Pump apparatus and power system associated with same

By arranging a centering fit and friction parts between the pump rotor and the pump housing, the instability problem caused by the eccentricity of the pump rotor is solved, and efficient, stable operation and torque transmission of the pump device are achieved.

WO2025194441A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-09-25SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG +1
View PDF 4 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2024/083031
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-03-21
Publication Date
2025-09-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In existing pump devices, the pump rotor is prone to increased friction, reduced efficiency and increased noise due to eccentricity or instability of the rotating shaft. Traditional torque transmission methods are inefficient and have unstable connections, leading to mechanical failures.

Method used

By providing a centering portion on the pump rotor and forming a shape-fitting connection with the centering matching portion of the pump housing, the pump rotor and the pump housing are ensured to be concentric, and friction parts such as O-rings are used to suppress movement between the rotating shaft and the pump rotor. In combination with splines or flat keys, torque is transmitted to enhance stability and torque transmission.

Benefits of technology

It improves the working stability and efficiency of the pump device, reduces vibration and noise, extends the service life, and ensures the uniform distribution and effective transmission of torque.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN2024083031_25092025_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure CN2024083031_25092025_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A pump apparatus for pumping a lubricating medium, said apparatus being provided with a rotating shaft (1), a pump rotor (5), and a pump housing (3), the rotating shaft (1) driving the pump rotor (5). The pump rotor (5) is clamped by the pump housing (3) in the axial direction, the pump rotor (5) and the pump housing (3) are concentrically arranged, and the pump rotor (5) is provided with a centering part (51, 51') and a torque transmission part. The pump housing (3) is provided with a centering matching part (31, 31'), and the centering part (51, 51') is in shape-matching connection with the centering matching part (31, 31'), such that the pump rotor (5) is constantly kept concentric with the pump housing (3) during operation. The torque transmission part is in torsional connection with the rotating shaft (1) to transmit torque.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Pump device and associated power system Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pump device for a power system of a vehicle, wherein the pump device is used for pumping a lubricating medium to the power system. Background Art

[0002] Pumps are commonly used in various industrial and automotive applications to ensure effective lubrication of mechanical components. These pumps typically consist of a rotating shaft, a pump rotor, and a pump housing. In traditional designs, the pump rotor is splined to the rotating shaft and remains centered by the shaft.

[0003] CN 101978167 A discloses an oil pump structure comprising a housing, a drive shaft, an inner rotor, and an outer rotor. The drive shaft drives the inner rotor via a keyed spline, and the inner rotor is torque-proof connected to the outer rotor via a gear-like meshing engagement. The drive shaft and pump housing are assembled in separate housings, and a long dimensional chain can lead to significant misalignment between the two components.

[0004] Since the rotating shaft is prone to eccentricity or instability when running at high speeds, this may cause instability of the pump rotor. This increases friction between rotating parts, reduces efficiency, increases operating noise, and even mechanical failures. For example, the rotating shaft and pump rotor are connected by a spline. Since the spline connection should have a large gap to ensure that the shaft can fit into the rotor, the large gap will cause NVH problems such as squeaking. In addition, traditional torque transmission methods, such as simple key connections or less precise mechanical connections, will result in low torque transmission efficiency or an unstable connection between the pump rotor and the rotating shaft. The large gap between them will cause the pump rotor to easily become eccentric with the pump housing during operation. This large eccentricity is detrimental to the performance of the pump.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved pump device, which can overcome the problems in the above-mentioned prior art, improve the working stability and reliability of the pump rotor, and thus improve the working efficiency of the pump device.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention relates to a pump device, which includes a rotating shaft, a pump rotor and a pump housing. The rotating shaft drives the pump rotor, which is clamped by the pump housing in the axial direction and is arranged concentrically with the pump housing on the rotating shaft. The pump rotor has a centering portion and a torque transmission portion, and the pump housing has a centering fitting portion, wherein the centering portion and the centering fitting portion are connected in a shape-fitting manner to ensure that the pump rotor always remains concentric with the pump housing during operation. The torque transmission portion is torsionally connected to the rotating shaft to transmit torque. By providing a centering portion for the pump rotor, and the centering portion and the centering fitting portion of the pump housing are connected in a shape-fitting manner, the pump rotor will not be offset due to the offset of the rotating shaft during operation, and the pump device can remain stable during operation while effectively transmitting torque, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of the pump device.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the centering fitting portion clamps the pump rotor in the axial direction, and the centering portion of the pump rotor is an axial extension section relative to the clamped portion of the pump rotor, and the axial extension section is abutted against the radial inner side of the centering fitting portion of the pump housing. This structural design is simple, does not increase excessive costs, and helps to improve the stability of the pump rotor and its concentricity with the pump housing, thereby reducing vibration and improving the working efficiency of the pump. It is further preferred that the pump rotor is provided with axial extension sections on both axial sides. This double-sided extension design further enhances the positioning accuracy and stability of the pump rotor, thereby optimizing the overall performance of the pump device. It is further preferred that the torque transmission portion is provided on the axial extension section of the pump rotor. This layout helps to distribute torque more evenly, reduce wear caused by non-uniform loads, and extend the service life of the pump device.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a friction member is provided between the rotating shaft and the axial extension of the pump rotor. The friction member suppresses movement between the rotating shaft and the pump rotor by providing friction, thereby avoiding noise caused by a large gap. Such a friction member is, for example, an O-ring. The use of an O-ring provides a simple and effective friction and vibration reduction mechanism, which helps to improve the performance of the entire pump device. It is further preferred that a groove is provided on the rotating shaft and / or the pump rotor, and the O-ring is installed in the groove, thereby ensuring the stability of the O-ring as a friction member.

[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the centering mating portion of the pump housing includes an axially extending section extending axially relative to the portion of the pump housing that holds the pump rotor. The centering portion of the pump rotor is a radially recessed portion, and the axially extending section abuts against the radially inner side of the centering portion. Compared to the previous embodiment, this embodiment simplifies the machining of the pump rotor and facilitates machining of the axial end portion of the pump rotor.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the torque transmission portion may be a spline or a key. The use of a spline or key provides a robust connection, ensuring efficient torque transmission between the rotating shaft and the pump rotor. Further preferably, the spline or key has a lubricating or anti-wear coating. Such a coating can reduce friction, quiet noise, and improve the overall operating efficiency of the pump device.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pump device has a driven rotor, which is torsionally connected to the pump rotor. The arrangement of this driven rotor further enhances the power transmission efficiency and stability of the pump device. It is further preferred that the pump rotor is connected to the driven rotor by gear meshing. This meshing connection ensures precise synchronous movement between the rotors, thereby improving the overall performance of the pump device. In a pump device driven by a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft first drives the pump rotor. The specific role of the pump rotor depends on the type of pump. For example, in an internal gear pump, the rotor is driven by the rotating shaft and meshes with the driven rotor on the fixed shaft. This structure forms two flow paths between the two gears, and as the gears mesh, the liquid is discharged from the discharge port.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforementioned technical problem can be solved by a pump device for a vehicle power system. This pump device has the aforementioned features and, when used in a vehicle power system, such as an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, can provide a highly efficient and reliable lubricating oil pumping solution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] FIG1 shows a perspective cutaway view of a pump device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG2 shows a perspective view of a pump rotor of a pump device designed according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the rotating shaft of a pump device designed according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG4 shows a perspective cutaway view of a pump device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] The axial direction and the radial direction in the present invention are both based on the rotation axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 shows a perspective, cross-sectional view of a pump device designed according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The pump device comprises a rotating shaft 1, a pump housing 3, a driven rotor 4, and a pump rotor 5. The rotating shaft 1 transmits torque to the pump rotor 5, which in turn drives the driven rotor 4 to rotate. In the prior art, the rotating shaft 1 is typically torsionally connected to the pump rotor 5 via a spline. Due to the gap between the rotating shaft 1 and the pump rotor 5, the rotating shaft 1 may not be concentric with the pump rotor during assembly. Therefore, during operation, the pump rotor 5 may become eccentric, which in turn drives the driven rotor 4 eccentrically, affecting pump performance.

[0021] According to the design of the present invention, the pump rotor 5 includes a centering portion 51, a first torque transmission portion 52, and a second torque transmission portion 53. The first torque transmission portion 52 is torsionally connected to the rotating shaft 1, and the second torque transmission portion 53 is torsionally connected to the driven rotor 4. The pump housing 3 includes a centering mating portion 31. The centering portion 51 and the centering mating portion 31 are form-fitted, ensuring that the pump rotor 5 and the pump housing 3 remain concentric at all times. This makes the pump rotor 5 self-centering and prevents eccentricity during operation.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, in the first embodiment, the centering portion 51 is an axial extension section of the main body of the pump rotor 5, which is abutted against the centering fitting portion 31 of the pump housing 3 through the axial extension section. The centering fitting portion 31 clamps the main body of the pump housing 3 in the axial direction, thereby fixing the pump rotor 5 through the centering fitting portion 31, so that the pump rotor 5 is self-centering to avoid shaking during operation.

[0023] Figures 2 and 3 respectively show three-dimensional views of the pump rotor 5 and rotating shaft 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the rotating shaft 1 is provided with a groove 11, within which an O-ring 2 is positioned. This O-ring 2 provides a tight fit between the rotating shaft 1 and the pump rotor 5, providing friction to inhibit movement between them and thereby preventing wobble and noise caused by large clearances. As shown in Figure 2, the rotating shaft 1 is torsionally connected to the pump rotor 5 via a spline. The spline can be positioned within the extension 51 to smooth torque transmission. In addition to splines, parallel keys are also contemplated. Furthermore, a coating can be applied to the spline, such as a lubricating coating made of graphite, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or an anti-wear coating made of titanium nitride (TiN), diamond carbon (DLC), or ceramics, to reduce noise during torque transmission. As shown in Figure 2, the second torque transmission portion 53 can be an external toothed portion, while the driven rotor 4 has an internal toothed portion, thereby forming a gear pump. The pump rotor 5 is driven by the rotating shaft 1 and meshes with the driven rotor 4 on the fixed shaft. This structure forms two flow paths between the two gears, and as the gears mesh, the liquid is discharged from the discharge port.

[0024] Figure 4 shows a perspective, cross-sectional view of a pump device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The centering portion 31' of the pump housing 3 is an axially extending section that abuts against the centering portion 51' of the pump rotor 5. In this embodiment, the centering portion 51' is a corresponding radial recess that forms a mate with the centering portion 31' of the pump housing 3 to ensure that the pump rotor 5 and the pump housing 3 are always concentric. Of course, other shapes for the centering portion and / or centering portion are also contemplated, such as a protrusion that inserts into a corresponding recessed centering portion of the pump housing 3.

[0025] While the above description describes possible embodiments by way of example, it should be understood that numerous variations exist, including combinations of known and readily conceivable technical features and implementations, such as the manner in which the connectors are connected and the materials that may be used. Furthermore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, application, or configuration of the present invention in any way. The foregoing description is intended primarily to provide technical guidance for adapting at least one exemplary embodiment to the present invention. Various modifications, particularly those regarding the functionality and structure of the components described, may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0026] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Rotating shaft 11 Groove 2 O-ring 3 Pump housing 31 , 31 ′ Centering fitting portion 4 Driven rotor 5 Pump rotor 51 , 51 ′ Centering portion 52 First torque transmission portion 53 Second torque transmission portion

Claims

1. A pump device comprising a rotating shaft (1), a pump rotor (5) and a pump housing (3), wherein the rotating shaft (1) drives the pump rotor (5), wherein: The pump rotor (5) is clamped by the pump housing (3) in the axial direction, and the pump rotor (5) is arranged concentrically with the pump housing (3), wherein the pump rotor (5) has a centering portion (51, 51') and a torque transmission portion (52), and the pump housing (3) has a centering fitting portion (31, 31'), wherein the centering portion (51, 51') is connected to the centering fitting portion (31, 31') in a form-fitting manner, so that the pump rotor (5) remains concentric with the pump housing (3) during operation, and the torque transmission portion (52) is torsionally connected to the rotating shaft (1) to transmit torque.

2. The pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that The centering fitting portion (3) clamps the pump rotor (5) in the axial direction, and the centering portion (51) is an axial extension section of the pump rotor (5) axially extended relative to the clamped portion, and the axial extension section is abutted against the radial inner side of the centering fitting portion (31).

3. The pump device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The pump rotor (5) has the axial extension sections on both axial sides.

4. The pump device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The torque transmission portion (52) is arranged on the radial inner side of the axially extending section.

5. The pump device according to claim 2, characterized in that A friction member (2) is provided between the rotating shaft (1) and the axial extension section of the pump rotor (5).

6. The pump device according to claim 5, characterized in that The friction member (2) is an O-ring.

7. The pump device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that A groove (11) is provided on the rotating shaft (1) and / or the pump rotor (5), and the friction member is arranged in the groove (11).

8. The pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that The centering fitting portion (31') has an axially extending section axially extending relative to the portion clamping the pump rotor (5); the centering portion (51') is a radially recessed portion; and the axially extending section abuts against the radial inner side of the centering portion (51').

9. The pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The torque transmission portion (52) is a spline or a parallel key.

10. The pump device according to claim 9, characterized in that The spline or key has a lubricating coating or an anti-wear coating.

11. The pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The pump device comprises a driven rotor (4), which is connected to the pump rotor (5) in a rotationally fixed manner, and the pump rotor (5) is connected to the driven rotor (4) in a gear-like meshing manner.

12. A power system for a vehicle, characterized in that: The power system comprises a pump device according to claims 1 to 11.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Oil pump for automatic transmission

    CN105221712A

  • electric pump

    CN215058125U

  • Hydraulic motor

    EP1882855A2

  • Pump for Torque Transfer Device

    US20180335127A1