Axial Pump Assembly With Integrated Cam Drive for Compact Hydraulic Tools

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic power tools are often complex, heavy, and bulky, making them cumbersome and costly, especially for high-force applications, and not user-friendly.

Innovation Solution

The axial pump assembly incorporates a reciprocating block with ramped radial channels, a sun driver, ball elements, and a base, along with a cycloidal disk and cam follower bearings to generate reciprocating motion, reducing the need for external gear reduction assemblies and creating a compact, coaxial design that simplifies the transmission end of the hydraulic tool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a motor, hydraulic pump, and gear assembly are used in hydraulic tools, then high force output is achieved, but the tool becomes complex, heavy, and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce outputVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the motor shaft, pump drive mechanism, and gear reduction functions into a single integrated axial pump assembly. The motor shaft directly drives the pump pistons through a cam mechanism, eliminating the need for separate gear reducers and transmission components while maintaining high force output capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The axial pump assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides gear reduction, drives the pump pistons, and converts rotational motion to reciprocating motion all within a single compact unit. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while preserving force generation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Force

If a motor, hydraulic pump, and gear assembly are used in hydraulic tools, then high force output is achieved, but the tool becomes heavy and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce outputVSAvoidtool weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the motor shaft, pump drive mechanism, and gear reduction functions into a single integrated axial pump assembly, the patent eliminates redundant components and reduces overall weight while maintaining high force output capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the traditional multi-component transmission system into a compact axial pump assembly that can be directly coupled to the motor, reducing the overall mass of moving parts while preserving force generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If a motor, hydraulic pump, and gear assembly are used in hydraulic tools, then high force output is achieved, but the tool becomes costly to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce outputVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated axial pump assembly reduces the number of discrete components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-tested, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining high force output capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the separate gear reducer assembly from the traditional hydraulic tool design, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the necessary force multiplication through the axial pump mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Force

If a motor, hydraulic pump, and gear assembly are used in hydraulic tools, then high force output is achieved, but the tool is cumbersome for operator use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce outputVSAvoiduser friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By combining all drive mechanisms into a compact axial pump assembly, the patent creates a more maneuverable tool that is easier for operators to handle and position while maintaining high force output for cutting and crimping operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution results in a more compact, lightweight hydraulic tool with reduced complexity and cost, providing stable motion and efficient force transmission while eliminating the need for external gear reducers, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

ball elements configured to roll on a race portion, each ball element arranged at least partially within a respective ramped radial channel of the ramped radial channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling motion: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 2

reciprocating block having ramped radial channels extending radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the reciprocating block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3999743B1Axial pump assemblies
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORP
  • EP3999743B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3999743B1 patent drawingFigure 1D~1E
  • EP3999743B1 patent drawingFigure 1F

AI summary

Axial pump assemblies for a hydraulic tool include a reciprocating element (102) that is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, a cam surface (114) in the reciprocating element (102) that can engage cam followers (108), a rotating element (104) that can receive rotational input, and a base (110) that can at least partially surrounds the rotating element (104). Movement of the cam followers (108) along the cam surface (114) can move the reciprocating element (102) from the retracted position to the extended position.