Manifold for an electric pump and electric pump with such manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manifolds for electric pumps are bulky, visually unappealing, require many parts for assembly, are heavy due to thick materials, and costly, with welding processes leading to potential seal deformations and increased material usage.
Innovation Solution
A manifold with a tubular main body of calendered metal sheet, having a wall thickness of less than 2 mm, featuring internally threaded tubular portions and reduced part count, eliminating the need for external sleeves and using plastic or metal components for lighter and cost-effective construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If externally and/or internally threaded bushings are welded to the ends of the tubular main body, then threaded connecting portions are provided, but the manifold occupies significant space and has poor visual impact
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded portions are integrated directly into the tubular main body through internal threading, merging the bushing function into the main structure. This eliminates separate threaded bushings and reduces overall manifold volume while maintaining threaded connectivity for duct connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The external threaded bushings are removed from the design. Instead, internal threading is created within the tubular main body itself, extracting the unnecessary external components while retaining the essential threaded connection capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a sleeve is welded on the external surface of the tubular main body around the hole, then an annular portion with O-ring seat is provided, but deformations occur during welding that jeopardize the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical deformation process. Instead of welding a sleeve to create the annular portion, the tubular main body is locally deformed or expanded at the hole location to form the annular seat, eliminating thermal welding deformations that compromise seal integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple basic parts (tubular main body, threaded bushings, sleeves) are welded together, then the manifold is provided, but a considerable number of parts and welding operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate components (threaded bushings, sleeves, annular portions) are merged into a single integrated tubular main body. The manifold is now provided as one piece with all features (threaded connections, O-ring seats, fluidic holes) incorporated directly into the main structure, eliminating the need for multiple welding operations.
4Strength
If standard commercially available pipes with minimum wall thickness of 2.5 mm are used, then the tubular main body is provided, but the manifold has considerable weight and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The wall thickness parameter is optimized by using locally deformed sections rather than uniformly thick standard pipes. The tubular main body can have varying wall thicknesses where material is only added where structurally necessary (at connection points and support areas), reducing overall weight while maintaining required strength through strategic local reinforcement.
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 solution results in a lighter, cheaper, and more efficient manifold with reduced space occupation, improved sealing, and lower material costs, while maintaining reliability and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the body (11) is provided by welding a previously calendered metal sheet onto the body (11)
Implementation Method 2
at least one hole (13) with an axis of extension (Y) at right angles to the axis of extension (X) of the body (11) for fluidic connection to a suction inlet/discharge outlet of a corresponding electric pump
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A manifold (10, 110, 210) for an electric pump, comprising: - a tubular main body (11, 211), the tubular main body (11, 211) having at least one hole (13, 113) with an axis of extension (Y) that is perpendicular to the axis of extension (X) of the tubular main body (11, 211), - two tubular portions (12a, 12b, 212a, 212b) arranged at the longitudinal ends of the tubular main body (11, 211) and coaxial therewith. The tubular main body (11, 211) has a wall with a thickness substantially lower than 2 mm.