Impeller Balance Hole Labyrinth for Water Pump Upward Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water pumps experience reduced performance and efficiency due to upward thrust generated by the impeller, which also increases friction and reduces durability.
Innovation Solution
A labyrinth structure is formed in the lower space of the balance hole to reduce coolant flow velocity, specifically through a baffle that restricts fluid flow, thereby lowering the pressure in the intermediate-pressure space and reducing upward thrust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the impeller rotates to pump coolant, then pumping function is achieved, but upward thrust is generated reducing performance and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The balance hole is divided into multiple segments by forming protrusions that extend from the rotor accommodation part toward the rotor. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths within the balance hole, increasing flow resistance and reducing the upward thrust generated by the impeller rotation while maintaining the pumping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions formed in the balance hole act as an intermediary structure that mediates between the high-pressure region (lower space of impeller) and low-pressure region (upper space of impeller). By introducing this intermediate structure, the pressure difference is reduced through increased flow resistance, thereby reducing upward thrust without compromising the impeller's pumping capability.
2Productivity
If the impeller rotates to pump coolant, then pumping function is achieved, but friction in bearing increases reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The balance hole is segmented by protrusions that create multiple flow paths, increasing flow resistance. This reduces the upward thrust on the impeller, thereby reducing the axial load on the bearing and minimizing friction, which improves bearing durability and overall system reliability.
3Force
If a balance hole is provided to reduce upward thrust, then upward thrust is reduced, but coolant flow velocity is too high reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The balance hole is divided into multiple flow paths by protrusions, which increases the flow resistance. This increased resistance reduces the coolant flow velocity through the balance hole, making the upward thrust reduction more effective while maintaining controlled pressure balance.
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 labyrinth structure effectively reduces upward thrust by more than 20% and improves pump efficiency by more than 5%, while maintaining compatibility with existing production lines.
Implementation Method 1
a labyrinth structure that is formed on the intermediate-pressure space to suppress fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
the coolant pressure at the edge is formed at a higher pressure compared to the inlet 6A. From the perspective of the impeller 50, an upper space of the impeller 50 is low pressure, and a lower space thereof is high pressure. As a result, upward thrust is inevitably generated during the operation of the impeller 50
Implementation Method 3
the stator 10 electrically provides rotational driving force, the motor housing 30 accommodates and supports the stator 10, and the rotor 40 directly rotates by receiving the rotational driving force
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a water pump capable of pumping coolant by rotating an impeller, and more particularly, to a water pump that solves a problem caused by an impeller being lifted due to a pressure difference generated during pumping.