Modular Feed Pump with Interchangeable Drive and Pump Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed pumps are limited in their versatility regarding drive types and lubricants, requiring specific spare parts and being difficult to convert or repair, as they are often designed for specific operating conditions and lubricants.
Innovation Solution
A modular feed pump system with interchangeable drive and pump modules, featuring connection areas adapted for easy exchange and secured with screw connections, allowing for various drive modules and pump modules to be swapped or added, including rotary-linear conversion gears and hydraulically/pneumatically drivable piston arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If feed pumps are designed for specific operating conditions and lubricants with dedicated pump elements and drive elements, then the pump performance for specific applications is optimized, but the versatility and adaptability to different operating conditions and lubricants is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feed pump is divided into separate modular components: pump modules containing pump elements (delivery pistons) and drive modules containing drive elements. These modules can be independently selected, combined, and exchanged based on specific application requirements, allowing optimization for particular operating conditions while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal modular system where standardized connection areas enable different pump modules and drive modules to be interchangeably combined. This universal interface design allows a single base platform to support multiple configurations for different lubricants and operating conditions without requiring entirely separate pump designs.
2Reliability
If pump elements and drive elements are specifically matched to particular feed pump designs, then the reliability for specific applications is improved, but the ease of repair and spare parts management is worsened due to the need to stock multiple specialized spare parts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pump into standardized modular components with uniform connection interfaces, the system reduces the variety of specialized spare parts needed. While specific pump and drive modules can be optimized for particular applications, their modular nature with standardized connections allows for easier inventory management and replacement compared to fully customized integrated designs.
3Power
If feed pumps are designed with integrated pump and drive elements for specific drive types (pneumatic, hydraulic), then the performance for specific drive applications is optimized, but the ease of operation for conversion to other drive types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of drive modules from pump modules allows the drive module to be independently selected and exchanged based on the desired drive type (electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical). This segmentation enables performance optimization for specific drive applications while facilitating easy conversion by simply replacing the drive module rather than the entire pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal connection interface design enables a single pump module to work with multiple types of drive modules. This multi-functionality allows the system to be converted between different drive types (e.g., from pneumatic to electric) by exchanging modules rather than redesigning the entire system, greatly improving ease of operation for drive type conversion.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional feed pumps are designed as integrated units with specific pump and drive elements, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the device complexity for modular exchangeability is increased
Solution Approach 1:
While segmentation into modular components increases design complexity, it standardizes the manufacturing process for each module type. Once the modular architecture and connection interfaces are established, individual pump modules and drive modules can be manufactured using standardized processes, potentially improving manufacturing efficiency through volume production of standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal connection interface creates a standardized platform that simplifies manufacturing by allowing the same base components to be used across multiple configurations. This universality reduces the need to manufacture entirely different pump designs for different applications, as the same modular platform can be adapted through different module combinations.
Data Source
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Figure 2~3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a feed pump for supplying lubricant to at least one lubricating point, with at least one driving module (1, 6, 6', 18a, 18b) and at least one pump module (3), wherein each driving module (1, 6, 6', 18a, 18b) and each pump module (3) is selected from a modular system which comprises a plurality of driving modules and/or a plurality of pump modules which each have at least one connecting region (A). In this case, the connecting regions (A) are matched to one another in such a manner that the at least one driving module (1, 6, 6', 18a, 18b) can be exchanged for at least one further driving module and/or the at least one pump module (3) can be exchanged for at least one further pump module.