Movable End Plate Fluid Pump for Dimensional Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scavenge oil pumps face challenges due to dimensional variances caused by differing thermal expansion rates of materials and variable component dimensions, leading to higher costs and lower reliability from manufacturing multiple sizes of components.
Innovation Solution
A fluid pump design with a movable end plate that compresses a gear set within a housing, allowing for consistent assembly dimensions by using a pressurized fluid to compress the gear set and separator plates, improving overall efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple different sized components are manufactured to accommodate dimensional variances, then the pump can maintain a snug fit of gear sets and separator plates, but manufacturing costs increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is designed with adjustability in its compressive force parameter, allowing it to compensate for dimensional variances in gear sets and separator plates. This single adjustable component replaces the need for multiple different sized components, maintaining reliable assembly fit while simplifying manufacturing to a single standard component design
Solution Approach 2:
The end plate transitions from a fixed dimension component to a dynamically adjustable component that can adapt its compression force to accommodate variations in gear set and separator plate dimensions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows one standard component to fulfill the function previously requiring multiple customized components
2Reliability
If components are manufactured at precise tolerances to ensure best fit, then assembly reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than controlling all component dimensions through tight tolerances, the invention changes the parameter control approach by making the end plate adjustable. This allows standard tolerance manufacturing for all components while the end plate's adjustability compensates for accumulated dimensional variances, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining assembly reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If different materials with differing thermal expansion rates are used, then the pump can be optimized for specific applications, but dimensional variances increase requiring multiple component sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dimensional compensation function from the gear sets and separator plates and concentrates it in the end plate. This allows the use of different materials with differing thermal expansion rates in the gear sets and separator plates without requiring multiple component sizes, as the end plate absorbs all dimensional variances through its adjustability
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 the efficiency of the fluid pump by maintaining a snug fit without the need for different-sized components, reducing manufacturing costs and improving reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The plate is movable longitudinally along the axis for compressing the gear set
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pump includes a housing defining a cavity. An end plate is disposed within the cavity and divides the cavity into a gear section and an end section. A gear set is disposed within the gear section and comprises at least one gear rotatable about an axis. The end plate is movable longitudinally along the axis for compressing the gear set. A channel is in fluidic communication with the end section for supplying a fluid to the end section to force the plate toward the gear set.