Adjustable-Length Assembly With 360 Annular Shoulder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Length-changeable units in the motor vehicle sector require adaptable connection elements to accommodate varying installation situations, with the orientation of supply cables being a critical factor, especially for actuators.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a 360° annular shoulder that can be formed on either the connection element or an auxiliary element, allowing for flexible orientation and effective power transmission, with the option to overmould or weld metal and plastic components for enhanced structural integrity and reduced component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connection elements are designed with fixed orientation, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to different installation situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is designed with an asymmetric 360° annular shoulder that provides multiple engagement positions around the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric feature allows the connection element to be oriented in different directions while maintaining a single unified structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for connection elements, then the adaptability to different orientations is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional features (connection element, annular shoulder, engagement elements) are merged into a single integrated component. The connection element incorporates a 360° annular shoulder with multiple engagement positions, eliminating the need for separate orientation adjustment components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple installation orientations through its 360° annular shoulder. This single component performs multiple functions: providing structural connection, enabling orientation adjustment, and ensuring force transmission in various directions, thereby reducing the total number of components needed.
3Device complexity
If the annular shoulder is formed directly on the connection element, then the number of components is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is manufactured using composite material techniques, specifically injection molding combined with overmolding. The base connection element and the 360° annular shoulder with engagement elements are formed as an integrated composite structure, reducing component count while maintaining manufacturability through established plastic processing techniques.
4Ease of manufacture
If engagement elements are formed in one piece with the attachment, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement elements are merged with the attachment in a single integrated structure formed during injection molding. This integration simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating separate assembly steps while the internal structural design maintains the necessary functional complexity for proper engagement and force transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A length-adjustable unit includes a tubular outer component, an inner component displaceably guided in the outer component, issues from the outer component and arranged outside of the outer component has a connecting element, and an additional connecting element arranged at the assembly end, opposing the exit end, of the outer component. The additional connecting element, or an intermediate element rigidly connected to the assembly end of the outer component, has at least one annular shoulder extending in the circumferential direction of the outer component over the full 360°, while at least one engaging element is associated with the intermediate element, which is rigidly connected to the assembly end of the outer component, or the additional connecting element, and this engaging element is engaged with the annular shoulder to be slidingly displaceable in the circumferential direction but positively engaged in a longitudinal direction.