Magnetic Drive Pump Positioning and Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic-drive coupling pump configurations have low reliability and accuracy issues due to non-constant positional relationships between the pump and drive motor units, leading to problems with rotational accuracy, hydrodynamic levitation performance, and durability.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic drive pump configuration with a convex portion on the pump unit inserted into a concave portion of the drive motor unit, utilizing a locking mechanism with claws and engaging portions to ensure reliable and swift positioning and fixation, including a movable arm and elastic member for detent operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pump unit and drive motor unit are integrated by a screw or detent and magnetic force, then the assembly can be simplified, but the reliability is low and the positional relationship is not constant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly configurationVSAvoidpositional relationship stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into multiple functional elements: positioning protrusions on the pump unit, corresponding positioning cavities on the drive motor unit, and separate locking protrusions with locking cavities. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, ensuring reliable positioning and locking while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusions and positioning cavities are designed to engage automatically during assembly, establishing the correct positional relationship before the locking mechanism activates. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the pump unit and drive motor unit are correctly aligned before final locking, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the pump unit is quickly attached to the drive motor unit, then the productivity is improved, but the positional accuracy and reliability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidpositional accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning protrusions and positioning cavities are designed to engage automatically during assembly, establishing the correct positional relationship before the locking mechanism activates. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the pump unit and drive motor unit are correctly aligned before final locking, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-positioning and self-locking. The positioning protrusions automatically align the pump unit with the drive motor unit, and the locking protrusions automatically engage with the locking cavities to secure the assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external alignment tools or complex assembly procedures, enabling quick and accurate attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a simple coupling mechanism is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rotational accuracy and hydrodynamic levitation performance are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidrotational accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is divided into multiple functional elements: positioning protrusions on the pump unit, corresponding positioning cavities on the drive motor unit, and separate locking protrusions with locking cavities. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function independently, ensuring reliable positioning and locking while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusions and positioning cavities are designed to engage automatically during assembly, establishing the correct positional relationship before the locking mechanism activates. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the pump unit and drive motor unit are correctly aligned before final locking, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures.

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 configuration achieves simple, reliable, and swift positioning and fixation of the pump unit, enhancing rotational accuracy and durability while preventing unintended detachment.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member that biases inward an upper end portion of the arm main body in the pump radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

magnetic force generated between a driven magnet attached to an impeller that rotates by a non-contact bearing inside the pump unit, and a driving magnet that rotates by a motor inside the drive motor unit rotates the impeller and applies pressure on liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

an impeller having an inner magnet (a driven magnet) is accommodated in a pump unit, and is rotatably supported via a non-contact bearing such as a magnetic bearing or a hydrodynamic bearing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic levitation: Hydrodynamic Cavitation

Data Source

PatentEP2674624B1Pump configuration
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 NIPRO CORP
  • EP2674624B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2674624B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2674624B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetically driven, coupling type pump configuration provided with an attachment/detachment mechanism capable of simple and reliable positioning and affixation. A pump configuration is configured in such a manner that a pump unit (10) is positioned in the thrust direction by surface contact occurring when the protrusion (11) of the pump unit (10) is inserted into a predetermined position of the recess (31) of a drive motor unit (30), and that the pump unit (10) is positioned in the radial direction by the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion (11) and the inner peripheral surface of the recess (31). The pump configuration is provided with: claw sections (15) protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the pump unit (10); engagement sections (32) protruding upward from the outer periphery of the upper surface of the drive motor unit (30) so that, when the pump unit (10) is rotated while the protrusion (11) is inserted to a predetermined position of the recess (31), the engagement sections (32) are engaged with the claw sections (15) to prevent the claw sections (15) from moving upward; and a lock mechanism (50) for retaining the pump unit (10) at the position at which the claw sections (15) and the engagement sections (32) are engaged with each other.