Modular Fluid Pump Architecture for Flexible Packaging and Low Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water and oil pumps are custom-designed for specific applications, making them difficult to package and requiring unique suction and pressure ports, which complicates integration with electric motors and increases power draw.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid pump design featuring a stator with stator teeth and windings, a rotor with a central shaft and magnets, and a housing with end caps that allow for customizable orientation and connection positions, using a scalable electric pump design with a pumping element, motor element, and electrical circuit controller to optimize hydraulic energy output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed pumps are used for specific applications, then the pump performance is optimized for that application, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a pump system where the motor and pump are integrated into a single modular unit with standardized interfaces. The motor assembly can be coupled with different pump assemblies through a common mounting structure, allowing one motor design to serve multiple pump applications. This reduces the need for completely custom designs for each application while maintaining optimized performance through selectable pump configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pump system into distinct modular components: a motor assembly and a pump assembly that can be independently designed and manufactured. The motor assembly includes the motor housing, stator, and rotor, while the pump assembly contains the pumping elements. These segments are connected through standardized interfaces, allowing them to be produced separately and assembled into complete pump systems for different applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed pumps are used for each application, then the pump fits the specific application requirements, but the manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is designed as a universal component that can be manufactured once and used across multiple pump applications. The standardized motor housing, mounting interfaces, and electrical connections allow the same motor design to drive different pump assemblies, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining application-specific performance through the pump variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the motor assembly across different pump applications. Instead of designing and manufacturing completely custom motor-pump integrations for each application, the standardized motor assembly can be discarded from one application context and recovered/reused in another, reducing overall manufacturing effort and cost.
3Volume of moving object
If pumps are designed to fit restricted spaces, then the packaging is optimized, but the integration with electrical connections becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor and pump into a single integrated assembly where the electrical connections are built into the motor housing structure. The stator windings and electrical terminals are positioned within the motor assembly in a way that provides accessible connection points without requiring additional external wiring complexity. This integrated design allows the compact pump to maintain simplified electrical connections despite the space constraints.
4Use of energy by moving object
If pumps operate at high efficiency to minimize power draw, then the operational range is extended, but the design requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized motor assembly is designed to operate at high efficiency across multiple pump applications through optimized electromagnetic design. By using a universal motor platform with precisely engineered stator windings and rotor magnets, the system achieves consistent high efficiency regardless of which pump assembly is attached, reducing the need for application-specific efficiency optimizations while meeting stringent power consumption requirements.
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 modular design enables flexible integration into various applications, reduces power consumption, and minimizes wear and friction through a viscous fluid cushion, while allowing for efficient operation and customization without additional fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
A rotor has a central shaft and substantially hemispheric ends and a plurality of magnets that define an electromagnetic communication with the windings
Implementation Method 2
A rotor having a central shaft with concave ends that receive bearing balls
Data Source
AI summary
A modular fluid pump includes a stator having a plurality of stator teeth and windings that are positioned on the stator teeth. A rotor has a central shaft and substantially hemispheric ends and a plurality of magnets that define an electromagnetic communication with the windings A housing surrounds the stator and includes a fixed end cap that receives one of the hemispheric ends of the central shaft and defines a rotational axis of the rotor. A securing end cap that receives the other hemispheric end of the central shaft. The central shaft and the fixed and securing end caps define the rotational axis of the rotor. Engagement of the hemispheric end with the central shaft and the fixed and securing end caps maintains the rotor and the central shaft aligned with the rotational axis and balanced within the stator.