Coolant Pump Control Slide Hydraulic Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern internal combustion engines require adaptive coolant management to reduce pollutant emissions and fuel consumption, but existing coolant pumps face challenges in efficiently controlling coolant flow, especially during emergency operations without electrical power, and require additional components like springs and complex channel designs that increase space and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A coolant pump design that uses a 3/2-way solenoid valve to connect the flow channel to a second pressure chamber, ensuring the control slide returns to its maximum flow position without a return spring, utilizing hydraulic pressure differences to maintain coolant delivery, and integrates the control pump impeller with the coolant pump impeller for a compact and efficient design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return spring is used to return the control slide to its original position, then the valve can be reset after closing, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control slide returns to its original position automatically through hydraulic pressure from the coolant flow itself, without requiring external return mechanisms like springs. The coolant pressure differential self-regulates the slide position based on flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic pressure from the coolant flow is used to actuate the control slide back to its original position. The pressure differential across the slide creates the restoring force, replacing mechanical spring mechanisms with hydraulic actuation
2Ease of operation
If additional pumping units or piston/cylinder units are added to supply coolant for slide valve operation, then the slide valve can be controlled, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant pump serves dual functions: it pumps coolant through the engine and simultaneously uses its own output coolant to control the slide valve position. The same coolant flow that performs the primary cooling function also provides the hydraulic pressure for control, eliminating the need for separate control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The pump uses its own generated coolant flow and pressure to actuate its control mechanism, making the system self-regulating without requiring external control systems or additional pumping units
3Reliability
If complex channel routing is designed to connect pressure chambers and flow channels, then the pump can function, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chambers and flow channels are integrated into a single unified structure within the pump housing. The channel routing is combined with the housing geometry itself, eliminating the need for separate complex piping or channel structures
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
Ensures reliable maximum coolant delivery during normal and emergency operations without additional components, reduces installation space, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly by eliminating the need for return springs and complex channel designs, while maintaining precise control over coolant flow.
Implementation Method 1
a flow channel of the control pump in which a pressure can be generated by rotation of the control pump impeller
Implementation Method 2
a valve via which a flow cross-section of the pressure channel can be closed and opened
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Coolant pumps for internal combustion engines are known, comprising a drive shaft (18), a coolant pump impeller (20) which is securely arranged on the drive shaft (18) at least in a rotationally fixed manner and via which coolant can be conveyed, an adjustable control slider (58) via which a flow cross-section of a ring gap (62) between the outlet (64) of the coolant pump impeller (20) and the surrounding conveying channel (12) can be controlled, a control pump (32) having a control pump impeller (22) which is arranged on the drive shaft (18) at least in a rotationally fixed manner, a flow channel (24) of the control pump (32) in which a pressure can be generated by rotating the control pump impeller (22), a pressure channel (92) via which an outlet (30) of the flow channel (24) can be fluidically connected to a first pressure chamber (80) of the control slider (58), which is formed on the axial side of the control slider (58) facing away from the coolant pump impeller (20), and a valve (84) via which a flow cross-section (90) of the pressure channel (92) can be closed and released. According to the invention, in order to be able to guarantee an emergency operation with maximum coolant supply of the coolant circuit, without the use of a return spring, the flow channel (24) is fluidically connected to a second pressure chamber (82) of the control slider (58) via a connection channel (94), which is formed on the axial side of the control slider (58) directed towards the coolant pump impeller (20).