Electric Water Pump Thrust Support for Low-Friction Rotation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric water pumps experience efficiency loss and increased noise due to frictional forces and thrust issues arising from the contact between snap rings, washers, or similar components and the impeller during rotation.
Innovation Solution
The electric water pump design supports the rotor and impeller on both sides of the central axis, minimizing frictional force through point contact between rotating parts by using a thrust plate and support members with convex or flat curved surfaces, and incorporates a bushing with a long vertical length to facilitate smooth rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a snap ring or washer is coupled to the top of the shaft to support the impeller, then the impeller can be prevented from moving upward due to thrust, but frictional force increases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conventional snap ring or washer with a ball (spherical component) that contacts the impeller. The ball rotates along with the impeller while maintaining point contact, which significantly reduces frictional force compared to the flat surface contact of traditional components. This spherical geometry enables smooth rolling motion that minimizes resistance and noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball acts as an intermediary component between the shaft and the impeller. Instead of the snap ring or washer directly contacting the impeller, the ball mediates the thrust support function while rotating with the impeller. This intermediary element distributes the thrust force and reduces direct friction between the shaft support structure and the impeller.
2Device complexity
If the rotor and impeller are supported on one side only, then the structure is simpler, but rotational stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs an asymmetric support configuration where the ball is positioned specifically at the top of the shaft to contact the impeller, while the bottom of the shaft is fixed to the lower casing. This asymmetric arrangement provides rotational stability through the ball's ability to accommodate thrust forces while allowing minimal axial movement, creating optimal balance between stability and rotational freedom.
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 design enhances rotational stability, improves efficiency, and reduces noise by minimizing friction and thrust-related issues, thereby improving the overall performance of the water pump.
Implementation Method 1
minimizing frictional force through point contact between rotating parts by using a thrust plate and support members with convex or flat curved surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric water pump including: a lower casing to which the bottom of a shaft is fixed; an upper casing coupled to the top of the lower casing and including an upper support part extending from the inside; an impeller inserted into an internal space formed by coupling the lower casing with the upper casing and having a thrust plate coupled thereto; and a rotor formed integrally with the impeller, wherein an upper side of the thrust plate is supported by the upper support part and a lower surface of the thrust plate is supported by the top of the shaft. In this way, the impeller and the rotor may be supported on both sides of a central axis, and a frictional force occurring between the parts in contact with each other and rotated relatively may be minimized, thereby improving efficiency and reducing noise.