Coolant Pump Viscous Coupling With Integrated Leak Holding Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional viscous couplings for coolant pumps require a separate cover for the holding chamber, which is technically complex and costly, and may lead to unnecessary expansions due to leakage, necessitating a simpler and more cost-effective design.
Innovation Solution
The holding chamber is formed integrally with the viscous coupling housing, and the actuator housing serves both as a cover and a means to control the coupling degree, eliminating the need for a separate cover and allowing for larger volume designs with reduced manufacturing costs and improved configuration freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate cover is provided for the holding chamber, then the holding chamber can be sealed, but the structural complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is merged with the cover function for the holding chamber. The actuator housing serves dual purposes: accommodating the electric actuator and sealing the holding chamber, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cover component and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the electric actuator, provides sealing for the holding chamber, and integrates with the viscous coupling housing. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall structure
2Reliability
If a separate cover is provided for the holding chamber, then the chamber can be sealed, but manufacturing cost and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is merged with the cover function for the holding chamber. The actuator housing serves dual purposes: accommodating the electric actuator and sealing the holding chamber, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cover component and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator housing is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the electric actuator, provides sealing for the holding chamber, and integrates with the viscous coupling housing. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall structure
3Ease of manufacture
If the holding chamber is designed with conventional separate components, then assembly is straightforward, but configuration freedom and design flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is merged with the cover function for the holding chamber. The actuator housing serves dual purposes: accommodating the electric actuator and sealing the holding chamber, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cover component and reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The viscous coupling is divided into functional segments (housing part, input body, output body, actuator housing) that can be independently designed and manufactured, yet integrated to provide configuration freedom and design flexibility
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
This design simplifies the structural design of the viscous coupling, reduces manufacturing costs, and effectively manages leakage by integrating the holding chamber with the housing, minimizing unnecessary expansions and providing effective sealing against external environment.
Implementation Method 1
The rotation of the input body is transferred to the output body due to the viscosity or fluid friction of the fluid present between the two bodies
Implementation Method 2
The rotation of the input body is transferred to the output body due to the viscosity or fluid friction of the fluid present between the two bodies
Implementation Method 3
The electric actuator may include an electric coil whose magnetic field is able to actuate a valve body of said valve by reciprocal magnetic action
Data Source
AI summary
A viscous coupling may include: a housing part and an input body rotatable relative to the housing part that at least partially delimit an interior space; a shaft rotatable relative to the housing part and on which an output body arranged in the interior space may be formed for conjoint rotation with the shaft; a coupling region formed between the output and input bodies and configured to hold a viscous fluid to assure a coupling between the input body and the output body; a holding chamber for collecting coolant leaking from the coolant pump; a housing wall conformed integrally with the housing part and partially delimiting the holding chamber; and an actuator housing and an electric actuator therein by which a degree of the coupling between the input body and the output body may be adjustable. The actuator housing may at least partially cover the holding chamber.