Reversible Gear Pump Layout for Compact Variable-Speed Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump devices for motor vehicles lack efficiency and compactness in operation, particularly in switching between gear ratios and managing dynamic loads, which affects their performance and stability in hydraulic oil supply systems.
Innovation Solution
A pump device with two rotatable pump members and an electric drive, featuring a single-stage or multi-stage transmission that switches between gear ratios by reversing the direction of rotation, and includes a planetary stage with a fixed planet carrier and axially arranged freewheels to reduce dynamic loads and enhance compactness, allowing for variable operation and energy-efficient use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pump device uses a conventional transmission system with multiple gear ratios, then it can achieve variable operating speeds, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into a planetary stage with multiple planet carriers, where each planet carrier can be independently activated to provide different gear ratios. This allows the system to achieve multiple operating speeds through selective engagement of individual planet carriers rather than requiring a complete multi-gear transmission system
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary stage serves multiple functions: it can operate in different gear ratios by engaging different planet carriers, and it can also function as a structural support element. The same planetary components are used across multiple gear ratio configurations, reducing the need for separate components for each gear ratio
2Stability of the object's composition
If the planet carrier is fixed relative to the drive housing, then dynamic loads are reduced and stability improves, but the transmission ratio switching capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The planet carrier system is segmented into multiple independently controllable planet carriers. Each planet carrier can be selectively engaged or disengaged from the drive housing, allowing the system to switch between different gear ratios while maintaining stability when a planet carrier is engaged. The segmentation enables both stability (when engaged) and adaptability (when switching between carriers)
3Volume of moving object
If the pump device is designed to be compact, then space efficiency improves, but the management of dynamic loads and heat dissipation becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary stage is nested within the pump housing, with the planet carriers and gears arranged concentrically around the drive shaft. This nested arrangement allows the transmission components to occupy the same radial space as the pump elements, significantly reducing the overall volume of the pump device while maintaining the structural integrity needed for dynamic load management
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pump device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a pump with two pump elements (10, 11) movable relative to each other, an electric drive with a drive housing (20) and an output shaft (21) rotatable therefrom, and a gearbox (31-34) which couples the output shaft to one of the pump elements and can be switched between a first and opposite second gear ratio by reversing the direction of rotation of the electric drive, wherein the gearbox comprises a planetary stage with a planet carrier (32) that is fixed relative to the drive housing and/or two freewheels (41, 42) arranged axially one behind the other, and/or the other pump element has a drive shaft (50) rotatable relative to the output shaft.