Kidney-Shaped Cavity Pump for Compact Multi-Stage Oil Conveyance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positive displacement pumps for motor vehicles lack a compact structure, which hinders efficient adaptation to varying conveying volumes and pressures in gearbox and combustion engine applications.

Innovation Solution

The pump design features a central kidney-shaped suction cavity connected to a pressure port, with two kidney-shaped pressure cavities arranged on one side of the housing, allowing for adaptable operating stages through rotational speed and torque adjustments, and a switchover device that controls the drive unit direction using check valves and a multi-directional valve to optimize efficiency and reduce complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a positive displacement pump is designed with multiple operating stages for different conveying volumes and pressures, then the pump can adapt to varying design points, but the structural complexity and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to different design pointsVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple operating stages into a single pump housing by integrating two kidney-shaped pressure cavities and a central suction cavity on one side. The drive unit simultaneously drives both pump chambers, allowing the pump to switch between different conveying volumes and pressures without requiring separate pump units or complex external switching mechanisms, thus reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive unit is designed to drive both pump chambers simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component that handles different operating stages. The switchover device integrated into the pump body allows a single unit to perform multiple functions (different conveying volumes and pressures) without requiring additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to different design pointsVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the two kidney-shaped pressure cavities and the central suction cavity in a compact three-dimensional configuration on one side of the housing. This spatial arrangement allows multiple operating stages to be integrated into a reduced footprint by utilizing vertical and lateral space efficiently, thereby maintaining adaptability while minimizing installation space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a switchover device is added to control operating stages, then the pump can switch between different conveying volumes and pressures, but the number of components and potential failure points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching between operating stagesVSAvoidcomponent failure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switchover device is integrated directly into the pump body structure, merging the switching function with the existing housing and cavity arrangement. This integration eliminates the need for separate external switching mechanisms and reduces the number of external connections and components, thereby reducing potential failure points while maintaining the ability to switch between operating stages

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 configuration results in a more compact and efficient pump with reduced component failure risk, enabling efficient oil conveyance in motor vehicles by adapting to different design points and maintaining low installation space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a pump stage (3) that is driven by a drive unit (2), having a suction port (5) for introducing oil and a pressure port (7) for delivering oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the two kidney-shaped pressure cavities (12, 13) are connected to the suction port (5) via check valves (10, 11)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS10451060B2Positive displacement pump having multiple operating stages

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

AI summary

A positive displacement pump for pumping oil in a motor vehicle transmission comprises a pump stage that has a central kidney-shaped suction cavity and two kidney-shaped pressure cavities. Oil is selectively pumped via one kidney-shaped pressure cavity or the other kidney-shaped pressure cavity in accordance with the direction of rotation of the pump stage. This makes it possible to create, with little complexity, two operating stages for the positive displacement pump.