Vertical Swash Plate Assembly Without Piston Center Holes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional assembly devices for swash plate-type fluid machines require center holes in both end surfaces of pistons, making it difficult to assemble single-headed pistons and limiting the assembly to manual processes, especially for variable swash plate-type compressors.
Innovation Solution
A device that supports pistons in a vertical axis posture using a guide member and shoes to match with both end surfaces of the swash plate, eliminating the need for center holes by utilizing frictional forces and a shoe incorporation mechanism for precise alignment and assembly, allowing for automatic assembly regardless of center hole presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If center holes are formed in both end surfaces of the piston, then the piston can be supported by the cylinder from both axial sides, but it becomes difficult to manufacture single-headed pistons and limits automation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shoes as intermediary components between the pistons and the swash plate. These shoes have guide surfaces that interface with guide members, enabling automatic positioning and support of single-headed pistons without requiring center holes in both end surfaces. The shoes act as mediators that transfer and distribute forces while facilitating automated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional mechanical support system (which required center holes and cylindrical support from both sides) with a new mechanical system using shoes with guide surfaces and guide members. This substitution enables automatic assembly by eliminating the need for complex center hole alignment and dual-sided cylindrical support.
2Device complexity
If the shaft assembly is assembled in horizontal posture, then the conventional assembly device can be used, but it requires center holes in both end surfaces of pistons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional assembly approach by assembling the shaft assembly in vertical posture instead of horizontal posture. This inversion allows single-headed pistons to be properly positioned and supported during assembly, as the gravity and force distribution in vertical orientation work favorably with the single center hole configuration and the shoe-based support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention embraces the asymmetric nature of single-headed pistons (with only one center hole) rather than requiring symmetric double-headed pistons. The assembly device is designed to accommodate this asymmetry through the shoe-guide member mechanism, which provides appropriate support and guidance for pistons with a single center hole location.
3Productivity
If manual assembly is used for single-headed pistons, then assembly can be completed, but productivity decreases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly device enables self-service automatic assembly through the interaction between the guide surfaces on the shoes and the guide members. The system automatically positions, supports, and assembles the single-headed pistons without requiring manual intervention for alignment or positioning, thereby dramatically improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.
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 automatic assembly of shaft assemblies and swash plate-type fluid machines without center holes, simplifying the assembly process and improving accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
matching both the end surfaces of the swash plate with a pair of shoes while holding one of the shoes in slidable contact with a first guide surface and another shoe in slidable contact with a second guide surface
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly device includes a shaft assembly having a plurality of pistons installed on an outer peripheral portion of a swash plate via shoes. The assembly device has a shaft support portion which supports a shaft having the swash plate in a vertical axis posture, a guide member, a shoe incorporation mechanism, a carriage which conveys the plurality of pistons in the vertical axis posture, and a piston holding portion which holds the plurality of pistons. The guide member is equipped with a first guide surface and a second guide surface.