Crankcase Water Pump with Integrated Distributor for Cooling Circuits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal combustion engines face challenges in reliably and cost-effectively supplying multiple cooling circuits, with a need for a more efficient design that integrates cooling water management and reduces pump size for cost advantages.

Innovation Solution

An internal combustion engine design featuring a crankcase with a water pump mounted on the front side, incorporating an integrated distributor and flow connections to both an EGR cooler and engine oil cooler, allowing for a smaller pump design and parallel cooling water supply, which integrates the distributor within the water pump for enhanced cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate distributor is used for cooling water supply, then the cooling circuit can be reliably supplied, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling circuit supply reliabilityVSAvoiddistributor integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the distributor function with the water pump by integrating the distributor housing into the pump housing. The distributor receives cooling water from the pump and distributes it to multiple cooling circuits (cylinder head, cylinder crankcase, EGR cooler) through integrated channels, eliminating the need for a separate distributor component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The water pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only pumps cooling water but also integrates the distribution function within its housing. The pump housing contains channels that directly supply cooling water to multiple cooling circuits, making the pump a multi-functional component that replaces both the pump and separate distributor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the pump is designed with integrated distributor channels, then cost advantages are achieved through smaller pump size, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpump design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor channels are integrated directly into the pump housing as a unified structure. The housing contains internal channels that route cooling water from the pump inlet through the distributor chambers to multiple outlets, combining what would traditionally be separate components into one integrated part for manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If cooling water is supplied in parallel to multiple circuits, then efficient cooling is achieved, but the pump size would normally need to be larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling water supply efficiencyVSAvoidpump size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the three-dimensional space within the pump housing to create integrated distribution channels that route cooling water to multiple circuits simultaneously. By designing the housing with internal channels in different spatial dimensions, the system achieves parallel supply to multiple cooling circuits without requiring a larger pump volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 ensures reliable and cost-effective cooling circuit supply by integrating the distributor into the water pump, resulting in a smaller pump size that reduces costs while maintaining efficient cooling water management across the engine.

Implementation Method 1

the water pump (3) having at least one integrated duct for cooling water with an integrated distributor (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the duct being flow-connected to an EGR cooler (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP2923051B1Internal combustion engine having a crankcase
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 DEUTZ AG
  • EP2923051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2923051B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine having a crankcase in which is rotatably mounted a crankshaft on which at least one connecting rod supporting a piston is articulated, wherein the piston is movable into a cylinder covered by a cylinder head and wherein a cooling water pump (3) which is mounted on the front of the crankcase and has at least one integrated channel for cooling water is driven by the crankshaft by means of a belt, wherein the cooling water pump (3) is disposed substantially on a front face of the internal combustion engine, and the channel (7) is in flow connection with an EGR cooler (6).