Generator Cooling Assembly Modular Pump Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems in vehicles like lawn and garden tractors lack a compact and flexible solution for integrating an electric generator and circulating pump, leading to increased inventory costs and reduced design flexibility for manufacturers and users.
Innovation Solution
A combined electric generator and circulating pump assembly is designed to be modular, allowing for various configurations such as stacked, side-by-side, or separate assemblies, which can be driven by a prime mover's vertical or horizontal output, enabling flexible integration and reduced inventory needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate generator and circulating pump assemblies are used, then manufacturing and inventory management is simpler, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the generator and circulating pump into a single integrated assembly where the pump is mounted on the bottom housing member of the generator housing. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies inventory management, and decreases overall space requirements while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed configuration assemblies are used, then manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to different vehicle applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated generator/circulating pump assembly is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be adapted to different vehicle applications and configurations. The assembly can be oriented in different positions and configured to work with various prime mover arrangements, providing design flexibility without requiring custom manufacturing for each application
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular circulating pump design is used, then adaptability to different vehicle needs is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating pump is designed as a modular component that can be selectively mounted on the generator housing based on specific vehicle requirements. This segmentation allows the pump to be included or excluded from the assembly depending on the application, enabling tailored product offerings while maintaining a standardized base generator design that simplifies core manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A compact generator and coolant pump assembly may be used on a vehicle having a fluid reservoir and a plurality of electrical components disposed on the vehicle. The generator includes a rotor and stator disposed in a housing and the rotor is driven by a rotatable input member to generate an electrical output for use by one or more components of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a circulating pump connected to the generator housing and driven by the rotatable input member. The circulating pump may be connected to a fluid reservoir and to one or more electrical components such as a controller or battery on the vehicle through a set of coolant lines to provide coolant to the electrical components. The circulating pump may be offset from the generator housing by a plurality of spacers.