Working Diaphragm Stabilization for High-Pressure Pumping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elastomer-based working diaphragms in pumping units are limited to low pressure ranges and have a short service life due to high mechanical stress and pressure-induced deformation, affecting delivery volume and flow rate.

Innovation Solution

The use of a support element, such as a disc-shaped or tulip-shaped support element, to stabilize the elastic deformation area of the working diaphragm, combined with metal inserts, fibers, or fabric inserts for reinforcement, which prevents balloon-like deformation and extends the service life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If elastomer-based working diaphragms are used in pumping units, then they can enable oscillating vacuum generation and pressure generation for delivery volume, but they are limited to low pressure ranges of up to approx. 6 bar and have a short service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating pressureVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining elastomer material with reinforcement elements (metal inserts, fibers, or fabric inserts) to create a working diaphragm that maintains elasticity while gaining enhanced strength and pressure resistance, enabling operation at pressures above 6 bar with extended service life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcement elements specifically in the elastic deformation area of the working diaphragm where mechanical stress is highest, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire diaphragm, thus maintaining flexibility where needed while providing localized strength enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If elastomer-based working diaphragms are used, then they can deform elastically for conveying movement, but they bulge like a balloon when there are pressure differences, causing delivery volume to depend on pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying movementVSAvoiddelivery volume stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcement elements specifically in the elastic deformation area of the working diaphragm where mechanical stress is highest, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire diaphragm, thus maintaining flexibility where needed while providing localized strength enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite materials by combining elastomer material with reinforcement elements (metal inserts, fibers, or fabric inserts) to create a working diaphragm that maintains elasticity while gaining enhanced strength and pressure resistance, enabling operation at pressures above 6 bar with extended service life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If additional reinforcement elements are added to stabilize the working diaphragm, then service life is extended and pressure resistance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcement elements specifically in the elastic deformation area of the working diaphragm where mechanical stress is highest, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire diaphragm, thus maintaining flexibility where needed while providing localized strength enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by placing reinforcement elements specifically in the elastic deformation area of the working diaphragm where mechanical stress is highest, rather than uniformly strengthening the entire diaphragm, thus maintaining flexibility where needed while providing localized strength enhancement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables operation at pressures greater than 6 bar with a stable and temperature-independent delivery volume, reducing the dependency on pressure and temperature, and extending the service life of the diaphragm.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic, moving, i.e. the deflectable area of the working diaphragm is subjected to a prestress by placing additional elements underneath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the elastic, moving, i.e. the deflectable area of the working diaphragm is subjected to a prestress by placing additional elements underneath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrestress: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the working membrane proposed according to the invention and supported by a support element has a swelling space. This swelling space is provided between a sealing bead and a separating rib and allows the elastomer material to swell when the temperature rises and media is absorbed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2726739B1Diaphragm for conveying media
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2726739B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2726739B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2726739B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a working diaphragm (14) for the volumetric conveying of a fluid. In the installed state (28), the working diaphragm (14) is received between components (30, 38). The working diaphragm (14) is connected to an actuator (10, 12) for carrying out conveying strokes. The working diaphragm (14) is stabilized by a supporting element (18, 54) in the elastic region (26).