Cam Wheel Assembly Wear Reduction in Refrigerant Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerant recovery machines with cam wheel assemblies face issues of rapid wear due to the use of powder metallurgy for frame parts, complex assembly processes, limited availability of replacement components, and noise caused by rolling balls, leading to reduced lifespan and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A cam wheel assembly design featuring a frame member with rails and a sliding block with peripheral sliding grooves, along with a cam wheel set comprising two interconnected cam wheels, simplifies installation and allows for easier replacement of worn parts, and reduces friction through lubricated rails and a cylindrical sliding block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If frame parts are made by powder metallurgy to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the rigidity and wear resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining powder metallurgy for the frame parts (11) with separate bearing components (rolling needles a5, rolling balls a4). This allows the frame to be manufactured simply via powder metallurgy while the bearing components provide the necessary wear resistance and reduce friction in the sliding grooves (a32) and grooves (a22).
2Device complexity
If cam wheel is designed as single-piece to simplify structure, then structural complexity is reduced, but replacement and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cam wheel assembly into multiple independent components: cam wheel (a1), sliding block (a2) with two block members (a21), open frame member (a3), rolling needles (a5), and rolling balls (a4). This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced separately when worn or damaged, improving maintenance ease while keeping each component's structure relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If rolling balls are mounted in grooves of sliding block to enable movement, then movement function is achieved, but noise and uneven loading increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rolling needles (a5) as intermediary elements between the cam wheel (a1) and sliding block (a2), and rolling balls (a4) as intermediaries within the sliding block's grooves (a22). These rolling elements mediate the contact and movement, converting sliding friction to rolling friction, which reduces noise and prevents uneven loading by distributing contact forces more evenly.
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 design enhances the lifespan of the cam wheel assembly by reducing wear, simplifying manufacturing and maintenance, and eliminating noise issues by allowing smooth movement and easy replacement of components.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rolling needles a5 arranged in between the cam wheel a1 and the sliding block a2, rolling balls a4 mounted in a groove a22 on an outer side of each of the two block members a21 of the sliding block a2
Data Source
AI summary
A high-durability cam wheel assembly mounted in a shell of a refrigerant recovery machine is disclosed to include a frame member (1) having rails (12) mounted therein, a sliding block (2) mounted inside the frame member (1) and having a plurality of sliding grooves (21) extending around the periphery thereof and kept in contact with the rails (12) of the frame member (1), and a cam wheel set (3) consisting of a first cam wheel (31) and a second cam wheel (32) arranged at two opposite sides relative to the sliding block (2) and connected to each other in an axle bearing (23) inside the sliding block (2).