Frame-Supported Pump Tool-Free Assembly via External Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piston pumps used for handling viscous adhesive materials face leakage issues due to high pressures and difficulties in servicing, exacerbated by the use of many fasteners that are hard to access and remove, making assembly, operation, and maintenance challenging.
Innovation Solution
A frame-supported pump design that eliminates the need for bolts or threaded connections by using an external frame to resist internal pressure, allowing the pump housings to slide into grooves or over rods for secure assembly and easy disassembly without tools, relying on friction for retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fasteners (bolts, threaded connections) are used to hold pump housings together, then the pump structure is secure and can resist internal pressure, but the pump becomes difficult to disassemble and service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fasteners entirely from the pump housing assembly. Instead of using bolts or threaded connections, the design extracts the fastening function and replaces it with a friction-based interference fit system where the piston enclosure directly engages with the pump housing through precisely fitted surfaces, eliminating the need for removable fasteners while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is divided into modular segments (pump housing, piston enclosure, end caps) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling easy serviceability through tool-free assembly and disassembly using the friction-fit interface design.
2Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to secure pump components, then the pump can withstand high internal pressure, but access to fasteners becomes difficult and servicing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts fasteners from the design entirely, replacing them with a friction-based interference fit system. This eliminates the time-consuming process of locating, accessing, and removing multiple fasteners while maintaining pressure resistance through the frictional engagement between precisely fitted housing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing and piston enclosure are designed to self-secure through friction-based interference fits. The components automatically maintain their assembled state under pressure without requiring additional fastening elements, and can be easily separated when pressure is relieved, enabling rapid servicing without tools.
3Ease of repair
If adhesive materials leak from the pump, then servicing becomes difficult due to material thickening, curing, or drying, but eliminating fasteners to improve serviceability may compromise structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
By removing fasteners entirely and replacing them with friction-based interference fits, the patent eliminates the crevices and hidden areas where adhesive materials could accumulate and harden. The smooth, fastener-free interfaces prevent material entrapment, allowing for easy cleaning and servicing while maintaining structural integrity through the friction-fit design.
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
Enables easy assembly, operation, and maintenance of the pump without tools, facilitating reconfiguration and swapping of parts, reducing leakage and improving serviceability by distributing internal pressure to the external frame, thus simplifying maintenance and allowing for unique configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A pin can be optionally used to prevent the housings from sliding out of the frame, but friction is usually sufficient.
Implementation Method 2
When the pumps are in service, the internal pressure attempts to push the housings away from each other, but this force is passed to the frame, which responds with a matching force, keeping the housings in place.
Data Source
AI summary
The frame-supported pump is assembled without the use of tools. In place of bolts or threaded connections, an external frame provides the support necessary to resist the internal pressure of the pump. Upper and lower pump housings include grooves that slide into a slotted support or frame—a slip-in mount. In alternative embodiments the grooves are replaced with holes that slide over rods, or other means of external support prevent the pump housings from moving away from each other during pumping. A pin is optionally used to prevent the housings from sliding out of the frame, or friction is sufficient. When the pumps are in service, the internal pressure attempts to push the housings away from each other, but this force is passed to the frame, which responds with a matching force, keeping the housings in place.