Vane Pump Flange Design for Thermal Expansion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vane pumps experience fluctuations in discharge pressure due to temperature changes, which cause uneven deformation of the pump chamber and variations in clearances between the casing and rotor, leading to instability in operation.
Innovation Solution
A vane pump design featuring a casing with a flange protruding at an intermediate position along the rotational axis, fixed to a fixed member, which helps to evenly distribute thermal expansion and contraction, thereby minimizing pump chamber deformation and maintaining consistent discharge pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the casing is fixed to a fixed member without a flange at the intermediate position, then the structure is simpler, but the pump chamber deforms unevenly due to thermal expansion/contraction causing discharge pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented into multiple fixed regions by introducing a flange at the intermediate position, allowing independent thermal expansion/contraction of different sections. This segmentation prevents uneven deformation of the pump chamber while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange acts as an intermediary element between the motor housing and the pump chamber, serving as a thermal expansion joint. It allows the casing to expand and contract uniformly without transmitting deformation to the pump chamber, thereby maintaining discharge pressure stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If the flange is fixed at multiple positions, then thermal expansion is evenly distributed, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is designed with localized fixing positions at specific locations where thermal expansion occurs. By concentrating fixing points at these critical locations rather than uniformly across the entire flange, the design achieves effective thermal management while simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 effectively suppresses fluctuations in discharge pressure by reducing uneven deformation of the pump chamber due to temperature changes, ensuring stable operation and accurate leak diagnosis in applications like evaporative fuel processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the casing has a flange... The flange protrudes outward from the outer side wall surface at an intermediate position between both ends of the pump chamber in a rotational axis direction of the rotor. The flange is fixed to the fixed member at a plurality of positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vane pump includes a casing, a rotor, vanes, a motor, and a fixed member. The casing defines a pump chamber therein. The rotor is disposed in the casing and configured to eccentrically rotate relative to the casing. The vanes are configured to rotate together with the rotor to slidably move on an inner surface of the casing. The motor is configured to rotate the rotor. Both the motor and the casing are fixed to the fixed member. The casing has an outer side wall surface and a flange. The flange protrudes outward from the outer side wall surface at an intermediate position between both ends of the pump chamber in a rotational axis direction of the rotor. The flange is fixed to the fixed member at a plurality of positions. The fixed member has a linear expansion coefficient that is different from that of the casing.