Air Pump Piston Assembly Installation via Segmented Electromagnet Pedestal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electromagnetically-driven reciprocating air pumps face complexity and time-consuming installation processes due to interference between electromagnet pedestals and piston assemblies, making it difficult to insert pistons as a single unit into the pump casing.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a separate electromagnet pedestal member that can be inserted through an opening in the pump casing, allowing the piston assembly to be inserted from one side as a unit, with the electromagnet pedestal member engaging with the electromagnets from the outside to position them relative to the armature, simplifying the installation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnet pedestals are formed to project from the inner wall surface of the casing into the drive chamber to set the electromagnets at respective proper positions, then the electromagnets can be securely positioned relative to the armature, but the electromagnet pedestals will interfere with the installation of the piston assembly, requiring complicated and time-consuming installation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet pedestal is divided into two separate components: a pedestal portion formed in the casing and a separate mounting portion that can be independently installed. This segmentation allows the piston assembly to be installed first through the cylinder chamber, followed by the separate installation of the electromagnet mounting portion through the electromagnet-loading opening, thereby eliminating the installation interference caused by the integrated pedestal design
Solution Approach 2:
The piston assembly is installed in advance through the cylinder chamber before the electromagnet mounting portion is installed. This preliminary action allows the piston assembly to be positioned and secured first, and then the electromagnet mounting portion is installed through the electromagnet-loading opening to engage with the electromagnets, avoiding the need to maneuver the piston assembly around pre-installed pedestals
2Ease of operation
If the piston assembly is inserted into the casing through one cylinder chamber, then the installation process should be simplified, but the electromagnet pedestals projecting into the drive chamber block the path, preventing the piston assembly from being inserted as a single unit
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnet support function is segmented from the main casing structure by introducing a separate electromagnet-loading opening and a distinct electromagnet mounting portion. This allows the piston assembly to pass through the cylinder chamber unobstructed, while the electromagnet mounting portion is installed separately through the dedicated opening, thus simplifying the piston installation path without adding significant structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnet mounting portion acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the casing and the electromagnets. It is installed through the electromagnet-loading opening and engages with the electromagnets to provide positioning and support, thereby eliminating the need for the electromagnet pedestals to project into the drive chamber and block the piston assembly installation path
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 simplifies the installation of pistons by allowing them to be inserted as a single unit, reducing the complexity and time required for assembly while maintaining the functionality of the air pump.
Implementation Method 1
When an alternating electric current is applied thereto, the electromagnets generate an alternating magnetic field to reciprocate the armature in the axial direction of the pistons
Implementation Method 2
the electromagnets generate an alternating magnetic field traversing the armature to reciprocate the armature
Data Source
AI summary
An air pump structured to facilitate the installation of a pair of pistons includes a casing (17) having a pair of cylinder chambers (14) slidably accommodating a pair of pistons (16), respectively, and a drive chamber accommodating electromagnets between the pair of cylinder chambers. The pump casing has mutually opposing side walls and a cylindrical peripheral wall defining the drive chamber. The side walls have circular cylindrical inner peripheral surfaces (28-1) of the cylinders defined therein, respectively. A piston assembly having the pistons connected to the opposite ends of an armature (34) is inserted into the pump casing through one of the cylindrical inner peripheral surfaces and installed therein. The peripheral wall has an electromagnet-loading opening (26-2) through which electromagnet pedestal members (26-7) and the electromagnets are inserted into the casing and secured therein.