Configurable Pump Base Plate With Adjustable Motor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of designing unique base plates for each pump/motor/coupling combination results in numerous one-time use part numbers, high costs, and long lead times due to the need for hundreds of unique designs, leading to engineering errors and inefficient manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A configurable base plate system utilizing modular components such as slotted motor adapters, adjustable jackscrew lugs, and a single coupling guard, which allows for axial adjustment and alignment of motors and pumps, reducing the need for custom designs and enabling the use of standardized parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unique base plates are designed for each pump/motor/coupling combination, then the system can accommodate different configurations, but the number of part numbers increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed with multiple mounting locations and adjustable features that allow a single base plate design to accommodate various pump/motor/coupling configurations. The base plate includes multiple sets of mounting holes arranged in different patterns, enabling it to serve multiple functions across different application scenarios without requiring unique designs for each combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate incorporates modular components such as adjustable motor mounts and selectable coupling supports that can be configured independently. This segmentation allows the base plate to be adapted to different configurations by repositioning or removing specific modules, reducing the need for completely unique base plate designs for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hundreds of unique base plate designs are created, then specific pump/motor combinations can be supported, but manufacturing lead times increase and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized base plate design supports multiple pump/motor combinations through its versatile mounting options and adjustable features. This eliminates the need to manufacture hundreds of unique base plate designs, significantly reducing manufacturing lead times while maintaining the ability to support specific configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate incorporates adjustable parameters such as motor mount positions, coupling support heights, and mounting hole selections that can be configured to match specific pump/motor combinations. This parametric adjustability allows one base plate design to replace many unique designs, accelerating the manufacturing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hundreds of unique base plate designs are created, then different configurations can be accommodated, but drawing errors increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized base plate design with multiple mounting options reduces the number of unique drawings required from hundreds to a single master drawing with various configuration examples. This significantly reduces drawing errors while maintaining the ability to accommodate different pump/motor/coupling configurations through proper selection and arrangement of mounting features.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein provide a configurable base plate for industrial pump configurations, including different combinations of pump, motor, and coupling types. Slotted motor adapters allow for axial adjustment of the motor position, and movable threaded mounting lugs lock in the motor position for ease of future maintenance, replacement, disassembly, and repeated reassembly. The mounting lugs are locked into place by affixing jackscrew lugs, which serve to both semi-permanently locate the motor mounting locations, and also provide a point to install a jackscrew used to finely adjust motor position and coupling alignment. A single adjustable coupling guard is compatible with a variety of pump, coupling, and motor configurations that fit on the base plate.