Vane Pump Pressure Balancing via Point-Symmetrical Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vane pumps, uneven pressure distribution between vane grooves leads to increased frictional force on the rotor shaft, resulting in higher torque requirements for rotation and potential increased wear on bearings.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an even number of vanes with recessed grooves on the rotor and a cam ring with strategically positioned communication ports and suction/discharge ports, ensuring point-symmetrical alignment of oil flow paths to balance pressure distribution and reduce frictional forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high discharge pressure oil is introduced to bottom portion side spaces in vane grooves, then the tips of vanes are pushed against and brought into contact with the inner circumferential cam surface of the cam ring, but force toward the center of rotation is applied to the rotor or rotation shaft, increasing frictional force between the rotation shaft and bearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single bottom portion side space into multiple bottom portion side spaces (first and second bottom portion side spaces) separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows independent pressure control in different regions, enabling the introduction of high discharge pressure oil to specific spaces without causing excessive force on the rotation shaft, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable vane contact and reduced frictional force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different pressure conditions to different local regions by providing separate communication grooves for introducing high discharge pressure oil to specific bottom portion side spaces. This local quality approach ensures that high pressure is applied only where needed for reliable vane contact while avoiding excessive force on the rotation shaft, thereby resolving the contradiction between contact reliability and friction reduction.
2Reliability
If high discharge pressure oil is introduced to bottom portion side spaces in multiple vane grooves, then vane contact is improved, but pressure difference between bottom portion side spaces increases, applying increasing force perpendicular to rotational axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall divides the rotor into separate regions with independent bottom portion side spaces, allowing controlled pressure distribution. By segmenting the pressure zones, the patent prevents excessive pressure differences between adjacent vane grooves while ensuring adequate pressure for reliable vane contact in each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates and isolates different bottom portion side spaces. This intermediary element enables independent pressure management in each space, preventing pressure equalization that would reduce contact reliability while avoiding excessive pressure differences that would increase radial force on the rotation shaft.
3Reliability
If communication grooves are provided to introduce high discharge pressure oil to bottom portion side spaces, then vane contact with cam ring is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the partition wall structure, which simultaneously serves as a separator for bottom portion side spaces, a support for communication grooves, and a pressure distribution element. This merging approach reduces overall device complexity while ensuring reliable vane contact through controlled high pressure oil introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple roles: separating bottom portion side spaces, providing mounting for communication grooves, and controlling pressure distribution. This universal design reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable vane contact.
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
This configuration reduces the torque required to drive the vane pump by minimizing frictional forces and wear on the rotor shaft and bearings, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the tips of vanes are pushed against and brought into contact with an inner circumferential cam surface of a cam ring by the pressure of the high discharge pressure oil introduced to the bottom portion side spaces in the vane grooves
Implementation Method 2
force toward the center of rotation is applied to the rotor or the rotation shaft rotating the rotor by the pressure of the high discharge pressure oil introduced into the bottom portion side spaces in the vane grooves of the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a vane pump device including: an even number of vanes; a rotor; a cam ring; an inner plate; and an outer plate. An inner-plate high pressure side through-hole and an inner-plate low pressure side recess portion are formed separately from each other in a rotation direction in cam ring side end surfaces of the inner plate and the outer plate, and communicate with a columnar groove which is a space of a vane groove on a rotation center side. The position of an inner-plate high pressure side through-hole upstream end and the position of an inner-plate low pressure side recess portion upstream end are point-symmetrical with each other with respect to the rotation center.