Compressor Bracket With Locating Pin For Elastic Belt Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing compressor alignment systems require additional components like belt tensioners and locating pins, which increase costs, complexity, and material usage, and are not adaptable to various engine configurations, limiting cost savings from using stretchy belts.
Innovation Solution
A separate, adaptable locating device is introduced that can be easily mounted to various compressors, using a bracket or sleeve with anti-rotation features and low-cost materials, eliminating the need for additional machining and components, and allowing for elastic shims to accommodate tolerance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a belt tensioner is used to maintain belt tension, then the belt can prevent slippage, but the system adds cost, mass, complexity, and occupies valuable under hood space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the belt tensioner component from the system entirely by using a stretchy belt that maintains tension through its elastic properties. The tensioning function is extracted from a mechanical component and embedded into the belt material itself, eliminating the separate tensioner device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the belt from rigid to elastic by using a stretchy belt material. This parameter change allows the belt to maintain tension through elastic deformation rather than requiring a mechanical tensioning device, thereby reducing system complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locating pin with protrusion and hole is integrated into the compressor body, then the compressor position is fixed during assembly, but additional material and machining cost are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the locating function from the compressor body by using a standalone locating pin that interfaces with the bracket. This segmentation allows the locating feature to be added only when needed (with stretchy belts) without requiring permanent modifications to the compressor body casting or machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bracket as an intermediary component between the compressor and engine. The locating pin is part of this bracket assembly rather than the compressor body, allowing flexible positioning without permanent compressor modifications. The bracket mediates between the compressor locating pin and the engine mounting structure.
3Ease of operation
If a locating pin protrusion is added to the compressor for stretchy belt applications, then the compressor can be properly positioned, but the cost savings from eliminating the tensioner are reduced by additional material and machining costs
Solution Approach 1:
The locating pin is segmented from the compressor body and integrated into the bracket assembly instead. This allows the locating feature to be added only to compressors that use stretchy belts, avoiding unnecessary material and machining costs for compressors that use traditional tensioners.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating pin is implemented as a simple, inexpensive feature on the bracket rather than a permanent, costly modification to the compressor body. This disposable-like approach allows easy addition or removal of the locating feature based on belt type without investing in permanent compressor modifications.
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 reduces costs, complexity, and material requirements while ensuring secure compressor alignment, enabling the use of stretchy belts without additional components like tensioners and locating pins, thus optimizing assembly and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
allowing for elastic shims to accommodate tolerance variations
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor and aligning device assembly for aligning a compressor in a vehicle includes a bracket. The bracket is coupled to a body of the compressor. The bracket includes a hole formed therein. The hole is configured to receive a locating pin. The locating pin fixes the position of the compressor.