Dual-Impeller Coolant Pump Layout for Leak-Safe EV Thermal Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal management modules in vehicles face challenges due to decentralized component arrangement, leading to long connecting hoses and cables, increased assembly effort, high risk of leaks and short circuits, pressure and voltage losses, and corrosion, which affect reliability and require compact spatial adaptation.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pump system featuring two coaxially arranged impellers within a compact housing, each with independent drives, allowing separate fluid circuits to be operated independently, and a magnetic coupling through a fluidically impermeable structural wall to reduce leaks and short circuits, enabling efficient fluid handling and cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If decentralized component arrangement is used, then spatial flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity and risk of leaks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple pump functions into a single integrated pump housing containing two impellers. This merging approach reduces the number of separate components and connecting hoses, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining the ability to handle multiple fluid circuits independently. The integration directly addresses the technical contradiction by reducing assembly complexity without sacrificing spatial flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If decentralized component arrangement is used, then spatial flexibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to high risk of leaks and short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial flexibilityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating two impellers into a single pump housing with a common drive mechanism, the patent reduces the number of connecting hoses and electrical connections required. This merging eliminates potential leak points and short circuit risks associated with decentralized arrangements, thereby improving reliability while maintaining spatial flexibility through the compact dual-impeller design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate fluid circuits are operated independently, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two pump functions into a single housing with a common drive shaft, allowing independent operation of two fluid circuits through shared mechanical components. This approach maintains operational flexibility by enabling independent control of each impeller while reducing device complexity compared to using two completely separate pump units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single pump housing serves multiple functions by accommodating two impellers that can operate independently to handle different fluid circuits. This multi-functionality approach allows the device to maintain operational flexibility for separate circuit control while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate pump systems.

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

4Volume of stationary object

If compact housing is used, then space saving is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pump housing is segmented into distinct sections, each accommodating a specific impeller and its associated components. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly, reducing the overall precision requirements for the compact housing while maintaining the space-saving benefits of integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for efficient and flexible operation of separate fluid circuits, reducing assembly complexity, minimizing leaks and short circuits, and enhancing reliability by enabling independent control of each pump, thus improving thermal management and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the pump device comprises a first impeller and a second impeller which are arranged coaxially to one another and are designed as a pump for conveying fluid by rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpeller: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

A magnetic coupling through a fluidically impermeable structural wall to reduce leaks and short circuits

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4077895B1Device for handling fluid within an at least partially electrically driven vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 ECO HLDG 1 GMBH
  • EP4077895B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4077895B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4077895B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (100) for handling fluid within an at least partially electrically driven vehicle having a device (100) for handling fluid of an at least partially electrically driven vehicle, having a pump means (400) comprising a first impeller wheel (340A) and a second impeller wheel (340B), which are arranged coaxially with each other and are designed to convey fluid by rotation as a pump.