Slide-in Fuel Pump Mounting Bracket for Tool-Free Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The semi-permanent mounting of fuel pumps in internal combustion engines makes timely removal and replacement difficult, especially in situations where tools are not readily available, leading to a lengthy and tool-dependent process.
Innovation Solution
A quick disconnect fuel pump assembly that uses a sliding engagement between a mounting bracket with a main plate and track on the fuel pump and channels on the fan cover, allowing for easy mounting and removal without the need for semi-permanent fasteners or tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semi-permanent mounting with screws or hardware is used, then the fuel pump is securely fixed and prevents displacement, but the removal and replacement process becomes lengthy and requires tools
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket with tracks attached to the fuel pump, and corresponding mounting features on the engine. This segmentation allows the fuel pump to be quickly disconnected by simply sliding the bracket off the mounting features, eliminating the need for tools to remove screws or fasteners while maintaining secure operation during use.
2Reliability
If semi-permanent mounting with screws or hardware is used, then the fuel pump is securely fixed, but the removal process becomes difficult when tools are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a static, tool-dependent fastening mechanism to a dynamic sliding engagement. The mounting bracket features tracks that engage with mounting features on the engine, allowing the fuel pump to be easily slid into position for secure mounting and quickly disconnected by reversing the sliding motion, all without requiring tools.
3Productivity
If sliding engagement with mounting bracket is used, then quick and tool-free mounting/removal is enabled, but the complexity of the mounting mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support for the fuel pump, incorporates tracks for engagement with the engine mounting features, and enables the sliding motion for quick attachment and detachment. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to using separate fasteners, washers, and mounting brackets.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for engaging a slide-in mountable fuel pump assembly with a fan cover of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel pump assembly includes a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the engine and a mounting bracket affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and configured to slidingly engage a fan cover of the engine so as to enable selective mounting and removal of the fuel pump assembly to and from the fan cover. The mounting bracket further includes a main plate affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and a track formed on each of opposing sides of the main plate, with the track configured to slidingly engage a mating feature formed on the fan cover of the engine so as to selectively mount the fuel pump assembly to the fan cover.