Pump Assembly Fixture for Precise Gear and Port Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of pump components into a housing, such as those in electric vehicle drive units, often requires precise alignment and correct component selection to avoid failures during operation, as incorrect components may fit but fail when the pump is operated for the first time.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly fixture with a frame and clamp system that includes raised portions and recesses to securely hold and align drive gear, port plate, and pump gear set components, ensuring only correctly dimensioned parts are installed, and allowing for assembly in an inverted position to facilitate proper alignment with the housing's reference axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional assembly methods are used without specialized fixtures, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but alignment precision and component selection reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into multiple functional components: a frame structure for positioning, raised portions for supporting specific components (drive gear, port plate), recesses for securing components, and a clamp mechanism for final fixation. Each segment serves a specific alignment or securing function, collectively achieving precise alignment without requiring a completely complex fixture design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture acts as an intermediary tool between the assembler and the pump components. It provides a standardized interface that guides component placement and ensures correct alignment, mediating the assembly process to achieve precision while maintaining operational simplicity through its structured design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If components are secured firmly during assembly, then alignment stability is improved, but assembly ease deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp mechanism provides dynamic securing capability - it can be engaged to firmly hold components in place during assembly, and disengaged to allow easy removal. This dynamic feature enables the fixture to transition between stable alignment and easy operation modes as needed during the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure and raised portions are pre-configured with specific geometries that automatically guide component placement and provide preliminary alignment before final securing. This preliminary action reduces the effort needed during assembly while ensuring stable positioning, as the components are already oriented correctly before the clamp engages.
3Measurement precision
If raised portions and recesses are added to the frame, then component identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire frame complex, specific localized features (raised portions and recesses) are added only where needed for component identification and positioning. Each local feature has a specific function - raised portions highlight specific component locations, while recesses provide secure fitting for particular components. This localized approach achieves high identification accuracy without unnecessarily complicating the overall frame structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for facilitating the installation of pump components into a housing is provided. The apparatus includes a frame configured to be placed on the housing during assembly, and a clamp slidingly coupled to the frame. The frame includes a body, a first raised portion and a second raised portion. The first raised portion extends from the body, and is configured to support a portion of a drive gear. The second raised portion extends from the body, and is configured to support a portion of a port plate. The clamp is configured to secure the drive gear, the port plate, and a pump gear set to the frame. The pump gear set is coupled to the drive gear.