Internal-Gear Pump with Pivotable Ring Element for Hydraulic Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal-gear pumps for hydraulic circuits in motor vehicle drivetrains require complex check valve arrangements or central control actuation to distribute fluid between multiple hydraulic consumers, leading to increased complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
An internal-gear pump with a pivotable ring element that changes fluid port connections based on its position, allowing for bidirectional operation and connection of multiple hydraulic consumers without the need for a central control unit, utilizing the ring element as a valve slide to switch between fluid ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a directional valve with central control actuation is used to distribute fluid between multiple hydraulic consumers, then the fluid distribution control is improved, but the device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing is designed with multiple fluid ports (first, second, third, and fourth ports) that can be connected to different hydraulic consumers. The pump itself performs multiple functions by directing fluid flow to different ports based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for separate directional control valves and their associated wiring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the directional control valve and its actuation system from the hydraulic circuit. By integrating multiple fluid ports directly into the pump housing, the patent removes the unnecessary intermediary components and complex wiring required for fluid distribution control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex check valve arrangement is used to enable bidirectional operation, then the ability to supply multiple hydraulic consumers is improved, but the device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing integrates multiple fluid ports that enable the pump to supply multiple hydraulic consumers in both rotational directions of the inner rotor. This multi-functional design allows the same pump to serve different hydraulic consumers depending on the direction of rotation, eliminating the need for complex check valve arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using check valves to force unidirectional flow through a complex arrangement, the invention inverts the approach by designing the pump housing with multiple ports that naturally accommodate bidirectional operation. The fluid flow direction adapts to the rotor rotation direction, simplifying the overall system design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional fluid ports and routing channels are added to supply multiple hydraulic consumers, then the versatility of the pump is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple fluid ports and their associated routing channels into a single integrated pump housing structure. By combining these functions into one component rather than using separate valves and piping, the design reduces the total number of parts and simplifies manufacturing processes while maintaining the ability to serve multiple hydraulic consumers.
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 versatility and reduces component count, enabling efficient fluid distribution with minimal space and cost, allowing for demand-based switchover of hydraulic fluid volume flow without a separate switchover channel or complex passive hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
an inner rotor which is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about an inner rotor axis and which has an external toothing, and having an outer rotor which is rotatable in the housing about an outer rotor axis and which has an internal toothing which, to generate a pump action, engages with the external toothing of the inner rotor
Data Source
AI summary
An internal-gear pump has a housing which has a first fluid port and a second fluid port. An inner rotor is mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable about an inner rotor axis and has an external toothing. An outer rotor is rotatable in the housing about an outer rotor axis and has an internal toothing which, to generate a pump action, engages with the external toothing of the inner rotor. The internal-gear pump furthermore has a ring element which is mounted movably in the housing so as to be pivotable between a first position and a second position. At least a third fluid port is formed on the housing. The third fluid port is arranged relative to the ring element such that, in the first position of the ring element, the third fluid port is connected to the second fluid port. In the second position, said third fluid port is separated from the second fluid port.