Segmented Piston Coupler for Easy Reciprocating Pump Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paint delivery systems face significant wear and tear, making it difficult to easily remove the paint pump from its reciprocating drive for cleaning, maintenance, or part replacement.
Innovation Solution
A coupler system comprising a collar assembly, an elastic member, and a sheath is used to couple the reciprocating paint pump to the hydraulic drive, allowing easy detachment by compressing an O-ring to maintain friction and support the sheath, facilitating the removal process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the paint pump is permanently coupled to the reciprocating drive, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the paint pump cannot be easily removed for cleaning, maintenance, or part replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler is divided into multiple segments: a collar with collar elements that can independently engage with the reciprocating drive and paint pump rods, an elastic member that provides biasing force, and a sheath that protects the components. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while enabling easy assembly and disassembly of the paint pump from the drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar elements are designed to be movable along the rods rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically engage and disengage from the rods. The elastic member provides dynamic biasing force that maintains engagement during operation but allows easy release when needed, enabling the transition between coupled and uncoupled states.
2Reliability
If the collar elements are held in place by friction alone, then the structure is simple, but the collar may slip or become misaligned during reciprocating motion
Solution Approach 1:
The collar elements are nested within the sheath, which acts as a protective outer shell. The sheath contains the collar elements and elastic member, providing structural support and alignment while allowing the collar elements to move freely along the rods. This nested structure ensures proper positioning without requiring complex external retention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath acts as an intermediary component between the collar elements and the external environment. It provides a stable reference frame that maintains the collar elements in the correct position relative to each other, while the elastic member serves as an intermediary force provider that maintains engagement pressure without requiring mechanical constraints.
3Strength
If the collar elements are tightly fitted to the rods, then the coupling is strong and reliable, but the wear and tear increases and makes removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The collar elements are designed with sufficient clearance to move dynamically along the rods during operation, rather than being tightly fitted. This dynamic fit provides strong coupling during reciprocating motion through the elastic member's biasing force, while allowing easy removal when the elastic member is compressed to release the collar elements from the rods.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically maintains the collar elements in engagement with the rods during operation through its biasing force, providing self-adjusting coupling strength. During removal, compressing the elastic member automatically releases the collar elements from the rods, enabling easy maintenance without requiring additional tools or complex procedures.
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
Enables easy and efficient removal of the paint pump from the reciprocating drive, reducing wear and tear and simplifying maintenance and part replacement processes.
Implementation Method 1
The collar elements are held in place over the interface between the reciprocating paint pump and the hydraulic piston by an elastic member, such as an O-ring
Implementation Method 2
maintain friction and support the sheath, facilitating the removal process
Implementation Method 3
A sheath can be fit over the exterior surface of collars to inhibit lateral movement of the collar relative to the stroke direction of hydraulic rod and paint pump rod
Implementation Method 4
compressing an O-ring to maintain friction and support the sheath
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A liquid delivery system (100) includes a reciprocating drive (210) and a liquid cylinder comprising a liquid piston (212), operably driven by the reciprocating drive, to pump a liquid along a flow path to a liquid applicator. The liquid delivery system includes a coupler (213) configured to couple the liquid piston to the reciprocating drive. The coupler includes a plurality of collar elements (215) and a biasing member (209) configured to apply a biasing force on the plurality of collar elements to retain the collar elements in a position that forms a collar (214) that couples the liquid piston to the reciprocating drive.