Reversible Gerotor Pump Offset Ring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fluid pumps for transmissions lack unidirectional, reversible, high-pressure, and high-flow capabilities, leading to inefficiencies and increased system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A reversible gerotor pump design featuring a housing with offset ring, outer and inner gears, and a cover, allowing for unidirectional fluid flow and pressure management through a unique arrangement of radial surfaces and bores, enabling rotation in either direction while maintaining pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a typical pump is used to provide hydraulic fluid to transmission components, then fluid pressure and flow are provided, but the system requires additional valve bodies and complex assemblies to maintain constant pressure and flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The gerotor pump is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides hydraulic fluid pressure, maintains constant flow direction, and enables reversible operation all within a single pump assembly. The pump can operate in forward and reverse directions while maintaining unidirectional fluid flow through its internal gear mechanism, eliminating the need for separate valve bodies and directional control assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump is designed for unidirectional operation, then fluid flow direction is controlled, but the pump cannot operate when the drive shaft rotates in reverse
Solution Approach 1:
The gerotor pump employs an offset ring mechanism that inverts the relationship between drive shaft rotation direction and fluid flow direction. When the drive shaft rotates clockwise, fluid flows in one direction; when the drive shaft rotates counter-clockwise, the offset ring shifts position to maintain the same unidirectional fluid flow. This allows the pump to adapt to bidirectional rotation while maintaining unidirectional fluid output.
3Power
If high pressure and high flow are achieved, then pump performance is improved, but system complexity increases with additional pumps and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple hydraulic functions into a single gerotor pump assembly. The pump combines pressure generation, flow direction control, and reversible operation capabilities that would traditionally require separate pumps and valve bodies. The integrated design maintains high pressure and high flow performance while reducing the overall number of components and simplifying the hydraulic system architecture.
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 design achieves efficient unidirectional fluid flow and pressure management, reducing system complexity and enhancing performance by maintaining pressure changes during reversible operation.
Implementation Method 1
As the inner gear rotates in a first direction, the outer gear rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction. As the inner gear rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction, the outer gear rotates in a first direction opposite the second direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible gerotor pump for a machine having a drive shaft is provided, the pump including a housing, an offset ring, and an inner and outer gear. The offset ring is disposed in the housing and includes a tab extending radially from an outer periphery. The outer periphery of the offset ring defines a first axis in common with the axis of a drive shaft. The inner periphery of the offset ring defines a second axis that is slightly offset from the second axis. The axis of the outer gear moves relative to the axis of the inner gear to allow pumping action in both rotational directions using the same suction and line cavities for both directions.