Integrated Coolant Pump Impeller Reduces Axial Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolant pumps for internal combustion engines require significant assembly effort and installation space, making them difficult to integrate into compact crankcase arrangements, and often necessitate additional components and lines for operation.
Innovation Solution
A coolant pump design where the coolant pump impeller is integrated with the side channel pump impeller, with the side channel formed in a housing part that also serves as a bearing for the control slide, reducing axial length and eliminating the need for separate fastening steps and additional components, and utilizing a solenoid valve for hydraulic control without additional lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a side channel pump is added to generate pressure for the control slide, then the pump can be mechanically controlled without additional hydraulic lines, but the axial length and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coolant pump impeller and side channel pump impeller into a single integrated impeller structure. The coolant pump impeller blades and side channel pump impeller blades are formed as one piece on the drive shaft, eliminating the need for separate pump units and reducing axial length while maintaining mechanical control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing part serves multiple functions: it forms the side channel for pressure generation, provides a bearing surface for the control slide, and acts as a guide for the control slide's axial movement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and installation space requirements
2Reliability
If separate housing parts and additional components are used for the side channel pump and control slide, then each component can be optimized independently, but the assembly effort and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the coolant pump impeller and side channel pump impeller into a single component reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled. The controlled integration maintains the functional benefits of separate optimization while eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple separate pump units
Solution Approach 2:
The first housing part is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: containing the side channel, supporting the control slide, and providing flow guidance. This reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining reliable fluid control
3Measurement precision
If additional hydraulic lines and components are provided for the control slide, then the hydraulic control can be more precise, but the installation space and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side channel pump generates the hydraulic pressure internally within the pump assembly itself, eliminating the need for external hydraulic lines and separate pressure generation systems. The control slide is actuated by pressure differential created within the pump housing, achieving precise control without additional installation space
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 significantly reduces installation space, simplifies assembly, and ensures reliable operation with precise axial movement of the control slide, achieving efficient coolant flow regulation while minimizing components and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a side channel pump with a side channel pump impeller, which is at least non-rotatably arranged on the drive shaft, a side channel of the side channel pump in which a pressure can be generated by rotating the side channel pump impeller
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid valve, via which a flow cross-section of the pressure channel can be closed and released
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Coolant pumps for internal combustion engines having a drive shaft (18), having a coolant pump impeller (20) which is arranged at least rotationally conjointly on the drive shaft (18) and by means of which coolant can be delivered into a delivery duct (12) surrounding the coolant pump impeller (20), having an adjustable regulating slide (28) by means of which a throughflow cross section of a ring-shaped gap (30) between an outlet (32) of the coolant impeller (20) and the delivery duct (12) can be regulated, having a side channel pump (56) with a side channel pump impeller (46) which is arranged at least rotationally conjointly on the drive shaft (18), having a side channel (50) of the side channel pump (56), in which side channel a pressure can be generated as a result of rotation of the side channel pump impeller (46), having a pressure duct (72) via which an outlet (54) of the side channel (50) is fluidically connectable to a first pressure chamber (58) of the regulating slide (28), and having a valve (66) by means of which a throughflow cross section (70) of the pressure duct (72) can be closed and opened up, are known. To shorten the structural space thereof in particular axially, it is proposed that the coolant pump impeller (20) is formed in one piece with the side channel pump impeller (46), and the side channel (50) is formed in a first housing part (40) on which the regulating slide (28) is slidingly guided.