Tappet Anti-Rotation Protrusion for Injection Pump Cam Followers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cam followers for injection pumps in motor vehicles often require additional anti-rotation components, increasing complexity and assembly time due to potential incorrect angular orientation issues that can lead to malfunction.

Innovation Solution

The cam follower integrates an anti-rotation device directly formed on the tappet, eliminating the need for additional parts by using a pin protruding from the tappet's surface to prevent rotation within the bore, thus ensuring correct orientation and simplifying the design and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional anti-rotation part is added to the tappet, then the anti-rotation function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation functionVSAvoidnumber of subcomponents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation function is merged with the tappet body by integrating a protrusion directly into the tappet structure. This eliminates the need for separate anti-rotation components while maintaining the anti-rotation function, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tappet structure itself provides the anti-rotation function through its integrated protrusion that engages with the guide bore. The component serves dual purposes: maintaining motion while preventing rotation, eliminating the need for external anti-rotation devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If an additional anti-rotation part is added to the tappet, then the anti-rotation function is improved, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-rotation functionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the anti-rotation protrusion with the tappet body as a single integrated component, the assembly process is simplified. The protrusion is already positioned correctly on the tappet, eliminating the need for separate installation steps and reducing overall assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the cam follower orientation is not controlled, then the design is simpler, but the collaboration between roller and cam becomes improper

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidroller-cam collaboration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-rotation protrusion creates an asymmetric feature on the otherwise symmetric tappet body. This asymmetry provides a mechanical constraint that ensures correct angular orientation of the cam follower, guaranteeing proper roller-cam collaboration while maintaining design simplicity through the straightforward protrusion geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2853697B1Mechanical system, injection pump and valve actuator comprising such a mechanical system and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT
  • EP2853697B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2853697B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2853697B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a mechanical system (1), comprising a support element (10) defining two bores centered on a first axis (X1), a pin (30) comprising two opposite ends each adapted to be fitted in one of the two bores, and a roller element (40) positioned between the two bores along the first axis (X1) and movable in rotation relative to the pin (30) around the first axis (X1), wherein the mechanical system (1) comprises at least one antirotation device (80) integrally formed with the support element (10). The invention also relates to an injection pump and a valve actuator comprising such a mechanical system (1). The invention also relates to a manufacturing method.