blade, ensuring stable mechanical properties and application conditions of the blade. Under external temperature stimulation, the adaptive member generates a bending moment, driving the bending angle of the composite blade to increase or decrease, placing the composite blade in a first state, a second state, or any position between the first and second states. This adjusts the coolant flow rate of the coolant circulation pump, ensuring high cooling efficiency of the coolant circulation pump under different external temperatures.

[0038] 2. The shape memory sheet made of NiTi memory alloy is soft in the cooling state. The composite blade portion is in the first state under the action of the hard reinforcement. The angle between two adjacent composite blade portions in the coolant circulation pump is large, and the flow rate of coolant through the circulation pump is large, so that the coolant circulation pump in the cooling state has a higher cooling efficiency; as the temperature rises to the phase transition temperature of the NiTi memory alloy, the shape memory sheet contracts and transforms into a hard state, and the bending angle of the single composite blade portion increases and is adjusted to the second state to ensure that the circulation pump has the best cooling efficiency under the optimal working temperature state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the impeller of the coolant circulation pump in Example 1;

[0040] Figure 2is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adaptive variable blades for the coolant circulation pump in Example 1;

[0041] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the adaptive variable blades for the coolant circulation pump in Example 1;

[0042] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the adaptive variable blades for the coolant circulation pump in Example 2;

[0043] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the adaptive variable blades for the coolant circulation pump in Example 3;

[0044] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the adaptive variable blades for the coolant circulation pump in Example 4.

[0045] Description of reference numerals:

[0046] 1. Adaptive variable blade; 11. Hard mounting portion; 12. Composite blade portion; 121. Silicone coating; 122. Adaptive portion; 1221. Shape memory sheet; 123. Hard reinforcement; 2. Flywheel; 3. Connecting shaft; 4. First state; 5. Second state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The following is combined with Figure 1-6 This application is described in further detail.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] This embodiment discloses an adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The automotive engine coolant circulation pump includes an impeller, which includes a set of adaptive variable blades 1 for the coolant circulation pump, a flywheel 2, and a connecting shaft 3. The multiple adaptive variable blades 1 are axially symmetrically distributed and evenly mounted on the connecting shaft 3. The adaptive variable blades 1 include a hard mounting portion 11 and a composite blade portion 12. The hard mounting portion 11 is fixed to the connecting shaft 3 by nested injection molding, and the composite blade portion 12 is fixed to the hard mounting portion 11 by nested injection molding.

[0051] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2Adaptive variable blades 1 rotate around connecting shaft 3. Coolant ethylene glycol enters the impeller under negative pressure and flows out under centrifugal force. Composite blade portion 12 has a first state 4 and a second state 5. In the second state 5, the blade spacing between adjacent adaptive variable blades 1 in the impeller is the optimal spacing at the optimal operating temperature of the coolant (i.e., 65°C). The angle between the first state 4 and the second state 5 is no less than 20°.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The composite blade portion 12 can be adjusted from the first state 4 to any position between the first state 4 and the second state 5. When the coolant temperature is low, the composite blade portion 12 is in the first state 4, the coolant flow rate is low, and the impeller fluid flux is large. As the impeller operates, the coolant temperature increases to reach the phase transition temperature T, the composite blade portion 12 moves to the second state 5, the impeller fluid flux decreases, the coolant viscosity decreases, and the flow rate increases.

[0053] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The composite blade portion 12 includes a silicone coating 121, and an adaptive member 122 and a rigid reinforcement member 123 enclosed within the silicone coating 121. The adaptive member 122 and the rigid reinforcement member 123 are stacked and located at the concave end or the convex end of the composite blade portion 12 in the thickness direction.

[0054] In some embodiments, the adaptive member 122 is located at the concave end of the composite blade portion 12, and the rigid reinforcement member 123 is located at the convex end of the composite blade portion 12. At low or normal temperatures, the adaptive member 122 is in a soft state, and the rigid reinforcement member 123 acts to keep the composite blade portion 12 in a first state 4. When the temperature rises to the phase transition temperature T, the adaptive member 122 contracts and curls, transforming into a rigid state, driving the composite blade portion 12 to adjust to a second state 5.

[0055] In other embodiments, the adaptive member 122 is located at the convex end of the composite blade portion 12, and the rigid reinforcement member 123 is located at the convex end of the composite blade portion 12. At low or normal temperatures, the adaptive member 122 is rigid, and the composite blade portion 12 is in the first state 4. When the temperature rises to the phase transition temperature T, the adaptive member 122 transitions to a soft state, and the rebound force generated by the rigid reinforcement member 123 drives the composite blade portion 12 to adjust to the second state 5.

[0056] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the adaptive member 122 is a shape memory sheet 1221 made of a NiTi memory alloy with a phase transition temperature of Af < 60°C and Mf > 30°C. The shape memory sheet 1221 is located at the concave end of the composite blade portion 12, and the rigid reinforcement member 123 is located at the convex end of the composite blade portion 12.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 , the thickness of the composite blade portion 12 ranges from 2 to 3 mm, and the thickness of the hard reinforcement 123 ranges from 0.3 to 1 mm. The thickness of the shape memory sheet 1221 is selected according to the working force value or working pressure of the coolant circulation pump. In some embodiments, the maximum working force value of the coolant circulation pump after composite heating is 11.9 N, the maximum working pressure is 0.8 MPa, and the thickness of the shape memory sheet 1221 is 0.5 mm; in other embodiments, the maximum working force value of the coolant circulation pump after composite heating is 17.8 N, the maximum working pressure of the cooling pump is 1.2 MPa, and the thickness of the shape memory sheet 1221 can be 0.8 mm; in other embodiments, the maximum working force value of the coolant circulation pump after composite heating is greater than 24.8 N, the maximum working pressure of the cooling pump is 1.8 MPa, and the thickness of the shape memory sheet 1221 is greater than 1 mm and less than 1 / 2 of the thickness of the composite blade portion 12.

[0058] Reference Figure 3 In this embodiment, the length of the shape memory sheet 1221 is 2 / 3 of the silicone coating 121, the aspect ratio is 3:1, and the shape memory sheet 1221 is located at the outer edge of the silicone coating 121 away from the rigid mounting end 11, and the distance between the shape memory sheet 1221 and the rigid mounting end 11 is greater than 1 / 4 of the length of the silicone coating 121.

[0059] In some embodiments, the rigid reinforcement 123 may be a plurality of evenly distributed long fiber glass fibers; in other embodiments, the rigid reinforcement 123 may be a fiberglass mesh.

[0060] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the rigid reinforcement 123 comprises a plurality of long-fiber glass fibers evenly arranged along the length of the composite blade portion 12. The length of the long-fiber glass fibers is equal to the length of the composite blade portion 12. The rigid reinforcement 123 provides strength support and resilience to the composite blade portion 12 after cooling.

[0061] The implementation principle of the adaptive variable blade 1 for a coolant circulation pump in the embodiment of the present application is as follows:

[0062] The composite blade portion 12 has a first state 4 and a second state 5. When the coolant temperature is low, at low temperatures or room temperature, the coolant flow rate is low. At this time, the shape memory sheet 1221 is in a soft state. Under the action of the hard reinforcement 123, the composite blade portion 12 is in the first state 4. The impeller fluid flux is large, so that the coolant circulation pump has a higher cooling efficiency at a lower temperature.

[0063] As the impeller rotates, the coolant temperature increases to reach the phase change temperature T of the shape memory sheet 1221, the viscosity of the coolant decreases, and the flow rate increases. At this time, the shape memory sheet 1221 shrinks and curls and turns into a hard state, driving the composite blade portion 12 to adjust to the second state 5, so that the impeller blades of the coolant circulation pump reach the optimal spacing at the optimal working temperature of the coolant.

[0064] Example 2

[0065] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1, except that Figure 4 In this embodiment, the length of the shape memory sheet 1221 is 3 / 4 of the length of the silicone coating 121 , the aspect ratio is 4:1, and the distance between the shape memory sheet 1221 and the hard mounting end 11 is 1 / 4 of the length of the silicone coating 121 .

[0066] Example 3

[0067] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1, except that Figure 5 In this embodiment, the length of the shape memory sheet 1221 is 1 / 3 of the silicone coating 121, the aspect ratio is 2:1, and the shape memory sheet 1221 is located at the outer edge of the silicone coating 121 away from the rigid mounting end 11, and the distance between the shape memory sheet 1221 and the rigid mounting end 11 is greater than 1 / 4 of the length of the silicone coating 121.

[0068] Example 4

[0069] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment 1, except that Figure 6 In this embodiment, the length of the shape memory sheet 1221 is 1 / 4 of the silicone coating 121, the diameter-to-length ratio is 1:1, and the shape memory sheet 1221 is located at the outer edge of the silicone coating 121 away from the rigid mounting end 11, and the distance between the shape memory sheet 1221 and the rigid mounting end 11 is greater than 1 / 4 of the length of the silicone coating 121.

[0070] Example 5

[0071] This embodiment provides a method for preparing an adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump, comprising the following steps:

[0072] The adaptive member is eccentrically placed in the mold 1, and silicone is injected to form the adaptive layer. In this embodiment, the adaptive member is a shape memory sheet made of NiTi memory alloy.

[0073] The rigid reinforcement members are evenly placed in the second mold along the length direction, and silicone is injected to form a reinforcement layer. In this embodiment, the rigid reinforcement members are multiple long fiberglass fibers.

[0074] The adaptive layer and the reinforcing layer are stacked and placed in a third mold, with the adaptive layer located at the concave end and the reinforcing layer located at the convex end, and silicone is injected to obtain a composite blade portion after molding;

[0075] The composite blade portion is connected to the hard mounting portion by nested injection molding to obtain an adaptive variable blade.

[0076] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump, characterized in that: The invention comprises a hard mounting portion (11) and a composite blade portion (12), wherein the hard mounting portion (11) is used for mounting the composite blade portion (12); the composite blade portion (12) comprises an adaptive member (122), a hard reinforcing member (123) and a silicone coating member (121); the adaptive member (122) and the hard reinforcing member (123) are stacked and coated inside the silicone coating member (121), and the adaptive member (122) and the hard reinforcing member (123) are respectively located at the concave end or the convex end of the composite blade portion (12) in the thickness direction; the silicone coating member (121) is connected to the hard mounting portion (11); the adaptive member (122) increases or decreases the bending angle of the composite blade portion (12) under the stimulation of external temperature; The length of the adaptive member (122) is 1 / 4-3 / 4 of the length of the composite blade portion (12); the length-to-width ratio of the adaptive member (122) is 4:1-1:1; and in the length direction of the composite blade portion (12), the distance between the adaptive member (122) and the hard mounting portion (11) is not less than 1 / 4 of the length of the composite blade portion (12).

2. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The composite blade portion (12) has a first state (4) and a second state (5). Under external temperature stimulation, the composite blade portion (12) can be located in the first state (4), or the second state (5), or any position between the first state (4) and the second state (5).

3. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the second state (5), the composite blade portion (12) is in a working state at an optimal working temperature of the coolant; and the angle between the first state (4) and the second state (5) is not less than 20°.

4. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adaptive component (122) is a shape memory sheet (1221) made of a NiTi memory alloy; the adaptive component (122) is located at the convex end of the composite blade portion (12) in the thickness direction, and the hard reinforcement component (123) is located at the concave end of the composite blade portion (12) in the thickness direction.

5. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 4, characterized in that: The phase change temperature of the shape memory sheet (1221) is: Af<60℃, Mf>30℃.

6. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the composite blade portion (12) is 2-3 mm, the thickness of the adaptive member (122) is 0.5-1.5 mm, and the thickness of the hard reinforcement member (123) is 0.3-1 mm.

7. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hard reinforcement (123) is a plurality of evenly distributed long fiber glass fibers.

8. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hard reinforcement member (123) is a glass fiber mesh.

9. The adaptive variable vane for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The silica gel coating (121) is made of PDMS.

10. A method for preparing the adaptive variable blades for a coolant circulation pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Placing the adaptive member (122) in a mold, injecting silicone, and molding to obtain an adaptive layer; Placing a hard reinforcement member (123) in a mold, injecting silica gel, and molding to obtain a reinforcement layer; The adaptive layer and the reinforcing layer are stacked and placed in a mold, and silicone is injected to obtain a composite blade portion (12) after molding; The composite blade part (12) is connected to the hard mounting part (11) by nested injection molding to obtain an adaptive variable blade for a coolant circulation pump.

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