Dual Input Vane Pump for Variable Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pumping systems in vehicles face inefficiencies due to fixed displacement pumps that waste energy by providing high output when low output is required, and electric motor-driven pumps lack the efficiency of internal combustion engine-driven pumps, with a need for a dual input system that simplifies packaging and provides variable output independent of engine speed without using expensive planetary gearsets.
Innovation Solution
A dual input fluid pumping system incorporating a housing with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, featuring a rotatable drum and pump rotor driven by both sources, utilizing a cam ring and vanes to achieve efficient fluid transfer with adjustable output, minimizing energy waste and packaging costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed displacement pump is used to minimize cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but energy waste increases due to high output when low output is required
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system transitions from fixed displacement to variable displacement capability through dual power source input, allowing the pump to dynamically adjust its output based on actual system demands rather than operating at constant maximum capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the pump by accepting variable speed input from either the internal combustion engine or electric motor, enabling continuous adjustment of pump output to match varying vehicle operating conditions
2Device complexity
If a pump driven solely by an electric motor is used, then packaging is simplified, but operational efficiency decreases compared to internal combustion engine-driven pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is designed to accept power input from multiple sources (internal combustion engine or electric motor), making it universally adaptable to different power sources while maintaining high operational efficiency characteristics of mechanically driven pumps
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the advantages of both electric motor-driven simplicity and internal combustion engine-driven efficiency by combining dual power source capability with a mechanically-driven pump design
3Ease of manufacture
If a dual input pump is designed without planetary gearsets, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but achieving variable output independent of engine speed becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system segments the power transmission path by providing separate input paths from two independent power sources, allowing variable output control without requiring complex gearsets to modify a single power source
Solution Approach 2:
The pump mechanism itself acts as an intermediary that can accept power from either source and directly translate it to variable hydraulic output, eliminating the need for planetary gearsets as intermediate speed-modifying components
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 system achieves efficient fluid pumping with adjustable output, reducing energy waste and packaging costs by utilizing dual power sources, ensuring efficient operation across varying vehicle demands without the need for expensive gearsets.
Implementation Method 1
The drum includes a cam ring having a cavity in receipt of the pump rotor
Implementation Method 2
a vane pump includes a rotatable cam ring having a cylindrical cavity, a rotatable pump rotor, and circumferentially spaced apart vanes
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pumping system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine comprises a housing, an electric motor, a rotatable first input adapted to be driven by the internal combustion engine, a rotatable second input driven by the electric motor, and a pump. The pump includes a drum selectively rotated about a drum axis of rotation by one of the first input and the second input, and a pump rotor selectively rotated by the other of the first input and the second input. The drum includes a cam ring having a cavity in receipt of the pump rotor. The drum includes a first fluid inlet port and a second fluid inlet port on opposite sides of the drum such that fluid entering the cavity through the first and second fluid ports flows axially in a direction parallel to the drum axis of rotation. The drum includes a radially extending outlet port such that pumped fluid flows radially out of the cavity. The housing contains the electric motor and the pump.