Washer Fluid Pump Ventilation Labyrinth Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washer fluid pumps in window cleaning systems face issues with pressure buildup and water infiltration due to ventilation opening size, leading to damage or failure, and existing solutions complicate production.
Innovation Solution
A washer fluid pump design featuring a ventilation duct that leads from an upper plane within the electric motor to a lower plane, forming a labyrinth to prevent direct water entry, with a collecting space and tubular casing to manage fluid outflow and simplify production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ventilation opening is made large enough to prevent blocking and ensure adequate air flow, then the reliability of the pump is improved, but spray water can infiltrate into the electric motor
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation duct is configured to lead from a first plane arranged within the electric motor into a second plane situated below the first plane, creating a vertical dimension change. This multi-level plane structure prevents spray water from directly entering the electric motor while maintaining adequate ventilation area, as water would need to overcome gravitational force to reach the upper plane where the motor is located.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation duct acts as an intermediary element between the electric motor interior and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for air flow while the geometric configuration (leading from upper plane to lower plane) serves as a barrier against spray water infiltration, mediating between ventilation requirements and protection needs.
2Reliability
If the ventilation opening is made small to prevent water infiltration, then the reliability is improved, but the opening becomes blocked and pressure builds up
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the ventilation duct from the first plane (within the motor) to the second plane (below the motor), the invention creates additional spatial dimension for pressure equalization. This vertical extension provides sufficient pathway length for air flow while the downward orientation prevents water ingress, allowing adequate cross-sectional area without compromising protection.
3Reliability
If a bulkhead is arranged in front of the ventilation opening to prevent water entry, then the reliability is improved, but the production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation duct is integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the ventilation function with the housing geometry. The duct leads from the first plane to the second plane in a continuous configuration that is formed as part of the housing, eliminating the need for separate bulkhead components and reducing production complexity while maintaining water protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, contains the electric motor and pump stage, and simultaneously forms the ventilation duct that protects against water infiltration. The integrated design makes the housing a multi-functional component, reducing the total number of parts and simplifying production.
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 protects the electric motor from spray water while maintaining a cost-effective and simple production process by preventing direct fluid entry and ensuring efficient fluid outflow.
Implementation Method 1
the ventilation duct leads from a first plane arranged within the electric motor into a second plane situated below the first plane, and from the second plane downward into the environment
Data Source
AI summary
In a washer fluid pump (2) for a window cleaning system (3) of a motor vehicle, a ventilation duct (21) of an electric motor (9) is guided in a labyrinth from a first plane (22) arranged in the electric motor (9) into the environment via a second plane (24) arranged in a collecting space (23). For this purpose, the ventilation duct (21) has two first sections (20) which lead vertically from the electric motor (9) into the collecting space (23), and two second sections (26) which open out vertically from the collecting space (23) into the environment. The first and the second sections (20, 26) are offset with respect to one another by 90°, so as to prevent an infiltration of spray water into the electric motor (9).