Pump Control Piston Sliding Element Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure cleaning pumps are susceptible to faults and have high production costs due to mechanical stress on sealing elements and complex processing requirements.

Innovation Solution

A sliding element is introduced in the control chamber to reduce mechanical load on sealing elements, using materials like POM or PTFE for low friction and high heat resistance, and designed as a sleeve that can be easily assembled within the pump housing, reducing assembly complexity and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a control piston with sealing element is used in the control chamber, then effective sealing between high-pressure and low-pressure chambers is achieved, but mechanical stress on the sealing element increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on sealing element
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sliding element is introduced as an intermediary component between the control piston and the control chamber wall. This sliding element bears the mechanical stress from the pressure differential, while the sealing element on the control piston only needs to seal against the sliding element, significantly reducing the mechanical stress on the sealing element and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex processing is applied to the control chamber wall for tight sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element serves as a mediator that provides a pre-formed sealing surface. Instead of requiring complex processing of the control chamber wall, the sliding element can be manufactured separately with standard processing and then installed, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is segmented into two parts: the sliding element provides the sealing surface against the control chamber wall, while the sealing element on the control piston seals against the sliding element. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simpler processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional assembly methods are used without a sliding element, then assembly process is simpler, but mechanical load on sealing elements increases and assembly costs increase due to precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidsealing element durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding element acts as a mediator that protects the sealing element from excessive mechanical load. This allows for simpler assembly procedures without compromising sealing element durability, as the sliding element absorbs the mechanical stress during assembly and operation.

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

The solution enhances the pump's reliability and reduces assembly costs by minimizing mechanical stress on sealing elements and simplifying the assembly process, while maintaining effective sealing between high-pressure and low-pressure chambers.

Implementation Method 1

a sliding element is arranged in the control chamber, which bears tightly against the wall of the control chamber, and in which the control piston is held displaceably in the sliding element with the sealing element interposed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the control piston is held displaceably in a control chamber with the interposition of a sealing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

the high-pressure chamber is connected to the pressure line upstream of an orifice and the low-pressure chamber is connected to the pressure line downstream of the orifice

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure Drop: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP2483558B1Pump for a high-pressure cleaning device
Publication Date: 2014.07.16 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP2483558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2483558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2483558B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pump for a high-pressure cleaning unit for delivering a cleaning liquid having at least one pump chamber, into which at least one piston which can be moved to and fro dips and which is connected to a suction line via at least one inlet valve and to a pressure line via at least one outlet valve, and having a bypass line which leads from the pressure line to the suction line and in which a crossflow valve is arranged, the valve body of which is connected to a control piston which is held displaceably in a control chamber with the interposition of a sealing element and displaces the valve body into a closed position or an open position as a function of the flow rate of the cleaning liquid in the pressure line. In order to develop the pump in such a way that it can be produced in a manner which is less expensive and less susceptible to faults, it is proposed according to the invention that a sliding element which bears sealingly against the wall of the control chamber is arranged in the control chamber, and that the control piston is held displaceably in the sliding element with the interposition of the sealing element.