Vibrating Armature Pump Flux Guide Radial Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oscillating armature pumps for household appliances, particularly high-pressure pumps, face inefficiencies and cost-effectiveness challenges due to the design of their magnetic flux guiding elements and the interaction between the piston guide and pump spring.

Innovation Solution

The proposed oscillating armature pump incorporates a flux guide element arranged radially between the pump spring and piston guide, designed as a bent sheet metal part with axial slots, providing a clamping force and temporary magnetic force enhancement, and features a housing unit with additional flux guide elements to optimize magnetic flux direction and reduce component size, allowing for a compact and cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the magnetic coil is dimensioned larger to provide sufficient magnetic force, then the magnetic force on the piston element is improved, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic force on piston elementVSAvoidmagnetic coil size
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A flow guide element made of magnetizable material is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnetic coil and the piston element. This element concentrates and guides the magnetic flux, enhancing the magnetic force on the piston element without requiring a larger magnetic coil. The flow guide element acts as a magnetic flux concentrator, directing the magnetic field more effectively to where it is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic properties of the system are enhanced by introducing a magnetizable flow guide element, which changes the magnetic flux distribution parameters. This allows the existing magnetic coil to generate more effective magnetic force by optimizing the magnetic circuit, rather than increasing the coil size. The parameter change is in the magnetic permeability and flux concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If the pump spring is positioned to provide adequate actuating force, then the pumping action is improved, but the space for magnetic flux guidance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating force on piston elementVSAvoidspace for flux guide element
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide element is arranged radially between the pump spring and piston guide, utilizing the radial dimension of the pump assembly. This spatial arrangement allows the flux guide element to be positioned in the radial direction while the pump spring maintains its axial positioning, effectively using three-dimensional space to accommodate both components without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump interior is segmented into distinct functional zones: the axial zone for the pump spring providing actuating force, and the radial zone for the flow guide element providing magnetic flux guidance. This segmentation allows both components to perform their functions independently without compromising each other's effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If additional flux guide elements are added to optimize magnetic flux direction, then the magnetic efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of flux guide elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides magnetic flux, provides structural support for the pump spring, and acts as a mechanical component in the piston guide assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated flux guide elements, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still achieving optimized magnetic flux direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If the pump components are arranged to maximize pumping efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guide element is manufactured as a thin-walled tubular component with wall thickness of 0.5-2.0 mm, which can be formed from sheet metal through bending and rolling operations. This thin-walled construction reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the magnetic flux guiding functionality. The simple geometric form factor facilitates economical manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 configuration enables a more efficient and cost-effective oscillating armature pump by allowing a smaller magnetic coil and improved magnetic force on the piston element, enhancing pumping efficiency and reducing costs through efficient space utilization and secure mounting of components.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic actuator (18a, 18b, 18c) for contactless actuation of the piston element (12a, 12b, 12c), in particular for exerting a magnetic force on the piston element (12a, 12b, 12c)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

to guide a magnetic flux generated by a magnetic actuator... designed to increase the magnetic force on the piston element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

a pump spring (13a, 13b, 13c) which is provided to supply an actuating force to the piston element (12a, 12b, 12c)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 4

the piston guide (11a, 11b, 11c) and the flow guide element (15a, 15b, 15c) be frictionally connected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3137767B1Vibrating armature pump having flux-conducting element
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SYSKO
  • EP3137767B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3137767B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3137767B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vibrating armature pump, in particular a high-pressure vibrating armature pump, for a household appliance, said pump comprising a piston guide (11a; 11b; 11c) for guiding a piston element (12a; 12b; 12c), a pump spring (13a; 13b; 13c) designed to apply an actuating force to the piston element (12a; 12b; 12c), and a casing unit (14a; 14b; 14c) having at least one flux-conducting element (15a; 15b; 15c) that is designed to conduct a magnetic flux generated by a magnet actuator. In a mounted state, the flux-conducting element (15a; 15b; 15c) is arranged in a radial direction between the pump spring (13a; 13b; 13c) and the piston guide (11a; 11b; 11c).