Modular Lubricant Pump Element for Lower-Cost Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump elements for lubrication are complex, costly to produce, and require intensive processing and assembly, with a significant number of variants due to geometric and functional elements, leading to high production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A pump element comprising two separate housing portions, where the first portion is produced from a cost-effective material and the second portion from a more resistant material, allowing for simple assembly and adaptation of conveying volume, with non-positive-locking connections and a non-return valve for efficient lubricant conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pump element is produced from a single piece of raw material, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump element is divided into multiple separate housing portions (first housing portion, second housing portion, third housing portion) that are produced independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately using cost-effective processes while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the pump element through proper connection mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple geometric and functional elements are introduced into the basic body, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different functional elements (connections, valve seats, conveying chambers) are distributed across separate housing portions. Each housing portion can be designed and manufactured with its specific functions, reducing the complexity of any single manufacturing process while achieving the overall functional requirements through assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular housing portions are designed to perform multiple functions. For example, the first housing portion includes both a connection for the pump unit and a lubricant outlet, while the second housing portion provides both the conveying chamber and the lubricant inlet. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Productivity
If the conveying chamber volume is increased, then the lubricant conveyance capacity is improved, but the pump element complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying chamber is formed by the assembly of multiple housing portions rather than requiring a single large complex component. This allows the conveying volume to be increased by adding or enlarging specific portions without proportionally increasing the overall complexity, as each portion can be manufactured independently.
4Reliability
If additional processing steps such as coating and assembly are added, then the pump element performance is improved, but the production cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the pump element into separate housing portions that can be manufactured independently, coating and surface treatment processes can be applied to each portion separately during manufacturing, rather than requiring post-assembly coating of the entire assembly. This reduces labor costs and production time while maintaining the required surface properties for performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump element (1), such as a piston pump element, for conveying lubricant. The pump element (1) can be fitted in a pump unit. The pump element (1) has a first housing portion (2) and a second housing portion (4). The first housing portion (2) moves into engagement with the pump unit. The second housing portion (4) receives lubricant through a lubricant inlet (32) and conveys the received lubricant to a lubricant outlet (14, 46). The first housing portion (2) and the second housing portion (4) are in the form of separate elements.