Dual Pump Motor for Fluid Delivery and Return Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pumps for mechanical assemblies lack an efficient mechanism to simultaneously deliver and return fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit and back, which can lead to fluid level imbalances and increased drag within the assembly.
Innovation Solution
A dual-motor fluid pump design that includes a delivery pump element and a return pump element, both driven by a single motor via a drive shaft, allowing for simultaneous operation to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit and return fluid from the drive unit's sumps to the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fluid pump is used for both delivery and return functions, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid level balance and drag minimization cannot be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented into two distinct pump elements: a delivery pump element for delivering fluid from reservoir to drive unit, and a return pump element for returning fluid from sumps to reservoir. This segmentation allows independent control of delivery and return functions, enabling fluid level balance while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
A single motor is designed to drive both the delivery pump element and return pump element through a common drive shaft, making the motor perform multiple functions simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate motors while still achieving fluid level balance through coordinated operation of both pump elements
2Ease of operation
If separate motors are used for delivery and return pump elements, then independent control is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate motors that would traditionally drive the delivery and return pump elements independently are merged into a single motor with a common drive shaft. This merging reduces the overall weight and size of the pump assembly while still enabling independent control of each pump element through selective engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor is designed with multi-functionality to drive both pump elements, making one motor perform the work of two. This approach significantly reduces device weight while maintaining operational independence through controlled engagement of each pump element based on system requirements
3Reliability
If a dual pump element design is used, then fluid level balance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery pump element and return pump element are merged into a single integrated pump assembly sharing a common motor and drive shaft. This merging reduces device complexity by consolidating components that would otherwise be separate systems, while still achieving fluid level balance through the coordinated operation of both pump elements within the unified structure
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 maintains a desirable fluid level within the drive unit, minimizes fluid drag, and allows for a compact and lightweight fluid pump package, ensuring efficient lubrication and cooling functions.
Implementation Method 1
A motor is disposed within the housing that drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via a drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
The delivery pump element is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver the fluid from a sump assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump includes a housing. A delivery portion includes a delivery pump element disposed within the housing. A return portion includes a return pump element disposed within the housing. A motor is disposed within the housing that drives the delivery pump element and the return pump element via a drive shaft. The delivery portion is configured to deliver fluid from a reservoir to a drive unit. The return pump element is configured to deliver the fluid from a sump assembly of the drive unit to the reservoir.