Hydrodynamic Retarder Housing with Integrated Working Medium Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrodynamic retarders have high production costs due to the sand casting process used for creating working medium containers, which requires multiple housing parts and cores, increasing manufacturing complexity and expenses.
Innovation Solution
A hydrodynamic retarder design featuring a working medium container formed by two assembled housing parts with a separating plate, allowing for production without cores and reduced production costs, where the housing parts can be produced in a single casting step, and the separating plate is used to create cavities for working medium connections and storage, also serving as a seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sand casting process with multiple housing parts and cores is used to produce working medium container, then the container can be manufactured, but production costs and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the working medium container with the retarder housing into a single integrated component. The housing contains both the rotor/stator assembly and the working medium storage chamber, eliminating the need for separate container parts and cores. This is achieved by designing the housing with internal cavities and passages that accommodate the working medium while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retarder housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the rotor and stator, provides structural support, and simultaneously acts as the working medium container. The housing includes integrated features such as working medium inlet/outlet passages, cooling circuit connections, and internal chambers, making it a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate dedicated container parts.
2Productivity
If working medium container is produced from multiple housing parts assembled together, then the container can be manufactured, but production time and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The working medium container is produced as an integral part of the retarder housing through a single casting process. The housing is designed with internal features (cavities, passages, chambers) that are formed during casting, eliminating the need for post-casting assembly of multiple parts. This reduces both production time and assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 design significantly reduces production costs and complexity by eliminating the need for cores and allowing for a more rational manufacturing process, while maintaining efficient working medium handling and cooling through integrated connections.
Implementation Method 1
Hydrodynamic retarders comprise a working chamber which can be filled with a working medium and emptied thereof, to transmit a torque from a bladed primary wheel, also called rotor, to a secondary wheel, also called stator
Implementation Method 2
an external oil or water cooling circuit, in order to discharge therefrom the heat generated in braking mode
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hydrodynamic retarder comprising—a rotor (1) and a stator (2) which form a working chamber (3) with each other;—a first working medium connection (6);—a second working medium connection (7); and—a working medium container (4) that has an outlet (10), which is connected to the first working medium connection via a line, and an inlet (11), which is connected to the second working medium connection via a line; wherein—the working medium container is made of two housing parts (8, 9), which are joined together along a parting line (12). According to the invention:—the two housing parts together enclose the working medium storage volume;—one of the two housing parts simultaneously forms a part of a retarder housing (14) which supports or forms the stator and partly forms all or some of the working medium-conducting connections between the working medium storage volume and the working chamber; and—a separating plate (13) is inserted between, the two housing parts, said separating plate together with one or both of the housing parts forming cavities for the working medium-conducting connections and/or the working medium storage volume.