Coolant Pump Impeller Dirt Trap Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary internal combustion engine cooling systems lack a filter system to remove impurities from the coolant, leading to potential erosion and component failure due to unclean coolant, especially during high flow rates.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a functional module acting as a dirt trap within the coolant pump, utilizing centrifugal forces to filter impurities from the coolant through strategically positioned openings and outlets, and optionally using a filter element to ensure effective cleaning without increasing flow resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no filter system is provided in the cooling system, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the coolant becomes contaminated with impurities leading to erosion and component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The dirt trap functional module is integrated directly into the impeller structure of the coolant pump. The impeller body incorporates a recess forming a collection space, with openings in the front side allowing coolant flow into the collection space. This merging of the filter function with the pump impeller eliminates the need for separate filter components while maintaining coolant filtration capability.
2Reliability
If a separate filter system is added to the cooling system, then coolant cleanliness is improved, but the installation space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration function is merged with the existing impeller structure. The collection space is formed as a recess within the impeller body, utilizing the existing pump housing space. This integration ensures that no additional installation space is required beyond what is already allocated for the coolant pump assembly.
3Volume of moving object
If the flow outlet is positioned close to the opening, then the functional module is more compact, but dirt particles may cover the flow outlet preventing effective flow
Solution Approach 1:
The flow outlet is positioned on the rear side of the impeller, opposite to the front side openings where coolant enters the collection space. This spatial arrangement ensures that centrifugal forces generated during impeller rotation push denser dirt particles toward the front side, while the cleaned coolant flows toward the rear side flow outlet. The local positioning of the flow outlet away from the opening area prevents dirt accumulation blockage while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
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 solution provides continuous filtration of coolant, reducing the risk of erosion and component failure, ensuring cleaner coolant and improved reliability, while being cost-effective and space-efficient, and compliant with stringent residual dirt limits.
Implementation Method 1
the centrifugal forces can be used, as a result of which dirt particles collect in a centrifugal force field in the region of an inner circumference of the functional module designed as a dirt trap due to their higher density in the coolant which has flowed in
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant pump (1) of an internal combustion engine, having a pump casing (2), in which a pump shaft (3) is rotatably supported by a water pump bearing assembly (4) and an impeller (6) connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the pump shaft (3) is associated with an intake space (7). During a rotation of the impeller (6) together with associated blades (8), a coolant as a working medium is pumped from the intake space (7), via a coolant outlet of the coolant pump (1), into a cooling system of the internal combustion engine. A dirt trap is associated as a functional module (12a) with the impeller (6) on a side facing away from the intake space (7), wherein the working medium flows into the functional module (12a) from the intake space via at least one opening (13) introduced into the impeller and emerges via a flow outlet (15a).