Centrifugal Pump Air-Gap Sleeve With Integrated Conductor Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal pumps face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively bundling and connecting stator winding wire strands without additional components, leading to complex and expensive manufacturing and assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

Conductor tracks are integrated onto the collar surface facing away from the pump impeller, allowing for direct soldering of wire strands and combining electrical and sealing functions in a single component, utilizing MID technology for simplified manufacturing and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire strands are fastened to an additional circuit board, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the circuit board function with the can structure by integrating conductor tracks directly into the can's collar surface. This eliminates the separate circuit board component while maintaining all necessary electrical connection functions, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The can structure is given multiple functions: it serves as both the structural housing and the electrical connection carrier. By forming conductor tracks on the collar surface, the can becomes a multi-functional component that provides both mechanical support and electrical wiring, eliminating the need for a dedicated circuit board.

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

2Reliability

If additional circuit board is used for wiring, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire strand connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the wiring function with the can manufacturing process by integrating conductor tracks into the collar surface. This eliminates the need for a separate circuit board, reducing the number of components and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable wire strand connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The can structure performs multiple functions including housing, sealing, and electrical wiring. By forming conductor tracks on the collar surface during or after can manufacturing, the patent eliminates the need for additional circuit board materials and assembly operations, reducing overall manufacturing cost.

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

3Ease of operation

If conductor tracks are applied using MID technology, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor tracks are pre-formed on the collar surface during the can manufacturing process or in a preliminary step before final assembly. This preliminary action integrates the wiring structure into the can itself, allowing for simplified final assembly where wire strands can be directly soldered to the pre-positioned tracks without complex routing or additional mounting steps.

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

This approach simplifies the design and assembly, reduces costs, enhances reliability, and integrates electrical components into a single component, while maintaining insulating functions, even in compact pump designs.

Implementation Method 1

the conductor tracks are applied to the collar surface using MID technology, so that production and assembly are further simplified

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMID technology:

Implementation Method 2

on which the exiting ends of the wire strands of the stator winding are contacted, in particular soldered

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Data Source

PatentEP1793476B1Centrifugal pump with air-gap sleeve
Publication Date: 2009.01.07 WILO SE
  • EP1793476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1793476B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The pump has a separating can (7) that is made from plastic and is arranged between a rotor (6) and an electrical stator winding (8) comprising wire strands (9). A flange-shaped collar (10) is formed at a side of the can (7) and projects coaxially outward, where the side faces a pump impeller (5). Conductors are fastened on a surface (10a) of a collar, where the collar surface is turned away from the pump impeller. Discharge ends of the wire strands of the stator winding are soldered to the conductors.