Pump Axial Securing Device for Alignment and Leak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pump designs face issues with axial securing of the pump housing and spring structure, leading to misalignment, wear, and potential leaks due to loose assembly and non-destructive disassembly challenges, particularly in cartridge-type pumps used in vehicles and wind turbines.

Innovation Solution

A pump design featuring a spring structure with a securing device that includes a female and male retaining element, along with an additional retaining element, to axially secure the pump housing and spring structure, ensuring optimal alignment and preventing leaks by using a releasable mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If press fits are used for axial securing of the pump housing, then the pump housing is secured axially, but non-destructive disassembly without damaging the surface and/or increasing the tolerance is impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial securing of pump housingVSAvoiddisassembly without damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The axial securing device is divided into multiple segments: a press fit portion for initial mounting, and a separate locking portion that can be independently engaged. This segmentation allows the press fit to provide initial stability while the locking portion enables reversible securing, resolving the contradiction between stable mounting and easy disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary locking mechanism is introduced between the pump housing and the mounting shaft. This intermediary component (the axial securing device with locking portion) mediates between the press fit connection and the mounting shaft, providing both initial stability through press fit and reversible locking through the locking portion, thus enabling both stable securing and easy disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional externally accessible elements such as retaining rings are used for axial securing, then the pump housing is secured axially, but dirt particles in the form of abrasion are generated which can cause damage to the pump

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial securing of pump housingVSAvoiddirt particles and abrasion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful locking portion is extracted from the interior of the pump housing and placed in an externally accessible position. This allows the locking function to be performed outside the fluid pathway, preventing abrasion-generated dirt particles from entering the pump interior and causing damage, while still providing stable axial securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The axial securing device acts as an intermediary element that provides the locking function externally. By positioning the locking portion outside the pump housing interior, it mediates between the need for secure mounting and the requirement to prevent contamination, allowing locking without generating harmful abrasion inside the pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the spring structure is loosely inserted into the mounting shaft during assembly, then assembly is simplified, but the spring structure is not optimally aligned with the end wall of the pump housing from an axial perspective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidaxial alignment of spring structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring structure is preliminarily positioned in a loose manner during assembly to simplify the assembly process, and then the axial securing device is subsequently engaged to provide precise axial alignment and secure the spring structure in its optimal position. This two-stage approach resolves the contradiction between assembly simplicity and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly process is segmented into two independent stages: first, loose insertion of the spring structure for simplified assembly; second, engagement of the axial securing device for precise alignment. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific requirement, achieving both ease of assembly and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the spring structure is loosely inserted, then assembly is easier, but the compressive force exerted by the spring structure on the pump housing is not evenly transmitted, leading to malfunctions and leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoideven transmission of compressive force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The axial securing device serves as an intermediary that ensures even distribution of the spring structure's compressive force on the pump housing. By providing a structured interface between the spring structure and housing, it mediates the force transmission to ensure uniform distribution, preventing malfunctions and leaks while maintaining assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring structure is preliminarily inserted in a loose manner for ease of assembly, and then the axial securing device is subsequently engaged to ensure even force distribution. This preliminary action followed by securing resolves the contradiction between assembly ease and reliable force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary 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

The solution provides secure, leak-resistant, and reliable axial securing of the pump housing and spring structure, preventing wear and ensuring efficient fluid transfer without damaging the pump during assembly and disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

The pump comprises a spring structure for applying a pressure force to the pump housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4166752B1Pump with axial securing device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SCHWABISCHE HUTTENWERKE AUTOMOTIVE CMBH
  • EP4166752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4166752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4166752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Pump for supplying a unit with fluid, comprising: a pump housing (10) with - an inlet for the fluid on a low-pressure side, - an outlet for the fluid on a high-pressure side, - a circumferential wall (12) radially surrounding a pumping chamber, and - an end wall (11) with an outer end face axially facing away from the pumping chamber, at which the outlet opens, a spring structure (14) arranged on the outer end face of the end wall (11), a conveying element (17, 18) movable in the pumping chamber for conveying the fluid from the low-pressure side to the high-pressure side, a locking device (20) for axially securing, in particular for transport securing, the pump housing (10), the locking device comprising - a female retaining element (21; 41; 51; 61) with an axially extending recess (22; 42; 52; 62), - a male retaining element (23; 43; 53; 63) which in the recess (22; 42; 52; 62) with the female retaining element (21; 41; 51;61) in an axially tensile load-bearing joining engagement, and optionally an additional retaining element (24; 34; 44; 54; 64), wherein the spring structure (14) and/or the end wall (11) is/are held by one of the retaining elements through the joining engagement on the pump housing (10) and the locking device (20) does not have axial sealing contact with a terminal wall of a receiving device when the pump is installed.