Variable Displacement Pump Oscillating Regulation Ring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Variable displacement rotary pumps face issues with maintaining optimal lubrication oil delivery rates across varying engine speeds, leading to excessive power absorption, fuel consumption, and component stress due to fixed geometry designs and inefficient displacement regulation mechanisms, which result in undesired pressure increases and friction.

Innovation Solution

The use of opposing means with a spring wound on a tappet and a roller articulating on a pump body, combined with a spring-guiding sleeve and a roller tracking an arc-shaped surface on the regulation ring, allows for oscillatory movement that maintains consistent pressure and reduces friction during displacement regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed geometry pump is used, then the pump provides sufficient delivery rate at low speeds, but at high rotation speeds the delivery rate exceeds the necessary rate, causing high power absorption and fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery rateVSAvoidpower absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump uses variable geometry through a regulation ring that can oscillate between different angular positions, changing the displacement volume dynamically. The spring-opposed mechanism allows the pump to adapt its delivery rate to match actual system needs at different operating conditions, avoiding excessive power absorption while maintaining sufficient lubrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a resilient member is used to provide resistance to displacement variation, then the starting value of the regulation is determined, but when the regulating mechanism is moved, the opposing force increases, modifying the pressure/delivery rate value

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure regulationVSAvoiddisplacement regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses an arc-shaped track profile instead of a linear guide. This curved geometry allows the roller to follow a path that compensates for the spring's increasing opposing force, maintaining more consistent pressure regulation throughout the oscillation range while still enabling smooth displacement adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a seat and convex surface are used to pivot the spring, then the mechanism allows ring swinging movement, but excessive friction occurs between the seat and surface during swinging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvering oscillationVSAvoidfriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the sliding friction-based pivot mechanism with a rolling contact system. A roller element moves along an arc-shaped track, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, which is significantly lower. This substitution enables smooth ring oscillation while minimizing energy loss and wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If the rotor eccentrically rotates inside a regulation stator ring, then the relative eccentricity can be varied to change displacement, but the oscillation of the stator ring is difficult to oppose effectively while maintaining desired pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement variationVSAvoidpressure maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a spring element as an intermediary between the oscillating regulation ring and the fixed pump body. This spring provides a controllable opposing force that balances the pressure generated by the eccentric rotor-stator interaction, allowing displacement variation while maintaining stable operating pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively regulates pump displacement to maintain optimal pressure and reduce friction, ensuring efficient lubrication across varying engine speeds while minimizing power absorption and fuel consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member, typically consisting of one or more suitably calibrated mechanical springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a first roller is fixedly connected... engaging a complementary recess in a pump body thereby forming an articulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2803859B1Variable displacement rotary pump for fluids including means for opposing the displacement regulation and method of regulating the displacement of the pump
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 VHIT SPA
  • EP2803859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2803859B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2803859B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A variable displacement pump (1) for fluids is provided where displacement regulation is achieved thanks to the variation of the relative eccentricity between a regulation ring (11) in which the rotor (13) is located and the rotor itself. Means (19) opposing the movement of the regulation ring (11) are provided between the regulation ring (11) and a pump body (10), which means have a first end (22) articulated onto the body (10) of the pump (1) so that the means themselves can perform an oscillatory movement about such a first end (22), and a second end (25) arranged, during the oscillatory movement, to move along a track (26) formed on the surface of the ring (11) and consisting of an arc of a curve such that a tangent to the curve in each position of the second end (25) is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of symmetry (S) of the opposing means (19). The disclosure also concerns a method of regulating the displacement of such a pump.