Pump Shaft Angular Position Measurement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel injection pumps for compression-ignition internal combustion engines lack a reliable method to accurately measure and reset the angular position of the pump shaft after initial calibration, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in manufacturing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with first and second locating features on the pump shaft and a measurement member that determines the angular position by measuring distances between these features and a reference feature, allowing for precise calibration and re-calibration of the pump shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a distributor pump is used to deliver pressurised fuel to fuel injectors, then cost reduction is achieved compared to in-line pumps, but the ability to accurately measure and reset the angular position of the pump shaft after calibration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pump shaft is segmented with multiple locating features (first locating feature, second locating feature, and third locating feature) at different angular positions. These segmented features allow independent measurement of angular position relative to the pump body, enabling accurate measurement without requiring the entire pump assembly to be complex or expensive.
Solution Approach 2:
A measurement device acts as an intermediary tool between the pump shaft and the measuring instrument. The measurement device includes a measurement member that engages with the locating features on the pump shaft and a reference feature on the pump body, transferring the angular position information into a measurable linear distance that can be read by a dial indicator or similar measuring instrument.
2Productivity
If the pump shaft angular position cannot be accurately measured after calibration, then manufacturing costs increase due to the need for re-calibration by manufacturers, but serviceability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device enables service personnel to perform angular position measurement and re-calibration independently without requiring manufacturer intervention. The locating features and measurement device are designed to be accessible and operable in the field, allowing technicians to service the pump themselves, thereby improving serviceability while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump shaft is pre-equipped with multiple locating features during manufacturing that enable future measurement and re-calibration. This preliminary action ensures that when the pump needs service, the necessary measurement capabilities are already in place, eliminating the need for complex re-calibration procedures and reducing both manufacturing and service costs.
3Reliability
If a measurement device is designed to measure angular position by measuring distances between locating features, then measurement resilience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is extracted from the pump shaft itself and placed into a separate, dedicated measurement device. The measurement device includes a measurement member with a reference surface that can be positioned relative to the locating features, allowing the angular position to be measured as a linear distance without requiring complex angular measurement mechanisms. This extraction simplifies the overall system while improving measurement resilience.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method for determining the angular position of a pump shaft relative to a pump body. The method comprises: providing the pump shaft with a first locating feature; providing the pump shaft with a second locating feature; providing a measurement device provided with a measurement member; engaging the measurement member with the first locating feature and determining a first distance between the first locating feature and a reference feature provided on the measurement device; engaging the measurement member with the second locating feature and determining a second distance between the second locating feature and a reference feature provided on the measurement device; and determining the difference between the first and second distances to provide an indication of the angular position of the pump shaft relative to the pump body. The invention also provides apparatus suitable for performing the above method.