Pump Rod Head and Drive Link Geometry for Lower Side Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Axial displacement pumps in fluid dispensing systems face challenges with time-intensive pinning and detaching processes, and experience wear due to non-coincident driving forces, leading to reduced efficiency and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A pump rod with a load concentrating feature and a driving link design that minimizes misalignment of forces through a U-shaped flange and load concentrating feature, ensuring compressive forces are closely coincident with the centerline, reducing side loading and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin is used to attach the pump rod to the reciprocating drive, then the pump rod can be securely connected, but the pinning and detaching process becomes time-intensive and requires loose parts and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The pump rod head is integrated with the connection mechanism, merging the rod attachment function into the rod structure itself. The U-shaped flange is formed as an integral part of the pump rod head, eliminating the need for separate pins and fasteners, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump rod head with U-shaped flange is designed to self-align and self-secure within the driving link cavity. The load concentrating feature automatically positions the rod correctly, and the flange structure inherently maintains the connection without requiring additional tools or loose parts for assembly and disassembly.
2Productivity
If the pump rod is attached to the reciprocating drive, then fluid can be pumped, but side loading causes wear on pump rod components
Solution Approach 1:
A load concentrating feature is provided on the pump rod head that creates a localized contact area. This local quality change ensures that the driving force is applied at a specific point that aligns with the rod centerline, concentrating the load axially and preventing side loading that would cause wear on other components.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped flange has an asymmetric geometry with a specific contact surface orientation. This asymmetry is designed to receive and align with the driving link, ensuring that forces are applied coaxially with the pump rod centerline. The asymmetric design prevents misalignment and side loading while maintaining effective power transmission.
3Manufacturing precision
If threading is used to secure the axial displacement pump to the drive housing, then concentricity can be provided, but the installation and removal process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into separate functional elements: an axial clamp mechanism for securing the pump body and a separate alignment feature for providing concentricity. This segmentation allows the alignment function to be achieved through simple geometric features rather than complex threading, reducing mounting complexity while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.