Clutch Cam Coupling for Vehicle Pump Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat pumping devices for vehicles require complex coupling structures and multiple welding points, leading to increased manufacturing costs, thermal deformation, and assembly inefficiencies due to the need for multiple protrusions, holes, and a separate spindle, as well as additional parts like spring guides to maintain gaps between components.
Innovation Solution
A clutch cam design with simplified coupling structures, featuring a cam part with first and second protrusion parts that fit into fixing and angle determination holes, reducing the number of parts and welding points, and eliminating the need for a separate spindle by using coaxial protrusions and holes to ensure alignment and rotation on the same axis, while a C-shaped spring replaces the conventional spring guide to maintain assembly gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple coupling protrusions and holes are used to couple the clutch cam and lever bracket, then the rotational alignment and coupling strength are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling protrusions and holes into a single integrated coupling structure. The clutch cam and lever bracket are coupled through one unified protrusion-hole interface, eliminating the need for multiple separate coupling elements while maintaining rotational alignment and coupling strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coupling protrusion and hole structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rotational alignment between the clutch cam and lever bracket, transmits torque, and maintains the mechanical connection. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required multiple specialized components.
2Strength
If multiple welding points are used to attach the clutch cam and lever bracket, then the coupling strength is improved, but thermal deformation and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces multiple welding points to a single welding location where the coupling protrusion is attached to the lever bracket. This consolidation maintains sufficient coupling strength while minimizing thermal input, thereby reducing thermal deformation and simplifying the welding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary welding operations from the assembly process. By designing the coupling structure to require only one welding point instead of multiple, the patent removes excess manufacturing steps that contribute to thermal deformation and cost without compromising the strength of the connection.
3Measurement precision
If a separate spindle is used to align the rotating axis of the clutch cam and lever bracket, then the rotational alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate spindle component from the assembly. Instead of using an additional alignment tool or component, the design achieves rotational axis alignment directly through the geometry of the coupling protrusion and hole, which are configured to enforce coaxial alignment during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function previously performed by a separate spindle is merged into the coupling structure itself. The protrusion-hole interface is designed with geometric features that inherently ensure rotational alignment, combining the coupling and alignment functions into a single integrated mechanism.
4Manufacturing precision
If a spring guide is used to maintain the gap between the lever bracket and housing, then the gap consistency is improved, but the device complexity and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the spring guide component from the assembly. The gap between the lever bracket and housing is maintained through the design of the coupling structure and component clearances, removing the need for an additional spring-loaded guiding element while preserving gap consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap maintenance function previously performed by the spring guide is merged into the overall component design and assembly configuration. The coupling structure and housing are designed with appropriate clearances and tolerances that inherently maintain the required gap without requiring a separate spring guide mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a clutch cam for a pumping device, wherein the shape of the clutch cam and the coupling structure between the clutch cam and parts coupled thereto are changed to reduce manufacturing cost and improve assembly performance. The clutch cam includes: a cam part having a cam profile provided along an outer circumferential surface thereof relative to a rotating axis of a center thereof; a first protrusion part provided on a side of the cam part by protruding therefrom toward the lever bracket on the same rotating axis as the rotating axis, and fitted to a fixing hole provided in the lever bracket; and a second protrusion part provided on the side of the cam part by protruding therefrom toward the lever bracket on the same rotating axis as the rotating axis, and fitted to an angle determination hole provided in the housing.