Fixed-Seal Pump Assembly for Clean, Removable Seal Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pumps face issues with seal retention and disassembly, leading to abrasion and dirt introduction during assembly and disassembly, which complicates the assembly and maintenance of preassembled pump units.
Innovation Solution
A pump design featuring a seal with a seal loop surrounding the pressure outlet, held in place by a joining engagement between a female and male joining element, which provides positive and frictional locking without material connection, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly as a preassembled unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seal is loosely inserted or clamped to the pump housing during assembly, then the seal can be installed, but abrasion and dirt particles are generated and introduced, requiring laborious cleaning or causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-assembled with the pump housing using a pressing device that applies controlled pressure to insert the seal into its seating position. This preliminary action ensures the seal is properly positioned before the pump is assembled into the receiving shaft, preventing abrasion and dirt introduction that would occur with loose insertion or clamping methods.
2Reliability
If the seal is held clamped to the pump housing by press fits or additional securing elements, then the seal is retained, but the assembly becomes more complex and requires material connections
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing includes an integrated pressing device with a pressing element that directly contacts and retains the seal. The pressing device is self-contained within the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate securing elements or material connections. The pressing element applies continuous pressure to hold the seal in place through the wall thickness, providing reliable retention without additional components.
3Productivity
If the pump is assembled as a preassembled unit with the seal, then assembly is simplified, but disassembly for repair becomes difficult due to seal retention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing device is designed to allow dynamic adjustment of the pressing element's position. During assembly, the pressing element applies force to secure the seal. During disassembly for repair, the pressing element can be repositioned or removed to release the seal, enabling easy access to pump components while maintaining secure retention during normal operation.
4Reliability
If additional securing elements are used to hold the seal, then seal retention is improved, but the number of parts and assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing device is merged with the pump housing structure, integrating the seal retention function into the housing itself. The pressing element is formed as part of the housing or as a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate securing elements such as clips, screws, or adhesives. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts while maintaining reliable seal retention.
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 secure seal retention without material connection, reducing abrasion and dirt introduction, facilitating cost-effective assembly and disassembly of preassembled pump units while maintaining sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The joining engagement is based on positive and/or frictional locking
Data Source
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AI summary
Pump for supplying fluid to a unit, for example a gearbox, wherein the pump comprises: 1.1 a pump housing (1) with - an inlet (6) for the fluid on a low-pressure side, - an outlet (8) for the fluid on a high-pressure side, - a circumferential wall (2) surrounding a pumping chamber (5), and - an end wall (3) with an outer end face axially opposite the pumping chamber (5), at which the outlet (8) opens, 1.2 a conveying element movable in the pumping chamber (5) for conveying the fluid from the low-pressure side to the high-pressure side, 1.3 a seal (S) with a sealing loop (51) surrounding the outlet (8) for sealing against the outer end face of the end wall (3), 1.4 a female joining element (13; 23; 33; 43) with an axially extending cavity (14; 24; 34; 44), and 1.5 a male joining element (15; 25; 35; 45) which extends through or projects from a pump housing (1) and seal (S), 1.6 wherein the male joining element (15; 25; 35; 45) is in the cavity (14; 24; 34; 44) in an axially tensile joining engagement with the female joining element (13; 23; 33; 43), and 1.7 wherein the seal (S) has axial contact with one of the joining elements (13, 15; 43, 45) on a rear side facing axially away from the pump housing (1) and is thereby held on the pump housing (1), and/or 1.8 the female joining element (23; 33; 43) onto the male joining element (25; 35; 45) is screwed or plugged in.