Compact Vane Pump Cover Element with Spring-Plate Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vane pumps face challenges in achieving high performance and connection variability while maintaining a small design, particularly in complex motor vehicle systems, and they often have complex overpressure compensation bores that are difficult to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A compact vane pump design featuring a cover element with suction and pressure connections, soundproofing means, and a spring-plate or umbrella valve configuration, allowing for adaptable installation and reduced dead space, along with a porous sound absorber or labyrinthine fluid channel for noise reduction, and a membrane element for non-return functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the vane pump is designed to be compact and small, then the installation space is reduced, but the connection variability and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into modular components: a base plate with pump chamber, a separate cover element with connections and soundproofing, and interchangeable valve assemblies. This segmentation allows the compact pump body to be combined with different cover elements for varying connection configurations, achieving both small size and connection variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides suction and pressure connections, incorporates soundproofing means, houses non-return valves, and enables different connection variants through interchangeable designs. This multi-functionality allows a single compact pump body to achieve high adaptability across different applications.
2Volume of moving object
If the vane pump is designed to be small, then the installation space is minimized, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to complex overpressure compensation bores
Solution Approach 1:
The complex overpressure compensation functionality is extracted from the pump chamber and implemented through simple boreholes in the base plate combined with non-return valves in the cover element. This extraction replaces complex internal compensation bores with a simpler valve-based solution, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The overpressure compensation mechanism uses simple geometric parameter changes - boreholes of specific diameters in the base plate - rather than complex three-dimensional compensation chambers. This parameter-based approach simplifies manufacturing while achieving the same functional effect in a compact design.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the dead space between the outlet opening and pump unit is reduced, then the power consumption is decreased, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet opening in the base plate is merged with the valve seat in the cover element to form an integrated flow path. This merging eliminates the dead space between separate components, reducing power consumption. The precise positioning is achieved through the mating surfaces and alignment features of the assembled pump unit rather than requiring ultra-precise manufacturing of individual parts.
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 enables high-performance operation with enhanced connection variability and reduced noise emissions, while minimizing power consumption and manufacturing complexity, allowing for efficient fluid handling and adaptability to various installation spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The means for soundproofing advantageously have a porous molded part that is mounted in front of the pressure connection as a sound absorber
Implementation Method 2
the means for sound insulation can consist of a labyrinth-shaped design of the fluid channel, the at least one fluid channel being designed in such a way that the sound is broken by the fluid at the fluid channel when it flows through the fluid channel
Implementation Method 3
the check valve is designed as a spring-plate valve and is arranged in the cover element
Implementation Method 4
the non-return valve is designed as a membrane element that is arranged on the cover element. The membrane element can be designed as a rubber membrane or as spring steel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The pump (2) has a rotor (10) with a slide element (12) rotatably arranged in a pump chamber (8) of a housing (6). A suction connection (30), a labyrinth-like fluid channel, and a pressure connection (32) are provided so that fluid is supplied to the pressure connection via the suction connection, the chamber, and the channel. A disk-shaped lid element (28) is provided with the suction and pressure connections, the channel, and porous form elements. A spring-plate-valve (40) is arranged in the channel and actively connected with fluid outlet openings (24, 26) in a starting disk (20). The disk-shaped lid element is made of plastic.