US 6,183,212 B2 · Snap-in connection for pumping plunger sliding shoes

Abstract

A fuel supply pump having a plurality of radially disposed plunger sleeves each containing a pumping plunger with a driven end reciprocally movable within the plunger sleeve between a pumping position and a filling position. The fuel supply pump includes a rotatable drive member and a plurality of sliding shoes. Each shoe has a first face adjacent a respective plunger driven end and a second face adjacent the drive member. In one variation, each shoe first face includes a socket which the plunger driven end snaps into and is captured by, creating a sliding shoe assembly. A case couples all of the sliding shoe assemblies. In another variation, the cage includes apertures which the plunger driven end snaps through, thereby capturing the plunger. The plunger driven end engages a seat included on the sliding shoe first face. Rotation of the drive member moves each shoe, and thereby, each plunger toward the pumping position. As one plunger is actuated toward the pumping position by the eccentric member at least one plunger is retracted to the filling position by the coupling of the cage. The coupling of the shoe assemblies and the cage allows for the creation of a controlled gap between the a shoe second face and the drive member for part of the drive member rotation. Also a method of fuel supply pump assembly using sub-assemblies which can be assembled externally to the fuel supply pump body.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A reciprocating sliding shoe assembly for a high pressure fuel supply pump, comprising:

a pumping plunger with a driven end;
and
a sliding shoe with two opposing faces, a first said face including a socket having an aperture, said socket aperture elastically expanding to snap over said plunger driven end, wherein said driven end is captured within said socket.

A high pressure fuel supply pump, comprising:

a pump body having a central axis;
a rotatable drive shaft coaxially aligned with the central axis;
a drive member connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith;
a plurality of spaced bores arrayed in the pump body, each having a bore axis oriented perpendicularly relative to the central axis;
a plurality of pumping plungers situated respectively in the array of bores for reciprocation therein along the respective bore axes thereby defining a pumping chamber in each plunger bore, each said plunger having a pumping end and a driven end including a head;
a plurality of sliding shoes, each having a first face and an opposing second face adjacent the drive member, one said sliding shoe and one said plunger comprising a sliding shoe assembly;
means for biasing each said sliding shoe assembly toward said drive member;
wherein said drive member, said shoes and said means for biasing comprise a drive sub-assembly and said drive sub-assembly is adapted to snap fit over and retain each said plunger head;
a low pressure fuel supply for supplying a fuel at a relatively low pressure to each pumping chamber;
and
a high pressure fuel discharge for delivering said fuel at a relatively high pressure from each pumping chamber.

8 more elements

A method for assembling a high pressure fuel supply pump with a drive sub-assembly, comprising:

providing a pump body having a central axis and a plurality of spaced bores situated in the pump body perpendicularly relative to the central axis, each bore including a bore axis intersecting the central axis;
configuring external to said pump body a drive sub-assembly comprising a drive member with a longitudinal axis and a plurality of sliding shoes each having a first face and an opposing second face adjacent said drive member;
retaining each said shoe second face adjacent said drive member;
installing said drive sub-assembly into said pump body wherein said drive member axis is aligned with said central axis;
aligning each said sliding shoe with one said pump body bore axis;
selecting a plurality of plungers each having a pumping end and an opposing driven end including a head;
installing each said plunger in one said pump body bore;
and
engaging each said plunger head and said drive sub-assembly.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Snap-in connection for pumping plunger sliding shoes

Life of this patent

Snap-in connection for pumping plunger sliding shoes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31