Integrated Screw-Spindle Coolant Pump Leak Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of cooling circuits in battery electric vehicles, with numerous branch lines and fluid connections, leads to increased installation effort, risk of leaks, and maintenance challenges due to the need for multiple hose connections and fluid couplings, which are costly and space-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An integrated electric screw spindle coolant pump design that eliminates the need for hose connections and fluid couplings by incorporating a receiving housing with an inlet and return section that opens into a cavity surrounding the spindle housing, using a sealing member to create a seal between the suction and pressure sides, and allowing for a 360° radial arrangement for optimal space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional hose connections and fluid couplings are used in cooling circuits, then the system can be assembled with standard components, but the installation effort increases and the risk of leaks rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak riskVSAvoidnumber of connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump housing is merged with the cooling circuit by integrating the inlet and return connections directly into the pump housing structure. The receiving housing contains an inlet section and a return section that open into a cavity, eliminating the need for separate hose connections and fluid couplings. This integration reduces the number of connection points from multiple external couplings to a unified integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If multiple hose connections and fluid couplings are used, then the cooling circuit can be assembled, but the installation space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidnumber of junctions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connection functions (inlet, return, and pump housing) are merged into a single integrated receiving housing structure. The inlet section and return section are both integrated into the same housing that contains the pump, eliminating the need for separate mounting space for multiple junctions and couplings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inlet section and return section are nested within the receiving housing structure. The cavity inside the receiving housing contains the pump assembly, while the inlet and return passages are integrated into the housing walls, creating a nested configuration that maximizes space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If numerous pipe branches and fluid connections are used, then the cooling circuit can service multiple components, but the maintenance requirements increase due to aging elastic components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pump and cooling circuit are merged into a single integrated assembly with permanent internal passages for coolant flow. This eliminates the need for separate elastic sealing components at connection points, as the integrated structure uses rigid connections with sealing surfaces built into the housing, reducing maintenance requirements associated with aging elastomers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional multi-part housing designs are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the number of sealing interfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing productionVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving housing integrates multiple functions (inlet passage, return passage, pump mounting structure) into a single molded or cast component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate housing parts and their associated sealing interfaces, while the integrated manufacturing process (such as injection molding or die casting) remains efficient for production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances operational reliability and service life by reducing noise and maintaining high delivery pressure, while being cost-effective and modular, with a compact installation that minimizes the risk of leaks and simplifies assembly.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing element, which provides a seal between a suction and a pressure side, is arranged on an end face of an axial end of the spindle housing inserted into the cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

Screw pumps feature a robust, dirt-resistant rotary lobe mechanism that eliminates the need for delicate components such as sliding gates or similar parts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolumetric displacement:

Data Source

PatentEP3994344B1Integrated screw-spindle coolant pump
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 NIDEC GPM GMBH
  • EP3994344B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric screw-spindle coolant pump (1) for integration into a temperature-control circuit (50) of an assembly (5) to be temperature-controlled. An accommodating housing (15) comprises a feed line (57) and a return line (56) of the temperature-control circuit (50), which lead into a cavity (11). Part of the cavity (11) surrounds a spindle housing (10) and communicates with an outlet opening (17) in the spindle housing (10) and with the feed line (57). A sealing element (4), which provides a seal between a suction side and a pressure side, is arranged toward an end face of the axial end of the inserted spindle housing (10).