Gear Pump Spring Retainer for Stable Bearing Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gear pumps face challenges in properly loading the pressure-loaded bearing against the gear end face during startup, necessitating the use of springs to address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A spring retention plate with holes for receiving end pins of coil springs is used to bias the pressure-loaded bearing, ensuring proper assembly and retention within the gear pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If springs are provided to bias the pressure loaded bearing against the end face of the gear, then the bearing loading during startup is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention plate combines multiple functions into a single component: it retains multiple springs, provides a mounting surface for the bearing, and structures the assembly to simplify installation. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps compared to using individual spring retainers for each spring.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retention plate is pre-assembled with all springs and their retaining structures (pins, clips, or other retention means) before installation into the gear pump. This preliminary assembly ensures proper spring placement and biasing configuration, eliminating the need for complex in-situ assembly during pump assembly or maintenance.
2Reliability
If multiple springs are used to bias the bearing, then the bearing support and startup performance are improved, but the manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring retention plate features multiple separate retention locations (holes, slots, or dedicated retention features) that independently hold each spring. This segmentation allows each spring to be individually positioned and retained, making it easier to manufacture the retention plate with standardized features while simplifying the assembly process compared to a monolithic retention structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retention plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support for the bearing, provides retention mechanisms for multiple springs, and establishes the geometric configuration for proper spring biasing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a retention structure is added to secure the springs, then the assembly stability is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention structure (pins, clips, or other retention means) is integrated into the spring retention plate as a unified component rather than being separate parts. This merging ensures stable spring retention while minimizing the total number of discrete parts, as the retention features are formed as part of the retention plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring retention plate's structure inherently provides its own retention mechanism through its design features (holes, slots, or built-in retention elements). This self-service approach means the retention plate secures the springs without requiring additional external retention components, thereby maintaining assembly stability while avoiding increased part count.
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 solution ensures stable and efficient loading of the pressure-loaded bearing, facilitating smooth startup and operation of the gear pump.
Implementation Method 1
springs have often been provided to bias the pressure loaded bearing against an end face of each gear
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5B
AI summary
A gear pump includes a pair of gears (24, 26) having meshed teeth. One of the gears (24, 26) is configured for connection to a source of drive. The gears (24, 26) are received within a housing. The housing has an inlet port configured for connection to a source of fluid and an outlet port. Each of the gears (24, 26) have a shaft rotating within the housing on a bearing (30) on each axial side of each gear. At least one of the bearings associated with each of the pair of gears (24, 26) has a plurality of springs received in recesses to bias the said at least one bearing (30) against an end face of a respective one of the pair of gears (24, 26). A retention plate holds each of the plurality springs. A method of assembly is also disclosed.