The distribution plate (also known as the port plate) is a critical component of a vane pump. It operates by utilizing precisely designed radial channels to facilitate the orderly distribution and switching of oil intake and discharge.
During pump operation, the rotor drives the vanes to rotate within the stator; under the influence of centrifugal force and the pressure differential at the vane bases, the vanes press against the inner wall of the stator, creating sealed chambers. As the rotor turns, the volume of these sealed chambers changes cyclically. Ports on the distribution plate connect to these chambers: when a chamber expands, it aligns with the suction port to draw in oil, and when it contracts, it aligns with the discharge port to expel oil. This process enables the efficient intake and discharge of hydraulic fluid, thereby completing the energy conversion cycle.