Integrated Cooling Pump Housing With Labyrinth Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in motor vehicle cooling circuits is to reduce the construction volume and number of parts while maintaining efficiency and sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the first part of the pump housing into the tank or distributor component, allowing the tank or distributor component to form part of the pump housing, and utilizing an annular groove and projections to create a labyrinth seal and additional bearing for improved sealing and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complete pump housing is used for each pump, then the pump structure is complete and functional, but the number of parts and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tank or distributor component with the pump housing by forming an integral connection. The tank/distributor serves dual purposes: as a fluid storage/distribution component and as part of the pump housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate pump housing components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining complete pump functionality.
2Device complexity
If the tank or distributor component forms part of the pump housing, then the number of parts is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness between high and low pressure areas may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a labyrinth seal as an intermediary sealing mechanism between the high-pressure and low-pressure areas. This labyrinth seal, formed by the annular groove and protrusion geometry, creates a tortuous flow path that effectively prevents fluid leakage without requiring additional sealant materials or complex sealing components.
3Reliability
If additional sealants are used to improve sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-sealing mechanism where the labyrinth seal geometry (annular groove and protrusion) automatically creates the sealing effect through its structural design. The seal is inherent to the component geometry itself, eliminating the need for separate sealant applications or additional sealing components, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining reliable sealing.
4Volume of stationary object
If the pump housing is integrated into the tank or distributor component, then installation space is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump assembly into modular components that can be manufactured separately with standard precision tolerances and then assembled. The labyrinth seal features (annular groove and protrusion) are designed as discrete geometric elements that can be precision-manufactured independently before integration, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to forming a completely integrated monolithic structure.
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 configuration reduces the number of parts required, enhances sealing efficiency, and lowers noise emissions by creating a defined assembly position and improved sealing between high and low-pressure areas without additional sealants.
Implementation Method 1
The interlocking of the impeller's rim and the annular groove of the first part of the housing, or the interlocking of the rim of the first part of the housing and the impeller's annular groove, creates a seal between the inlet and the pump chamber. This seal can be a labyrinth seal or similar to one.
Implementation Method 2
A pump according to the invention can have a second bearing for the rotating parts of the pump, which supports the bearing of the rotating parts, by means of the impeller rim, which does not engage in the inlet but in an annular groove of the first part of the housing that surrounds the inlet, or alternatively by means of the rim of the first part of the housing that surrounds the inlet and engages in an annular groove of the impeller. This second bearing results in smoother running of the rotating parts and also leads to an improvement in the acoustic behavior of the pump. The noise emissions generated by the pump during its operation are lower and/or more pleasant due to the second bearing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for at least one cooling circuit of a motor vehicle, wherein the arrangement comprises a pump, the pump comprising a housing (10, 20, 30, 40), a motor with a stator (50) and a rotor (60) arranged in the housing (10, 20, 30, 40) of the pump, and a pump chamber (P) provided in the housing (10, 20, 30, 40) in which an impeller (90) of the pump is rotatably arranged and driven by the motor, which pumps the medium to be pumped, wherein the arrangement comprises a tank and/or a distributor component (V), and wherein at least a first part (10) of the housing (10, 20, 30, 40) is formed in a part of the tank or distributor component (V) of the arrangement.