Pump Rotor Blockage Release via Rotary Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pump designs for clearing blockages are costly due to additional degrees of freedom required for unblocking, leading to increased manufacturing expenses.

Innovation Solution

A pump design that generates rotary vibrating movement by alternating forces or torques in specific directions, utilizing pulse-width-modulated or pulse-shaped energization of windings to facilitate blockage release with reduced manufacturing complexity and cost, incorporating pauses for cooling and monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional degrees of freedom are added to the pump rotor for releasing blockages, then the blockage clearing capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage clearing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump rotor is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to perform shaking movements when subjected to alternating forces. By energizing the pump in specific sequences during startup, the rotor can oscillate between different positions to dislodge blockages without requiring additional mechanical degrees of freedom or complex unblocking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the pump during startup by applying alternating forces in different directions through controlled energization sequences. This allows the rotor to temporarily change its motion pattern from steady rotation to shaking movement, enabling blockage clearance while maintaining a simple mechanical structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If alternating forces are applied to generate rotary vibrating movement for blockage release, then the blockage clearing effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockage release effectivenessVSAvoidenergization energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The alternating forces are applied periodically only during the startup phase when blockages are most likely to occur. The energization follows a specific sequence pattern with defined durations and intervals, allowing the rotor to shake and clear blockages before transitioning to normal operation, thereby limiting energy consumption to only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The shaking movement is performed as a preliminary action during startup before the pump enters normal operation. By clearing potential blockages in advance during the energization phase, the system prevents energy waste that would occur if the pump had to stop and restart multiple times due to blockages during operation.

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 method effectively reduces manufacturing costs while ensuring easy implementation and efficient blockage clearance, allowing for continuous monitoring and automatic detection of rotational movement to determine blockage resolution.

Implementation Method 1

The forces or torques are generated by energizing the pump. The forces or torques are preferably generated by energizing at least one winding.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic interaction: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3365558B1Releasing a blockage in a pump
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3365558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3365558B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3365558B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for releasing a blockage in a pump, in particular a motor vehicle pump, said pump having a stator and a rotor arranged to rotate in relation to the stator. According to the invention, if the rotor becomes blocked, a rotational vibratory motion of the rotor is generated in order to release the blockage.