Eccentric Screw Pump Rotor Unit with Nested Flex Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eccentric screw pumps have a large overall size due to the eccentric movement of the rotor, resulting in significant dead space within the pump housing, which is undesirable especially when handling expensive media.
Innovation Solution
The rotor unit incorporates a flex shaft that is at least partially accommodated within the drive shaft, allowing for radial movement and reducing the overall size in the longitudinal direction, thereby minimizing dead volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotor is connected to the drive shaft via a flex shaft to enable eccentric movement, then the rotor can perform its function, but the overall size in the longitudinal direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flex shaft is accommodated within the drive shaft, with the flex shaft extending only partially along the longitudinal direction compared to the full length of the drive shaft. This nesting arrangement allows the flex shaft to be housed inside the drive shaft's internal cavity, significantly reducing the overall longitudinal dimension of the rotor unit while maintaining the necessary eccentric movement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flex shaft is made elastically deformable to accommodate radial movement, then the eccentric movement is enabled, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flex shaft is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to change its physical state from rigid to flexible. This parameter change enables the flex shaft to accommodate radial movements and eccentric motions while maintaining structural integrity. The elastic properties allow the flex shaft to bend and deform as needed during operation, providing the necessary adaptability without requiring complex mechanical joints or linkages.
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 enables a compact rotor unit that reduces the dead space within the pump housing, making it suitable for precise and efficient dispensing of expensive media, particularly in applications where space and cost are concerns.
Implementation Method 1
the flex shaft is elastically deformable
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor unit for an eccentric screw pump, comprising a drive shaft which is drivable by means of a drive element of the eccentric screw pump, a helical rotor, and a flex shaft connecting the drive shaft to the rotor, wherein the flex shaft is at least in part accommodated within in the drive shaft, and wherein between the flex shaft and the drive shaft a gap extending around the flex shaft is provided, which allows for a radial movement of the flex shaft within the drive shaft.