Pump Support and Heat Shield Assembly for Compact Engine Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle water pumps face challenges in accommodating space constraints and thermal/ vibration environments, particularly when installed near exhaust ducts, requiring a support assembly that can withstand these conditions while minimizing interference and improving acoustic performance.

Innovation Solution

A pump support and heat shield assembly comprising fixing interfaces and indexing devices for precise positioning, made of metallic materials like steel, with a damping element and heat shield to filter vibrations and thermal radiation, allowing flexible installation and adaptation to various pump types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the pump is installed near the exhaust duct to meet space constraints, then the installation area is optimized, but the pump is exposed to thermal radiation from the exhaust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation areaVSAvoidthermal radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the exhaust duct and the pump. The heat shield comprises a support structure with fixing interfaces attached to the engine housing, and a shielding element that extends toward the exhaust duct to block thermal radiation. This mediator allows the pump to be installed in the compact space near the exhaust while protecting it from harmful thermal exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the pump is installed near the exhaust duct, then space constraints are met, but the pump is subjected to vibration from the heat engine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation areaVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield support structure incorporates vibration-damping features before the pump is installed. The support includes fixing interfaces designed to absorb and dampen vibrations from the heat engine, providing beforehand cushioning to protect the pump from vibrational harmful factors in the high-vibration environment near the exhaust duct.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If indexing devices are added to position the pump support and heat shield, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing devices are merged with the existing fixing interfaces of the pump support and heat shield. The support structure includes both fixing interfaces for attachment and indexing features (such as positioned protrusions or keyed elements) that guide precise positioning during assembly. This merging allows the same structural elements to serve dual purposes: securing the components and ensuring accurate positioning, thereby reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 assembly effectively positions the pump in a compact area, protects it from thermal radiation, filters vibrations, and improves acoustic performance by reducing engine noise, while facilitating easy mounting and adapting to diverse pump configurations.

Implementation Method 1

The pump being fitted inside a ring-shaped damping element provided with a base fixed to the pump support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The invention also helps to improve the acoustic performance of the vehicle by filtering vibrations from the heat engine to the pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation blocking: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4291763B1Assembly with pump support and heat screen for a heat engine
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4291763B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4291763B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4291763B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle assembly comprising: - a pump support (17) having attachment interfaces (24.1, 24.2, 24.3) on the housing of the heat engine and at least one position indexing device of the pump support (17) relative to the heat engine housing, and - a heat screen (37) comprising attachment lugs (38), each attachment lug (38) being provided with at least one attachment interface (39.1, 39.2) on the heat engine housing, the heat screen (37) further comprising at least one position indexing device of the heat screen (37) relative to the pump support (17).