A snap-fit mechanical connection
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202621342619.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-08-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2036-08-28
AI Technical Summary
[0006]为克服上述缺陷,本实用新型的实施例提供了一种嵌扣式机械连接件,解决了现有技术中可提前装配的连接件中的预装件不易加工的技术问题
本实用新型中,通过将连接杆第一段的径向尺寸设置为大于第二段,利用杆体自身的台阶面形成连接套筒的第一轴向限位,配合第二段端部可拆卸的限位件形成第二轴向限位,实现连接套筒预装固定于连接杆上,无需额外增设套装于第一段的预装件,减少内外螺纹等复杂加工面,解决现有预装式连接件的预装件加工工序多、制造难度大、生产效率低的技术问题。
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Figure CN224871657U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of connector technology, specifically to a snap-fit mechanical connector. Background Technology
[0002] Interlocking connectors are connectors that rely on interlocking action and elastic deformation to achieve a tight connection between two structural components. Interlocking connectors are commonly used in the connection of adjacent plate-shaped components or pipe piles.
[0003] Commonly used connectors include a connecting rod and a connecting sleeve. The connecting rod is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section is used to connect with the pre-drilled hole in the first structural component. The connecting sleeve passes through the first section and is fitted onto the second section. The connecting sleeve can deform and enter the pre-drilled hole in the second structural component, and is engaged by teeth on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve and the inner wall of the pre-drilled hole in the second structural component. A protrusion is integrally formed at the end of the second section of the connecting rod furthest from the first section. This protrusion not only axially limits the connecting sleeve but also further pushes into the connecting sleeve when the first and second structural components are separated under tension, causing the connecting sleeve to expand and deform outward, preventing it from detaching from the second structural component and providing a self-locking function.
[0004] However, the above-mentioned connectors have the following problems in use: If the connecting sleeve needs to be inserted into the rod from one side of the first section, the diameter of the first section must be smaller than the inner diameter of the connecting sleeve. This results in the connecting sleeve not being axially limited on the connecting rod, and the connecting sleeve cannot be pre-fitted onto the connector, making transportation inconvenient.
[0005] In existing technology, to solve the above problems, a pre-installed component is fitted onto the first section of the connecting rod. The inner wall of the pre-installed component fits into the first section, and the outer diameter of the pre-installed component is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting sleeve. This, together with the protrusion, restricts the axial displacement of the connecting sleeve, allowing the entire connector to be pre-assembled and transported to the construction site. However, in the above-mentioned connector with the pre-installed component, not only does the outer wall of the pre-installed component need to be machined to fit the structural component, but the inner wall also needs to be machined to connect with the connecting rod, resulting in difficult processing and low processing efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0006] To overcome the above-mentioned defects, the embodiments of this utility model provide a snap-fit mechanical connector, which solves the technical problem that pre-assembled parts in connectors that can be pre-assembled in the prior art are not easy to process.
[0007] According to one aspect, at least one embodiment of the present invention provides a snap-fit mechanical connector for connecting a first structural member and a second structural member, comprising: The connecting rod includes a first segment and a second segment connected sequentially along the axial direction of the connecting rod. The first segment is used to connect with a first structural member, and the radial dimension of the first segment is greater than the radial dimension of the second segment. A connecting sleeve is fitted onto the second segment. The connecting sleeve is used to connect with the second structural member. The inner diameter of the connecting sleeve is not greater than the radial dimension of the first segment, so that the first segment can limit the connecting sleeve in the first axial direction. A limiting member is detachably disposed at the end of the second segment away from the first segment. The limiting member can abut against the end face of the connecting sleeve to limit the connecting sleeve in a second axial direction.
[0008] For example, in a snap-fit mechanical connector provided in at least one embodiment of the present invention, the first end and the second end of the connecting sleeve are axially opposite each other, and the first end and / or the second end are provided with a contraction opening that penetrates radially and extends axially along the connecting sleeve, so that the connecting sleeve can generate radial elastic deformation and be squeezed into the mounting hole.
[0009] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit mechanical connector includes a limiting member comprising: The connecting part is detachably mounted on the second section; A convex ring is disposed on the outer wall of the connecting part. The radial dimension of the convex ring is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting sleeve, so as to restrict the connecting sleeve from disengaging from the second segment along the second axial direction.
[0010] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit mechanical connector is provided, wherein the inner wall of the end of the connecting sleeve away from the first segment is provided with a mating surface, and the limiting member further includes: A limiting part is sleeved on the connecting part and located on the side of the convex ring near the connecting sleeve. The limiting part and the mating surface are configured such that the outer wall of the limiting part and the mating surface can abut against each other radially along the connecting rod.
[0011] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, in a snap-fit mechanical connector, the outer diameter of the limiting portion gradually increases as it moves away from the first segment along the axial direction of the connecting rod.
[0012] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit mechanical connector is provided, wherein the outer wall of the connecting sleeve is provided with a second tooth, the second tooth being used to mesh with the first tooth to restrict the movement of the second structural member along the radial and axial directions of the connecting sleeve.
[0013] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit mechanical connector is provided, wherein the connecting sleeve includes a toothed connecting section and a mating section connected sequentially in the axial direction, the outer wall of the toothed connecting section is provided with a second tooth for connecting with the second structural member, and the inner wall of the mating section is provided with the mating surface.
[0014] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit mechanical connector is provided, wherein the limiting member is connected to the second threaded section.
[0015] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, the outer wall of the convex ring is hexagonal.
[0016] For example, in at least one embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit mechanical connector is provided, wherein the first segment is used for threaded connection with the first structural member.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: In this invention, by setting the radial dimension of the first section of the connecting rod to be larger than that of the second section, the first axial limit of the connecting sleeve is formed by the stepped surface of the rod itself, and the second axial limit is formed by the detachable limiting component at the end of the second section. This allows the connecting sleeve to be pre-installed and fixed on the connecting rod without the need for additional pre-installed components fitted onto the first section. This reduces complex machining surfaces such as internal and external threads and solves the technical problems of existing pre-installed connectors, such as numerous pre-installed component machining processes, high manufacturing difficulty, and low production efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this utility model will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some exemplary embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the exemplary embodiments of this utility model and these drawings without any creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention, the first structural component, and the second structural component; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the limiting component of this utility model; Figure 6 for Figure 5Schematic diagram of the main structure of the embodiment; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of another embodiment of the limiting component of this utility model; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the second embodiment of the connecting sleeve of this utility model; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the third embodiment of the connecting sleeve of this utility model; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the third embodiment of the limiting component of this utility model; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the limiting component, connecting rod, and connecting sleeve in the third embodiment of this utility model; In the diagram: 01, First structural component; 02, Second structural component; 100, Connecting rod; 110, First section; 120, Second section; 200, Connecting sleeve; 300, Limiting component; 210, First end; 220, Second end; 201, Shrinkage opening; 021, Mounting hole; 310, Connecting part; 320, Protruding ring; 241, Mating surface; 330, Limiting part; 0211, First tooth; 231, Second tooth; 230, Tooth connection section; 240, Mating section. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it.
[0021] To keep the drawings concise, only the parts relevant to the utility model are shown schematically in each drawing; these do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some drawings, only one of the components with the same structure or function is schematically shown, or only one is labeled. In this document, "a" not only means "only one," but can also mean "more than one," and "several" includes "two" and "more than two."
[0022] In this document, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0023] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0024] In the description of this embodiment, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0025] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0026] A snap-fit mechanical connector is proposed for use in snap-fit connection scenarios of plate-shaped components, pipe piles, and other structural components. These scenarios require the connector to be pre-assembled for easy overall transportation, while also ensuring convenient on-site assembly and reliable connection. Existing pre-assembled connectors require additional pre-assembly components to be installed on the first section of the connecting rod. Both the inner and outer walls of the pre-assembly components need to be machined with threads, resulting in numerous processing steps and high manufacturing costs, creating a technical contradiction between the convenience of pre-assembly and the economics of processing.
[0027] like Figures 1-9 As shown, this invention illustrates a snap-fit mechanical connector in one embodiment. It employs a single-sided limiting mechanism with a stepped rod and a detachable end limiting mechanism. The stepped surface formed by the thick and thin sections of the connecting rod 100 directly blocks one side of the connecting sleeve 200, while the other end is limited by an independent limiting component 300. This eliminates the need for an additional pre-installed component on the first section 110, reducing complex machining surfaces and lowering manufacturing difficulty from a structural perspective. While existing pre-installed components can achieve pre-installation, they simultaneously perform both internal connection and external limiting functions, requiring precision machining of both inner and outer walls. This solution separates the limiting function into the rod step and an independent end component, resulting in fewer machining surfaces and simpler processes for each component, significantly improving production efficiency.
[0028] Reference Figure 1The overall structural diagram shows that the snap-fit connector includes a connecting rod 100, a connecting sleeve 200, and a limiting member 300. The connecting rod 100 is divided into a first segment 110 and a second segment 120 along its axis. The radial dimension of the first segment 110 is larger than that of the second segment 120, and an annular stepped surface is formed at the junction of the two segments. Preferably, the connecting rod 100 is integrally formed. The connecting sleeve 200 is fitted onto the outside of the second segment 120. The inner diameter of the sleeve is not greater than the radial dimension of the first segment 110, so that the stepped surface of the first segment 110 forms a first axial limit, preventing the connecting sleeve 200 from disengaging towards the first segment. The limiting member 300 is detachably installed at the end of the second segment 120 away from the first segment 110. The radial dimension of the limiting member 300 is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting sleeve 200, and it can abut against the end face of the sleeve 200 to form a second axial limit.
[0029] The stepped surface and the limiting component work together to constrain the connecting sleeve 200 within the axial range of the second section 120. After pre-assembly, the three components can be transported as a whole without separation. Furthermore, the radial dimension of the limiting component 300 is smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting sleeve 200, so the limiting component 300 will not interfere when the connecting sleeve 200 enters the mounting hole 021 on the second structural component 02.
[0030] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The first structural component 01 and the second structural component 02 are connected by this connector. The second structural component 02 has a mounting hole 021, and the inner wall of the mounting hole 021 is provided with a first tooth 0211. The connecting sleeve 200 is inserted into the mounting hole 021 and fitted and fixed with the hole wall; the first section 110 of the connecting rod 100 is connected to the first structural component 01 to achieve a tight connection between the two structural components.
[0031] Furthermore, the connecting sleeve 200 has a first end 210 and a second end 220 opposite each other along the axial direction. At least one end face has a contraction opening 201. The contraction opening 201 penetrates the wall of the sleeve radially and extends a certain length axially, but does not axially penetrate the connecting sleeve 200. The contraction opening 201 provides radial contraction deformation space at the end of the connecting sleeve 200. When pressed into the mounting hole 021, the sleeve is squeezed inward by the hole wall and elastically returns to its original position after entering the mounting hole, tightly fitting against the hole wall. (Refer to...) Figure 8 , Figure 9 In the two embodiments of the connecting sleeve 200, the shrinkage port 201 can be set at only one end or at both ends. The shrinkage port 201 at both ends has a larger deformation space and can be adapted to installation scenarios with larger interference fit.
[0032] Alternatively, in addition to the rectangular shape shown in the figure, the contraction opening 201 can also adopt a structure that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, so that the bottom of the connecting sleeve 200 can have a larger amount of deformation.
[0033] The connecting sleeve 200 is divided into two sections along the axial direction: a toothed connecting section 230 and a mating section 240. The outer wall of the toothed connecting section 230 is machined with a second tooth 231, which meshes with the first tooth 231 on the inner wall of the mounting hole. This simultaneously restricts the radial and axial movement of the connecting sleeve, improving the pull-out strength of the mating connection. The mating section 240 is located on the side of the sleeve furthest from the first section, and its inner wall is provided with a mating surface 241. Correspondingly, a limiting part 330 is fitted onto the connecting part 310, located on the side of the convex ring 320 near the connecting sleeve 200. The outer wall of the limiting part 330 can radially abut against the mating surface 241.
[0034] Reference Figure 3 The limiting member 300 includes a connecting part 310, a protruding ring 320, and a limiting part 330. The connecting part 310 is detachably connected to the second section 120 of the connecting rod 100. The protruding ring 320 is integrally formed on the outer wall of the connecting part 310, and its radial dimension is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting sleeve 200, forming the main axial blocking structure and restricting the connecting sleeve 200 from disengaging along the second axial direction.
[0035] Along the axial direction of the connecting rod 100, the outer diameter of the limiting part 330 gradually increases as it moves away from the first segment 110, forming an outwardly expanding tapered profile. When the first structural member 01 and the second structural member 02 are subjected to axial pull-out force and the connecting rod 100 tends to disengage outward from the mounting hole 021, the limiting part 330 moves outward with the rod body, and the tapered outer wall is squeezed into the interior of the connecting sleeve 200 along the mating surface 241, applying a radially outward spreading force to the connecting sleeve 200. This makes the second tooth 231 on the outer wall of the connecting sleeve 200 mesh more tightly with the first tooth 0211 on the inner wall of the mounting hole 021. The greater the pull-out force, the deeper the tooth engagement, forming a self-locking resistance-increasing effect and improving the pull-out resistance reliability of the connection.
[0036] The mating surface 241 and the limiting part 330 are also tapered surfaces. To avoid excessive deformation and damage caused by the small wall thickness of the end of the connecting sleeve 200 near the limiting part 330, the outer surface of the mating section 240 is not machined with teeth.
[0037] In order to allow the connecting sleeve 200 to be smoothly squeezed into the mounting hole 021, after the installation of the limiting member 300 is completed, it is only necessary to ensure that the end of the convex ring 320 abuts against the end of the connecting sleeve 200. A gap can be left between the limiting part 330 and the mating surface 241 to allow the connecting sleeve 200 to shrink and deform inward.
[0038] Optionally, the second tooth 231 is a series of annular or spiral teeth arranged along the axial direction. The second tooth 231 can adopt different tooth shapes such as sawtooth or trapezoidal to adapt to different pull-out strength requirements. The first tooth 0211 is adapted to the second tooth 231.
[0039] In some embodiments, the limiting member 300 and the second segment 120 are connected by threads. The inner wall of the connecting portion 310 is machined with internal threads, and the end of the second segment 120 is machined with external threads. The two are screwed together for fixation. The threaded connection is convenient for assembly and disassembly. During pre-assembly, the connecting sleeve 200 is inserted into the second segment 120, and then the limiting member 300 is screwed in to complete the sealing; no special tooling is required. (Refer to...) Figures 5 to 7 In different embodiments of the limiting member 300, the taper of the limiting part 330 can be set at different angles according to the pull-out resistance requirements to adapt to connection scenarios with different strength levels.
[0040] Furthermore, the outer wall of the convex ring 320 is designed with a hexagonal profile to accommodate standard open-end wrenches or socket wrenches for tightening, allowing for stable force application during assembly and preventing slippage during tightening. If the convex ring has a circular outer wall, there is a lack of force-bearing points during tightening, requiring the use of pliers for clamping, which is inconvenient and can easily damage the surface of the part.
[0041] The outer wall of the first section 110 of the connecting rod 100 is machined with external threads and screwed to the threaded hole of the first structural component 01 for fixation. The connection strength is high and the assembly process is simple. The connection between the connecting rod 100 and the first structural component 01 can be completed without additional auxiliary connecting parts.
[0042] Alternatively, the connection between the first segment 110 and the first structural component 01 can also be achieved by welding, riveting, or other alternative methods to adapt to the connection requirements of structural components with different substrates.
[0043] like Figure 10 As shown, in the third embodiment of the limiting member 300, a guide slope is machined at the end of the limiting member 300 away from the connecting sleeve 200. The guide slope allows the limiting member 300 to more easily enter the mounting hole 021 of the second structural member 02. (Reference) Figure 10 The guide ramp is formed by chamfering the edge of the limiting member 300. Optionally, the guide ramp can also be a tapered structure connected to the end face of the limiting member 300.
[0044] like Figure 11 As shown, after the limiting member 300 is assembled with the connecting rod 100 and the connecting sleeve 200, the limiting member 300 only provides axial limiting function for the connecting sleeve 200, thereby making it easier for the connecting sleeve 200 to retract inward and enter the mounting hole 021.
[0045] During pre-assembly, the connecting sleeve 200 is inserted into the end of the second section 120 of the connecting rod 100 and pushed along the rod to the stepped surface of the first section 110. The stepped surface prevents the connecting sleeve 200 from moving further towards the first section 110. Then, the limiting member 300 is screwed into the threaded end of the second section 120, with the convex ring 320 facing the end face of the connecting sleeve 200, completing the axial bidirectional limiting. After pre-assembly, the three parts form a whole, which can be directly packaged and transported without separation, and can be used directly on the construction site.
[0046] During on-site installation, the first section of 110 thread is first connected to the reserved threaded hole of the first structural component 01. Then, one end of the connecting sleeve 200 is aligned with the mounting hole 021 of the second structural component 02, and axial pressure is applied. After being squeezed and contracted by the hole wall, the connecting sleeve 200 is forced into the mounting hole 021. After elastic reset, the second tooth 231 on the outer wall and the first tooth 0211 in the hole mesh with each other, completing the fitting and fixing of the connecting sleeve 200 and the second structural component 02. When the connecting component is subjected to an outward pulling force, the limiting member 300 moves outward from the mounting hole 021 along with the connecting rod 100. The conical limiting part 330 expands the connecting sleeve 200, and the tooth meshing is further tightened, realizing self-locking and anti-disengagement.
[0047] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solution of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A snap-fit mechanical connector for connecting a first structural member (01) and a second structural member (02), characterized in that, include: The connecting rod (100) includes a first segment (110) and a second segment (120) connected sequentially along the axial direction of the connecting rod (100). The first segment (110) is used to connect with the first structural member (01), and the radial dimension of the first segment (110) is greater than the radial dimension of the second segment (120). A connecting sleeve (200) is fitted onto the second segment (120). The second structural member (02) is provided with a mounting hole (021). The inner wall of the mounting hole (021) is provided with a first tooth (0211), and the outer wall of the connecting sleeve (200) is provided with a second tooth (231). The second tooth (231) is used to mesh with the first tooth (0211) to limit the radial movement and axial relative displacement between the connecting sleeve (200) and the second structural member (02). The inner diameter of the connecting sleeve (200) is not greater than the radial dimension of the first segment (110) so that the first segment (110) can limit the connecting sleeve (200) in the first axial direction. A limiting member (300) is detachably disposed at one end of the second segment (120) away from the first segment (110). The limiting member (300) can abut against the end face of the connecting sleeve (200) to limit the connecting sleeve (200) in a second axial direction. The limiting member (300) includes: The connecting part (310) is detachably provided on the second section (120); A convex ring (320) is disposed on the outer wall of the connecting part (310). The radial dimension of the convex ring (320) is larger than the inner diameter of the connecting sleeve (200) to restrict the connecting sleeve (200) from disengaging from the second segment (120) in the second axial direction.
2. The snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting sleeve (200) has a first end (210) and a second end (220) arranged axially opposite to each other. The first end (210) and / or the second end (220) are provided with a contraction port (201) that penetrates radially and extends axially along the connecting sleeve (200) so that the connecting sleeve (200) can generate radial elastic deformation and be squeezed into the mounting hole (021).
3. The snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the end of the connecting sleeve (200) away from the first segment (110) is provided with a mating surface (241), and the limiting member (300) further includes: A limiting part (330) is sleeved on the connecting part (310) and located on the side of the convex ring (320) near the connecting sleeve (200). The limiting part (330) and the mating surface (241) are configured such that the outer wall of the limiting part (330) and the mating surface (241) can abut against each other radially along the connecting rod (100).
4. The snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the axial direction of the connecting rod (100), the outer diameter of the limiting part (330) gradually increases as it moves away from the first segment (110).
5. A snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the limiting member (300) away from the connecting sleeve (200) has a guide slope.
6. A snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting member (300) is threadedly connected to the second segment (120).
7. A snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the convex ring (320) is hexagonal.
8. A snap-fit mechanical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first segment (110) is used for threaded connection with the first structural member (01).