Integrated Closing Cover Ventilation for Electric Pumps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric pump apparatuses require separate components for the closing cover and ventilation cap, increasing assembly complexity and cost due to the need for additional parts and man-hours.

Innovation Solution

The electric pump apparatus integrates the cover main body and ventilation cap body of the closing cover, forming a single unit with a ventilation passage to prevent water intrusion into the motor housing, using thermoplastic resin materials and spin welding for assembly, and incorporating a ventilation filter for air ventilation while protecting against high-pressure water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the closing cover and ventilation cap are formed separately and assembled, then the ventilation passage can be formed between the two components, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation passage formationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the closing cover and ventilation cap into a single integrated closing cover component. The ventilation passage is formed directly in the closing cover through a pressing operation, eliminating the need for a separate ventilation cap and its associated assembly steps. This reduces the number of components while maintaining the ventilation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the closing cover and ventilation cap are formed separately and assembled, then the ventilation passage can be formed between the two components, but the assembly time and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation passage formationVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the closing cover and ventilation cap functions into one component that is formed in a single pressing operation. This eliminates the separate assembly step of attaching a ventilation cap to the closing cover, thereby reducing assembly time and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the closing cover and ventilation cap are formed separately and assembled, then the ventilation passage can be formed between the two components, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation passage formationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the ventilation cap function into the closing cover itself, which is formed by a single pressing operation. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble a separate ventilation cap component, reducing the total number of parts, assembly operations, and associated production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a separate ventilation cap is installed on the closing cover, then the ventilation passage is formed, but water intrusion risk exists through the ventilation passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation functionVSAvoidwater intrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the ventilation passage by forming it through a pressing operation that creates specific geometric features. The pressing operation forms protrusions and recesses that work with an O-ring to create a water-tight seal, allowing the ventilation passage to prevent water intrusion while maintaining air flow functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an O-ring as an intermediary sealing element between the pressing-formed protrusions and the pump housing. This O-ring mediator prevents water intrusion through the ventilation passage while allowing air to pass through, thus protecting against harmful factors without compromising the ventilation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2848813B1Electric pump apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 JTEKT CORP
  • EP2848813B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2848813B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2848813B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A closing cover (60) integrally includes a cover main body (60a), and a ventilation cap body (71). The ventilation cap body (71) has a connecting portion (73) that is integrally connected to the cover main body (60a), and at least one ventilation passage hole (72) that is disposed in the connecting portion (73) to perpendicularly extend, and has a depth smaller than a plate thickness of the cover main body (60a). A ventilation recessed portion (77) is formed at a location that is positioned on an inner surface of the ventilation cap body (71) of the closing cover (60). An inner wall surface (78) defining the ventilation recessed portion (77) is formed in such a shape that a deep side of the ventilation passage hole (72) is opened to the inner wall surface defining the ventilation recessed portion (77) to form a ventilation passage. A ventilation filter (80) is installed on an inner opening portion of the ventilation recessed portion (77).