Variable Oil Pump Guide Portion Seal Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foreign matter entering the guide hole of the adjustment ring in a variable oil pump can impede its smooth operation by getting stuck or damaging the inner surface, leading to impaired rotational movement and variable capacity issues.
Innovation Solution
A seal structure is provided on the pump housing and cover to seal the inside of the guide portion, preventing foreign matter from entering and ensuring continuous sealing along the movement trajectory of the adjustment member, thereby preventing inhibition of smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the guide hole is open to the housing space, then the adjustment ring can move freely, but foreign matter enters and impedes smooth operation
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary element between the guide hole and the housing space. This seal member selectively blocks foreign matter while allowing the adjustment ring to move freely through the guide hole, resolving the contradiction between free movement and contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member functions as a flexible barrier that maintains sealing effectiveness while accommodating the movement of the adjustment ring. The flexible nature of the seal allows it to deform slightly during operation, ensuring continuous sealing without impeding the smooth mobility of the adjustment ring
2Reliability
If a seal structure is added to prevent foreign matter entry, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal structure utilizes a flexible seal member that provides effective contamination prevention with minimal structural complexity. The simple yet effective design of the seal member integrated into the guide hole maintains reliability while avoiding excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (seal member) rather than being integrated into the main adjustment ring structure. This modular approach prevents foreign matter effectively while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through component separation
Data Source
AI summary
A variable oil pump includes a pump housing, a cover, an oil pump rotor rotationally driven while housed in a housing space between the pump housing and the cover, an adjustment member housed in the housing space to adjust the amount of oil discharged from the oil pump rotor by being displaced due to a drive force while rotatably holding the oil pump rotor from an outer peripheral side, and a guide portion including a groove in the adjustment member and a pin on the pump housing that engage one another. Engagement of the pin and the groove guides displacement of the adjustment member relative to the pump housing. A seal structure on at least one of the pump housing and the cover seals the inside of the groove relative to the housing space by surrounding a movement trajectory of the groove relative to the pin.