Integrated Valve-Pump Unit With Single-Motor Valve Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat transport medium systems in vehicles are complex, requiring multiple components and occupying significant space and resources, which increases weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A highly integrated valve/pump unit with a single electric motor, reduction gearbox, and multiway valve, integrated in a common housing, allowing for simplified operation and reduced component count, with features like a freewheel for uncoupling and a centrifugal force clutch for independent pump stage operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for pump stages and multiway valve, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall system complexity increases and installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (pump stages and multiway valve) into a single integrated valve/pump unit with a common housing section. This merging reduces the number of separate components, simplifies the overall system, and decreases installation space while maintaining the ability to independently optimize each functional element within the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The common housing section serves multiple functions: it accommodates the electric motor, multiway valve, reduction gearbox, and pump stages simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows a single component structure to perform multiple roles, reducing overall system complexity while enabling independent optimization of each subsystem within the universal housing.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for pump stages and multiway valve, then each component can be optimized independently, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components into a single integrated valve/pump unit with a common housing section that accommodates the electric motor, multiway valve, reduction gearbox, and pump stages. This consolidation significantly reduces the installation space required compared to having separate components, while still allowing each component to be independently optimized for its specific function.
3Device complexity
If a single electric motor drives both pump stages and multiway valve, then component count is reduced, but the motor must operate in multiple directions and modes
Solution Approach 1:
The single electric motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it can rotate in first and second directions to drive the pump stages for heat transport medium conveyance and to adjust the multiway valve between different switching positions. This multi-functional motor design reduces the overall component count while adapting to different operational modes through directional control and coupling mechanisms like the freewheel and clutch.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the multiway valve encloses the electric motor, then structural rigidity increases, but manufacturing and assembly become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The multiway valve is designed to enclose the electric motor in an annular configuration, creating a compact integrated structure. This merging of the valve body around the motor provides increased structural rigidity and stability to the overall assembly. While the enclosed design adds complexity to manufacturing and assembly, it is offset by the benefits of structural reinforcement and the integrated nature of the common housing section that accommodates all components.
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
The integrated design reduces the number of components, weight, installation space, and costs while maintaining efficient operation of the heat transport medium system.
Implementation Method 1
a reduction gearbox, which is driven by the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
In pumping operation, in a first direction of rotation of the electric motor, the reduction gearbox is uncoupled from the electric motor via a freewheel
Implementation Method 3
a centrifugal force clutch for independent pump stage operation
Data Source
AI summary
A valve/pump unit having a single electric motor for driving at least one pump stage and for adjusting a multiway valve, a reduction gearbox, which is driven by the electric motor, at least one first pump stage which is driven by the electric motor for conveying a heat transport medium in a first heat transport medium circuit, an adjustable multiway valve that is adjusted via the reduction gearbox, and having heat transport medium channels for providing at least two switching positions between the first heat transport medium circuit and a second heat transport medium circuit. In pumping operation in a first direction of rotation of the electric motor, the reduction gearbox is uncoupled from the electric motor via a freewheel. The reduction gearbox is operated in a second direction of rotation of the electric motor, opposite to the pumping operation, to adjust the multiway valve.