Quick-Connect Mounting Apparatus for Modular Pump Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for connecting and disconnecting motors from pumps or generators are time-consuming and require skilled labor, leading to interruptions in production and decreased efficiency, especially in industries that need to quickly switch between products or maintain equipment cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A quick-connect mounting apparatus with a tapered press-fit coupling and linkage system allows for easy alignment and secure attachment of a motor to a pump or generator, enabling rapid detachment and reattachment with minimal adjustment, using a split coupling mechanism and locking mechanism for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid attachment methods are used to connect motor to pump, then connection strength and reliability are improved, but detachment time and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate components: a coupling hub with locking arms and a coupling body with corresponding receptacles. This segmentation allows the connection to be made and broken in discrete steps, enabling quick detachment while maintaining secure attachment during operation. The locking arms can be independently engaged or disengaged from the receptacles, providing reliable connection that can be quickly released without requiring complete disassembly of the entire motor-pump assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional rigid attachment methods are used to connect motor to pump, then structural stability is improved, but operational complexity and skilled labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The tapered bore of the coupling hub automatically aligns with the coupling body during insertion, and the locking arms engage with the receptacles without requiring precise manual positioning or specialized tools. This self-service design maintains structural stability while eliminating the need for skilled technicians or complex alignment procedures, allowing unskilled workers to perform quick connections and detachments.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pump is rigidly attached to machine for stability, then machine stability is improved, but cleaning time and production downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic quick-connect system. During normal operation, the coupling provides stable mechanical connection between motor and pump. When cleaning or maintenance is required, the locking arms can be quickly disengaged, allowing the pump to be detached and replaced in minutes rather than hours. This dynamic capability maintains machine stability during operation while dramatically reducing downtime for cleaning and maintenance activities.
4Strength
If traditional attachment methods are used, then secure mechanical connection is achieved, but alignment precision and reattachment speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling body and coupling hub are pre-manufactured with precisely machined tapered bores and keyed surfaces that ensure correct alignment. The keyway features are pre-positioned to automatically guide the relative orientation of the motor and pump shafts during connection. This preliminary precision manufacturing eliminates the need for field alignment adjustments, ensuring both accurate alignment and secure mechanical connection while enabling rapid reattachment after maintenance or product changes.
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
This solution significantly reduces downtime for maintenance and cleaning, allowing for quick replacement of pumps or generators, enabling companies to maintain production efficiency without requiring specialized technicians, with the ability to switch between products rapidly.
Implementation Method 1
a tapered press-fit coupling having a first piece with an exterior tapered wall and a second piece with an interior tapered wall so that when the rotatable members are joined together, the interior tapered wall and exterior tapered wall engage each other
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-connect mounting apparatus used to join a drive mechanism to a driven mechanism permits rotatable members of the drive mechanism and driven mechanism to be aligned and joined together for proper operation.