Fluid Pump Electromagnetic Clutch Weep Chamber Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid pumps with mechanical seals are prone to leaking when foreign matter is present, leading to potential misdiagnosis of pump failure and require additional parts and processes for sealing, increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pump design incorporating an electromagnetic clutch with a weep chamber that stores leaking fluid, using the clutch's attachment member as a seal to prevent external leakage without additional covers, and forming the weep chamber as an annular space to efficiently manage water vapor and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical seal is used to seal the space between the shaft hole and drive shaft, then the pump chamber can be kept sealed, but fluid leakage occurs when foreign matter is present at the seal
Solution Approach 1:
A weep chamber is introduced as an intermediary space between the mechanical seal and the bearing. This chamber collects leaked fluid before it can escape to the exterior, effectively mediating between the seal failure and the external environment. The attachment member with sealing protrusion then seals this intermediary chamber, preventing external leakage while maintaining the mechanical seal's function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a water storage space with a special cover is added to store leaked cooling water, then external leakage is prevented, but the number of parts and mounting processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member that already exists in the pump structure is merged with the sealing function. The attachment member is designed with a sealing protrusion that directly seals the weep chamber opening, combining the structural attachment function with the sealing function in a single component, thereby eliminating the need for a separate special cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member is given multiple functions: it serves both as the structural component that holds the bearing and as the sealing element that prevents external leakage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated sealing parts, reducing overall device complexity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a special cover is added to seal the water storage space opening, then leaked fluid is contained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the existing attachment member design. By adding a sealing protrusion to the attachment member, the need for a separate special cover is eliminated, reducing part count and associated manufacturing costs while maintaining the fluid containment function.
4Device complexity
If the attachment member of the electromagnetic clutch is used to seal the weep chamber opening, then no additional parts are needed and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is designed with a localized sealing protrusion at the specific location where sealing is needed (the weep chamber opening). This local quality enhancement ensures that the multi-functional attachment member can effectively seal the opening without compromising its primary attachment function, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
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
Prevents fluid leakage from the pump without increasing parts or assembly processes, effectively managing water vapor and reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic clutch that is provided in the housing (10) and establishes or blocks transmission of the power of the power source to the drive shaft; and wherein the electromagnetic clutch has a core portion (72) that houses a coil (73) for generating a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical seal that is located between the impeller and the rotational bearing and is configured by a first sealing member and a second sealing member facing in contact with each other
Implementation Method 3
the storage means has a fluid storage portion (102) that communicates with the shaft hole between the mechanical seal and the rotational bearing
Implementation Method 4
the attachment member for attaching the core portion (72) to the housing (10) seals the opening of the fluid storage portion
Data Source
AI summary
The fluid pump according to the present invention has water storage means that is formed so as to communicate with a shaft hole in a pump case and stores fluid leaking from a mechanical seal. An electromagnetic clutch establishes or blocks the transmission of power to a drive shaft by switching between supply and non-supply of electricity to an excitation coil. The water storage means has a weep chamber that communicates with the shaft hole between the mechanical seal and a bearing and is opened to an end portion in the axial direction. An attachment member for attaching a core of the electromagnetic clutch to the pump case seals the opening of the weep chamber.