Integrated Valve-Pump Unit With Freewheel Valve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat transfer systems in vehicles are complex, requiring multiple components and occupying significant space and resources, necessitating a simplification and integration of components to reduce weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A single electric motor drives both pump stages and a multi-way valve, integrated within a common housing, with a reduction gear decoupled during pump operation and used to adjust the valve in the opposite direction, allowing for a highly integrated valve-pump unit that simplifies the system by eliminating redundant components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components are used to drive pump stages and adjust multi-way valves, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (electric motors for pump stages and multi-way valves) into a single integrated valve-pump unit with a common housing section. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining all necessary functions through shared mounting and coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The common housing section serves multiple functions: it accommodates the electric motor, reduction gear, pump stages, and multi-way valves; provides mounting structures for all components; and facilitates heat dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for pump stages and valve adjustment, then functional independence is improved, but weight and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components into a single valve-pump unit with a common housing, reducing total weight by eliminating redundant structural elements, mounting brackets, and housing sections that would be required for separate components.
3Device complexity
If a single electric motor drives both pump stages and multi-way valve, then device complexity is reduced, but operational flexibility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operational control by using a reduction gear with a freewheel mechanism that allows the single electric motor to selectively drive different components. The freewheel enables independent operation of pump stages and multi-way valve adjustment by decoupling the motor from the reduction gear when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic operational modes where the single electric motor can switch between driving the reduction gear for valve adjustment and directly driving pump stages. The freewheel mechanism enables this dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the system to adapt its operational state based on requirements.
4Device complexity
If reduction gear is permanently coupled to electric motor, then structural simplicity is improved, but operational versatility worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a freewheel mechanism that dynamically couples and decouples the reduction gear from the electric motor based on operational requirements. During pump operation, the reduction gear is decoupled via the freewheel, while during valve adjustment, the motor can drive the reduction gear in the opposite direction.
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 integrated design reduces the number of components, saving weight, installation space, and costs while maintaining functionality, enhancing structural rigidity and operational flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
During pump operation, the reduction gear is decoupled from the electric motor via a freewheel
Implementation Method 2
a reduction gear which can be driven by the electric motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve pump unit (VPE) comprising a single electric motor (EM) for driving a first pump stage (PS1) and a second pump stage (PS2) and for adjusting a multi-port valve (MWV), a reduction gearbox (RG) that can be driven by the electric motor (EM), a first pump stage (PS1) that can be driven by the electric motor (EM) for conveying a heat transfer medium in a first heat transfer medium circuit, a second pump stage (PS1) that can be driven by the electric motor (EM) for conveying a heat transfer medium in a second heat transfer medium circuit, a multi-port valve (MWV) that can be adjusted via the reduction gearbox (G) and having heat transfer medium channels (6) for providing at least two switch positions between the first heat transfer medium circuit and a second heat transfer medium circuit of a heat transfer medium system, as well as a common housing section (Gg) for accommodating the electric motor (EM), the multi-port valve (MWV), the reduction gearbox (RG) and the first pump stage (PS1) and the second pump stage (PS2). In a pump operation, in a first rotational direction of the electric motor (EM), the reduction gearbox (RG) is decoupled from the electric motor (EM) via a freewheel (FL). In a second rotational direction of the electric motor (EM), opposite the pump operation, the reduction gearbox (RG) can be operated to adjust the multi-port valve (MWV).