Adjustable Annular Element for Multi-Outlet Pump Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water pumps in motor vehicles lack the ability to effectively regulate and divide fluid flows, resulting in inefficient fluid distribution and potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a pump housing with a rotationally drivable pump wheel and an adjustable annular element that allows for the regulation of fluid flows through multiple outlet openings, utilizing spiral-shaped fluid channels and sealing elements to manage fluid distribution and prevent leakage, driven by an external drive mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single outlet opening is used in conventional pumps, then the construction remains simple, but the ability to regulate and divide fluid flows is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single outlet opening is segmented into multiple outlet openings (first outlet opening, second outlet opening, etc.) arranged around the circumferential wall. Each outlet opening can be independently regulated by corresponding sealing elements, enabling diverse fluid flow distribution patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall pump structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are designed to be movable relative to the outlet openings, allowing dynamic adjustment of fluid flow distribution. The actuator enables the sealing elements to shift positions, thereby dynamically regulating which outlet openings are active and how much fluid flows through each, providing adaptability without requiring complex multiple fixed outlets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outlet openings are added to enable fluid flow division, then flow distribution capability improves, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each outlet opening is equipped with its own dedicated sealing element that can independently seal that specific opening. This localized sealing approach ensures that when any outlet opening is closed or not in use, its corresponding sealing element prevents leakage at that location, while other outlet openings can remain active without compromising overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator controls the positioning of sealing elements based on the required fluid flow distribution, creating a feedback mechanism that ensures proper sealing. When the actuator positions a sealing element to close an outlet opening, the system automatically prevents leakage through that opening, maintaining reliability while enabling flexible flow distribution.
3Measurement precision
If an adjustable annular element with multiple outlet openings is implemented, then fluid flow control precision improves, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple outlet openings and their corresponding sealing elements are merged into a single adjustable annular element structure. This integration allows all outlet openings to be controlled by one unified component that can be adjusted as a whole, reducing the number of separate adjustment mechanisms needed and simplifying assembly while maintaining precise fluid flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable annular element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides multiple outlet openings for fluid distribution, incorporates sealing elements for leakage prevention, and includes actuation mechanisms for flow regulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying assembly while achieving precise fluid flow control.
4Productivity
If outlet openings are arranged distributed around the circumferential wall, then fluid flow distribution efficiency improves, but the housing design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet openings are asymmetrically arranged around the circumferential wall at specific positions rather than uniformly distributed. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes fluid flow distribution patterns for specific application requirements while maintaining a simple cylindrical housing design, avoiding the need for complex housing modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of complicating the housing structure to achieve distributed outlet openings, the solution utilizes the circumferential dimension of the existing cylindrical housing. By arranging outlet openings around the circumference at different angular positions, efficient fluid flow distribution is achieved while maintaining the simplicity of the basic housing geometry.
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 pump achieves precise control over fluid flows, preventing leakage and ensuring efficient distribution through adjustable outlet openings, maintaining a compact and simple assembly design.
Implementation Method 1
a pump wheel which is accommodated in a rotationally drivable manner in the housing in order to bring about in each case a fluid flow from the intake opening to the respective outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
The adjustable annular element may have plural fluid channels that extend from radially inside to radially outside in a spiral-shaped manner and each fluid channel opening out into one of a plural openings that are arranged radially on the outside on the annular element
Implementation Method 3
At least one sealing element may be arranged radially between the adjustable annular element and the radially outer circumferential wall of the housing in the region of the respective outlet opening
Data Source
AI summary
A pump (1, 101) includes a pump housing (2, 102) having an intake opening (5, 105) and a plurality of outlet openings (6, 106). A pump wheel (9, 109) is accommodated in the housing (2, 102) in a rotationally drivable manner to effect a fluid stream from the intake opening (5, 105) to the respective outlet opening (6, 106). An adjustable ring element (13, 113) is provided radially outside the pump wheel (9, 109) and inside the housing (2, 102). The adjustable ring element (13, 113) enables the fluid stream through the respective outlet opening (6, 106) to be regulated.