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.