Switchable Mechanical Coolant Pump With Low-Loss Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical motor vehicle coolant pumps suffer from high hydraulic power losses and inefficiencies in controlling coolant flow, particularly in switchable designs with auxiliary pumps, which reduce overall efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A switchable mechanical coolant pump with an auxiliary pump wheel integrated into the coolant pump wheel, featuring a hydraulic actuation system with a control slider and a solenoid valve that controls the coolant flow by adjusting pressure levels in separate pressure chambers, utilizing a side channel pump design with tilted pumping vanes and discharge channels to minimize hydraulic losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a switchable mechanical coolant pump with auxiliary pump is used to control coolant flow, then the adaptability to engine coolant requirements is improved, but the hydraulic power losses increase and overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary pump wheel is integrated directly into the coolant pump wheel structure, merging two pumping functions into a single rotating component. This integration eliminates separate auxiliary pumping units and reduces hydraulic losses by creating a unified pumping system that works cooperatively to control coolant flow while maintaining high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump wheel is designed with dynamically adjustable vanes that can change their orientation and position during rotation. This dynamic capability allows the pump to adapt coolant flow rates to match engine requirements in real-time, providing variable flow control without the energy losses associated with traditional switchable pump designs.
2Measurement precision
If a control slider with hydraulic actuation is provided to shift axially for controlling coolant flow, then the control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuation system is integrated directly into the pump wheel structure, with pressure chambers and actuation elements combined with the pump wheel and control slider. This merging of actuation functions into the existing pump structure enables precise control of the slider's axial position without adding separate complex actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic actuation system using pressurized coolant is employed to control the axial position of the control slider. The hydraulic pressure, generated by the pump's own operation, acts on a piston element connected to the slider, providing smooth and precise positioning control. This hydraulic approach offers superior control precision compared to mechanical alternatives while utilizing the system's existing fluid pressure.
3Loss of energy
If tilted pumping vanes with discharge channels are implemented in the auxiliary pump wheel, then the hydraulic efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping vanes are designed with optimized tilt angles that dynamically align with the coolant flow direction during pump wheel rotation. This dynamic flow alignment minimizes turbulence and hydraulic losses throughout the pumping cycle. The tilt angle is calculated to optimize hydraulic efficiency while remaining manufacturable using standard precision machining capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary pump wheel features localized discharge channels positioned at specific circumferential locations with precise angular orientations. These locally optimized discharge features are strategically placed to minimize hydraulic losses at critical points in the pumping cycle, achieving high overall hydraulic efficiency through targeted local optimizations rather than requiring uniform high precision throughout the entire wheel.
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 energy-efficient control of coolant flow with reduced hydraulic losses, ensuring reliable operation and efficient adaptation to engine coolant requirements, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the coolant pump.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary pump wheel (36) is integrally provided with the coolant pump wheel (20) and is designed to generate a hydraulic actuation pressure
Implementation Method 2
the control slider (26) is axially shiftable with respect to the coolant pump wheel (20) in that way that a radially outer outlet (28) of the coolant pump wheel (20) is at least partially closeable
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid valve that controls the coolant flow by adjusting pressure levels in separate pressure chambers
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a side channel pump design with tilted pumping vanes and discharge channels to minimize hydraulic losses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention is directed to a switchable mechanical motor vehicle coolant pump (10), comprising a rotatable drive shaft (22), a drive wheel (24) being co-rotatably connected with the drive shaft (22), a coolant pump wheel (20) being co-rotatably connected with the drive shaft (22) and by which a coolant is pumpable, a cylindrical control slider (26) being axially shiftable with respect to the coolant pump wheel (20) in that way that a radially outer outlet (28) of the coolant pump wheel (20) is at least partially closeable, and a hydraulic actuation system (30) for a hydraulic actuation of the control slider (26), comprising at least one pressure chamber (40,42), an auxiliary pump (32) with an auxiliary pump wheel (36;36') provided integrally with the coolant pump wheel (20), the auxiliary pump wheel (36;36') providing a hydraulic actuation pressure for the at least one pressure chamber (40,42), and a switchable control valve (34) for controlling the pressure level within the at least one pressure chamber (40,42), wherein the auxiliary pump wheel (36;36') is provided with a ring-shaped pumping channel (48;48') in which a plurality of pumping vanes (50;50') is arranged, and wherein the pumping vanes (50;50') are disposed evenly along the circumference of the pumping channel (48;48') and define a plurality of equal pumping chambers (52;52') between them. The hydraulic actuation system (30) according to the invention generates only low hydraulic losses and, as a result, provides an energy-efficient motor vehicle coolant pump (10).