Axial Pump Assembly With Direct Cam Drive for Compact Hydraulic Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic tools for high force applications are often complex, heavy, and bulky, making them costly to manufacture and cumbersome for operators to use.
Innovation Solution
The development of an axial pump assembly that includes a reciprocating element with a cam surface engaging cam followers, a rotating element receiving rotational input, and a base surrounding the rotating element, which eliminates the need for a gear reducer assembly and reduces the size and complexity of the transmission end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a gear reducer assembly is used to drive the hydraulic pump, then the motor can effectively drive the pump for high force applications, but the tool becomes complex, heavy, and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear reducer assembly from the transmission system, directly coupling the motor shaft to the pump mechanism. This extraction of the unnecessary intermediate component simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the required hydraulic force output.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor and pump are merged into a more integrated assembly where the motor shaft directly drives the pump piston through a simplified connection. This merging eliminates the separate gear reducer assembly and reduces the number of moving parts.
2Force
If a gear reducer assembly is used to drive the hydraulic pump, then the motor can effectively drive the pump for high force applications, but the tool becomes bulky and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the gear reducer assembly, the patent extracts the excess weight from the system. The direct-drive configuration eliminates heavy gears, shafts, and housing associated with the reducer, significantly reducing the overall tool weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor and pump are combined into a more compact integrated unit, reducing the overall volume and weight of the moving components. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces the total mass of the transmission end.
3Force
If a gear reducer assembly is used to drive the hydraulic pump, then the motor can effectively drive the pump for high force applications, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the gear reducer assembly from the system, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked. This simplification directly reduces manufacturing complexity and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct integration of the motor and pump reduces the total component count and assembly steps required during manufacturing. Fewer parts mean lower material costs, reduced assembly time, and simplified quality control procedures.
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
The axial pump assembly achieves a compact and lightweight design, reducing the number of components needed while providing stable motion and efficient hydraulic fluid pressurization, thereby enhancing user friendliness and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a cam surface in the reciprocating element engages cam followers... a second-stage cam portion configured to transmit rotational motion to axial displacement of the pump piston
Implementation Method 2
ramped radial channels extending radially outward from an inner circumferential surface of the reciprocating block... Movement of the ball elements radially outward through the ramped radial channels drives the reciprocating block away from the base
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a pump assembly for a hydraulic tool. The pump assembly can include a reciprocating element that is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, a cam surface in the reciprocating element that can engage cam followers, a rotating element that can receive rotational input, and a base that can at least partially surrounds the rotating element. Movement of the cam followers along the cam surface can move the reciprocating element from the retracted position to the extended position.