Vacuum Pump Locking Mechanism for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump devices lack the ability to efficiently deactivate the vacuum pump during vehicle operation when no vacuum is needed, leading to unnecessary energy consumption, and they often have a non-compact design with the vacuum and lubrication pumps.
Innovation Solution
A pump device with a locking mechanism that allows the vacuum pump's blades to remain in a radially internal position during rotor rotation, decoupling the vacuum pump from the drive shaft, and using an activation valve to control lubrication and pressure to maintain this position, enabling the vacuum pump to be deactivated while the lubrication pump remains operational.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum pump is continuously operated to ensure vacuum availability, then the vacuum supply reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is designed with dynamically adjustable blades that can change their radial position based on system requirements. When vacuum is needed, blades extend to the external position to create effective pumping chambers. When vacuum is not needed, blades retract to the internal position to minimize energy consumption, allowing the pump to be deactivated or operate at minimal power while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of blade position (radial extension) to control pump operation. By adjusting the blade position between internal and external positions, the pump can transition between active vacuum generation and deactivated states, enabling energy savings while maintaining vacuum supply reliability when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vacuum pump is deactivated to save energy, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the vacuum supply reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic blade positioning system allows rapid transition between deactivated (internal position) and active (external position) states. This enables the pump to be energy-efficient during normal operation while能够快速响应 when vacuum is needed, maintaining reliability without continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blades are pre-positioned in the internal position during normal operation to save energy. When vacuum is needed, the system can quickly extend the blades to the external position, preparing the pump for immediate effective operation without requiring continuous activation.
3Productivity
If the blades are allowed to move freely in radial direction during rotor rotation, then the vacuum pump can generate effective vacuum, but the blades cannot be deactivated and energy savings are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device provides dynamic control over blade movement. During rotor rotation, the locking mechanism can engage to hold blades in the internal position (deactivated state) or disengage to allow blades to extend to the external position (active vacuum generation). This enables the system to switch between productivity modes and energy-saving modes during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotor rotation and blade radial movement. It mediates the relationship by allowing blade movement only when needed for vacuum generation, while preventing movement (and thus energy consumption) when vacuum is not required, enabling controlled deactivation during rotor rotation.
4Volume of moving object
If the vacuum pump and lubrication pump are arranged in a compact configuration, then the installation space is reduced, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump and lubrication pump are merged into a single integrated housing structure, sharing common components such as the drive shaft, rotor, and bearing assembly. This combining of functions into one unit significantly reduces installation space while the modular design keeps maintenance and operation relatively simple despite the integrated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor assembly serves multiple functions: it drives both the vacuum pump blades and the lubrication pump, and also provides the locking mechanism for blade position control. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, achieving compact installation space without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump device having a drive shaft which has a drive section that can be coupled with a drive system. The pump device includes a vacuum pump that can be driven by the drive shaft. The vacuum pump includes a rotor and at least one blade that can be moved in radial direction in the rotor and that divides pressure chambers. The pump device also includes a lubrication pump that can be driven by the drive shaft. The vacuum pump is arranged between the drive section and the lubrication pump. A locking device is provided between the rotor and the lubrication pump in which, when activated, the at least one blade remains in a radially internal position when the rotor is rotating.