Pump Shaft Recesses for Liquid Deposition Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pumps for liquids like ink, paint, and glue experience premature wear and operational blockages due to the deposition of a thin layer of liquid on moving components, leading to increased friction and resistance.

Innovation Solution

The pump design incorporates recesses on the external and internal surfaces of the rotating shaft and support to create turbulent motion, preventing liquid deposition and reducing viscosity variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pump uses standard smooth surfaces for rotating shafts and supports, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but liquid deposition occurs on the surfaces causing increased friction and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of liquid depositionVSAvoidsurface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing recesses at specific locations on the rotating shaft and support surfaces where liquid deposition occurs. These recesses are strategically positioned to disrupt the continuous liquid film without requiring modification of the entire surface, thus preventing deposition while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous surface is segmented by introducing discrete recesses that break the liquid film continuity. This segmentation approach prevents the liquid from forming a continuous adhesive layer while maintaining the overall structural integrity and simplicity of the pump components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the pump operates with standard smooth surfaces, then the device complexity is low, but the resistance to component motion increases due to liquid deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion smoothnessVSAvoidsurface structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses are strategically positioned at specific locations where liquid accumulation occurs, creating local variations in surface geometry that disrupt liquid film continuity. This localized modification maintains overall motion smoothness while preventing liquid deposition without requiring complex surface treatments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the pump uses standard component surfaces, then the manufacturing cost is low, but wear of pump components increases due to friction from liquid deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent service lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous surface is segmented by introducing discrete recesses that are simple to manufacture using conventional machining techniques. This segmentation prevents liquid deposition and reduces friction without requiring complex manufacturing processes, thus extending component service life while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses are positioned at specific locations where liquid deposition causes the most wear. By applying local quality modifications only where needed, the patent extends component life without increasing overall manufacturing complexity or cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the pump operates without recesses on shafts and supports, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the liquid floods the gap between components increasing friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidfriction force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The recesses segment the liquid film in the gap between rotating shafts and supports, preventing continuous flooding. This segmentation reduces friction force while maintaining assembly simplicity, as the recesses are integrated into the existing component geometry without requiring additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Prevents liquid deposition, reduces wear, and minimizes operational blockages by maintaining smooth component motion and reducing friction.

Implementation Method 1

the shaft (4, 5) comprises, on its external cylindrical surface (8) in contact with the liquid, one or more recesses (10)... the presence of one or more recesses (10, 20) makes the motion of the liquid near the shaft (4, 5) or the support (7) turbulent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent motion: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3862532B1Pump particularly for pumping a liquid such as ink, paint, glue or the like
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 FLUID O TECH
  • EP3862532B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3862532B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3862532B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a pump (1) particularly for pumping a liquid such as ink, paint, glue or the like, comprising at least one rotating pumping member (2, 3) comprising a respective shaft (4, 5), said at least one rotating pumping member (2, 3) being at least partially housed inside a pump body (6), said shaft (4, 5) being rotatably supported by at least one support (7) associated with said pump body (6). According to the invention, the shaft (4, 5) comprises, on its external cylindrical surface (8) in contact with said liquid one, or more recesses (10), or said at least one support (7) comprises, on its internal cylindrical surface (9) in contact with said liquid, one or more recesses (20).