Swashplate Coupling Assembly for Low-Cost Bearing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a coupling assembly for variable displacement hydraulic units that can be produced and assembled easily and at low cost, while effectively supporting the swashplate bearing to allow for rotation and movement.
Innovation Solution
A coupling assembly comprising a rotatable swashplate with a pin fixed to the swashplate, a coupling member rotatably supported on the pin, and a wire forming a loop around the pin to prevent translational movement, which contacts the cage to move it upon rotation of the swashplate, and is supported by a housing with a recess for the coupling member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a coupling assembly is designed to adapt the size of the swashplate bearing to the swashplate surface, then the size, weight, complexity and cost of the hydraulic unit are reduced, but the difficulty of achieving simple and cost-efficient production and assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is divided into distinct modular components: a coupling member with a first end and second end, a swashplate bearing with a cage, and a swashplate. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, then assembled together, reducing overall complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member acts as an intermediary component between the swashplate bearing and the swashplate. It features a bent portion that engages with the cage and extends to a second end that interfaces with the swashplate, mediating the connection and allowing for simple assembly while adapting the bearing size to the swashplate surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the coupling assembly uses a simple structure with a pin and coupling member, then the production and assembly cost is reduced, but the reliability of maintaining proper alignment and load distribution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is designed with a bent portion that can dynamically engage with the cage of the swashplate bearing. This dynamic engagement allows the coupling assembly to maintain proper alignment and load distribution through movement and adjustment, ensuring reliability while keeping the structure simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling member features a bent portion with curved geometry that engages with the cage. This curved design distributes loads more evenly and maintains proper alignment through its geometric properties, ensuring reliability without requiring complex additional components.
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
The assembly allows for simple and cost-efficient production and assembly, ensuring the swashplate bearing moves in sync with the swashplate, reducing mechanical wear and increasing the service life by maintaining proper alignment and load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a wire forming a loop around the pin to prevent translational movement
Implementation Method 2
the coupling member or possibly an element rigidly connected to the coupling member is configured to contact a portion of the cage or possibly an element rigidly connected to the cage to move the cage upon rotation of the swashplate
Implementation Method 3
the pin may be screwed into or press-fit to the swashplate
Implementation Method 4
the pin may be screwed into or press-fit to the swashplate
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a coupling assembly for a variable displacement hydraulic unit. The coupling assembly may have a rotatable swashplate, a swashplate bearing including a cage and a plurality of rollers mounted on the cage, a pin fixed to the swashplate, and a coupling member rotatably supported on the pin. The coupling member is configured to contact a portion of the cage to move the swashplate bearing upon rotation of the swashplate.