Contactless Pump Drive Through Tank Wall for Continuous Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand tools, such as portable sprayers, face interruptions due to fluid depletion, leading to pump cavitation and potential damage, and require frequent refilling, disrupting continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A contactless machine drive system is implemented, where a drive device is positioned on one side of a wall separating two sides, interacting electromagnetically with a receiver device on the other side through magnetic fields, allowing for continuous operation without mechanical penetration, and a tank design with separable portions for seamless refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical drive system is used to drive the pump, then the pump can be driven reliably, but the drive shaft must penetrate the tank wall which complicates the structure and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive system with a magnetic drive system. The drive magnet assembly (212) and driven magnet assembly (214) are positioned on opposite sides of the tank wall (204) without mechanical penetration. Magnetic fields transmit rotational force through the non-magnetic tank wall, eliminating the need for shafts that penetrate the tank structure, thus improving reliability while reducing structural complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tank is designed as a single integrated unit, then the structure is simple, but refilling requires emptying the entire tank which interrupts operation
Solution Approach 1:
The tank (202) is divided into a first tank portion (206) and a second tank portion (208) that can be selectively separated. The pump (210) is positioned within the second tank portion. This segmentation allows the first tank portion to be removed and refilled independently while the second tank portion with the pump remains in place, enabling continuous operation without interrupting the pump system.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the pump operates when the tank is empty, then the system can continue running, but the pump will cavitate and suffer damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a float (216) that moves with the fluid level in the tank. When the fluid level drops and the tank becomes empty, the float rises and mechanically actuates a switch (218) that automatically shuts off power to the pump motor (220). This feedback mechanism prevents the pump from operating without fluid, avoiding cavitation and damage, while maintaining operational continuity by stopping the pump before damage occurs.
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
Enables continuous operation of hand tools without fluid interruptions, allowing for seamless refilling and reducing mechanical wear, thus enhancing usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A drive device is positioned at the first side in electromagnetically proximate arrangement to the machine drive device. A first gap is formed between at least a portion of the drive device and the wall
Implementation Method 2
interacting electromagnetically with a receiver device on the other side through magnetic fields, allowing for continuous operation without mechanical penetration
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine drive system (100) is provided including a wall (130) forming a first side (131) fluidly separated from a second side (132) and a machine drive device (120) disposed at the second side (132). The machine drive device (120) includes a receiver device (122) in which a second gap (134) is formed between the receiver device (122) and the wall (130) at the second side (132). A drive device (110) is positioned at the first side (131) in electromagnetically proximate arrangement to the machine drive device (120). A first gap (133) is formed between at least a portion of the drive device (110) and the wall (130).