Plug-in Pump Fluid Separation via Segmented Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plug-in pumps fail to reliably separate regions containing different fluids, leading to fuel and engine oil contamination, which does not meet the requirements of engine designers.

Innovation Solution

A plug-in pump design with a cylinder and separate pump housing, featuring a movable piston that linearly moves within a cavity, with a sealing element to prevent fluid mixing between the first fluid in the pump working chamber and the second fluid in a separate lubricating oil space, utilizing a camshaft-driven mechanism and spring elements for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional seals are used to separate fuel and engine oil, then the structure is simple, but the fluid separation reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid separation reliabilityVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump housing cavity is divided into two separate spaces (first space for fuel, second space for engine oil) that are fluidly separated from each other. This segmentation prevents fuel and engine oil from mixing while maintaining separate lubrication and pumping functions, directly addressing the reliability issue without requiring complex sealing mechanisms at fluid interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second spaces to prevent fluid mixing. The sealing element acts as a mediator that maintains fluid separation while allowing the piston to function, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a single spring acts on the piston in conventional designs, then the structure is simple, but the piston return force reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston return force reliabilityVSAvoidspring mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism is segmented into two separate springs (first spring in the first space, second spring in the second space), each acting independently on the piston. This segmentation provides redundant return forces and ensures reliable piston operation even if one spring fails, while maintaining relatively simple individual spring structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each spring is positioned in its respective fluid space to provide localized support and return force. The first spring is surrounded by the first fluid (fuel) and the second spring by the second fluid (engine oil), allowing each spring to be optimized for its specific environment while collectively providing reliable piston return force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the piston cavity inner diameter is significantly larger than the piston outer diameter, then the piston movement is smooth, but the amount of fuel required for cooling and lubrication increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston movement smoothnessVSAvoidfuel consumption for cooling and lubrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity inner diameter is designed to substantially correspond to the piston outer diameter, creating a precise fit that minimizes the gap between the piston and cavity wall. This local precision reduces the amount of fuel required for cooling and lubrication while maintaining smooth piston movement through proper surface finishing and tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing excessive clearance that would require大量 fuel for lubrication and cooling, the design uses precise dimensional matching with substantially corresponding diameters. This partial action approach provides just enough clearance for smooth movement without excessive fuel consumption, optimizing the balance between ease of operation and fuel efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Effectively separates the fluid regions, preventing fuel from entering the engine oil and vice versa, ensuring reliable fluid separation and meeting engine design requirements while minimizing size and material usage.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing element to prevent fluid mixing between the first fluid in the pump working chamber and the second fluid in a separate lubricating oil space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment through sealing element: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a camshaft-driven mechanism and spring elements for efficient operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a camshaft-driven mechanism and spring elements for efficient operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical motion conversion: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP2825773B1Plug-in pump
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP2825773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2825773B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A plug-in pump (1) having a cylinder (2) and having a pump housing (3), wherein the cylinder (2) has a cavity (4) in which a movable piston (5) is accommodated, wherein a first end (5a) of the piston (5) delimits a pump chamber (6), and a second end (5b) of the piston (5) is connected to a drive device for the piston (5), and wherein an inlet valve (7) is arranged in the cylinder (2), which inlet valve connects the pump chamber (6) to a feed line (12) for a first fluid, and an outlet valve (8) which connects the pump chamber (6) to an outlet (8a), wherein the pump housing (3) has a cavity (10) which forms a first chamber (11) which is connected to a feed line (12) for the first fluid, and at least one second chamber (13) which is separated from the first chamber (11) and which is connected to a fluid system of a second fluid, wherein the first chamber (11) is fluidically sealed off with respect to the second chamber (13).