Integrated Side Channel Coolant Pump Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolant pump arrangements for internal combustion engines are costly, space-intensive, and require complex assembly, as they need additional pumps to prevent coolant boiling during cold running phases, which increases pollutant emissions and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A compact coolant pump arrangement with a side channel pump integrated into the main pump housing, featuring a one-piece coolant pump and side channel impeller, and a control slide mechanism that regulates coolant flow using hydraulic pressure, eliminating the need for additional components and assembly steps, and ensuring constant coolant circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an additional pump is provided to keep the coolant circuit in motion during closed main coolant flow, then coolant boiling is prevented, but the cost and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The side channel pump is integrated into the housing of the main coolant pump, combining two pump functions into a single device. The side channel pump has its own impeller and pumping path within the same housing as the main pump, eliminating the need for a separate additional pump while maintaining the ability to prevent coolant boiling during closed main flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump housing serves multiple functions: the main pump handles the primary coolant flow, while the integrated side channel pump provides auxiliary circulation to prevent boiling. This multi-functional design allows one device to replace what would traditionally require two separate pumps
2Adaptability or versatility
If a control slide mechanism is used to regulate coolant flow, then flow control is achieved, but additional hydraulic components and assembly complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The control slide mechanism is integrated directly into the pump housing structure. The slide is guided by the housing itself and works in conjunction with the impeller without requiring separate hydraulic actuators or complex mounting structures. This reduces the number of components while maintaining flow regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control slide is designed to be actuated by the coolant pressure itself and the mechanical interaction with the impeller, rather than requiring external hydraulic systems. The housing provides the guidance and sealing for the slide, making the system self-contained and reducing assembly complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If the coolant pump wheel is driven at fixed ratio to the crankshaft speed, then the pump is simple to drive, but the coolant delivery amount cannot be adapted to engine requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control slide mechanism allows the pump to dynamically adjust its delivery characteristics during operation. By moving the slide axially, the effective flow area and pump characteristics change, enabling adaptation to different engine conditions while maintaining a simple fixed-ratio drive mechanism. This provides variable flow control without complex variable speed drives
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 provides efficient control of coolant flow, reduces installation space, and ensures coolant circulation even when the main coolant flow is closed, while being simple and cost-effective to manufacture and assemble, ensuring reliable operation without additional hydraulic forces or components.
Implementation Method 1
a side channel pump with a side channel pump impeller, which is arranged on the drive shaft at least rotatably, with a side channel of the side channel pump, in which by rotating the side channel pump impeller A pressure can be generated
Implementation Method 2
These sliders are also regulated in different ways. In addition to a purely electrical adjustment, a hydraulic adjustment of the slide has proven itself. This usually takes place via an annular piston chamber, which is filled with a hydraulic fluid and whose piston is connected to the slide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a coolant pump assembly for automotive applications, comprising a housing assembly with a main pump (6) and an auxiliary pump (8) designed as a side-channel pump, with a main inlet (14) and a main outlet (16) fluidically connected to a main coolant circuit (118), with a drive shaft (18), with a coolant pump impeller (20) of the main pump (6), which is arranged at least rotationally fixed on the drive shaft (18) and through which coolant can be conveyed into a delivery channel (12) surrounding the coolant pump impeller (20), with an adjustable control slide (28) by means of which a flow cross-section of an annular gap (30) between an outlet (32) of the coolant pump impeller (20) and the delivery channel (12) can be controlled, with a side-channel pump impeller (46) of the side-channel pump (8), which is arranged at least rotationally fixed on the drive shaft (18), with a side channel (50) of the Side channel pump (8),in which a pressure can be generated by rotation of the side channel pump impeller (46), wherein the side channel (50) has a secondary inlet (52) and at least one secondary outlet (54), with a pressure channel (72) via which the secondary outlet (54) of the side channel (50) can be fluidically connected to a first pressure chamber (58) of the control slide (28), with a valve (66) via which a flow cross-section (70) of the pressure channel (72) can be closed and opened, wherein the side channel (50) has a second secondary outlet (56) which is connected to the main cooling circuit (116) via a secondary coolant line (124).