Cam Follower Roller Retention via Nested Flanges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cam follower roller devices for motor vehicle injection pumps and valve actuators face issues with retaining the rolling assembly securely within the tappet body, leading to potential disassembly during transport and installation, and require complex designs or additional components for support.

Innovation Solution

A cam follower roller device with a support body featuring diametrically opposed longitudinal flanges that extend into the tappet body, providing transverse surfaces for longitudinal retention, eliminating the need for additional components and ensuring secure assembly without risk of disassembly, while being cost-effective and material-efficient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a support body with flanges is used to retain the rolling assembly, then the rolling assembly is securely held within the tappet body, but the device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of rolling assemblyVSAvoidstructure of support body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the support body and retention means into a single integrated component. The flanges are formed as integral parts of the support body, eliminating the need for separate retention components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining secure retention of the rolling assembly within the tappet body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support body with flanges is nested within the tappet body, with the flanges extending into the tappet body to engage with transverse surfaces. This nested arrangement provides secure retention while maintaining a compact overall structure without requiring additional external components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If additional retention means are added to the tappet body, then the rolling assembly is securely retained, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of rolling assemblyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retention means are integrated into the flanges of the support body rather than being separate components. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining secure retention of the rolling assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flanges serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the rolling assembly, act as retention means by engaging with transverse surfaces in the tappet body, and eliminate the need for separate retention components. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the support body is retained using additional elements, then the rolling assembly is securely held, but the assembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of rolling assemblyVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support body and retention means are combined into a single component, which simplifies the assembly process. The integrated flanges with protruding portions can be directly installed into the tappet body without requiring separate assembly steps for retention elements, reducing assembly complexity while ensuring secure retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the flanges extend longitudinally from the base, then the rolling assembly is retained, but the device requires more material and is less cost-effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of rolling assemblyVSAvoidmaterial usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The flanges are designed with specific local features - protruding portions at specific locations that engage with transverse surfaces in the tappet body. This localized design provides retention functionality only where needed, minimizing material usage while ensuring secure retention of the rolling assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10458465B2Cam follower roller device

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A cam follower roller device having a tappet extending along a longitudinal axis and including a cylindrical tappet body defining a bore. The device further having a rolling assembly arranged within the bore, and including a support body with a base and flanges, a pin and a roller. Each of the flanges of the support body is provided with an outwardly protruding portion that extends transversally from the flange towards the tappet body. The tappet body includes a support diametrically opposed and having each a transverse surface that cooperates with the protruding portion of the support body to longitudinally block the support body.