Mechanical Coolant Water Pump with Pressure-Actuated Shutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switchable mechanical water pumps (SMWPs) in automotive engines require complex secondary pumping systems, increasing cost and complexity, which affects robustness and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A switchable mechanical water pump design featuring a housing with a primary pumping element, a moveable shutter, and a pressure chamber with a secondary pumping element, such as a gerotor, connected to an electronically controlled valve to manage fluid flow, reducing the need for secondary pumping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex secondary pumping system is used to translate the shutter, then the shutter can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex secondary pumping system from the SMWP design. Instead of using a piston pump or collector-driven secondary impeller, the invention uses a simplified secondary pump that directly utilizes the main impeller's rotation to generate pressure for shutter translation, thereby removing the need for separate complex pumping mechanisms while maintaining shutter movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The main impeller serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary pumping element for coolant circulation and simultaneously drives the secondary pump mechanism through its rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated secondary pumping components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to translate the shutter between positions
2Stress or pressure
If a piston pump or collector system is used as secondary pumping system, then sufficient pressure can be generated to move the shutter, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the secondary pumping function with the main impeller assembly. The secondary pump is integrated into the same housing and shares the main impeller's drive shaft, combining multiple functions into a single unified structure. This integration reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating separate pumping components and simplifying assembly processes while still generating sufficient pressure for shutter translation
3Reliability
If an always-enabled water pump is used, then coolant flow is maintained, but engine warm-up time increases and combustion gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic shutter mechanism that can change its position between engaged and disengaged states based on engine operating conditions. During cold start, the shutter is disengaged to allow free coolant flow for rapid warm-up, reducing combustion gas emissions. Once the engine reaches operating temperature, the shutter engages to block coolant flow paths, maintaining reliable coolant delivery when needed while minimizing parasitic losses during warm-up phases
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 design enhances robustness and decreases manufacturing costs by simplifying the system architecture while maintaining effective coolant management.
Implementation Method 1
A secondary pumping element is disposed in the pressure chamber and is operatively connected to the mechanical drive subsystem for generating pressure in the pressure chamber to move the shutter to the engaged position
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the pressure chamber ingress fluid path and the pressure chamber egress fluid path are occludable, for example, by way of an electronically controlled valve functionally disposed in one of the ingress or egress fluid paths
Implementation Method 3
a primary pumping element, and a mechanical drive subsystem mounted to the housing for rotating the primary pumping element about a rotational axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A switchable mechanical waterpump for use in internal combustion engines and the like utilizes a shutter which translates between an engaged position, in which the shutter surrounds an impeller to block or inhibit coolant flow, and a disengaged position, in which the shutter does not surround the impeller thereby not impeding coolant flow. An embedded secondary pump system delivers the required pressure to move the shutter.